Comparing 8 offers. Updated June 2, 2026.
Upstart uses AI to look beyond the credit score, approving borrowers other lenders reject and offering loans from $1,000 to $50,000.
Upgrade offers personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000 with flexible terms up to 7 years and accepts joint applicants and co-signers.
Avant offers personal loans designed for fair-credit borrowers, with fast funding and a streamlined mobile-first application process.
OneMain Financial offers secured and unsecured personal loans up to $20,000, accepting bad credit and even no credit history.
Achieve (formerly FreedomPlus) offers personal loans with rate discounts for using a co-borrower, securing the loan, or paying down debt directly.
OppLoans is a fintech offering installment loans to consumers with no or poor credit, with rates lower than payday loans but still triple-digit APR.
Mariner Finance is a regional consumer lender with 480+ branches across 27 states, offering personal loans, secured loans, and auto loans for fair credit borrowers.
Universal Credit, a brand of Upgrade, offers personal loans designed for fair credit borrowers with credit-builder tools and direct creditor payments.
Bad credit loans are personal loans available to US borrowers with low FICO scores, typically below 600. Rates are higher than at prime lenders, but a bad credit loan can cover an emergency and help you rebuild credit if you pay on time.
FICO scores below 580 are considered poor, 580 to 669 is fair. Most banks require 660 or higher, but several US lenders accept lower scores. Upstart looks beyond the score using education and employment data, OneMain Financial approves with no minimum score, and Avant, Upgrade, and Best Egg accept scores from 550 to 580.
APRs for bad credit loans typically run from 18 to 36 percent. Origination fees of 1 to 10 percent are common. Stick to lenders licensed in your state and avoid any offer that requires an upfront fee or guarantees approval.
Pay every bill on time, keep credit utilization below 30 percent, and use tools like a secured credit card or a credit-builder loan. Most consumers can move from poor to fair credit within 12 to 18 months of consistent on-time payments.
FICO scores below 580 are considered poor, 580 to 669 is fair, 670 to 739 is good, 740 to 799 is very good, and 800+ is exceptional. Bad credit loans typically target the 500 to 669 range.
Yes. Upstart, OneMain Financial, and Mariner Finance accept scores from 500. Universal Credit accepts 560+ and Avant accepts 580+. APRs are higher (typically 25 to 36 percent) and origination fees of 5 to 10 percent are common.
Add a cosigner with good credit (Upgrade, LendingClub accept joint applications), use a vehicle or savings as collateral (OneMain Secured, Best Egg Secured), pre-qualify with multiple lenders to find one that accepts your profile, and apply only after correcting any errors on your credit report.
Negative items (late payments, collections, charge-offs) fall off your report after 7 years. Most consumers see meaningful score improvement within 12 to 18 months of consistent on-time payments and low credit utilization (below 30 percent of available limits).