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Between interest rates and fees, the costs of taking out a personal loan can add up quickly. Taking out a low-interest personal loan can be a good way to access the cash you need without paying an excessive amount of interest over the life of the loan. Keep in mind that you’ll generally need good to excellent credit to qualify for the best rates available — a good credit score is usually considered to be 670 or higher.

The best low-interest personal loans not only offer competitive interest rates but also a variety of loan amounts and repayment terms. Some of the top lenders also charge minimal fees and provide at least one possible rate discount to further lower your costs. Additionally, several of these lenders allow you to apply with a co-signer or co-borrower, which can help you get a lower interest rate than you’d get on your own.

To determine the best low-interest personal loans, we compared 17 personal loan lenders by these metrics along with other factors like state availability, funding time and customer service experience.

Best low-interest personal loans

Why trust our personal loan experts

Our team of experts evaluated hundreds of personal loan products and analyzed thousands of data points to help you find the best fit for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

  • 17 personal loan lenders reviewed.
  • 255 data points analyzed.
  • 6-stage fact-checking process.

Best low-interest personal loans

Compare the best low-interest personal loans

Interest ratesLoan amountsLoan terms (years)Rate discounts
SoFi8.99% to 25.81%$5,000 to $100,0002 to 7Autopay (0.25%), existing account holder (0.125%) and direct creditor payment (0.25%)
Upgrade8.49% to 35.99%$1,000 to $50,0002 to 7Autopay (amount not disclosed)
Upstart5.2% to 35.99%$1,000 to $50,0003 or 5None
PenFed7.99% to 17.99%$600 to $50,0001 to 5None
Prosper6.99% to 35.99%$2,000 to $50,0002 to 5None
LightStream7.99% to 25.99%$5,000 to $100,0002 to 7 (up to 12 for some types of loans)Autopay (0.50%) and Rate Beat Program (0.10%)
U.S. Bank8.24% to 24.99%$1,000 to $50,000 ($25,000 maximum for non-U.S. Bank customers)1 to 7 (5-year maximum for non-U.S. Bank customers)Autopay (0.50%)
Avant9.95% to 35.99%$2,000 to $35,0001 to 5None
All interest rates are current and include discounts as applicable as of November 6, 2023.

Methodology

Our expert writers and editors have reviewed and researched 17 popular lenders to help find the best low-interest personal loans. Out of all the lenders considered, the eight that made our list excelled in areas across the following categories (with weightings): loan details (15%), loan cost (40%), eligibility and accessibility (20%), customer service (15%) and ease of application (10%).

Within each major category, we considered several characteristics, including APR ranges, loan amounts and terms, lender discounts, late payment fees, minimum credit score requirements, co-signer acceptance and funding times. We also evaluated each provider’s state availability, customer support options and customer reviews.

Why some lenders didn’t make the cut

Of the 17 personal loan lenders that we reviewed, only a fraction made the cut. The reasons for this varied by lender, with some receiving lower ratings due to having higher interest rates or not allowing co-signers, while others had limited customer service options or poor customer reviews.

Average personal loan interest rates

Personal loan interest rates can vary from as low as about 7% to as high as 36%. The overall average interest rate for a personal loan is 10.97%, according to the most research in a Bankrate study.

Average rate by credit score

Credit scoreAverage APR
720-85010.73% to 12.5%
690-71913.5% to 15.5%
630-68917.8% to 19.9%
300-62928.5% to 32%
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

In general, reputable lenders don’t offer 0% APR on personal loans. You might find 0% APR offers on some products like auto loans or “buy now, pay later loans.” However, you could still get stuck paying hefty interest charges on these if you don’t meet the requirements set by the lender. This is why it’s essential to read a loan agreement carefully so you understand the total cost of borrowing, including the interest rate, fees and any potential rate increases over time.

If you want to borrow money with 0% APR, you might consider a credit card with a 0% APR introductory period. During the intro period (typically between six and 21 months, depending on the card), you won’t have to worry about paying interest. Just keep in mind that if you can’t pay off the card before this period ends, you’ll likely end up owing interest charges.

A good interest rate for a small personal loan will depend on several factors, including the lender, your creditworthiness, repayment term and more.

Generally speaking, borrowers with very good credit scores (usually 740 or higher) might be able to qualify for personal loan rates under 8%. Borrowers with good credit (670 to 739) may find rates around 10% to 14%, while those with fair credit (580 to 669) could be offered rates around 18%. Borrowers with poor credit (300 to 579) often receive offers for rates around 30%.

If you’re looking for a small personal loan, be sure to shop around and compare your options with as many lenders as possible to find a good deal.

There are several strategies that could help you qualify for a better rate on a personal loan, such as:

  • Building your credit: Some potential ways to improve your credit score include paying all of your bills on time, avoiding hard inquiries and correcting any errors in your credit report.
  • Paying down debt: This can help lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which is the amount you owe in monthly debt payments compared to your income.
  • Comparing lenders: Taking the time to consider multiple lenders can make it easier to find a good rate.
  • Choosing a shorter repayment term: Many lenders offer better rates on shorter repayment terms. In addition to getting you a lower rate, picking a shorter term also means paying less in interest over time.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Kiah Treece

BLUEPRINT

Kiah Treece is a small business owner and former attorney with extensive experience in business and consumer finance. She focuses on demystifying debt so individuals and business owners can take control of their finances. Her work has been published on Forbes Advisor, Investopedia, The Spruce, Rolling Stone, Treehugger and more.

Ashley is a USA TODAY Blueprint loans and mortgages deputy editor who has worked in the online finance space since 2017. She’s passionate about creating helpful content that makes complicated financial topics easy to understand. She has previously worked at Forbes Advisor, Credible, LendingTree and and Student Loan Hero. Her work has appeared on Fox Business and Yahoo. Ashley is also an artist and massive horror fan who had her short story “The Box” produced by the award-winning NoSleep Podcast. In her free time, you can find her drawing, scaring herself with spooky stories, playing video games and chasing her black cat Salem.