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SoFi competitors: Top sites like SoFi

Find lower rates, smaller loans and relaxed credit requirements with these 8 alternatives.

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By

Heather Petty

Updated

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SoFi is an online lender known for its low interest rates and a wide range of member benefits. Borrow from SoFi and you won’t just get a loan — you’ll also get access to free career advice, financial planning, among a range of other benefits.

But this lender is designed for professionals who have already established themselves in their careers and built up a solid, positive credit history. It may not be the right choice if you’re just starting your career or have less-than-perfect credit. And while SoFi’s rates are low, they aren’t the lowest out there. Even if you’re SoFi’s ideal borrower, you may want to consider other options.

We’ve put together a list of similar lenders that offer loans to borrowers with lower credit scores, need smaller loan amounts or are otherwise looking for a slightly better deal.

Our 8 top SoFi competitors

Alternative for low rates: LightStream

LightStream personal loans

4.83 / 5 ★★★★★

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LightStream offers even lower rates than SoFi with no fees on loans from $5,000 to $100,000. It's also one of the fastest lenders out there — you can receive your funds as soon as the same day you're approved in some cases. But look for another option if you want to replicate the member perks that SoFi offers, such as career coaching and investing accounts. LightStream almost exclusively offers personal loans. It's also one of the few online lenders that doesn't allow you to check your rate without affecting your credit. This makes it a better choice for borrowers with near-perfect credit and steady income.
  • Available in all states
Pros
  • Low rates starting at 7.99%
  • No fees
  • Long terms for low monthly payments
Cons
  • No prequalification
  • Requires excellent credit
  • Only offers loans to most customers
Loan amount$5,000 to $100,000
APR7.99% to 25%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit scoreGood to excellent credit
Turnaround TimeSame day
Maximum Loan Term12 years
Minimum Loan Term2 years

Alternative for fair credit: Upstart

Upstart personal loans

4.15 / 5 ★★★★★

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This newer online lender considers things like your education and career path when considering you for its unsecured, fixed-rate loans. This makes it a great option for borrowers with fair credit scores due to a short credit history. But the lender charges an origination fee up to 10% of your loan amount and can have a high APR compared to SoFi. Still, it could be a good option for building your credit history to the point where you can qualify for a SoFi loan.
  • Not available in: West Virginia
Pros
  • No minimum credit score
  • Education and career factor into your rate
  • No prepayment fees
Cons
  • High origination fees of up to 10%
  • High rates compared to SoFi
Loan amount$1,000 to $50,000
APR5.40% to 35.99%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit score300
Turnaround Time1 to 3 business days
Maximum Loan Term5 years
Minimum Loan Term3 years

Alternative for bad credit: OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial personal loans

3.4 / 5 ★★★★★

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OneMain may be a good choice if you're looking for a loan like SoFi but have bad credit. While rates start at a high 18%, it's lower than most bad credit alternatives, which easily top 100% APR. It also offers the option to secure your loan with collateral to lower your rate.
  • Not available in: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont
Pros
  • Offers both secured and unsecured loans
  • Allows joint applications
  • Considers poor credit applicants
Cons
  • Higher APRs than competing lenders
  • Origination fees vary by state
  • High starting APR
Loan amount$1,500 to $20,000
APR18% to 35.99%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit scoreVaries
Turnaround TimeAs soon as the same day
Maximum Loan Term5 years
Minimum Loan Term2 years

Alternative for quality customer support: Best Egg

Best Egg personal loans

3.8 / 5 ★★★★★

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Best Egg may have slightly higher rates and fees than SoFi, but it's one of the few online lenders with positive reviews across the board. It's consistently received high ratings on review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot and Credit Karma. Customer experience at SoFi appears to be more mixed — especially if you look at the high volume of complaints filed against it on the BBB. Best Egg also accepts some fair credit borrowers, making it a good alternative for those who can't qualify for a SoFi loan.
  • Not available in: Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia
Pros
  • Positive customer reviews
  • Accepts fair credit
  • Loans start at $2,000
Cons
  • High APRs from 8.99% to 35.99%
  • Origination fee of 0.99% to 8.99%
  • No loans over $50,000
Loan amount$2,000 to $50,000
APR8.99% to 35.99%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit score600
Turnaround Time1 to 2 business days
Maximum Loan Term5 years
Minimum Loan Term3 years

Alternative for joint applicants: Achieve

Achieve personal loans

3.4 / 5 ★★★★★

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Formerly known as FreedomPlus, Achieve can be a great option for those who want to share the responsibility of the loan with a spouse, relative or anyone else. While there's an origination fee of up to 4.99%, APRs are similar to what SoFi offers borrowers after relationship discounts. Plus, Achieve offers a rate discount of up to 6% for borrowers who apply with a coborrower. Solo borrowers can also qualify for a debt consolidation discount of up to 4% on their rate, if they have the loan sent directly to creditors.
  • Available in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington
Pros
  • Joint applicant discount
  • Debt consolidation discount
  • Similar rates as SoFi
Cons
  • Origination fee
  • Limited state availability
  • No autopay discount
Loan amount$1,000 to $50,000
APR7.99% to 29.99%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit score600
Turnaround TimeAs soon as the next business day
Maximum Loan Term5 years
Minimum Loan Term2 years

Alternative for self-employed borrowers: Avant

Avant personal loans

3.45 / 5 ★★★★★

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Avant offers personal loans to borrowers who can't qualify for a SoFi loan, including the self-employed, who often find it hard to prove a stable income. Get funds deposited into your account as soon as the next business day, but you'll pay higher interest and fees.
  • Not available in: Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, New York, Vermont, West Virginia
Pros
  • Quick approval and funding
  • Pay no fee for early repayment
  • Reports to the three major credit bureaus to help build your credit
Cons
  • Maximum loan amount varies by state
  • May not be available in all states
  • Potentially high origination fees if approved
Loan amount$2,000 to $35,000
APR9.95% to 35.99%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit score580
Turnaround TimeAs soon as the next business day
Maximum Loan Term5 years
Minimum Loan Term1 year

Alternative for small loans: Upgrade

Upgrade personal loans

4 / 5 ★★★★★

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Upgrade can be a good alternative if SoFi's minimum loan amount is too high for your needs. It's one of the few personal loan providers that offers loans as low as $1,000 — though loans stop at $50,000. It also accepts credit scores as low as 620. The trade-off is higher rates and an origination fee that ranges from 1.85% to 8.99%
  • Not available in: Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Vermont, West Virginia
Pros
  • Low loan amounts
  • Accepts fair credit
  • Free credit monitoring
Cons
  • High origination fee
  • Higher APRs than SoFi
Loan amount$1,000 to $50,000
APR8.24% to 35.97%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit score620
Turnaround Time1 to 4 business days
Maximum Loan Term7 years
Minimum Loan Term2 years

Alternative for peer-to-peer loans: Prosper

Prosper personal loans

3.42 / 5 ★★★★★

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A peer-to-peer lender, Prosper could get you up to $50,000 to consolidate your debt, start a business, improve your home and more, even if your credit is less than stellar. But you'll wait five business days or longer for your loan to be funded, even after approval.
  • Not available in: Iowa, North Dakota, West Virginia
Pros
  • Offers loans for a variety of purposes
  • Low starting APRs
  • Simple terms of 3 years or 5 years
Cons
  • Loans capped at $50,000
  • Offers only 2 fixed term lengths
  • Longer turnaround time than SoFi
Loan amount$2,000 to $50,000
APR6.99% to 35.99%
Interest Rate TypeFixed
Min. credit score600
Turnaround TimeUp to five business days
Maximum Loan Term5 years
Minimum Loan Term3 years

How does SoFi compare?

You can read our full review of SoFi to get a better idea of how this lender works, but here are the main benefits and drawbacks:

Pros

  • High maximum loan amount of $100,000
  • Free credit monitoring and unemployment protection
  • Allows coapplicants
  • Member benefits like career counseling and rate discounts

Cons

  • Strict eligibility requirements
  • Lower approval rate than other lenders
  • Not available in Mississippi

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