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Compare Personal Loans for Bad Credit
BRAND PASS · Loans · U.S. borrowers
Compare Personal Loans for Bad Credit
Explore your options with a clear view of eligibility and the full cost.
Investigate personal loans through Upstart’s lending partners or use LendingTree’s bad-credit comparison information to explore participating lenders. Check the requirements before applying and compare the terms available to you.
Neither service guarantees approval. A low credit score can mean fewer options and higher borrowing costs. No loan offer is made on this page.
About this guide: Links go to official company websites; no affiliate tracking links are currently used. These are two options to investigate, not a market ranking or a list of approved loans. BRAND PASS does not lend money or assess applications. For eligible U.S. borrowers. Information reviewed October 8, 2026.
Two starting points for your search
Bad credit commonly refers to a FICO score below 580. Scoring models and lender definitions vary. Your score is one approval factor, alongside income, debt, credit history and the lender’s rules.
Personal loans through Upstart’s lending partners
Explore potential loans assessed using multiple factors. Upstart is not the lender; its lending partners make the loans.
- The initial rate check uses a soft inquiry; accepting a rate and proceeding with an application involves a hard inquiry.
- Credit history and financial circumstances still affect eligibility.
- Review any origination fee and the partner lender’s final agreement.
Cost snapshot: Upstart currently advertises 6.3%–35.99% APR and 3- or 5-year terms. The full range varies by state; the lowest rates are reserved for the most qualified applicants. This is not a bad-credit rate quote.
Investigate loans through Upstart ↗LendingTree Bad-Credit Personal Loan Comparison
Explore LendingTree’s bad-credit loan information and comparison route for participating lenders.
- Each lender sets its own minimum score, income and credit-history requirements.
- Keep only potential matches serving your state and fitting your requested amount and purpose.
- Read credit-inquiry and contact consent disclosures before submitting information.
Cost snapshot: APR, fees and terms depend on the matched lender. The marketplace label does not mean every listed loan is available to every borrower with bad credit.
Investigate LendingTree options ↗Company links open in a new tab. Rates and requirements may change. An initial estimate or marketplace match is not final approval.
Eligibility: more than a score
| Check | Upstart partner loans | LendingTree lender matches |
|---|---|---|
| Score requirements | Current help guidance refers to underwriting-based minimums without a universal numerical cutoff | Each lender has its own rules; verify the matched lender’s current minimum |
| Identity and age | Age 18+, verifiable identity and Social Security number | Age and identity requirements vary by lender and state |
| Residence and account | U.S. residential address, personal U.S. bank account and valid email; state availability varies | Confirm state availability, residency status and account requirements |
| Income | A source of income, such as employment, an accepted job offer or another regular source | Check accepted income sources, any minimum and required documentation |
| Credit history and debt | Debt-to-income ratio, delinquencies, defaults, recent inquiries and bankruptcy history reviewed | Confirm debt-to-income and adverse-credit restrictions with the actual lender |
Upstart credit-history checks: Its current help article lists no recent bankruptcies or unpaid public records within three years, no delinquent accounts or loans currently in default, a reasonable number of recent inquiries and manageable debt relative to income among the factors lenders may review. Confirm how these apply to your loan.
Screen out ineligible options: If a lender’s minimum score is above your lender-used score, or its state, income or credit-history rules exclude you, remove that option before a full application. Passing the minimum screens still does not guarantee approval.
Lenders can use different bureaus and scoring models from your credit monitoring app. Published requirements do not describe every underwriting rule.
See the borrowing cost before you commit
APR and fees
APR reflects interest and certain borrowing fees. Ask for the actual APR, origination fee, late charges and any discount conditions. An advertised starting rate is not your personalized rate.
Net proceeds
If a fee is deducted from the loan, you receive less cash than the principal you repay. Check that the funds available after deductions meet your actual need.
Payment and total repayment
A longer term can reduce the monthly payment while increasing total interest. Review the full schedule and confirm the payment fits after essential expenses.
| Measure | 36 months | 60 months |
|---|---|---|
| Origination fee | $250 | $250 |
| Cash received | $4,750 | $4,750 |
| Monthly payment | $212.26 | $161.77 |
| Total payments | $7,641.28 | $9,706.02 |
| Payments minus cash received | $2,891.28 | $4,956.02 |
Illustration only, not an offer from either service. The 30% figure is the interest rate, not APR; APR would be higher because of the fee. Assumes monthly amortizing payments, no further charges and no early repayment. Totals use unrounded payments and include principal and interest. The deducted fee is captured in the difference between payments and cash received; it is not added again.
The tradeoff: Extending this hypothetical loan lowers the monthly payment but adds about $2,065 in interest. Compare the payment and the full cost together.
Before you submit a full application
1. Check your position
Review your credit reports for errors, list existing debt payments and set a borrowing limit. Gather identity, income and address documents the lender requires.
2. Compare potential options
Use soft-check processes where available. Confirm eligibility first, then compare APR, fees, net proceeds, term and total payments for the same borrowing need.
3. Review the final agreement
Confirm the lender, inquiry consent, permitted use and repayment terms. Check any collateral requirements: defaulting on a secured loan can put the pledged asset at risk.
If the available loan is too expensive
You do not have to accept an offer. Consider a creditor payment plan or hardship arrangement, an eligible credit union loan, or waiting to improve your financial position if the expense allows. If debt payments are already difficult, a reputable nonprofit credit counselor may help you review alternatives.
Bad-credit personal loan FAQs
Can I get a personal loan with bad credit?
Possibly, but approval is not guaranteed. Lenders assess credit history, income, existing debt and other requirements. An available loan can still be too expensive for your budget.
Does Upstart have guaranteed approval or no credit checks?
No. Its lending partners use underwriting requirements. Initial rate checking uses a soft inquiry; proceeding after accepting a rate involves a hard inquiry.
Are all LendingTree bad-credit listings available below 580?
No. Some listed lenders may require scores above that range, and all have additional requirements. Check the specific lender’s current rules before applying.
How does an origination fee affect my loan?
A fee deducted from proceeds reduces the cash you receive, while you repay the full principal and applicable interest. Compare net proceeds and APR, not just the loan amount.
Is prequalification the same as approval?
No. The lender may still verify information and credit. Your final rate, amount or eligibility may change, and you may receive no offer.
Can I add a cosigner?
Upstart’s current guidance does not allow cosigners or co-borrowers for personal loans. Through LendingTree, options depend on the matched lender. Check its rules and each borrower’s obligations.
Are these loans always unsecured?
No. Check the agreement for any collateral or lien requirement. Some loans may be secured, and certain financial institutions can have additional account lien provisions. Compare those terms before accepting.
Investigate your options. Choose with the full cost in view.
Start with the requirements, review any personalized terms and proceed only when the repayment fits your plan.
How this guide was prepared: We reviewed official product and eligibility pages for the two services. These are options to investigate, not recommendations for every borrower. We have not tested applications or ranked all lenders. Only Upstart’s published general APR range is shown; no personalized rates or live offers are displayed.
Sources: Upstart product and cost disclosures; Upstart general eligibility; Upstart credit requirements; Upstart cosigner guidance; LendingTree bad-credit comparison; CFPB personal loan fee guidance. Reviewed October 8, 2026.
General educational information for U.S. borrowers. Eligibility and final terms are determined by the lender. Verify current rates, fees and requirements before applying.