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Best bad credit loans for June 2025

Updated Jun. 26, 2025

Our editors reviewed 45 lenders across 20 loan features to determine our list of the best personal loans for bad credit. Upgrade is Bankrate's winner for best bad credit loan overall, due to its accessible eligibility criteria, variety of repayment term options and flexible loan amounts. You may qualify for an Upgrade loan with a credit score as low as 580.

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Our top bad credit loan lenders

Upgrade: Best overall bad credit loan

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
7.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
580
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
1.85%-9.99%
Pros
  • Funds may be available within one business day
  • Sends debt consolidation loan funds directly to creditors
  • Flexible loan amounts of $1,000 to $50,000
Cons
  • Origination fees of up to 9.99%
  • Higher minimum credit score than other bad credit lenders
  • High APRs compared to some competitors
WHO'S IT FOR:

If you have bad credit because you're overextended with credit card debt, an Upgrade debt consolidation loan might help. You'll need a credit score of 580 to qualify (or a creditworthy co-applicant), but if you do, this lender will use your loan funds to repay your creditors on your behalf. Plus, if you're using at least part of your loan funds to consolidate debt, Upgrade may offer you a rate discount.

Avant: Best for lower credit scores

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
9.95%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$35k
Min credit score
550
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 9.99%
Pros
  • Administration fee is partially refundable if you repay your loan early
  • Seven days a week customer service available
  • Low minimum credit score requirement
Cons
  • High administration fee
  • High minimum APR
  • No co-signers or co-borrowers
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with busy schedules can take advantage of Avant's weekend hours to apply for a bad credit loan. The lender also offers competitive debt consolidation and home improvement loans.

Upstart: Best for limited credit history

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
6.60%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
300
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 12%
Pros
  • May approve borrowers with no or low credit
  • Option to change payment dates
  • Low start rates for qualified borrowers
Cons
  • High origination fees
  • No joint applications
  • Limited repayment term options
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Upstart loan. Upstart is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Best Egg: Best for secured loan options

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
6.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
0.99%-9.99%
Pros
  • Lower rates for loans secured by home fixtures or your vehicle
  • Low minimum rates for qualified borrowers
  • Low minimum credit score
Cons
  • High origination fees
  • Fewer repayment options
  • Higher minimum loan amount
WHO'S IT FOR:

Individuals with a bad credit score and a home or car may find lower secured loan rates and terms than with many other bad credit lenders. Once your score increases above 700, you may be able to get even lower rates if you earn $100,000 or more per year. Best Egg users on Bankrate also got their funds quicker than several other lenders we track.

OneMain Financial: Best for fast funding

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Est. APR
18.00%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1.5k–$20k
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
1%-10%
Pros
  • Good secured loan options if you don't qualify for dealership financing
  • Low minimum loan amount
  • In-person service is available at 1,400 branches nationwide.
Cons
  • Expensive origination fees
  • High minimum APR
  • Limited loan amount range
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with spotty credit who need funds for an emergency may have cash the same day they apply for a OneMain Financial loan. For same-day funding, you’ll have to opt to receive the money on a “bank-issued debit card.” Other methods may take longer — the typical Bankrate borrower waited several days for their funds. If you don’t qualify for an unsecured loan, OneMain also offers a secured personal loan option. 

LendingPoint: Best for rate reductions

Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Est. APR
7.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$37k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-6 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 10%
Pros
  • Repayment terms up to six years
  • Available in most states
  • Loan amounts as small as $1,000
Cons
  • High origination fee for some
  • Low maximum loan amount
  • No joint applications
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers who want to take advantage of LendingPoint's rate incentive may consider this lender. After making six months of on-time payments, you may qualify for a lower rate, especially if your credit score has improved.

Calculate your bad credit loan payment

Calculating your estimated monthly payment will help you compare bad credit loans and determine which best fits your budget. Borrowers with bad credit often receive rates above 30 percent, up to a lender's maximum rate. If you haven't prequalified with a lender yet, use these rates as a starting point to get an idea of what your monthly payment might be when you get a personal loan with bad credit. Your credit will not be impacted by using this calculator or getting prequalified with bad credit lenders.

Understanding bad credit and loan eligibility

A FICO Score below 580 or a VantageScore of less than 601 is considered a bad credit score. If your credit score falls in this range, you may find it harder to get approved for loans. You may also be approved with a higher interest rate, lower maximum amount and shorter terms.

There are several types of loans for bad credit borrowers to choose from. Your best option will depend on your eligibility and how much you need to borrow.

Bad credit personal loans are unsecured installment loans. They offer a lump sum of cash for almost any purpose, with maximum borrowing amounts as high as $100,000. The downside is that they come with much higher APRs than they would for someone with good credit, sometimes as high as 36 percent. 

Some bad credit lenders will accept credit scores as low as 300, although most require a score closer to 600. If your score is below 600, you may be restricted in how much you can borrow and how long you'll have to repay it. Your interest rate may be as high as 36 percent.

Rebuilding credit with a loan

A personal loan for bad credit can be a useful tool for rebuilding your credit. When managed responsibly, your loan can help you:

  • Establish a positive payment history, which accounts for 35 percent of your score. (But a missed payment can tank your score, so keep up with your payment schedule.)
  • Diversify your credit mix by adding an installment loan alongside revolving debt like credit cards. This makes up 10 percent of your credit score.
  • Reduce your credit utilization by using the loan to consolidate credit card debt. The amount of revolving debt you use affects 30 percent of your credit score.

Your credit score will initially dip when you take out a loan. Your lender will do a hard credit check as part of the loan application process. A new loan also reduces the average age of your accounts and adds to your debt load. But if you consistently pay on time, your score could improve within a few months to a year.

You'll see the most improvement if you plan your bad credit loan carefully. Take the following steps to avoid an unaffordable loan:

  • Evaluate your finances.

    Review your budget and use a personal loan calculator to determine how much of a monthly payment you can afford. 

  • Understand your goals and needs.

    Have a specific purpose for the money you borrow, such as debt consolidation or covering medical expenses. Calculate how much you need and only borrow that much.

  • Plan for the origination fee.

    An origination fee (sometimes called an application fee) covers the cost of underwriting your loan. It's a one-time fee that can be a percentage of the amount you're borrowing or a flat fee. This fee is deducted from the amount you borrow, so be sure to borrow enough to cover your needs and the origination fee.

  • Control your credit usage.

    If you're consolidating credit card debt, stop spending on your cards until your loan is repaid. Don't open new lines of credit. Doing so could overextend your finances.

  • Plan your repayment from the start.

    Know where the money for repayment is coming from and commit to cutting expenses from other areas of your budget. Set up autopay to avoid missing payments.

A bad credit personal loan can be one part of your credit rebuilding journey, along with monitoring your credit regularly, budgeting, tracking expenses and getting caught up on any accounts you're behind on.

What to know before you apply

Check your credit score and credit report

Since your credit score plays such a major role in your ability to qualify for a loan (and the rate you'll receive), it's important to know where you stand before you apply. Your credit card issuer or bank may offer free access to your score, or you can pay for it via a third party, like the credit bureaus.

To understand why your score is low, pull free copies of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — via AnnualCreditReport.com. Missed payments or maxed out credit cards could be driving your score down. If you find factual errors on your reports, file a dispute with the reporting bureau.

Compare personal loan lenders

Research lenders thoroughly before applying for a loan. Each lender sets its own eligibility requirements, so some may offer you better terms than others. A lending marketplace, like Bankrate, can help you compare many lenders at once to zero in on the best option for you.

Prequalify with at least three lenders to ensure you get the best rate possible.

Gather your financial documents

Once you've chosen a lender, you'll need to provide them with personal and financial documents as part of your application. Be ready to provide:

Strengthen your application

There are several steps you can take to strengthen your application, even if you have poor credit. For instance, if you have collateral, consider applying for a secured loan that offers a friendlier rate.

Adding a cosigner can also increase your odds of approval at a lower rate. Not all lenders allow cosigners, so if this is important to you, be sure to look for a lender with cosigner options.

Beware of predatory lending and loan scams

Common red flags include guaranteed approvals, no-credit-check offers, upfront fees and pressure to act now. Always verify a lender's licensing and registration with your state's attorney general before sharing your personal information, especially if you receive unsolicited offers through the mail, email or social media.

FAQs about bad credit loans

How we chose our best bad credit loan lenders

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

48

years in business

45

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

900

data points collected

To select the best personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 40 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories:

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