Finance smarter with side-by-side comparisons
Looking for a credit card, bank, mortgage or personal loan? Set up future-you for financial success with some of our Nerd-reviewed products.
Credit Cards
Earn cash back, pay down debt, or rake in the miles. These Nerd-reviewed products have something for everyone. Compare these deals from our partners and find the right card for you.
Online Savings Accounts
The best online savings accounts offer high interest rates while being a great place to park your money. Check out the offers from our partners, get the Nerds’ take on them, and start earning interest today.
BEST CHECKING ACCOUNT OVERALL
4.60%
With $0 min. balance for APY
$300
Earn up to $300 with direct deposit. Terms apply.
4.35%
With $0 min. balance for APY
$200
Requirements to qualify
4.25%
With $1 min. balance for APY
Personal Loans
Personal loans are unsecured loans with fixed APRs, generally from about 6% to 35.99%. Get the Nerds’ take on personal loans for good and bad credit, debt consolidation, home improvement and more.
BEST PERSONAL LOAN OVERALL
None
8.99-29.99%
$5,000-$100,000
Qualifications
- Must legally be an adult in your state.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or non-permanent resident with valid documentation.
- Must be employed, have sufficient income or have an offer of employment to start within 90 days.
Available Term Lengths
- 2 to 7 years
Fees
- Origination fee: 0% to 7%.
- Late fee: None.
Disclaimer: Fixed rates from 8.99% APR to 29.99% APR reflect the 0.25% autopay interest rate discount and a 0.25% direct deposit interest rate discount. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 02/06/2024 and are subject to change without notice. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2022 was around $30K. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed and will depend on the term you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, and a variety of other factors. Loan amounts range from $5,000– $100,000. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0%-7%, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive. Autopay: The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. Direct Deposit Discount: To be eligible to potentially receive an additional (0.25%) interest rate reduction for setting up direct deposit with a SoFi Checking and Savings account offered by SoFi Bank, N.A. or eligible cash management account offered by SoFi Securities, LLC (“Direct Deposit Account”), you must have an open Direct Deposit Account within 30 days of the funding of your Loan. Once eligible, you will receive this discount during periods in which you have enabled payroll direct deposits of at least $1,000/month to a Direct Deposit Account in accordance with SoFi’s reasonable procedures and requirements to be determined at SoFi’s sole discretion. This discount will be lost during periods in which SoFi determines you have turned off direct deposits to your Direct Deposit Account. You are not required to enroll in direct deposits to receive a Loan.
Pros
- Joint loan option.
- Multiple rate discounts.
- Mobile app to manage loan.
Cons
- No option to choose initial payment date.
- High minimum loan amount.
BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT
660
6.99-25.49%
$5,000-$100,000
Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Minimum credit score: 660.
- Must have several years of credit history with multiple account types and few or no delinquencies.
- Must have assets like retirement, investment and savings accounts.
Available Term Lengths
- 2 to 7 years
Fees
- Origination fee: None.
- Late fee: None.
Disclaimer: Rates quoted are with AutoPay. Your loan terms are not guaranteed and may vary based on loan purpose, length of loan, loan amount, credit history and payment method (AutoPay or Invoice). AutoPay discount is only available when selected prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. To obtain a loan, you must complete an application on LightStream.com which may affect your credit score. You may be required to verify income, identity and other stated application information. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 7.99% APR with a term of 5 years would result in 60 monthly payments of $202.72. Some additional conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Truist Bank is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2024 Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, LightStream, and the LightStream logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Lending services provided by Truist Bank.
Pros
- No fees.
- Rate discount for autopay.
- Long repayment terms on home improvement loans.
- Rate Beat program and Experience Guarantee.
Cons
- No option to pre-qualify with a soft credit check on its website.
- No direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
- High minimum loan amount.
BEST PERSONAL LOAN FOR FAIR CREDIT
None
7.80-35.99%
$1,000-$50,000
Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be at least 18 in most states.
- Must have a valid email address and Social Security number.
- Must have a bank account at a financial institution with a routing number.
- No bankruptcies in the last 12 months.
- No current delinquent accounts.
- Minimum credit score: None.
- Minimum annual income: $12,000; this lender accepts income from employment, alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security, rentals, trusts, pensions, disability and scholarships.
- Must have a full-time job or be starting a full-time job within six months.
Available Term Lengths
- 3 to 5 years
Fees
- Origination fee: 0% to 12%.
- Late fee: 5% of past due amount or $15, whichever is greater.
- Returned check fee: $15.
Disclaimer: The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for a Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 21.58% and a 9.84% origination fee of $984, for an APR of 26.82%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9016 and will make 60 monthly payments of $275. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in December 2023. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved. Most borrowers are instantly approved. The majority of unsecured loan borrowers on the Upstart marketplace are able to receive an instant decision upon submitting a completed application, without providing additional supporting documents, however final approval is conditioned upon passing the hard credit inquiry. Loan processing may be subject to longer wait times if additional documentation is required for review. If you accept your loan by 5pm EST (not including weekends or holidays), your funds will be sent on the next business day.
Pros
- Accepts borrowers new to credit.
- Fast funding.
- Option to change your payment date.
- Option to pre-qualify with a soft credit check.
- Seven-day customer service availability.
Cons
- May charge origination fee.
- No joint, co-signed or secured loans.
- No mobile app to manage loan.
- Only two repayment term options.
Mortgages
Compare some of our Nerd-reviewed mortgage options, then reach out to multiple lenders to see how much you can save. It pays to compare quotes.
BEST MORTGAGE LENDER FOR VA LOANS
620
3%
Pros
- Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.
Cons
- HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Why We Like It
Good for: borrowers who want low rates and fees and an online experience with phone support. VA loans are an emphasis.BEST MORTGAGE LENDER FOR REFINANCING
620
1%
Pros
- Streamlined online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, as well as the ability to edit your preapproval letter.
- Offers the option to work with loan officers by phone if desired.
- Largest FHA lender in the nation.
Cons
- Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.
- Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
Why We Like It
Good for: FHA borrowers and others short on down payment cash, as well as home buyers who value convenience over low fees.620
3%
Pros
- Offers a one-day mortgage approval process.
- Offers a generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, ITIN, jumbo and renovation loans.
- Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
Cons
- Origination fees are higher than average, according to the latest federal data.
- HELOC has a relatively short draw period, which may not provide flexibility for someone who wants the option of accessing home equity over a longer period.
Why We Like It
Good for: borrowers seeking a broad menu of loans, including jumbo and interest-only options, renovation loans and government-backed mortgages, as well as home equity lines of credit.