Best Personal Loans of 2025: Top Picks for Every Credit Score

We compared 50+ lenders to find the best personal loan rates and terms available right now.

Personal loans are one of the most flexible financial tools available — use them for debt consolidation, home improvements, medical bills, or any major expense. But with dozens of lenders competing for your business, finding the right one takes research. We evaluated 50+ lenders on APR, fees, loan amounts, funding speed, and customer satisfaction to bring you the best options for 2025.

Best Personal Loans at a Glance

• SoFi — Best overall, no fees, up to $100,000
• LightStream — Lowest rates for excellent credit
• Upgrade — Best for fair credit (580+ score)
• Marcus by Goldman Sachs — Best for no-fee experience
• Discover Personal Loans — Best for flexible repayment

1. SoFi — Best Overall

SoFi consistently tops our list for personal loans. With APRs starting at 8.99%, no origination fees, and loan amounts up to $100,000, it offers an exceptional package for borrowers with good-to-excellent credit. Their unemployment protection benefit — which pauses payments if you lose your job — is a standout feature no other major lender offers.

2. LightStream — Lowest Rates for Excellent Credit

LightStream (a division of Truist Bank) offers the lowest APRs we've seen for borrowers with excellent credit — starting as low as 7.49%. Their Rate Beat Program will beat any competitor's rate by 0.10%. No fees of any kind, same-day funding available, and terms up to 12 years for certain loan purposes.

How to Choose the Right Personal Loan

When comparing personal loans, look beyond the advertised rate. The APR — which includes fees — is the true cost of borrowing. Check the origination fee (some charge up to 10%), prepayment penalties, and whether the lender does a hard or soft credit inquiry during the application process.

What Credit Score Do You Need?

• 720+ (Excellent) — Qualify for the lowest rates, best terms
• 680–719 (Good) — Most top lenders, competitive rates
• 620–679 (Fair) — Fewer options, higher rates
• 580–619 (Poor) — Limited lenders, consider credit unions
• Below 580 — Secured loans or credit-builder products recommended

Bottom Line

The best personal loan depends on your credit score, loan amount, and how quickly you need funds. Use our comparison tool to check personalized rates from multiple lenders with a single soft credit pull — no impact to your credit score.