Personal loans: compare 5 options

Compare the amount you receive, the fees and the full repayment cost. Start with your state and borrowing need.

First, check whether the provider serves your state and whether its loan range fits your cash need. The five options below include lenders and lending platforms. Compare the actual offer, not just the starting APR.

SoFi logo
SoFi

SoFi

4.5 / 5 · Editorial rating

SoFi is worth comparing when you need a larger unsecured personal loan. Eligible borrowers can request up to $100,000 in most states. The final offer determines the rate, fee and repayment cost.

Key features

Up to $100,000

A $5,000 to $100,000 range in most states.

Several term options

Published terms range from 2 to 10 years.

Different fee options

Some offers have no origination fee.

No prepayment penalty

Early repayment has no prepayment penalty.

Pros

  • Eligible borrowers can request up to $100,000 in most states.
  • Published repayment terms include an option of up to 10 years.
  • Some applicants receive an option without an origination fee.
  • There is no prepayment penalty.

Cons

  • The published minimum is $5,000 in most states.
  • The final rate and available terms depend on individual underwriting.
  • A fee-based offer requires a careful comparison of balance, proceeds and total repayment.
  • Business expenses, post-secondary education and certain investment uses are excluded.
Upstart logo
Upstart Network

Upstart

4.2 / 5 · Editorial rating

A personal-loan marketplace with three- and five-year terms. Its model considers employment and education alongside credit information. The lender’s individual offer, including any origination fee, matters more than the advertised starting rate.

Key features

More than a score

Employment and education can inform the model.

Two repayment terms

Three- and five-year options are advertised.

Cash after fees

An origination fee can reduce the deposit.

No early payoff penalty

The published terms allow early repayment without a penalty.

Pros

  • The model considers employment and education in addition to credit information.
  • Checking the initial rate uses a soft credit inquiry.
  • The published options include three- and five-year fixed-rate terms.
  • The published personal loans have no prepayment penalty.

Cons

  • The lowest advertised APR is limited to the strongest applicants.
  • An origination fee may reduce the cash you receive.
  • Loan amounts and fees vary by state and individual offer.
  • A full application can affect your credit through a hard inquiry.
Upgrade logo
Upgrade, Inc.

Upgrade

4.1 / 5 · Editorial rating

Upgrade connects applicants with personal loans from partner banks. Compare the rate, upfront fee and net cash together. The advertised range covers different borrowers, terms and conditions.

Key features

Loan amount range

Advertised amounts from $1,000 to $50,000.

Choice of repayment term

Published terms span 24 to 84 months.

Upfront origination fee

The published fee range is 1.85% to 9.99%.

No prepayment penalty

You can repay early without a prepayment fee.

Pros

  • Fixed rates and scheduled payments support a defined repayment plan.
  • An initial soft inquiry lets you inspect an offer before making a decision.
  • No prepayment penalty applies if you repay early.
  • Some offers allow a joint application.

Cons

  • An origination fee reduces the cash you receive.
  • The lowest advertised rates require AutoPay and direct repayment of existing debt.
  • Some discounts may require collateral.
  • Joint applications are not available for every offer.
OneMain Financial logo
OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial

4.0 / 5 · Editorial rating

OneMain offers secured and unsecured personal loans. Its branch option may suit borrowers who want direct help reviewing an offer. Check the APR, fees and net cash received together.

Key features

Branch, phone or online

Several ways to begin the application.

Two collateral routes

Secured and unsecured offers are available.

Defined repayment term

Published terms run from 24 to 60 months.

Early repayment option

No prepayment penalty.

Pros

  • Online, phone and branch application channels.
  • Secured and unsecured loan options.
  • Initial offer checks do not affect your credit score.
  • No prepayment penalty.

Cons

  • The advertised APR range extends to 35.99%.
  • Origination, late and returned-payment fees can apply.
  • A secured offer may require a first lien on an eligible vehicle.
  • State rules can reduce the advertised loan limits.
Mariner Finance logo
Mariner Finance

Mariner Finance

3.9 / 5 · Editorial rating

Mariner offers personal loans with online and branch routes. The available amount, price and collateral requirement depend on your state and application. Compare the full offer before accepting a monthly payment.

Key features

Online and branch routes

Choose the available application route.

Initial offer check

Checking an offer uses a soft inquiry.

Collateral can change the offer

Loans may be secured or unsecured.

A defined repayment term

Published terms run from 12 to 72 months.

Pros

  • Online and branch routes give applicants different ways to discuss an offer.
  • The initial offer check uses a soft credit inquiry.
  • Secured and unsecured options are available, depending on the application.
  • Published terms include a 15-day satisfaction guarantee with specific repayment conditions.

Cons

  • The published APR range reaches 35.99%.
  • Origination fees may reduce the amount of cash you receive.
  • State rules and underwriting can limit the advertised amounts.
  • A secured offer can require a lien on a qualifying vehicle.

Start with your state and cash need

Location

Check state availability

State rules can change the minimum loan, maximum loan and available terms. An advertised range does not confirm eligibility.

Amount

Work from cash received

A loan balance and the money deposited into your account can differ. Ask how any origination fee affects the amount you can use.

Security

Decide about collateral

Read whether the offer is unsecured or requires a lien on an asset. Compare that obligation along with the rate.

Compare amounts and repayment terms

These are published product ranges. Your state, income, credit profile and the final offer determine what you can borrow. All figures were checked on November 2, 2026.

Published loan ranges · Nov 2, 2026
OptionRoleLoan amountRepayment term
SoFiUnsecured personal loan$5,000–$100,000 in most states2–7 or 10 years
UpstartMarketplace; financial institutions make the loans$1,000–$75,0003 or 5 years
UpgradePlatform; bank partners provide the loans$1,000–$50,00024–84 months
OneMain FinancialSecured and unsecured personal loans$1,500–$35,00024–60 months
Mariner FinanceOnline and branch lending routes$1,000–$25,000 overall12–72 months

On a phone, scroll across the tables to read every column. Mariner’s online range is $1,500–$14,000. Its other loan amounts may require a branch route.

Read the price behind the offer

Advertised APR and origination fees · Nov 2, 2026
OptionAdvertised APROrigination fee
SoFiIndividual quoteSome offers have no fee. A fee option may lower the interest rate.
Upstart6.3%–35.99%; disclosed reference uses June 2026 offersMay apply; amount depends on the loan and state.
Upgrade7.74%–35.99%1.85%–9.99%, deducted from proceeds.
OneMain Financial11.99%–35.99%$25–$500 or 1%–10%, subject to state limits.
Mariner Finance15.99%–35.99%May apply and may reduce usable proceeds.

APR expresses the annual cost of credit and can include fees. The interest rate is a different figure. Use the payment schedule and disclosures supplied with the offer rather than treating APR as an interest rate in a payment calculation.

Which option belongs on your shortlist?

What do you need from the borrowing process?

You need a larger unsecured loan

Check SoFi’s offer

Its published range reaches $100,000 in most states. Compare the fee and no-fee options if both are offered.

You want a marketplace rate check

Compare Upstart

Its model considers employment and education alongside credit information. The participating financial institution makes the loan.

You are comparing a fee-based offer

Read Upgrade’s net proceeds

Its origination fee is deducted before funding. Check the cash received, discount conditions and total scheduled payments.

You want help through a branch

Compare OneMain and Mariner

Check local availability and whether the proposed loan requires collateral. Review online and branch terms separately.

Put cash received beside total repayment

Compare like with like
  1. Set the cash need

    Use the amount you need available after fees.

  2. Read the disclosure

    Separate principal, interest rate, APR and fees.

  3. Match the term

    A longer term can change both the payment and total cost.

  4. Add the payments

    Compare the full schedule and any separately payable charges.

When a fee is deducted

Check the usable cash

  • The approved balance may exceed the deposit.
  • Ask whether the deposit covers your intended expense.
  • Compare repayments against the amount you receive.
When a fee is financed

Check the starting balance

  • A fee can become part of the loan amount.
  • Ask whether interest applies to that financed amount.
  • Compare the final schedule with any no-fee offer.

The providers use different fee structures. Your written offer controls the calculation.

Before accepting any offer

How we compare

We compare official product pages, disclosures and support information. We focus on access, loan size, repayment term, fees, collateral and application route. We did not apply for these loans or measure approval chances.

The star ratings are editorial estimates, not customer averages or approval predictions. Advertised ranges help narrow a search, but they do not replace an individual offer. SoFi’s exact APR range is omitted because we could not confirm it reliably. Upstart’s disclosed rate reference uses offers from June 2026.

Sources and rate dates

Official information checked November 2, 2026. Published rates and terms can change.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Which personal loan has the lowest rate?

    Your offered APR depends on qualifications, state and loan terms. Compare actual offers for the same amount and repayment period. The lowest advertised rate is not a promise that you will receive it.

  2. Are Upstart and Upgrade the lenders?

    Upstart is a marketplace whose loans are made by regulated financial institutions. Upgrade is a financial technology platform whose loans are provided by bank partners. Check the lender named in your agreement.

  3. Why can the cash received be less than the loan amount?

    Some offers deduct an origination fee before sending the proceeds. Other fee structures may add a charge to the financed balance. Ask for the exact deposit and full repayment schedule before you accept.

  4. Can these loans require a vehicle as collateral?

    Yes. OneMain and Mariner offer secured lending routes, and some Upgrade discounts may require collateral. Read the specific offer. A lower rate does not remove the obligation attached to a pledged asset.

  5. Does checking a rate affect my credit score?

    An initial soft inquiry may not affect your score, but continuing with an application can require a hard inquiry. Read the provider’s consent language before proceeding.