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The costs of taking out a personal loan can add up quickly, but a low-interest personal loan can be a good way to get the cash you need without paying excessive interest. Keep in mind that you’ll need good to excellent credit — typically 670 or above — to qualify for the lowest rate available.

In 2024, the best low-interest personal loans offer competitive rates and a variety of repayment terms, minimal fees and at least one rate discount. Plus, several of these lenders allow you to apply with a co-signer or co-borrower, which can help you get an even lower interest rate than you’d get on your own.

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.

Compare the best low-interest personal loans

 INTEREST RATESLOAN AMOUNTS LOAN TERMS (YEARS)RATE DISCOUNTS
SoFi
8.99% to 29.49%
$5,000 to $100,000
2 to 7
Autopay (0.25%), existing account holder (0.125%) and direct creditor payment (0.25%)
Upgrade
8.49% to 35.99%
$1,000 to $50,000
2 to 7
Autopay (amount not disclosed)
Upstart
7.8% to 35.99%
$1,000 to $50,000
3 or 5
None
PenFed
7.99% to 17.99%
$600 to $50,000
1 to 5
None
Prosper
6.99% to 35.99%
$2,000 to $50,000
2 to 5
None
LightStream
6.99% to 25.99%
$5,000 to $100,000
2 to 7 (up to 12 for some types of loans)
Autopay (0.50%) and Rate Beat Program (0.10%)
U.S. Bank
8.74% 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%)
Avant
9.95% to 35.99%
$2,000 to $35,000
1 to 5
None

All interest rates are current and include discounts as applicable as of April 22, 2024.

Methodology

Our expert writers and editors have reviewed and researched multiple 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 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%. As of March 4, 2024, the average rate on a three-year loan was 14.02% while the average rate on a five-year loan was 22.15%, according to data from Credible.

Average rate by credit score

CREDIT SCOREAVERAGE APR
720-850
13.21% to 17.46%
690-719
21.73% to 24.31%
630-689
29.97% to 29.38%
300-629
31.65% to 30.25%

How to find the best low-interest personal loan

There are a few strategies that can make it easier to find a low-interest personal loan that suits your needs. Here are some of the steps you can take:

Check your credit.

If you’re taking out an unsecured personal loan, your lender won’t require collateral. However, the lender will determine your eligibility as well as your interest rate based on other factors like your credit score. A higher credit score generally boosts your chances of approval and can help you qualify for a low interest rate. 

Before you apply, use a site like AnnualCreditReport.com to review your credit reports. If you find any errors, dispute them with the appropriate credit bureau to potentially boost your credit score. 

You’ll also need to check your credit score as it isn’t included in your credit reports. You can do this through a credit-monitoring service, or you can see if it’s accessible through your bank or credit card company. If your score is on the lower side, consider pausing your application and taking steps to improve your credit. While building credit can take time, doing so can help you not only get approved more easily but also qualify you for better rates in the future. 

Consider your repayment term

Repayment terms on personal loans typically range from one to seven years, depending on the lender. Generally, a longer term results in lower monthly payments and higher interest costs — and vice versa. Many lenders also offer better rates on loans with shorter terms, so if you want to get a lower rate and pay less in interest, it can be a good idea to choose the shortest term you can afford. 

Tip: Use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments based on the loan amount, interest rate and repayment term. This can help you see what will fit comfortably into your budget.

Get pre-qualified and compare offers

Many personal loan lenders offer a pre-qualification tool on their website, which allows you to check your eligibility and see what loan terms you could receive. Pre-qualifications usually only require some basic information and a soft credit check, which won’t impact your credit score. 

Getting pre-qualified with as many lenders as possible can help you compare offers to see which one has the best deal for you. In addition to the interest rate, consider the loan amount, repayment term and fees when weighing your options. 

Also keep in mind that a secured personal loan might come with a lower rate compared to an unsecured loan. However, opting for a secured loan means you’ll have to provide collateral, which you could lose if you can’t keep up with your payments.  

How to apply for a personal loan

If you’re ready to apply for your personal loan, follow these steps:

1. Pick a lender

After you’ve pre-qualified with multiple lenders, choose the loan option you like best. This could be the loan with the lowest rate, or it might be an option with fewer fees or more lenient credit requirements

2. Gather your documentation

When you apply, the lender will ask questions about you and the loan you want. Take a few minutes to gather your information, which typically includes:

You might also need to provide income documentation, such as pay stubs or tax returns. 

3. Submit the application and wait for a decision

Use the information you’ve collected to fill out the loan application. This step will also require agreeing to a hard credit check, which can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. Depending on the lender, you could receive an approval decision within a few hours. In other cases — such as if the lender needs additional documentation from you — it could take a few business days.  

4. Sign the loan paperwork and get your funds

If you’re approved, you’ll receive a loan agreement. Read through the contract and check the loan amount, interest rate, monthly payment schedule and fees. If everything checks out, sign the agreement, and send it back to the lender so the funds can be disbursed — in many cases, this is done by direct deposit into your bank account.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Each lender sets their own individual rates on personal loans based on market conditions. As of March 11, 2024, PenFed has the lowest minimum rate on its personal loans out of the banks included in this list. 

In addition to banks, be sure to consider other types of lenders — including online lenders and credit unions — when looking for a low-interest personal loan. For example, Upstart (an online lending platform) and PenFed (a credit union) have lower minimum rates than U.S. Bank as of March 11, 2024. 

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.

As of January 2024, interest rates on personal loans range from just under 6% to 36%. For a three-year loan, the average rate was 15.16%, while the average rate on a five-year loan was 21.36% as of Jan. 8, 2024, according to data from Credible.

Remember that the rates you’re offered will vary by lender as well as other factors like your credit score and repayment term.  

A good interest rate for a 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 personal loan, be sure to shop around and compare your options with as many lenders as possible to find a good deal.

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.

Kim Porter

BLUEPRINT

Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.

Ashley Harrison 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 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, she likes to draw, play video games, and hang out with her black cats, Salem and Binx.