Where Can I Find Monthly Installment Bad Credit Personal Loans That Are NOT Payday Loans?
ElitePersonalFinance
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Last Update: August 2, 2026
If you have bad credit, your options to get a personal loan are limited, but you definitely can get it. Because of the obvious expansion of the lending market, you have many options. In general, personal loans have an APR lower than 35.99%, and they offer up to $100,000. On the other hand, payday loans typically offer up to $1,000 with an APR of 400%. As you can see, the difference is huge, and we at ElitePersonalFinance have options for you even if you have bad credit. Below, we list lenders that can help you get a personal loan with a low credit score.
People with bad credit are typically targeted and manipulated by payday lenders that they are their only option. Hopefully, the lending market is much more flexible, and people can install personal loans, even with bad credit. Some lenders will say no, but others will say yes! The list below will show companies that are personal installment loans, and for these people with really bad credit, we have an option – Improved Personal Loans. These are types of companies helping people with really bad credit. They offer expensive loans but much more cheap than traditional predatory payday loans.
| Loan Company: | Min. Credit Score: | APR: | Apply: |
|---|---|---|---|
BadCreditLoans |
0 | 5.99% - 35.99% | Apply Now SSL No Credit Effect |
OppLoans |
0 | 59% - 160% | Apply Now SSL No Credit Effect |
PersonalLoans |
580 | 5.99% - 35.99% | Apply Now SSL No Credit Effect |
LendingTree |
500 | 5.99% - 35.99% | Apply Now SSL No Credit Effect |
Upgrade |
580 | 7.99% - 35.99% | Apply Now SSL No Credit Effect |
BadCreditLoans
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No Credit Effect
Fees
- No fee to submit a loan request or connect with a lender
- APR and loan fees are determined by the individual lender
- Origination fees may apply depending on the lender and loan offer
- Late payment, nonpayment, and other fees may apply according to the lender's loan agreement
- All applicable fees are disclosed by the lender before the borrower accepts the loan
- BadCreditLoans.com does not determine lender rates, fees, or loan terms
- No prepayment fee is specified by BadCreditLoans.com; any applicable terms are determined by the lender
Qualification Criteria
- Minimum age: 18
- Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a Social Security number, or legal residency
- Must have regular income from full-time employment, self-employment, disability, or Social Security benefits
- Must have a checking account in your name
- Must provide valid work and home telephone numbers
- Must provide a valid email address
- Credit does not need to be perfect to be considered
- Credit history may affect the type of loan offers and terms received
- Lenders may consider income, credit history, and other financial information
- Additional requirements may apply depending on the lender
- Meeting these requirements does not guarantee connection with a lender or loan approval
- Not all applicants will qualify
Average Borrower Profile
- BadCreditLoans.com does not publish a current average funded-borrower loan amount
- The service is designed to connect borrowers with lenders that may consider poor-credit applicants
- Borrowers with imperfect credit may still receive loan offers if they meet the lender's other requirements
- Credit history can affect the loan amount, APR, fees, and repayment terms offered
- Actual loan amount, APR, fees, and repayment terms depend on the individual lender
Best For
- Comparing bad credit loans
This is a market that targets people with bad credit. This is probably your best option if you have really bad credit. But if you plan to get a payday loan, stop. We highly recommend that you start your search from here.
Pros and Cons of Bad Credit Loans
Pros:
- People with really bad credit can get between $500 – $3,000.
- People with bad to fair credit can get up to $10,000.
- The minimum credit score is 0.
- No requirements for the DTI ratio.
- A free application, no obligations.
- Register and start receiving offers from lenders within minutes.
- Interest rates of up to $35.99%.
Cons:
- These loans are not cheap, but they are still much more affordable than what payday lenders would offer you.
- In some instances, people don’t receive any offers.
- You can’t expect an amount that is too high.
OppLoans
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No Credit Effect
Fees:
- No origination fees
- No application fees
- No prepayment penalties
- No hidden fees
- Late payment and returned-payment fees may apply according to the applicable loan agreement and state
- Actual fees, loan amount, APR, and terms may vary by state
- Simple fixed-rate interest applies to loans originated through the OppLoans Platform
Qualification Criteria:
- Minimum age: 18
- Must have a bank account, including a checking or savings account
- Must reside in a state where OppLoans currently operates
- Must have a regular source of income
- Must receive income through direct deposit
- No minimum credit score is required
- Credit information from Clarity Services and Experian may be considered
- Income, ability to repay, application information, and overall creditworthiness may be considered
- Applications are subject to verification and the underwriting requirements of OppLoans' bank partners
- Not all applicants will qualify
Average Borrower Profile:
- OppLoans does not publish a current average funded-loan amount or average borrower credit score
- OppLoans serves borrowers who may have difficulty obtaining credit from traditional lenders
- OppLoans' bank partners consider factors beyond traditional credit-score information
- Borrowers with lower credit may still qualify based on income, ability to repay, and other factors
- Actual loan amount, APR, fees, and repayment terms depend on the applicant's qualifications and state
Best For
- Bad or no credit
OppLoans is not exactly a personal loan company but also not a payday loan. It is a new type of business called improved payday loans. Because they really are. Typical of these companies is that they offer a high APR and a lower amount than traditional personal loans. Still, they are much more affordable than traditional payday companies. But if you can improve your credit score, these companies are not the best choice because you can get much better offers. However, if you really have no other option but to get money from a payday company, you should definitely apply for OppLoans.
Pros:
- Up to $4,000 loans is a rather high amount for people with bad credit.
- The minimum credit score required is 0.
- Fast approval, usually within a day.
- Loans can be paid in installments, within up to 3 years. This reduces your chances of getting into a debt cycle like you would with payday loans.
- No requirements for the DTI ratio.
- A free application, no obligations.
- Register and start receiving offers from lenders within minutes.
Cons:
- High APR of 59% to 160%. Still, this is much lower than 400%, typical of traditional payday loans.
- You can’t get more than $4,000.
- You have to meet their minimum income requirements, which are different for different states.
- Some financial experts argue that they are a predatory loan company.
PersonalLoans
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No Credit Effect
Fees
- No fee to use PersonalLoans.com's loan-connecting service
- Origination fee may apply and is determined by the individual lender
- Other lender fees may apply depending on the loan offer and agreement
- Late payment fees may apply according to the lender's terms
- Returned payment and other lender fees may apply
- PersonalLoans.com does not determine lender fees or loan costs
- All applicable fees must be disclosed by the lender before the borrower accepts the loan
Qualification Criteria
- Minimum age: 18
- Must have a valid Social Security number
- Must be a legal U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must have full-time employment, be self-employed, or receive regular disability or Social Security benefits
- Must have a valid checking account for most loan offers
- No minimum credit score is required to submit a loan request
- Must generally not have accounts more than 60 days late
- Must generally not have active or recent bankruptcies
- Must generally not have a pattern of late payments
- Must generally not have debt that cannot be covered by current income
- Must generally not have recently charged-off accounts
- Some lenders may require income verification such as a pay stub
- Individual lenders may have additional eligibility requirements
- Not all applicants will qualify
Average Borrower Profile
- PersonalLoans.com does not publish a current average funded-borrower loan amount or average borrower credit score
- The lender network accepts loan requestors with all credit scores
- Applicants with good or excellent credit may receive more favorable terms
- PersonalLoans.com states that its network generally serves borrowers with different credit profiles
- Actual loan amount, APR, fees, and repayment terms depend on the individual lender and the borrower's qualifications
Best For
- Short and long-term personal loans
PersonalLoans have significantly changed, and now you can find it at the top of our lists. The only reasons for this are our feedback and the studies that show that this company has considerably increased its approval rates. Also, they significantly expanded their lenders’ network. This means that now more people have better success with PersonalLoans. If you have a credit score higher than 580, you are good to go.
Pros:
- Get up to $35,000.
- Competitive rates, absolutely within the range of traditional personal loan companies of up to 35.99%.
- Low credit score requirement of580, which means people with bad credit (but not too bad) are eligible to apply.
- Fast approval, generally within one day.
Cons:
- If you have really bad credit, you can’t apply.
- People with low credit can apply and get offers, but they don’t’ have access to more lucrative offers available to those with a high credit score.
- You can’t have an account with a late payment for longer than 60 days or a recent bankruptcy.
- You can’t have any recent charge-offs or late payments.
LendingTree
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No Credit Effect
Fees
- No fee to compare personal-loan offers through LendingTree
- Origination fees may apply depending on the lender and loan offer
- Origination fees vary by lender, loan amount, and repayment term
- Late payment fees may apply according to the lender's loan agreement
- Returned payment and other lender fees may apply
- LendingTree does not determine lender fees, APRs, or loan terms
- All applicable fees are disclosed by the individual lender before accepting an offer
Qualification Criteria
- Minimum age: 18 or the age of majority in the applicant's state
- No universal minimum credit score applies across the LendingTree marketplace
- Must provide accurate personal, income, employment, and financial information
- Credit score and credit history may be considered
- Annual income may be considered
- Debt-to-income ratio may be considered
- Length of credit history may be considered
- Employment stability may be considered
- Loan amount and requested repayment term may affect eligibility
- Checking offers generally uses a soft credit inquiry
- A hard credit inquiry may be required by the selected lender during final approval
- Each lender has its own qualification and underwriting requirements
- Not all applicants will receive an offer
Average Borrower Profile
- LendingTree users who received at least one personal-loan offer in 2025 had an average credit score of 653
- The average self-reported income was $70,551
- The average requested loan amount was $14,365
- The average age of the oldest credit account was 11.5 years
- The average offered loan amount across all credit scores was $13,575 in Q2 2026
- Average offered amount was $17,715 for excellent credit, $10,045 for fair credit, and $7,766 for poor credit
- These figures represent LendingTree marketplace users and lender offers, not guaranteed funded-loan amounts
Best For
- Obtaining a low APR
LendingTree is a trusted company that provides many types of loans. Whether you have bad or good credit, you mustn’t skip this company.
Pros:
- Low credit score requirements of 500, which means that people with bad credit are absolutely eligible.
- Get up to $50,000.
- APR: 5.99 – 35.99%.
- 1-day approval.
- Set the loan repayment in installments for up to 5 years.
- No debt-to-income ratio requirements.
Cons:
- People with really bad credit can’t apply.
- You can’t have an account with a late payment for longer than 60 days or a recent bankruptcy.
Upgrade
Check Rates
SSL
No Credit Effect
Fees
- Origination fee of 1.85% – 9.99% of the loan amount
- Origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds
- Late payment fee of up to $10 if the full payment is not received within 15 calendar days of the due date
- Failed electronic or check payment fee of $10 per occurrence
- One-time title transfer fee may apply to certain secured loans; amount is determined by the local motor vehicle agency
- No application fee
- No prepayment penalty
Qualification Criteria
- Minimum age: 18, or 19 in Alabama and certain other states
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or living in the U.S. on a valid visa
- Must provide a verifiable bank account
- Must provide a valid email address
- Credit score, credit usage, and credit history are considered
- Income and employment information are considered during the final review
- Debt-to-income ratio and existing debt obligations may be considered
- May be required to provide proof of income, identity, employment, or other documentation
- W-2 employees may provide gross income; self-employed applicants may provide net income
- Checking your rate uses a soft credit inquiry and does not affect your credit score
- A hard credit inquiry occurs after the loan is funded
- Certain secured loan offers may require collateral
- Loan amounts and terms may vary by state
- Not all applicants will qualify
Average Borrower Profile
- Upgrade does not currently publish a verified average funded personal-loan amount or average borrower credit score
- Loan offers depend on credit score, credit usage history, income, requested loan amount, and other financial information
- Upgrade's current personal-loan product is designed for borrowers across a range of credit profiles
- Actual loan amount, APR, fees, and repayment terms depend on the applicant's qualifications
Best For
- High DTI ratios
Personal loans made through Upgrade feature Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of 7.99% – 35.99%. All personal loans have a 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. The lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. Loans feature repayment terms of 24 to 84 months. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36 – month term and a 17.59% APR (which includes a 13.94% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $341.48. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,293.46. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower, and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. The actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed-rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early.
Upgrade is a company with a bit more requirements about credit score and debt-to-income ratio. But if you meet them, you will get a great offer from them. It is one of the top names in the business.
Pros:
- Up to $50,000.
- APR: 7.99% to 35.99%.
- Up to 7-year repayment plan.
- 40% debt-to-income ratio.
Cons:
- High credit score requirements of 580.
- Minimum $12,000 a year income requirement.
- A requirement to have a free cash flow of at least $1,000.
- Late payment fee: up to $10, charged if your payment isn’t received within 15 calendar days of your payment due date.
- Returned check payments or failed electronic deposits cost $10 on top of whatever your bank charges for the returned payment.
Nowadays, many more options can help you avoid payday loans. We at ElitePersonalFinance have a full guide on how to get a loan even with really bad credit. We invite you to read it here. The lending market is growing, and so is its flexibility. This means that the number of lenders increases and the competition between them is becoming fierce. This forces them to offer better deals, lower their criteria, give higher amounts of money, and be more transparent regarding their contracts and hidden fees.
Types of Loans You Should Avoid
- Payday Loans
- Auto Title Loans
Let’s say that you have bad credit and are looking for money. You go to some website or read some ads, and you see this: free money, no credit ‒ no problem, instant approval. Exactly what you are looking for, right? It seems that this offer is perfect for you. But if you go to their office, they will try to manipulate you into believing that they are your last option because of your credit file.
The offer you will receive will have a 400% APR and up to $1,000. This equals $90 over an amount of $300 per month. That is a huge amount. But the problems don’t’ stop here. If you can’t repay the amount, you will get into a debt cycle, a common thing that happens to people. You will be required to pay only the fee, which, unfortunately, won’t lower the principal amount. Studies show that Americans’ average time spent in a debt cycle is 200 days.
Auto title loans are very similar, but the difference is that the APR is slightly lower. However, with this loan, you also risk your car, which you will be required to put in as collateral. Again, studies show that about 20% of Americans lose their car due to auto title loans.
