Most personal loans require a hard credit check, but there are a few options for borrowers with less-than-ideal credit scores.
If your credit isn’t great but you need a loan, you’re not alone. More Americans are struggling with their credit scores than in recent years, as economic pressures continue to impact lower-scoring borrowers, according to FICO’s most recent Score Credit Insights report (Spring 2026).
You might be wondering if you can get a personal loan with no credit check. The truth is, most legit personal loans do require at least a soft credit pull. But a soft pull doesn’t affect your score, and we found two legitimate lenders that skip the hard check entirely.
We only considered lenders that genuinely skip the hard credit check, verified from each lender’s own official website. To make this list, a lender had to clearly disclose that no hard credit pull occurs at any point in the application process.
We also looked at whether the lender reports to credit bureaus, state availability, funding speed and repayment flexibility.
A no credit check personal loan is simply a loan where the lender doesn’t require a credit check to determine loan approval. This feature makes it easier to get a loan for people with no credit history or that have poor credit. It’s also an option for borrowers who have good credit but don’t want to lose a few points just by applying for a loan. Instead, lenders typically look at your income, employment and banking history to decide if you qualify.
That accessibility comes at a cost. Lenders offset their risk with significantly higher rates, sometimes into the triple digits. Loan amounts also tend to be small, usually under $5,000.
Legitimate no credit check personal loans are rare. We verified two lenders — OppLoans and Possible Finance — that genuinely skip the hard credit pull. Both look at income, cash flow and bank account history instead of your FICO score.
Even without a credit check, you’ll still need to meet basic eligibility requirements. Most lenders want to see regular income and an active bank account.
If your credit isn’t great and you don’t think you’ll qualify for a personal loan, you may want to consider these short-term no credit check options.
Cash advance providers typically don’t check your credit at all. Instead, they evaluate your income and deposit history to determine eligibility and provide advances up to $500 or more, depending on the app.
But most apps aren’t free — you may need to pay for a monthly subscription. Plus, the apps typically charge fees for fast transfers, and the advance is normally due on your next payday.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked theseThe Finder Score crunches 3+ types of short-term loans across 65+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best short-term loans for all credit types, you can see how each short-term loan stacks up against other short-term loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type.
Payday loans are usually small, short-term loans you pay back within two to four weeks. Lenders that offer payday loans don’t care what your credit score is, but they charge high interest rates or fees that can equate to around 400% APR in some states. Plus, they don’t help you build credit, and relying on payday loans can put you at risk of falling into a cycle of debt that can be difficult to break.
Title loans are fairly similar to payday loans — and are sometimes offered by the same lenders — except they’re secured by your car, boat or other vehicle. You can typically borrow more than you would with a payday loan without a credit check, but they are an expensive form of borrowing and are usually due within 30 days.
If you have other items of value, such as used electronics, you could take them to a pawn shop and get a fast loan today with no credit check. But the fees to borrow are high, you’ll only have a short time to repay it and you risk losing your valuables if you can’t pay it back. However, you can also just sell items you no longer need to the pawn shop for a quick influx of cash.
The option to buy now, pay later isn’t technically a loan — it’s more like short-term credit — but it allows you to make larger purchases and pay them off in several installments. Usually, no credit check is required, and in many cases, you won’t have to pay interest or fees. But if you’re late or miss a payment, you’re charged extra. Plus, BNPL deals can encourage making purchases you don’t really need, and you can’t use them for more practical purposes such as paying your rent or other bills.
Getting a loan from a friend or family member may be an option to borrow money without a credit check, but it’s not to be taken lightly. If you decide to go this route, consider putting the terms in writing so both parties know what to expect.
The exact costs of no credit check loans vary depending on the lender, the type of loan and the state you live in, but here are some rough guidelines:
No credit check loans typically make the most sense for people who have poor credit or no credit history at all and don’t qualify for other loan options. Or, they may be a solution if you need a loan for an emergency and have nowhere else to turn.
It’s typically very easy to apply for a no credit check loan, and depending on the loan type, you might be able to do it all online or at a physical location.
Most lenders that offer no credit check loans have similar criteria:
Some loans may also require that you get paid by direct deposit, but that’s not always the case.
It can be difficult to find personal loans that don’t require a credit check, although some may only require a soft credit pull that won’t hurt your score.
If you need a fast no credit check loan in an emergency, you may want to consider payday loans, title loans or cash advance apps. Those are some of the few true “no credit check” loans, but they can be expensive and often lead to a cycle of debt if relied upon too often.
If you’re a retiree and looking for a loan, there are lenders who may approve your application. Learn more about the loan types available to retired people.
The passing of a loved one is a tough time. Learn if a funeral loan could help ease the financial burden so you can focus on planning a deserved farewell.
For single moms juggling income, expenses and emergencies on their own, personal loans can offer short-term relief — but they come with tradeoffs.
Emergency payday loans can give you quick and easy access to funds. Compare your options and find a lender to help see you through.
Wondering whether to choose a 3-year or 5-year personal loan to consolidate your credit card debt? We compare both terms side by side to help you decide.
A guide to hardship loans, including what they are, who should use them and what to be aware of when considering getting one.
Considering a loan from Reprise Financial or OneMain Financial? Check out our side-by-side comparison first.
How to get first-time personal loans with no credit history, ways to improve your odds of qualifying and alternative loan options.
Cash advance apps and personal loan providers that offer small loans.
Personal loans offer quick cash for Home Depot trips and contractors, but larger renovations may require a different type of loan.