Get connected with a lender to pay for college, a new car, your dream home and more.
You may have seen one of LendingTree’s commercials with the tagline: “When banks compete, you win.” That’s the model LendingTree revolves around. Depending on what you need — whether that’s a mortgage, personal loan, student loan or even a credit card — LendingTree finds out a bit about you and connects you to providers that can best help you.
LendingTree Personal Loans
What everybody ought to know about LendingTree and the personal loans it provides.
- Recommended Credit Score: 640 or higher
- Min. Loan Amount: $1,000
- Max. Loan Amount: $50,000
- Loan Term: Varies based on lender
- Interest Rate: From 5.99% (fixed)
- Easy comparison process
- Multiple offers
- Low APR
What types of loans does LendingTree offer?
Here’s a quick rundown of what types of loans and products you can find through LendingTree:
| Type of loan | Loan amount | Loan term | Collateral required? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal loans | $1,000 to $50,000 | 1 to 10 years | No | Read review |
| Auto loans | Varies by lender | 12 to 72 months | Yes | Read review |
| Small business loans | Varies by lender | Varies by lender | Depends on the loan | Read review |
| Student loans | Varies by lender | Varies by lender | No | Read review |
| Credit cards | Varies | Ongoing | Depends on the credit card | |
| Home mortgages and refinancing | Up to $424,100 | 15 or 30 years | Yes | Read review |
Compare a variety of loans through LendingTree
Why should I consider taking out a loan with LendingTree?
- Multiple options available. LendingTree can help connect you with a lender no matter what stage of life you’re in — from taking out a student loan to buying your first home.
- There’s no obligation or fee. Offers presented on LendingTree are just that — offers. Browsing on LendingTree doesn’t mean you’re locked into taking out a loan, and you can stop using the site at any time without paying anything. And even if you find a lender, you can still opt out before you sign any paperwork.
- Learn your credit score. If you’d like to find out your credit score, you can do so for free through LendingTree. This can help you discover which loan products best suit you and which you’d be better off not applying for.
Where does LendingTree fall short?
- Expect calls from lenders. When you use LendingTree to look for a loan, your contact information will be passed on to banks and other lenders. At that point, you may be contacted with offers — even if you’ve already found the loan you need.
- Not guaranteed. There’s no guarantee you’ll be connected with a lender. And even if you are, you might not get the loan. It’s all dependent on your credit score and personal financial situation.
- May impact your credit. While filling out LendingTree’s online form won’t lower your score, completing an application with a lender likely will. Be prepared for this, and try not to apply for too many loans at once to keep your score intact.
How does LendingTree make money?
As an online loan marketplace, LendingTree makes money by directing you to lenders. Banks find customers through LendingTree, and in turn they pay LendingTree for the referrals. So instead of charging you a fee, LendingTree makes a commission off banks — saving you time and money.Keep in mind that you’re never under any obligation to pay LendingTree any fee and aren’t required to accept any loan offer you’re presented.
What does the Internet have to say about LendingTree?
As of January 2019, LendingTree isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and only receives an A- rating. BBB customer reviews are a mixed bag, but it earns a solid 3 out of 5 stars. It does slightly better on Trustpilot, landing a 9.1 out of 10 from more than 6,500 reviews. Over 80% of reviewers rated it as “Excellent.”
Customer service appears to be a strong point, reflected in the fact that LendingTree takes the time to give personalized responses to negative reviews.
The biggest complaint concerned the volume of calls borrowers had to deal with. This is a hazard of using online connection services — they work by passing your information along to third-party lenders you might qualify with. But the amount of calls, emails and texts you get from LendingTree partners seems excessive.
Is it safe to use LendingTree?
Yes. LendingTree uses 128-bit encryption or higher when transmitting your personal data over the Internet. Web pages are also secured with SSL technology, which you can verify by clicking on either a key or lock icon that appears in your browser. Stored information is protected by firewalls.
As for it’s privacy policy, LendingTree is pretty transparent. It lists the information it collects, how that information is used and how you can unsubscribe. It even lists its subsidiaries — which is more than most websites offer.
How to find a lender through LendingTree
LendingTree works by pointing you toward different lenders. The basic process works like this:
- Fill out an online form. Tell LendingTree the type of loan you’re looking for as well as basic information about yourself.
- Review offers from multiple lenders. If you qualify, you may see several offers that are customized to your profile.
- Accept an offer and start working with the lender. When you find a loan offer you like, you’ll be forwarded to a representative with whom you can finish the process.
It doesn’t cost anything to use LendingTree. But you may need to pay fees assessed by the lender, including processing fees or closing costs.
Eligibility requirements
Eligibility criteria varies by the type of loan you need. But in general, you’ll need to meet these basic requirements:
- Have a credit score of at least 640.
- Have a debt-to-income ratio of 45% or lower.
- Be a US citizen or legal resident.
- Have a steady source of income.
There might be some exceptions, but people who meet or exceed the above qualifications have a better chance of finding a loan with LendingTree.
Compare LendingTree to other online lender connection services
Bottom line
LendingTree is a well-known connection service that can match you with a variety of lenders — whether you’re looking to take out a mortgage, personal loan or student loan. But this doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to find a provider that can help. And expect to field calls from its network of partners — even after you’ve taken out a loan.
See how LendingTree stacks up to the competition with our guide to personal loan connection services.
