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Best low-interest personal loans for December 2024

Updated Dec 04, 2024

What to know first: The best low-interest personal loans typically offer starting rates below 10 percent to borrowers with excellent credit and solid finances. Most low-interest rate lenders offer their lowest rates for shorter terms as long as you qualify for the higher payment.

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PERSONAL LOANS

LIGHTSTREAM: BEST FOR LOW APRS AND LARGE LOAN AMOUNTS

4.7

Est. APR
6.94- 25.29%
* with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs*
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
695

PERSONAL LOANS

Upstart: BEST FOR LITTLE OR NO CREDIT HISTORY

4.8

Est. APR
7.40- 35.99%
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
300

PERSONAL LOANS

Achieve: BEST FOR GOOD CREDIT BORROWERS

4.7

Est. APR
8.99- 29.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $50K
Min credit score
620

PERSONAL LOANS

UPGRADE: BEST FOR SMALL LOAN AMOUNTS

4.7

Est. APR
9.99- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
580

PERSONAL LOANS

PROSPER: BEST FOR PEER-TO-PEER LENDING

4.6

Est. APR
8.99- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $50K
Min credit score
640

PERSONAL LOANS

TD Bank: BEST FOR FEW FEES

4.7

Est. APR
8.99- 23.99%
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $50K
Min credit score
700

PERSONAL LOANS

SOFI: BEST ONLINE LENDER FOR LARGE LOAN AMOUNTS

4.7

Est. APR
8.99- 29.49%
with all discounts
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
300

PERSONAL LOANS

DISCOVER: BEST FOR NO ORIGINATION FEES

4.8

Est. APR
7.99- 24.99%
Loan term
3-7 yrs
Loan amount
$2.5k- $40K
Min credit score
660

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A closer look at our top picks for low-interest loans

Here's a deep dive into each lender, why they're the best in each category and specifically who would benefit most from borrowing from the lender.

LightStream: Best for low APRs and large loan amounts

LightStream
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: LightStream is one of the most competitive online lenders in the personal loan space, offering a quick application process and fast funding. They also offer a maximum loan amount of $100,000 — much higher than many other lenders. 

Est. APR
6.94%–25.29%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
695

Upstart: Best for little or no credit history

Upstart
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview: Founded in 2012 by ex-Googlers, Upstart is headquartered in San Mateo, California and has originated more than $34 billion in personal loans. If you’re looking to consolidate debt to boost your score for a low-interest rate loan in the future, make a large purchase or cover some personal expenses, an Upstart personal loan may be able to help you do it.

Est. APR
7.40%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
300

Achieve: Best for fast funds with a co-borrower

Achieve
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Whether you need money to consolidate credit card debt, make some home improvements or make a large purchase, an Achieve (formerly known as FreedomPlus) personal loan can help you do it. And if you need a little help from a friend to get a lower rate or higher loan amount, Achieve is one of the few lenders that allows both co-signers and co-borrowers. 

Est. APR
8.99%–29.99%
Loan amount
$5k– $50k
Min credit score
620

Upgrade: Best for small loan amounts

Upgrade
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Upgrade personal loans are a good fit for smaller loan amounts or longer repayment terms of up to seven years. The low minimum loan limit comes in handy for an emergency expense, but can also be used to refinance credit cards, consolidate debt, take on home improvement projects or finance major purchases.

Est. APR
9.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
580

Prosper: Best for peer-to-peer lender options

Prosper
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview: On top of being Bankrate's 2024 award winner for best personal loan for fair credit, the company is a marketplace pioneer. When it launched in 2005, Prosper became the first peer-to-peer firm to enter the personal loan lending space. 

Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $50k
Min credit score
640

SoFi: Best online lender for large loan amounts

SoFi
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: A SoFi personal loan is a good choice for borrowers who need a large sum of money but have slightly lower scores than most high-loan amount personal loan lenders allow. SoFi offers a wide range of repayment terms and accepts joint applications. Referral bonus programs and automatic payment discounts could also get you a lower rate.

Est. APR
8.99%–29.49%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
300

Discover: Best for good credit and low fees

Discover
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview: Discover charges no origination fee and its starting APR is one of the lowest among lenders we reviewed. These factors make it a good match for good credit borrowers. The lender is also one of very few that offer customer service every day of the week.

Est. APR
7.99%–24.99%
Loan amount
$2.5k– $35k
Min credit score
660

What makes a personal loan a low-interest loan?

A low-interest personal loan has a rate under the national average. As of Dec. 4, 2024, the average personal loan rate is 12.31 percent. That’s much higher than the lowest single-digit rates advertised on many lenders’ websites.

Another way to define a low-interest personal loan is one that’s at the low end of a lender’s rate range. That usually means an APR below 10 percent, although the minimum varies among lenders.

To qualify for a low-interest loan, borrowers must have a steady income, an excellent credit score and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. You may also be offered a lower interest rate for a shorter term or a higher loan amount. 

Although the lowest rates go to excellent borrowers, you should still shop for the lowest rate even if you have bad, fair or good credit. Bad credit lenders may offer special discounts as you make payments on time or set up automatic payments.

Pros and cons of low-interest personal loans

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Fixed fees and interest rates give you a predictable payment.
  • Typically have lower rates than credit cards.
  • No collateral is required, making them a good alternative to home equity or car loans.
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • You won’t qualify for the lowest rates with low credit scores or thin credit history.
  • The lowest APRs are typically offered for shorter repayment terms with higher monthly payments.
  • Some lenders charge origination fees as high as 12 percent.
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See related

How to qualify for competitive rates on low-interest personal loans

Learn what steps you need to take to qualify for a low-interest personal loan.

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How much could you save with a low-interest personal loan? 

You could be saving thousands of dollars in interest accrual with a low-interest personal loan. Let's look at how much you could save on a $15,000 loan with a low interest rate compared to the same loan with a rate that is close to average and one with a higher rate.

Interest rate Loan term Monthly payment Interest paid Total amount paid
5% 24 months $658.07 $793.70 $15,793.70
10% 24 months $692.17 $1,612.17 $16,612.17
13% 24 months $713.13 $2,115.06 $17,115.06
25% 24 months $800.57 $4,213.75 $19,213.75

Financial wellness check: How a low-interest loan can help your budget

If you took out a bad credit loan to consolidate credit card debt, your rate could be close to 36 percent — and that could be eating into your monthly budget. But if your credit score has climbed above 670, you might qualify for a rate 10 percent or more lower for a good credit loan. You could use the monthly payment savings to beef up your emergency account or save more money for retirement or college expenses.

Check out Bankrate's personal loan calculator

To simplify the process, see how much you could save with a loan calculator. All you'll need to do is provide the interest rate, loan term and loan amount.

Learn more

Best uses for a low-interest loan

A low-interest loan can benefit borrowers in a variety of circumstances. Some of the most common reasons why one might use a low-interest loan include:

  • Legal expenses. Low-interest loans can be used for nearly every legal expense. However, specific lenders may set additional restrictions.
  • Debt consolidation. When you consolidate your debt, you replace your existing debts with one loan with a fixed, monthly payment. Having a single payment may make it easier to manage your loan. If you can score a lower rate on your new loan, it could also save you money.
  • Large purchases or expenses. To qualify for a low-interest loan near a lender's borrowing limit, you'll need sufficient income on top of a good credit score.

How to qualify for the lowest personal loan interest rate

Even though personal loan rates and eligibility criteria vary widely from lender to lender, certain steps can increase your chances of scoring the lowest rate offered. 

  • Pay off revolving debt: Besides payment history, your credit utilization ratio has the biggest impact on your score. The less available credit you use, the higher your score will be. If you can’t pay off your balances, get them as low as possible. 
  • Learn lender requirements: Check to see what the lender requires for the lowest rates. You might need a certain income or choose a secured loan option to get the best rates. 
  • Ask about discounts: Rate discounts for automatic payments could knock 0.25 to 0.50 percent off your APR. They are common but not offered by all lenders. If you don’t see any advertised rate discounts on a lender’s website, ask them when you apply.
  • Borrow less: Lenders compare how much monthly debt you pay to how much you earn. This is called your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. If it's too high, the lender is more likely to offer you a higher APR. Typically, the sweet spot for the best rates is below 36 percent.
  • Consider credit unions: If you qualify for membership with a credit union, you may find lower rates than you would with a traditional bank.

Alternatives to low-interest personal loans

If you don't qualify for a competitive rate and don't have the time to improve your credit, you have alternatives. 

Most of the financing options listed below have additional requirements. Some require excellent credit, while others require that you pay down the balance within a short period of time. 

Before deciding, pay attention to each product’s details. Note the approval requirements, the terms and the potential long-term financial consequences.

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A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with a bigger one with different terms and interest rates. With this type of home loan, you keep the difference between your old mortgage and your new one. Mortgage rates are often lower than personal loan rates, and you can spread the payments out for as long as 30 years.

On the downside, the refinance process can take up to 60 days to complete and it requires significant paperwork. You also risk losing your home if you can’t repay your loan.

Some credit cards offer 0 percent introductory offers that allow you to use the credit without paying interest if you pay the balance off within a set number of months. To qualify, you’ll typically need excellent credit and a stable source of income. This option makes the most sense if you only need to borrow a small amount and can pay off the balance before the promotional period ends.

Buy-now, pay later loans are installment loans that allow you to split your purchase into four to six interest-free payments. Many online retailers and some physical stores offer these services, and some physical stores.

They may be a better option for small purchases you don’t want to finance with a personal loan. 

Frequently asked questions about low-interest personal loans

How we made our picks for best low-interest loans

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

48

years in business

30

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

665

data points collected

To select the best low-interest personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 30 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories: