US-based Uprova is a tribal lending entity owned and operated by the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, California. It offers fast turnaround loans of $300 to $5,000 to bad credit borrowers. It states online that APRs fall between 34.5% and 35.99% and repayment terms range from 9 to 36 months.
However, Uprova customers have complained about paying interest charges 3x higher than their original loan amount—and regret getting a loan with the company.
You can’t get a loan from Uprova in Canada, but there are legit ways to access cash with bad credit if you live north of the border. Our Canadian alternatives to Uprova include cash advance apps with 0% interest and other bad credit loan lenders.
Our picks for Uprova alternatives
- If you want a loan search platform: Loans Canada
- If you want a short-term installment loan: Green Loans
- If you want quick funding: Spring Financial
- If you want easy eligibility: KOHO Cover
- If you want low-cost funding and credit building: Nyble
How does Uprova compare?
Compared to other bad credit lenders, Uprova comes with risks you need to be aware of. The lender can charge sky-high interest rates exceeding 700% APR.
Furthermore, Uprova is a tribal lender, which means borrowers don’t have the same legal protections or recourses as they would with other US lenders. Many Uprova borrowers in the US state that interest payments on their loans far exceed the original loan amount.
If you need a bad credit loan, there are other bad credit lenders on the Canadian market. In addition to 0% interest cash advance apps, lenders like Spring Financial and Loans Canada cater to bad credit borrowers and cap rates well below Uprova’s highest rates, helping you avoid getting stuck in a cycle of high-interest debt.
Pros
- Bad credit okay
- Fast funding available
- Pay back over 9–36 months
Cons
- Not available in Canada
- High APRs and interest payments
- Can lead to a cycle of debt
- Concerning customer complaints
- Not subject to US state usury laws
Avoid payday loans
We didn’t include payday loans as alternatives to Uprova, as these can charge excessive interest rates.
Consider the following:
- Example: In Ontario, lenders charge up to $14 for every $100 you borrow. So, if you take out a $500 loan, it'll cost $570 to repay. And if the loan has a term of 14 days, that equals an APR of 365%.
- The average APR on a 14-day payday loan in Canada can reach over 300%.
- While payday loans are designed for one-time emergencies, many borrowers use the money for recurring costs like utilities and bills.
For short-term borrowing, cash advance apps like the ones on our list are almost always cheaper than a payday loan, as there are no finance fees or interest charges on what you borrow.
Alternatives to cash advance apps
If you prefer not to use a cash advance app, consider these other methods for accessing quick cash instead:
- Personal loan. If you need more than a few hundred dollars, compare personal loan providers to find loans between $500 and $50,000. Same-day loans may even be available.
- Auto title loan. If you own a fully paid-off car, you could use it as collateral to secure a loan. Auto title loan providers don’t require top-tier credit, so it’s easier to qualify for funding than an unsecured loan. But you could lose your car if you fail to make repayments.
- Credit card cash advance. Credit card cash advances are a convenient way to access quick cash, but it’s best to limit them as fees can run high. Compare the best credit cards.
- Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) app. While not a source of cash, BNPL apps let you buy items you need today and pay off the bill later. Popular BNPL apps in Canada include Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna and Sezzle.
Explore our payday loan alternatives guide for more short-term borrowing options to cover emergency expenses or tide you over until the next payday.
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