Lendly Review: Fast Loan-Matching But Not Great Option

Is Lendly Legit?

Lendly is a legit provider that has been around since 2019. Lendly promises that “All information that is entered online is only transmitted over the internet using an encrypted form directly to encrypted data services, where it can only be accessed and used to serve that customer per our privacy policies.”
While Lendly has not faced major scandals or security concerns, it is not accredited by the BBB.

Where Lendly falls short

While Lendly can be a viable option for quick cash, its high fees, low maximum loan amounts and limited repayment options mean there are better loan options that offer quick loans like Lendly. Here are a few drawbacks to consider before applying for a Lendly personal loan.

• Extremely high APRs. One of Lendly’s main drawbacks is its high interest rates. Although Lendly’s APR may be lower than some payday loans, which can exceed 400%, Lendly’s typical rate hovers around 225%. This rate is significantly higher than cash advance app alternatives like EarnIn, which offers payday advances up to $750 at no cost.
• Low maximum loans. Lendly caps its loans at $2,000. Upstart personal loans are a good alternative if you have bad credit but want to borrow more than $2,000 with better interest rates.
• Limited availability. Lendly loans are only available in 22 states.
• No preapprovals. Lendly’s loan applications may impact credit scores, as it conducts a hard credit check, unlike some competitors that offer a preapproval process using a soft pull.

What makes Lendly shine?

Lendly shines in a few areas. Its quick application process, automatic payment system, flexible credit assessment and support for credit building can make it appealing to borrowers. That said, it’s important to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks before taking out a loan from Lendly.

• Fast application and funding process. Lendly streamlines the loan application experience, allowing you to complete the online form in just five minutes. Most applicants receive a decision within 24 hours, and funds can be deposited into your account as soon as the next business day after submitting the necessary documents.
• Can help borrowers build credit. Lendly reports payment history to credit bureaus, such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. So, you can improve your credit score by consistently making on-time payments.
• Applicants with any credit score may qualify. People with less-than-perfect credit can still qualify for a loan, provided they have a stable job and can set up payroll direct deposits.

Lendly loan details

Lendly contact info

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Use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments and see how much your loan could cost over time.

How to qualify for Lendly

Lendly focuses on your employment and income rather than just your credit score, making it accessible to a range of borrowers. Here’s what you need to qualify:

• No minimum credit score required, but credit history is considered
• Proof of income and bank account information
• Steady employment, as your repayments are automatically deducted from your payroll provider
• US citizen or a permanent resident/green card holder
• Driver’s license or a valid government-issued photo ID
• Active personal checking or savings account
• Be 18 or the age of majority in your state

How to apply

Applying for a Lendly loan is a straightforward process completed entirely online. To see the rates and terms you qualify for, however, you’ll need to submit a formal application, as Lendly does not offer a prequalification option.

Here is how to apply to Lendly:

1. Complete the online application. The application takes 5–10 minutes and requires basic personal and employment information.
2. Submit your application. After filling out the form, Lendly reviews your information, and you’ll typically receive a decision within 24 hours. If eligible, you’ll receive an email and/or a text notification. You can also check your eligibility by logging into the customer portal at lendly.com/login.
3. Receive your funds. Once approved and your information is verified, funds can be deposited into your bank account as soon as the next business day.
4. Manage your loan. You can monitor your loan and make payments by logging in to the customer portal. If needed, you can pay off the loan early without penalty. Typically, your repayments are automatically deducted from your paycheck.

How Lendly compares to other lenders

6 of 6 results

Updated regularly

Finder Score	Loan amount	Turnaround time	Requirements
Promoted 9.5 Excellent EarnIn	9.5 Excellent	Up to $150/day, with a max of $1000 between paydays	1–2 business days standard; minutes with Lightning Speed	At least 18 and a US resident, Valid Social Security number, At least 60 days of banking history, Proof of consistent income, Positive bank balance, Get paid by direct deposit.	Access up to $150 per day, with a max of $1000 between paydays. Not available to CT or Washington, D.C. residents. Subject to EarnIn terms & conditions.	Important information EarnIn is not a bank. Access limits are based on your earnings and risk factors. Available in select states. Terms and restrictions apply. Visit EarnIn.com for full details. Expedited transfers available for a fee. Visit Earnin.com for full details.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9.4 Excellent Chime® MyPay®	9.4 Excellent	Up to $500	Instant transfers: 3% of the advance amount ($2 minimum, $5 maximum)	Chime checking account, direct deposits of $200+ and only available in some states	Access up to $500 of your pay before payday fee-free within 24 hours. See Chime terms and conditions. MyPay is only offered in select states.	Important information MyPay® line of credit provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. MyPay services provided by Chime Capital, LLC (NMLS 2316451). MyPay eligibility: You must receive qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account in the preceding 36 days as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A qualifying direct deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions apply. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 - $1000 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. Your MyPay Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance may change at any time. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details. Instant funds: Option to get funds instantly for a fee of 3% of the advance amount ($2 minimum, $5 maximum) per advance, or get funds for free within 24 hours. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details. SpotMe: SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest/no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no fee service attached to your Chime Checking Account (individually or collectively, "SpotMe"). Eligibility for SpotMe requires $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or their Secured Deposit Account up to $20 in total, but may be later eligible for a higher combined limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your SpotMe Limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your SpotMe Limit. SpotMe for Credit and SpotMe on Debit share a single SpotMe limit. Your SpotMe Limit may change at any time, at Chime or its banking partners’ discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions or OTC cash withdrawal fees at retailers. SpotMe won’t cover non-card transactions, including ACH s, Pay Anyone s, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe terms and conditions. Early Pay: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. Savings: Chime® Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account. The 3.75% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is only available to members with Chime Prime status, otherwise, either the 3.00% APY for members with Chime Plus status or the standard rate of 0.75% APY will apply. The APYs are effective as of 02/26/2026, are variable and may change at any time. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. See Chime Membership Tiers Terms and Conditions for more details. Credit Builder: Based on a representative study conducted by Experian® in Sept 2025, the top 10% of members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder, an earlier version of Chime Card, between April and August 2024, observed a FICO® Score 8 increase of 71 points after approximately 8 months. Average increase of 28 points across all participants in the study. Credit score improvement not guaranteed. Paying on time may increase your score, while late payment may decrease your score. Other credit activity can impact your score. Credit score is one of many factors creditors may consider in evaluating credit applications.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 8.2 Great Cleo	8.2 Great	$20 to $250	3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.	Not stated	Automatically monitor your spending plus access cash advances up to $100 at a time.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.4 Excellent Varo Cash Advance	9.4 Excellent	Up to $250 today. Build up to $700 over time with direct deposit at Varo. Average loan: $195. Qualifications Apply.	Instant, once qualified	You must have an active Varo Bank Account with a positive balance, no delinquent Varo Line of Credit or charged off Believe account in prior 6 months. Varo Advance qualification is subject to evaluation of consumer reports and Varo account activity.	Important information Varo Advance qualification is subject to evaluation of consumer reports and Varo account activity. If approved, initial limits range from $20- $250. Unlock higher limits up to $700 over time when you bring your qualifying direct deposit to Varo and build a positive history with us. Negative repayment history may impact credit. Fees range from $1.60 - $100 based on loan amount, and deposits to your Varo Bank Account. Your current limit and applicable fees can be viewed in the Varo App. Qualifying direct deposits are electronic deposits of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security or unemployment) from your employer or government agency to the extent that can be identified. Tax refunds and government stimulus payments, Person-to-Person payments (such as Venmo or Varo to Anyone), and funds deposited using a Varo routing number are not considered a direct deposit.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.4 Excellent OppLoans Installment Loans	9.4 Excellent	$500 to $5,000	As soon as the same business day	+18 years old, Receive paychecks through direct deposit, $1,500 minimum monthly income, Live in eligible state	Not available in: CO, CT, GA, IA, MD, MA, NY, SD, VT, WV. Comes with the option to change your due date so you won’t fall behind on repayments.	Important information The advertised APR is an estimate based on currently available information, is not final, and is subject to change. If approved, your actual rate will be determined and assigned based on your creditworthiness, income, application information, and other relevant factors. Applications submitted on the OppLoans platform will be originated by one of our bank partners and serviced by OppLoans. Please see the Rates and Terms for details regarding the availability of products in your state of residence. Subject to credit approval and verification. Actual approved loan amount and terms are dependent on our bank partners’ standard underwriting guidelines and credit policies. Funds may be deposited for delivery to your bank via ACH as soon as the same business day if verification is completed and final approval occurs before 12:00 PM CT on a business day. If approval occurs after 12:00 PM CT on a business day or on a non-business day, funds may be delivered as soon as the next business day. Availability of the funds is dependent on how quickly your bank processes the transaction. Installment loan amounts typically range from $500 to $5,000. Annual percentage rate (APR) ranges from 129% to 195%. Installment loan lengths range from 9 to 18 months. Example: A $2,000 installment loan repayable in 9 monthly payments with an APR of 160% would have monthly payments of $394.58. Loan amount, APR, and repayment terms may vary by state, please see https://www.opploans.com/rates-and-terms for additional information. Approval is not guaranteed. If approved, your actual rate will fall within the marketed range of rates, and will be determined and assigned based on your creditworthiness, income, application information, and other relevant factors. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest available rates. This is an expensive form of credit and you should determine whether the offered product(s) meets your financial needs. OppLoans’ Bank Partners may use credit report information provided by Clarity Services and Experian as part of the application process to determine your creditworthiness. The credit inquiry will appear as a soft credit inquiry on your Experian credit report and a hard credit inquiry on your Clarity report. Therefore it will not affect your FICO credit score. OppLoans and its Bank Partners report customer payment history to the three major credit bureaus. On-time payments may improve credit score.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.8 Great Albert Instant	8.8 Great	$25 to $1,000	Within minutes	An active bank account with transaction history linked to Albert	Advance up to $1,000 in minutes with Albert Instant.	Important information Albert is not a bank. Savings account provided by Wells Fargo, N.A., Member FDIC. Albert plans start at $19.99/mo. Try for 30 days before you're charged. Fees auto-renew until canceled. Cancel in the app. Terms apply. Albert Instant Line of Credit is an unsecured line of credit issued by FinWise Bank, a Utah chartered bank, Member FDIC. Limits range from $25-$1,000. Draw fees apply. Terms and eligibility criteria including geographic restrictions apply. In some states, Albert may offer you an Albert Instant Advance instead. Limits range from $25-$1,000, subject to terms and eligibility criteria. No Albert subscription is required for Albert Instant Line of Credit or Albert Instant Advance. See Albert Terms of Use for additional important terms.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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How we picked these

What is the Finder Score?

The 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.

Read the full breakdown

Lendly reviews and complaints

Lendly has a number of mixed reviews. Positive reviews on Trustpilot highlight how easy and quick the application process is. Borrowers find that their funds come through easily, which has especially helped during emergencies. Some borrowers appreciate the convenience of payroll deduction for repayments, which helps them stay on track without having to manage the payments themselves.

On the other hand, complaints center on issues like high interest rates and unclear communication regarding loan terms. Customers on the BBB raise concerns about customer service, noting difficulties in resolving issues or getting timely responses from support. Additionally, some reviews mention feeling misled by the promotional materials, particularly regarding how much the loan would end up costing.

Frequently asked questions

Does Lendly approve bad credit?

Yes, Lendly considers applicants with less-than-perfect credit. Instead of relying heavily on credit scores, it focuses on employment history and the ability to repay through payroll deductions. However, the loan’s high APR can make it a costly option even if you’re approved.

How long does it take to get approved by Lendly?

Lendly’s online application process is quick, often providing a decision within 24 hours. Once approved, funds are typically available as soon as the next business day, depending on your bank’s processing times.

What type of loan is Lendly?

Lendly offers small personal loans, typically up to $2,000, designed for borrowers who need quick access to funds. These loans are paid back through automatic payroll deductions, which help ensure timely payments. Lendly itself is not a lender but rather works with third-party services.

Does Lendly perform a hard credit pull?

Yes, Lendly conducts a hard credit inquiry when you apply for a loan. Unlike many lenders, it doesn’t offer the ability to prequalify with a soft credit check, which means applying affects your credit score.

How are loan payments made through Lendly?

Repayments are made through automatic deductions directly from your paycheck, using your employer’s payroll direct deposit system.