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Since its launch in 2014, Best Egg has become one of the fastest growing online lending platforms out there with competitive interest rates and fast turnaround times. It claims to disburse funds in as little as one business day after approval. Compare top alternatives that offer personal loans with competitive rates and additional perks.
Even if you haven't heard of other lenders on this list, there's a good chance you're familiar with SoFi — it's the closest thing to a household name when it comes to student loan refinancing. But it also offers personal loans at competitive rates. SoFi's ideal customer is a young professional that's trying to pave a way toward financial freedom.
SoFi offers more additional perks than Best Egg does. Borrowers become SoFi members, unlocking access to financial advisers, networking opportunities and unemployment protection. Thinking of starting a business? You might be able to qualify for SoFi's entrepreneur program, which comes with seed money, the opportunity to pitch to investors and more.
Thinking of borrowing big? SoFi's maximum loan amount is nearly triple what Best Egg offers, capping at $100,000. Perhaps to adjust to the larger amounts, SoFi personal loans come with loan terms of 2 to 7 years . It also offers a choice between fixed rates of 5.99% to 18.64% and variable rates of 5.74% to 14.70% — including an autopay discount.
Unlike Best Egg and other providers out there, it truly has no fees — including no late and returned payment charges.
Loan Amount | $5,000 – $100,000 |
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APR | 5.99% to 18.85% |
Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
Min. Credit Score | 680 |
Min term | 24 months |
Max term | 84 months |
Turnaround Time | Up to 30 days |
LightStream is the online lending branch of SunTrust, one of the nation's largest regional banks. Its personal loans can be used for just about anything from home improvements to installing a swimming pool. Loan amounts are a bit higher than Best Egg, starting at $5,000 and as high as $100,000.
It also has a wide range of loan terms. On top of this, it doesn't come with any application or origination fees, nor does it have prepayment penalties. Its APRs are competitive and come with a 0.5% autopay discount.
However, if you were looking to borrow between $2,000 and $4,999, you'll have to go with Best Egg or another lender that offers smaller-dollar financing.
Loan Amount | $5,000 – $100,000 |
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APR | Competitive |
Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
Turnaround Time | Varies |
Truist Bank is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2020 Truist Financial Corporation. SunTrust, Truist, LightStream, the LightStream logo, and the SunTrust logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Lending services provided by Truist Bank.
Upgrade is an online lender offering fast personal loans and lines of credit to customers with good credit. Upgrade’s rates are similar to Best Egg, with APRs ranging from 7.99% to 35.97% . It large loan amounts, however, offering loans from $1,000 to $50,000. This maximum loan amount tops Best Egg by $15,000. Its line of credit also might be better for borrowers looking for more flexible access to funding.
The lender also shares some of Best Egg’s downfalls. It’s generally difficult to qualify if you’re self-employed. And it has even more restrictions on states, barring borrowers from Connecticut, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Vermont and West Virginia. While its slightly lower credit requirement of 620 might open the doors to more borrowers, its maximum APR is higher than Best Egg, meaning that you could end up paying more if you don’t have excellent credit.
Loan Amount | $1,000 – $50,000 |
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APR | 6.94% to 35.97% |
Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
Min. Credit Score | 600 |
Min term | 36 months |
Max term | 60 months |
Turnaround Time | 1 to 4 business days |
Personal loans made through Upgrade feature APRs of 6.98%-35.89%. All personal loans have a 1.5% to 6% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36-month term and a 17.98% APR (which includes a 14.32% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $343.33. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,359.97. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. Actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early. Personal loans issued by WebBank, Member FDIC.
Prosper was one of the first peer-to-peer (p2p) lenders in the country. Loans through Prosper are similar to Best Egg loans. They come in the same amounts: Between $2,000 and $40,000. They also come with around the same range of APRs: 6.95% to 35.99% . Even the loan terms of 3 years to 5 years are the same.
However, Prosper also offers loans specifically designed to pay for medical expenses of up to $100,000 for borrowers with a 740 credit score or higher. Unlike Best Egg, it offers loans in Vermont — though residents of North Dakota, Iowa and West Virginia are out of luck. And its 1% to 5% origination fees are capped at 0.99% lower than Best Egg’s.
Prosper doesn’t do nearly as well when it comes to customer reviews though, only scoring a 7.3 out of 10 on Trustpilot. This might have to do with the longer turnaround time since investors have to fully fund your loan before you receive the amount.
Loan Amount | $2,000 – $40,000 |
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APR | 7.95% to 35.99% |
Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
Min. Credit Score | 640 |
Min term | 36 months |
Max term | 60 months |
Turnaround Time | Up to five business days |
Unlike Best Egg, LendingClub offers multiple loan types in addition to personal loans. You can also take out business loans, refinance your car loan and apply for medical financing through your doctor.
This peer-to-peer lender has a slightly wider range of loan amounts than Best Egg, starting at $1,000 and capped at $40,000. It offers loan terms from three to five years — same as Best Egg. Lending Club has a wider reach, offering loans to all states but West Virginia and Iowa.
However, LendingClub’s APRs are higher than Best Egg’s, ranging from 10.68% to 35.89% . It also has a slightly higher credit requirement, cutting off borrowers with scores below 660. Its As little as 4 days turnaround time is nothing to write home about.
Loan Amount | $1,000 – $40,000 |
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APR | 8.05% to 35.89% |
Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
Min. Credit Score | 640 |
Min term | 36 months |
Max term | 60 months |
Turnaround Time | As little as 4 days |
FreedomPlus is the personal loans branch of Freedom Financial Network, a Silicon Valley-based company that works to help people get out of debt. With FreedomPlus, you can choose loan terms starting at 2 years compared to Best Egg’s minimum 3 years. APRs start a percentage point lower than Best Egg and range from 6.99% to 29.99% , and both lend up to $40,000. Unlike Best Egg, FreedomPlus allows borrowers to apply with a cosigner if they can’t meet its requirements such as a 640 credit score or higher, a $30,000 annual income and a debt-to-income ratio below 40%.
Unfortunately, FreedomPlus is available in even less states than Best Egg. You’ll want to look elsewhere if you live in Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia or Wyoming. FreedomPlus also has a slightly longer turnaround time, taking up to three days from start to finish. And if you’re looking for a loan under $7,500, this lender isn’t for you.
Loan Amount | $7,500 – $50,000 |
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APR | 7.99% to 29.99% |
Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
Min. Credit Score | 620 |
Min term | 24 months |
Max term | 60 months |
Turnaround Time | As soon as the next business day |
Disclaimer: To check the rates and terms you qualify for, a soft credit pull will be done that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product/offer and complete a credit application, your full credit report will be pulled from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull, and may affect your credit.
All loans available through FreedomPlus.com are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. All loan and rate terms are subject to eligibility restrictions, application review, credit score, loan amount, loan term, lender approval, and credit usage and history. Eligibility for a loan is not guaranteed. Loans are not available to residents of all states – please call a FreedomPlus representative for further details. The following limitations, in addition to others, shall apply: FreedomPlus does not arrange loans in: (i) Arizona under $10,500; (ii) Massachusetts under $6,500, (iii) Ohio under $5,500, and (iv) Georgia under $3,500. Repayment periods range from 24 to 60 months. The range of APRs on loans made available through FreedomPlus is 6.99% to a maximum of 29.99%. APR. The APR calculation includes all applicable fees, including the loan origination fee. For Example, a four year $20,000 loan with an interest rate of 15.49% and corresponding APR of 18.34% would have an estimated monthly payment of $561.60 and a total cost payable of $7,948.13. To qualify for a 6.99% APR loan, a borrower will need excellent credit on a loan for an amount less than $12,000.00, and with a term equal to 24 months. Adding a co-borrower with sufficient income; using at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the loan proceeds to directly pay off qualifying existing debt; or showing proof of sufficient retirement savings, could help you also qualify for the lowest rate available.
Laurel Road offers similar loan amounts, from $1,000 to $45,000 designed for borrowers who make at least $60,000 a year. It favors medical professionals, letting anyone in the field qualify for lower rates and loan amounts as high as $80,000.
Unlike Best Egg, Laurel Road offers loans in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Its APRs are also more competitive, ranging from 8.01% to 16.30% . That could be because it doesn’t charge any origination fees. It also allows borrowers to get a cash bonus of $300 for referring a new customer.
While Laurel Road might offer lower rates and higher amounts than Best Egg, its harder credit requirements might have something to do with that. While not part of its official eligibility requirements, borrowers might have trouble qualifying if they have a credit score under 680, make less than $60,000 a year and have a debt-to-income ratio above 40%. Borrowers have an option of applying with a creditworthy cosigner if they can’t qualify on their own.
Loan Amount | $1,000 – $45,000 |
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APR | 7.50% to 24.75% |
Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
Min. Credit Score | 680 |
Min term | 36 months |
Max term | 60 months |
Turnaround Time | As little as 2 business days |
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