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Loans Like CreditNinja

If you’re looking for a less expensive loan option, compare these lenders and cash advance apps that may have better rates and loan terms than CreditNinja.

CreditNinja offers loans from $300 to $5,000, and it has no minimum credit score requirement, which makes it an option for borrowers with bad credit. And you could potentially get the funds deposited into your checking account as soon as the same day. Plus, loan terms range from four to 24 months, so you’ll have a little breathing room to repay the loan.

However, a CreditNinja loan may come with an origination fee — typically up to 10% of the loan amount — and it doesn’t disclose how high its interest rates are, which might be a red flag. It does say that interest rates can exceed 36%, meaning borrowers protected by the Military Lending Act are not eligible to apply. Oftentimes, that can translate into APRs into the triple digits.

If you’re looking for more affordable alternatives to loans like CreditNinja, you may want to consider other providers. These alternatives may include similar loan amounts, fast turnaround times, reasonable repayment terms and opportunities for self-employed workers or borrowers with bad credit.

LenderLoan amountFeesSpeed
Up to $250
$5.99
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays
No membership fee
1 to 3 business days or within minutes for a fee starting at $2.99 per transfer
$500 to $4,000
N/A
As soon as the same business day
$1,000 to $50,000
0% to 12%
As soon as the same day
Up to $500
Undisclosed
Up to 3 business days to an external debt card, instantly to a Dave checking or instant to an external bank account for an optional fee.
$2,000 to $50,000
0.99% to 9.99%
As soon as the next business day
$1,500 to $20,000
$25 to $500 or 1% to 10%
As soon as one hour

Our 7 top picks for loans like CreditNinja

  • Alternative for small loan amounts: Cleo
  • Alternative for employees: EarnIn
  • Alternative for loans similar to CreditNinja: OppLoans
  • Alternative for building credit: Upstart
  • Alternative for gig workers: Dave
  • Alternative for lower rates: Best Egg
  • Alternative for bad credit: OneMain Financial

Alternative for small loan amounts

Cleo

8.2 Great

Go to site Read review

Cleo isn't a personal loan provider, but it provides cash advances of up to $250, which could be a more affordable option if you don't need as much as CreditNinja's minimum loan of $300. Plus, unlike CreditNinja, Cleo doesn't check credit scores, doesn't charge interest or late fees and only costs $3.99 for an instant transfer of funds. Or, if you can wait a few days, Cleo will deposit the money in your account within three or four days for free. However, Cleo requires a $5.99 monthly membership fee to access advances, which might not be worth the money if you only need an occasional cash advance.

Loan amount$20 - $250
Turnaround time3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Costs$5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances
  • Available in all states

Alternative for larger cash advance amounts

EarnIn

9.5 Excellent

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EarnIn is a wage-based cash advance app that doesn't have any monthly fees. So, if you need a smaller loan, you can borrow up to $150 a day and up to $750 per pay period on wages you've already earned through your job. How much you qualify for depends on the hours you've already worked. Normal transfer times are as quick as just one business day, and with its Lighting Speed service, you can even get your advance in minutes for a fee of up to $5.99.

Loan amountUp to $750
Turnaround time1 to 3 business days or within minutes for a fee starting at $2.99 per transfer
CostsFree to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $2.99 per transfer
  • Not available in: Connecticut

Alternative for loans similar to CreditNinja

OppLoans Installment Loans

9.4 Excellent

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OppLoans offers loan amounts relatively comparable to CreditNinja, ranging from $500 to $4,000. Its loan terms are also similar, with repayment periods of 9 to 18 months. Like CreditNinja, interest rates are high for Opploans — from 160% to 195%. However, Opploans doesn't charge origination fees, which can take a sizable bite out of your loan proceeds.

Loan amount$500 - $4,000
Turnaround timeAs soon as the same business day
Costs160% - 179% APR
Online applicationYes
  • Not available in: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia

Alternative for building credit

Upstart personal loans

8.3 Great

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Upstart might be a good alternative to personal loans like CreditNinja because it can help you build credit for the first time. Unlike most lenders, it looks beyond your credit score and considers your educational and career experience, among other factors, to determine eligibility. Plus, it reports your monthly payments to all three major credit bureaus. Upstart also has a wider range of loan amounts than CreditNinja, from $1,000 to $50,000, and much better interest rates, starting at just 6.7% and capped at 35.99%. However, it may charge origination fees of up to 12%.

Min. credit score300
APR6.7% to 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 to $50,000
  • Not available in: Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, West Virginia

Alternative for gig workers

Dave ExtraCash

8.5 Great

Read review

Getting a personal loan can be difficult if you're a self-employed or gig worker and have inconsistent income. But if you only need a small loan, a cash advance app like Dave, which offers advances up to $500 — $200 more than CreditNinja's minimum loan amount — might be just the ticket. And, unlike most cash advance apps, Dave doesn't have a direct deposit requirement, making it even more accessible for non-traditional workers. Dave also doesn't charge interest or late fees, and there is no credit check like there is with CreditNinja, but you may have to pay up to $25 to have the funds transferred instantly.

Loan amountUp to $500
Turnaround timeUp to 3 business days to an external debt card, instantly to a Dave checking or instant to an external bank account for an optional fee.
CostsUndisclosed
  • Available in all states

Alternative for lower rates

Best Egg personal loans

8.6 Great

Go to site Read review

Consider Best Egg if you want more affordable interest rates than CreditNinja. Best Egg's rates start at 7.99% and top out at 35.99%, which is less than CreditNinja's lowest APR. It also offers much bigger loans — up to $50,000 — but its minimum loan amount is $2,000, which is much higher than CreditNinja's smallest loan of $300. Both providers typically charge origination fees, but with its lower rates, Best Egg may still be a better option.

Min. credit score640
APR7.99% to 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 to $50,000
  • Not available in: Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia

Alternative for bad credit

OneMain Financial personal loans

6.8 Standard

Go to site Read review

Like CreditNinja, OneMain Financial accepts borrowers with bad credit, but rates are much lower, making it a solid alternative. Its lowest rates start at 18%, which is higher than some providers, but it won't exceed 36%, like CreditNinja. And OneMain offers a secured loan option that can help you qualify for a better rate. But it charges origination fees up to 10%, and unlike fully online loans like CreditNinja, you may have to visit a branch office to finalize your loan.

Min. credit scoreNot specified
APR18% to 35.99%
Loan amount$1,500 to $20,000
  • Not available in: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont

How does CreditNinja compare

CreditNinja offers fast turnaround loans from $300 to $5,000, and it doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement, making it an option for borrowers with poor credit. It also offers flexible loan terms that range from four months to two years. But loans generally require an origination fee, and exact interest rates are undisclosed. It says rates exceed 36%, however, making it a more expensive loan option than other lenders similar to CreditNinja.

Pros

  • Loans up to $5,000
  • Accepts bad credit borrowers
  • Flexible repayment terms

Cons

  • Charges origination fees
  • APRs exceed 36%
  • Website doesn’t disclose exact rates and fees
Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Writer

Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20 years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and likes to read and play golf. See full bio

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