The best alternatives for when you’re in need of a mid-sized personal loan.
LendingPoint is a direct lender that serves borrowers with fair credit and can be a great resource if you need financing between $2,000 and $25,000. Its interest rates are on the higher end but match many competitors, with rates ranging from 15.49%–35.99%. And it offers risk-free rate estimates that won’t affect your credit score.
But you might find that LendingPoint isn’t the best provider if you don’t live in one of the its 34 serviced states or Washington, DC. And if you aren’t comfortable with the high origination fee it charges, it may be better to look to other lenders.
Pros
- Fast funds through debit card
- Minimum credit score of 600
- Reasonable rates
- Risk-free estimates
Cons
- Amounts only up to $25,000
- Origination fee of 0% to 6%
- Only available in 34 states and Washington, DC
- Payments twice a month
Alternative sites like LendingPoint
Click here to see LendingPoint
1. NetCredit
Like LendingPoint, you’ll be able to apply for a risk-free estimate without impacting your credit score. And although it has loan amounts as low as $1,000, you won’t be able to borrow more than $10,000. This isn’t the only downside, either — it’s available in fewer states than LendingPoint and has a very high APR, ranging from 34% to 155% (Varies by state).
However, NetCredit allows you to pay by bank transfer, credit or debit card, money order or through MoneyGram and WesternUnion. And if you borrow with NetCredit, you’ll have from 6 months to 5 years (varies by state) to pay off your loan — a bigger term range than NetCredit. It also reports your payments to TransUnion and Experian, which could help improve your credit.
Pros
- Fast funds
- No prepayment penalties
- Multiple repayment methods
- Risk-free estimates
- Fair credit OK
Cons
- Only available in 14 states
- Higher rates than LendingPoint
- Only borrow up to $10,000
2. OneMain
OneMain not only offers you the option of applying in person, online or over the phone, but you can also apply with a cosigner to qualify for a more competitive rate. And it has a slightly wider range of amounts you can borrow, from 1500 (subject to state minimum size restrictions) to $30,000. Its rates are similar to LendingPoint’s, and you’ll have Typically from 2 to 5 years to pay off your loan.
But while you have a choice between secured and unsecured loans, OneMain requires any collateral you use to be insured. It also has higher minimum loan amounts in states like California and Georgia, so you might not be eligible for that $1,500 loan. You won’t be able to qualify if you live in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, DC.
Pros
- Online, phone and in-store application
- Secured and unsecured loans
- Cosigners welcome
- Available in more states
- Fair credit OK
Cons
- Must complete loan process at a branch location
- Minimum loan amounts vary by state
- Can’t use it for school or work-related expenses
- Not available in AK, AR, CT, MA, RI, VT or DC
3. Even Financial
Even Financial is a connection service with affiliate lenders that offer loans from $1,000 to $100,000 — much more than LendingPoint offers. Its partners also have a wider range of APRs than LendingPoint, offering rates from 3.84% to 35.99%. And you’ll have more time to pay off your loan, with some lenders offering between 2 and 7 years to pay off your loan.
But like with any connection service, you likely won’t be eligible for the highest amounts or lowest rates if you just meet the minimum credit score requirement of 580. And since Even shares your contact information with its partners, you might end up dodging calls and emails from partner lenders even after you’ve been approved for a loan — something you won’t have to worry about if you opt for a direct lender like LendingPoint.
Pros
- Helps you compare offers quickly
- Educational resources
- Wide range of APRs and loan amounts
- 580+ credit score
Cons
- Not guaranteed to find a good fit
- Most competitive loans for good to excellent credit
- Could get calls from lenders
4. CompareFirst
CompareFirst is another connection service with lenders that offer APRs ranging from 2.99%–36%, though it’s unlikely that you’ll qualify for the lowest rate if you don’t exceed the minimum credit score requirement of 580. You can find lenders offering loans from $2,000 to $50,000 — twice LendingPoint’s maximum amount. Depending on the lender you’re connected with, you might have 1–5 years to repay your loan — an extra year on LendingPoint.
But while CompareFirst’s credit score requirements might be lower than LendingPoint’s, you’ll need to make at least $35,000 a year to qualify with one of its partner lenders. And as with any connection service, you’re limited to its network and might receive unwanted phone calls after you borrow.
Pros
- Helps you compare offers quickly
- Available in all states
- 580 minimum credit score
- Wider range of loan amounts
Cons
- Higher income requirement
- Not guaranteed to find a lender
- Could get calls from lenders after borrowing
5. Monevo
Since Monevo is a connection site, you’ll have more options available to you — especially since LendingPoint is one of its partners. Monevo’s partners offer loans between $1,000 and $100,000 — four times the amount you can borrow from LendingPoint. APRs also have a wide range, from 3.34% to 35.99%. And you can take anywhere from 6 months to 7 years to pay back your loan, depending on your lender.
And like the other connection services listed here, just meeting its 580 minimum credit score will likely mean you won’t be able to borrow close to the maximum or receive a low rate. However, if you don’t meet LendingPoint’s minimum of 600, you’ll still have options if you apply through Monevo.
Pros
- Helps you compare offers quickly
- Wide range of APRs and loan amounts
- 580+ credit score
Cons
- Not guaranteed to get connected
- Excellent credit required for more competitive loans
- Could get calls from lenders after borrowing
