5 Loans Like Fairstone in 2026

Fairstone is a well-established lender with a nearly 100-year history. While it offers secured and unsecured personal loans to Canadians who may not be approved by Big Five banks, other lenders offer similar competitive loan products. Here’s a look at loans like Fairstone that may be better suited for your needs.

5 loans like Fairstone

• If you're looking for an unsecured personal loan: Spring Financial Personal Loan
• If you have bad credit: Loans Canada Personal Loan
• If your income is not from employment: LoanConnect Personal Loan
• If you want to visit a branch: easyfinancial Personal Loan
• If you're looking for a lesser-known brand: AAR Financial Personal Loan

Finder Score	APR Range	Loan Amount	Loan Term
If you're looking for an unsecured personal loan
8.5 Great Spring Financial Personal Loan	8.5 Great	9.99% - 34.95%	$500 - $35,000	6 - 84 months	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Spring Financial is a major direct lender of personal loans for fair to bad credit. Like Fairstone, you don't need to put up collateral to get the loan. You can also apply online and get funded within 24 hours. Pros & cons Pros Bad credit can apply Fast approvals No prepayment penalties Rebuild your credit Cons High rates for bad credit
If you have bad credit
8.6 Great Loans Canada Personal Loan	8.6 Great	9.99% - 35.00%	$500 - $50,000	3 - 60 months	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Loans Canada is a loan search platform that matches you with financing right after you apply. Like Fairstone, there are loan options for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit scores, and it's easy to apply online and get funded within a day or two. Pros & cons Pros Large lender network Easy application Cons High rates for bad credit You're limited to lenders in Loans Canada's network
If your income is not from employment
8.8 Great LoanConnect Personal Loan	8.8 Great	8.99% - 35.00%	$500 - $60,000	3 - 120 months	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it LoanConnect is an online platform so you can compare prices from multiple lenders at one time, which gives it a leg up on Fairstone for those who want to comparison shop. If you have non-employment income, such as private pensions and government benefits, LoanConnect has options for you. Apply for up to $60,000 in less than five minutes. Lenders are generated based on your unique profile so you're only matched with suitable options. Pros & cons Pros Connect with multiple lenders with a single application Quick deposits in as little as 24 hours after applying Apply for as little as $500 up to $60,000 Bad credit accepted Cons Potential for steep interest rates as high as 35% Only lenders working with LoanConnect are shown No in-person customer service available
If you want to visit a branch
8.6 Great easyfinancial Personal Loan	8.6 Great	9.99% - 35.00%	$500 - $150,000	9 - 240 months	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it easyfinancial has hundreds of locations across the country, just like Fairstone. You can apply if your credit score isn't the best, and you can get a secured or unsecured personal loan. An online application is available too if you prefer not to visit a branch. Pros & cons Pros Friendly in-person service Easy process Many locations across Canada Cons High rates for low credit
If you're looking for a lesser-known brand
7.7 Great AAR Financial Personal Loan	7.7 Great	14.90% - 35.00%	$1,000 - $50,000	12 - 96 months	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Like Fairstone, AAR Financial offers secured and unsecured personal loans to non-prime borrowers. You can apply online and receive funds as soon as the same day. AAR Financial has a limited number of branches that borrowers can visit for in-person service. Pros & cons Pros According to AAR Financial, the approval rate is 99% Funding as soon as the same day Easy online application Cons High rates for bad credit Requires more documents than other online lenders

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Finder Score	APR Range	Loan Amount	Loan Term	Broker Compliance	Key Features
Promoted 8.5 Great Spring Financial Personal Loan	8.5 Great	9.99% - 34.95%	$500 - $35,000	6 - 84 months	Key features: Fast online personal loans	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 8.6 Great Loans Canada Personal Loan	8.6 Great	9.99% - 35.00%	$500 - $50,000	3 - 60 months	Note: Loans Canada is a loan search platform. Apply once to get matched with lenders based on your credit and borrowing requirements.	Key features: Loan search platform with the largest lender network	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 8.8 Great LoanConnect Personal Loan	8.8 Great	8.99% - 35.00%	$500 - $60,000	3 - 120 months	Note: LoanConnect is a loan search platform with access to multiple lenders. Applicants will be matched with a suitable lender based on credit history and borrowing requirements.	Key features: Loan search platform for all credit scores	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.5 Great Fat Cat Loans Personal Loan	8.5 Great	6.99% - 35.00%	$300 - $50,000	3 - 84 months	Note: Fat Cat is a loan search platform. Apply once to get matched with lenders based on your credit and borrowing requirements.	Key features: Loan search platform for all credit	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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How we picked these

Finder Score for personal loans

To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 40+ personal loans are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.

Read the full methodology

How does Fairstone compare?

With roots in Canada since 1926, Fairstone is a responsible lender with over 230 branches coast to coast. It provides free no-obligation online quotes that don’t affect your credit score, and you could be approved for a $500 to $60,000 loan with terms of 6 months up to 120 months.

You can read our review of Fairstone loans for more details, including the Fairstone unsecured personal loans and Fairstone secured personal loans. But here are the highlights:

Secured vs. unsecured personal loans

The main difference between these loan options is that secured loans require borrowers to put up an asset as collateral, whereas unsecured loans don’t.

Secured loans like Fairstone

With secured personal loans, you use an asset you own as collateral. For Fairstone secured loans, that asset is your home. If a borrower defaults on a secured loan, the lender has the right to repossess the asset. Secured loans tend to have lower interest rates than unsecured loans since you’re reducing the risk for the lender.

Unsecured loans like Fairstone

With unsecured loans, lenders don’t require you to provide any collateral. Instead, they’ll hone in on factors like your credit score and your monthly income to determine your eligibility. Unsecured loans typically come with higher interest rates because the lender is taking on more risk. They also have a faster application process since the lender doesn’t need to measure the value of any assets.

How much does a Fairstone loan cost?

The total cost of your loan will depend on the loan type, the amount you’re borrowing, your loan term and its APR. Here are some examples of how much both secured and unsecured loans may cost you, at varying terms:

Secured loans

Unsecured loans

What do I need to apply for a personal loan?

To be eligible for a personal loan from Fairstone and loans like Fairstone, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have reached the age of majority in your province or territory. You’ll need to provide ID, such as a passport or driver’s licence.
• Be a citizen or resident of Canada (excluding Nunavut). You may need to provide bank statements, bills or other documents with your address on them.
• Have an established credit history.
• Able to make monthly repayments on your loan. Proof of income is required via pay stubs, CPP statements or tax returns.
• If you’re applying for a secured loan, you will need to provide proof of ownership and home equity via title deeds and mortgage statements.

Bottom line

Fairstone is a powerhouse lender offering a string of perks, including flexible loan sizes and terms, free one-on-one assistance from a lending specialist and online quotes that won’t hurt your credit score at all. But before you decide on applying, always do your due diligence and compare other personal loans, too. You may find a loan that’s similar to Fairstone’s with better interest rates, terms or other perks like fewer charges or an application process that’s completely online.

Frequently asked questions

• Who's better: Spring Financial or Fairstone?

  Both lenders have their strengths and weaknesses. If you want in-person service, then Fairstone is the winner since Spring is online only. If your credit score is low, you may have more options with Spring.

• Does Fairstone give instant approval?

  Fairstone prequalifies you within minutes, so you can know instantly whether you're approved or denied. You can get approval as soon as the same day.

• Who are Fairstone's competitors?

  Fairstone's competitors are other alternative lenders like Spring Financial, easyfinancial and Money Mart.

• Is Fairstone fast?

  Fairstone is fast if you get an unsecured personal loan. This can take a day or two. If you get a secured personal loan, the process may take more than three business days.

• Is Fairstone a payday loan?

  No, Fairstone is not a payday loan company. It's an alternative lender of personal loans.

• Is Fairstone legit?

  Yes, Fairstone is a legitimate lender. It's a registered business that's been around for nearly 100 years.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Leanne Escobal as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Carmen Chai

Writer

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Carmen Chai is a freelance writer at Finder, specializing in financial products. She is an award-winning Canadian journalist who has lived and reported from major cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, London and Paris. She has reported on personal finance, mortgages, and banking products for nearly a decade. See full bio