Northern Star Loan connects borrowers with lenders at no charge, and a smart match starts with understanding how the broader market prices personal loans. This page is an independent overview of 12 online and smaller lenders that many borrowers consider when shopping for a personal loan. For each one we summarize the loan amounts, APR range, origination fee, credit expectations and funding speed that the lender or major review sites published at the time of writing. Terms change often, so check the lender for current terms before you rely on any figure here. Nothing on this page is an offer of credit.
Twelve personal loan lenders at a glance
Twelve lenders appear below with their published loan amounts, APR ranges, origination fees and typical funding times, as published at the time of writing; check each lender for current terms before applying.
| Lender | Loan amounts | APR range | Origination fee | Typical funding | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upgrade | $1,000–$50,000 (higher for some profiles) | 7.74%–35.99% | 1.85%–9.99% | As soon as next business day | Fair credit, consolidation with direct payoff |
| Upstart | $1,000–$75,000 (higher minimums in a few states) | 6.3%–35.99% | 0%–12% | Often next business day | Thin credit files, newer workers |
| Avant | $2,000–$35,000 | 9.95%–35.99% | Administration fee up to 9.99% | As soon as next business day | Fair credit, simple online process |
| LendingPoint | $1,000–$36,500 | 7.99%–35.99% | 0%–10%, varies by state | As soon as next business day | Fair credit with steady income |
| Best Egg | $2,000–$50,000 | 6.99%–35.99% | 0.99%–9.99% | 1–3 business days | Good credit, debt consolidation |
| Prosper | $2,000–$50,000 | 8.99%–35.99% | 1%–9.99% | As soon as one business day; some longer | Joint applications |
| Universal Credit | $1,000–$50,000 | 11.69%–35.99% | 5.25%–9.99% | About one business day | Lower credit scores |
| Oportun | $300–$10,000 | Up to 35.95% | Up to 10%, varies by state | 1–4 business days | Limited or no credit history |
| Achieve | $5,000–$50,000 | 6.25%–35.99% | 1.99%–9.99% | Sent at signing; 1–3 business days to arrive | Consolidation with rate discounts |
| Mariner Finance | $1,000–$25,000 | 15.99%–35.99% | Varies by state | Not consistently published | Borrowers who want a branch |
| Lendmark Financial | About $500–$25,000, varies by state | Not consistently published | Varies by state | Often soon after closing | In-person service, secured options |
| Reach Financial | $3,500–$40,000 | 5.99%–31.79% | 5%–7.19% | As soon as next day | Good credit, consolidation |
Every figure above is as published at the time of writing; check the lender for current terms. Your own APR depends on your credit, income, debts, loan amount and term, and the lowest advertised rates go to the strongest applicants.
Upgrade: fair-credit lender with direct creditor payoff
Upgrade offers fixed-rate personal loans from about $1,000, with published APRs of 7.74% to 35.99% and origination fees of 1.85% to 9.99%, and it often funds the next business day.
Upgrade is one of the better-known online names for borrowers in the fair-credit range. Review sites have reported a working minimum credit score around 580 to 600, although the lender does not publish a hard cutoff. Repayment terms published at the time of writing ran from about two to seven years, which gives room to choose a lower payment, at the cost of more total interest.
Strengths
- Option to send loan funds directly to credit card issuers when consolidating debt.
- Co-applicant and secured options can help some applicants qualify or lower their rate.
- Prequalification typically uses a soft inquiry.
Drawbacks
The origination fee is deducted from your proceeds, so a borrower who needs exactly $3,000 in hand must request more. At the top of the range, a 35.99% APR is expensive, and the long terms can make a loan feel cheap when it is not.
Who it fits: fair-credit borrowers consolidating card balances who value having the lender pay creditors for them.
Upstart: underwriting that looks beyond the score
Upstart considers education, work history and other factors alongside credit, publishing loans from $1,000 to $75,000 with APRs from about 6.3% to 35.99% and fees from 0% to 12%.
Upstart is often mentioned as a personal loan option for applicants whose credit files are short, such as recent graduates or people who have only used credit lightly. The lender does not state a minimum credit score, and its model weighs more data than a traditional scorecard. Terms published at the time of writing were three or five years. A few states carry higher minimum loan amounts.
Strengths
- Can work for people with limited history but solid income or education.
- Funding is often the next business day when you accept terms early on a weekday.
- Prequalification typically uses a soft inquiry.
Drawbacks
The origination fee can reach 12%, one of the highest on this list, which raises the true cost of borrowing. Only two term lengths limit flexibility, and borrowers with weaker profiles may still land near the top of the APR range.
Who it fits: younger borrowers or career changers with steady earnings but a thin credit file.
Avant: straightforward online loans for fair credit
Avant publishes personal loans from $2,000 to $35,000 with APRs from 9.95% to 35.99% and an administration fee of up to 9.99%, and approved borrowers may receive money by the following business day.
Avant has long served borrowers in the fair-credit band. Review sites report approvals for scores starting somewhere in the 550 to 580 area, though many approved borrowers fall between 600 and 700. Published terms ran from about two to five years. The application is fully online, and a mobile app handles payments and account updates.
Strengths
- Accessible to many borrowers who are declined by prime lenders.
- Clear online process with quick decisions in many cases.
- Rate check typically uses a soft inquiry.
Drawbacks
The $2,000 minimum rules Avant out for small needs. The administration fee works like an origination fee and comes out of your proceeds, and late or returned payments can add fees. Rates for lower scores can be high.
Who it fits: borrowers with fair credit who need a mid-sized loan and want a simple digital experience.
LendingPoint: fair-credit option with fast funding
LendingPoint publishes personal loans from $1,000 to $36,500 with APRs from 7.99% to 35.99% and origination fees from 0% to 10% depending on state, with funding as soon as the next business day.
LendingPoint targets people with fair credit and steady income. Review sites have listed minimum scores anywhere from about 600 to 640, so treat the credit line as flexible rather than fixed. Published terms ranged from about two to six years. In some cases the fee is added to the loan balance instead of being taken out of your proceeds, which changes how much you receive and how much you repay.
Strengths
- Quick funding once the loan is verified and signed.
- Fees can be zero in some states.
- Prequalification typically uses a soft inquiry.
Drawbacks
The loan size tops out lower than many rivals, and fees vary by state, so two borrowers with similar credit can see different costs. Rates near 36% are possible for weaker profiles, which makes a careful comparison important.
Who it fits: working borrowers with fair credit who need money soon and want a moderate loan size.
Best Egg: competitive rates for good credit
Best Egg publishes unsecured loans from $2,000 to $50,000 with APRs from 6.99% to 35.99% and origination fees of 0.99% to 9.99%, typically funding within one to three business days.
Best Egg is a popular personal loan lender for borrowers who have good credit and want to consolidate debt. Its published minimum FICO score is around 640, and the lowest rates usually go to applicants with scores above 700 and higher incomes. Unsecured terms published at the time of writing were three or five years. The lender also offers secured loans backed by home fixtures or vehicle equity, which carry their own ranges.
Strengths
- Low starting APR for strong applicants.
- Direct payment to creditors is available for consolidation.
- About half of borrowers have been reported to receive funds the next business day.
Drawbacks
The minimum fee rises on longer terms, so a five-year loan may cost noticeably more in fees than a three-year one. The $2,000 floor and the credit expectations exclude some borrowers, and fair-credit applicants may see rates near the top of the range.
Who it fits: good-credit borrowers consolidating card debt into one fixed payment.
Prosper: marketplace lending with joint applications
Prosper runs a lending marketplace publishing personal loans from $2,000 to $50,000 with fixed APRs of 8.99% to 35.99% and origination fees of 1% to 9.99%, funding as soon as one business day.
Prosper is one of the oldest online lending marketplaces, where investors fund loans. Its published minimum score has been about 600, though solo applicants often need something closer to 640. Joint applications are allowed, which can help two incomes qualify together. Published terms ranged from about two to five years.
Strengths
- Co-borrower option for couples or partners sharing a goal.
- Fixed rates and a clear schedule from day one.
- Rate check typically uses a soft inquiry.
Drawbacks
Because investors fund loans, some take longer to complete than at direct lenders; review sites have reported waits of up to two weeks in some cases. The fee comes out of your proceeds, and the largest amounts go only to the strongest profiles.
Who it fits: borrowers who can apply with a co-borrower and are not in a hurry for funds.
Universal Credit: built for lower credit scores
Universal Credit publishes personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000 with APRs from 11.69% to 35.99% and origination fees of 5.25% to 9.99%, usually funding about one business day after approval.
Universal Credit is aimed at borrowers with lower or bruised credit. A minimum score around 560 has been reported by review sites, which is lower than most lenders on this list. Published terms ran from about two to five years. The lender offers tools to monitor credit and, for consolidation, can send funds straight to creditors.
Strengths
- One of the more accessible options for scores in the high 500s.
- Quick funding once verified.
- Direct creditor payment can keep consolidation on track.
Drawbacks
Fees start at 5.25%, so even the best-qualified borrower pays a meaningful upfront charge. The starting APR is higher than prime-focused lenders, and many approvals will land in the upper half of the range. Run the total cost before you accept.
Who it fits: borrowers rebuilding credit who need a fixed-payment loan and have few other options.
Oportun: small loans for thin or no credit history
Oportun publishes personal loans from about $300 to $10,000 with APRs up to 35.95% and origination fees of up to 10% depending on state, with funding typically within one to four business days.
Oportun is known for serving people with little or no credit history, and review sites report no published minimum score. Loan sizes are smaller than most lenders here, which suits a car repair, a vet visit or a security deposit. Published terms ran from about one to five years. Bilingual service is part of how the company reaches many of its customers.
Strengths
- Low minimum amount fits modest needs.
- Does not rely solely on a traditional credit score.
- Payments may help build credit history when reported and made on time.
Drawbacks
Rates sit near the top of the market, and review sites have published inconsistent low-end APR figures, so confirm your actual rate. Small loans with high APRs can still cost a lot over long terms, and the fee varies by state.
Who it fits: first-time borrowers or newcomers who need a small loan and lack an established credit file.
Achieve: consolidation loans with rate discounts
Achieve publishes personal loans from $5,000 to $50,000 with APRs from 6.25% to 35.99% and origination fees of 1.99% to 9.99%, sending funds at signing with arrival in one to three business days.
Achieve focuses heavily on debt consolidation. Its published minimum score is around 640. Review sites describe rate discounts for adding a co-borrower, for having funds paid directly to creditors, and for showing retirement savings. Published terms ran from about two to five years, and decisions often come quickly during business hours.
Strengths
- Discounts can trim several percentage points for qualifying borrowers.
- Strong consolidation tools and direct creditor payment.
- Fast decisions in many cases.
Drawbacks
The $5,000 minimum makes Achieve a poor fit for small expenses. Fees are deducted up front, and borrowers who do not qualify for discounts may not see much advantage over other lenders. Check whether a discount actually applies to you.
Who it fits: borrowers with fair-to-good credit consolidating at least several thousand dollars of card debt.
Mariner Finance: branch-based personal lending
Mariner Finance publishes personal loans from about $1,000 to $25,000 with APRs from 15.99% to 35.99% and state-specific fees, combining online applications with local branch service in the states it serves.
Mariner Finance is a consumer finance company with a branch network. Review sites have noted that online applications cover a narrower amount band, while smaller or larger loans may require a branch visit. The lender does not widely publish a minimum score or funding timeline, and terms reported at the time of writing ranged from about one to six years.
Strengths
- Face-to-face help for people who prefer to talk through a loan.
- May consider borrowers who are declined online elsewhere.
- Secured options may be available in some cases.
Drawbacks
The starting APR is higher than online prime lenders, and fees vary by state. Some applicants report being offered optional add-on products at closing; read every line and decline anything you do not want. Availability depends on where you live.
Who it fits: borrowers who value in-person service and live near a branch.
Lendmark Financial: in-person loans with secured options
Lendmark Financial offers personal loans that review sites list from about $500 to $25,000 depending on state, with rates and fees not consistently published and most loans closed through a local branch.
Lendmark Financial Services is a branch-based lender headquartered in Georgia that serves borrowers in a set list of states. Larger loans may require collateral such as a vehicle. Review sites report that the application involves a hard credit inquiry rather than a soft-pull rate check, which matters if you are comparing several lenders. Rates reported by borrowers vary widely, and fees depend on state law.
Strengths
- Small starting amount for modest expenses.
- Local staff can explain terms in person.
- Secured loans may open a lower rate for some borrowers.
Drawbacks
Limited published pricing makes advance comparison harder, and a hard inquiry at application can lower your score slightly. Pledging a car as collateral puts it at risk if you fall behind, and availability is limited to certain states.
Who it fits: borrowers who prefer a branch relationship and are comfortable with a secured loan.
Reach Financial: consolidation loans for good credit
Reach Financial publishes personal loans from $3,500 to $40,000 with APRs from 5.99% to 31.79% and origination fees of 5% to 7.19%, with funding possible as soon as the next day after approval.
Reach Financial is a newer online lender focused largely on debt consolidation. Review sites report a minimum score around 660, which places it toward the stronger-credit end of this list. Published terms ran from about two to five years, and decisions often arrive within minutes of applying online.
Strengths
- Maximum APR published below the 36% level many lenders use.
- Quick decisions and next-day funding in many cases.
- Fixed payments suit a structured payoff plan.
Drawbacks
The $3,500 minimum excludes smaller needs, and the fee floor of 5% means everyone pays a noticeable upfront charge. Applicants below the mid-600s are less likely to qualify, and some rate figures differ depending on which site you applied through.
Who it fits: good-credit borrowers consolidating a few thousand dollars or more of higher-rate balances.
How to compare personal loan lenders fairly
Borrowers compare personal loan lenders fairly by lining up the APR, total repayment, fee treatment, term and monthly payment for the same amount, rather than looking at advertised starting rates alone.
- APR first. APR includes the interest rate and most fees, so it is the best single comparison number. For the factors that push it up or down, see our breakdown of current personal loan rate ranges.
- Fee treatment. A fee deducted from proceeds means you receive less than you borrow. A 6% fee on $3,000 leaves about $2,820 in your account.
- Total cost. Representative example: a $3,000 loan repaid over two years at 24% APR lands near $159 monthly, or around $807 of interest from start to finish. That is only an estimate, since each lender quotes its own terms. To test different amounts and terms, open our personal loan payment calculator and adjust the inputs.
- Credit pull type. A soft-pull rate check typically does not affect your score; a hard inquiry may.
- Fit with your need. A lender with a $5,000 minimum is the wrong tool for a $900 repair.
Once a quote shows up, our line-by-line guide to personal loan offer disclosures decodes every figure on it.
Matching the lender to your loan amount
Loan size narrows the field quickly, because published minimums on this list range from about $300 to $5,000, while many everyday needs fall between $500 and $5,000.
| Amount you need | Lenders whose published range starts low enough |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | Oportun, Lendmark Financial (state-dependent) |
| $1,000–$1,999 | Upgrade, Upstart, LendingPoint, Universal Credit, Mariner Finance, plus the above |
| $2,000–$3,499 | Adds Avant, Best Egg, Prosper |
| $3,500–$4,999 | Adds Reach Financial |
| $5,000 and up | Adds Achieve |
Taking a bigger personal loan than you need just to reach a lender’s minimum adds interest and fees for money you will not use, so start from the real number.
Matching the lender to your credit profile
Credit profile is the second big filter: published or reported minimums on this list run from no stated minimum up to about 660, and the best rates go to scores well above those floors.
- Limited or no history: Oportun and Upstart consider factors beyond a traditional score.
- Fair credit, roughly high 500s to mid 600s: Universal Credit, Avant, Upgrade, LendingPoint and the branch lenders.
- Good credit, mid 600s and up: Best Egg, Prosper, Achieve and Reach Financial tend to compete hardest here.
Score is not the only factor. Income, debt-to-income ratio, recent delinquencies and verification all matter. The personal loan eligibility guide covers what lenders usually review.
How Northern Star Loan relates to these lenders
Because Northern Star Loan acts only as a no-cost connector and never lends, its partner roster may or may not overlap with the 12 lenders profiled above; you can always compare these lenders on your own as well.
After you send Northern Star Loan a request, the information travels to independent lenders and partners across the Northern Star Lending network, covering requests between $500 and $5,000. Every approval, APR, term and disbursement is handled by those lenders rather than by Northern Star Loan. Completing the form usually means a soft credit check only, while accepting a quote and continuing could lead the lender to perform a hard pull.
The overview on this page is separate from that matching process, and Northern Star Lending partners are not ranked or favored in it. We wrote it so you can judge any offer against the broader market, whether it comes through the NorthernStarLending network, directly from one of the lenders above, or from a bank or credit union. Some borrowers check rates with two or three lenders directly and also submit one request through Northern Star Loan, then compare everything side by side. Others go straight to a lender they already know. Either approach is reasonable.
Practical next steps before you choose
A sound next step is to decide your exact amount and maximum monthly payment, check two or three rates with soft inquiries, then compare APR and total cost before accepting anything.
- Write down the amount you truly need and the payment your budget can carry every month.
- Pull your free credit reports and fix obvious errors before applying.
- Use soft-pull rate checks where offered to see real ranges without a score impact.
- Compare offers on APR, total repayment, fee treatment and prepayment terms.
- Read the full agreement and decline optional add-ons you do not want.
Whether you use Northern Star Lending or go direct, the right personal loan is the one you can repay comfortably on schedule. A smaller loan, a shorter term or a few weeks of saving can sometimes beat the fastest offer on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the APR ranges on this lender comparison current?
The figures reflect what each lender or major review sites published at the time of writing. Lenders change rates and fees often, so treat the table as a starting point and confirm current terms directly with the lender before you sign anything.
Why do some of these lenders start above $500 when the network offers $500 to $5,000?
Each lender sets its own minimum and maximum loan size, and several on this list begin at $1,000, $2,000 or more. If you only need a few hundred dollars, a lender with a lower floor, or a smaller request through the matching form, may be a better fit.
Does Northern Star Loan rank these lenders for payment?
No. The overview is written to help you understand published terms, not to push any single lender. Northern Star Loan is a free connector, and its network partners may or may not include the lenders described here.