If you need fast cash and you have bad credit, then your options are limited. In this case, most people end up getting payday loans with a super high APR. And if they don’t pay it on time, they end up in a debt cycle.
The number of companies offering personal loans at reliable rates to people with bad credit increases every day. And, as many financial experts claim, this is a trend that will continue. We recommend reading our advanced guide on easy and fast bad credit loans for people who want to get more advanced information and tips on what to do in a situation like this. We also highly recommend that you watch our video on how to get a personal loan even if you are with bad credit.
Below we list the best options available for people looking for easy bad credit loans.
OppLoans
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 a company that can help people with very bad credit. Although some people call them payday loans, and these companies have many similarities with payday loans, they are NOT payday loans. We call them alternative payday loans. These were created to help people avoid payday loans if they are in a bad financial situation. They are somewhere in between personal loans and payday loans. Traditional payday loans have an APR of 400%, which is too high. OppLoans APR is 59% to 160%. That is high, but still much better than 400%. You can get up to a $4.000 loan.
Pros:
- OppLoans works with very bad credit and can be used to avoid payday loans.
- Lower APR than payday loans.
- Alternative payday loans work with people to help them repay their debt instead of getting them in a debt cycle. People who build a credit score, return the money on time, or even just watch educational credit score materials can get approved to lower their APR and increase the amount.
- The minimum credit score required is 0.
- Very fast and easy approval.
- More flexible terms than with traditional payday loans.
Cons:
- The APR is higher than with traditional personal loans.
- The amount is lower than with traditional personal loans, typically around $4,000.
- Some experts say that they are predatory.
Bottom Line
Use OppLoans if you have really bad credit and your options to get a personal loan are limited. Although some experts comment that these alternative payday loans are close to predatory, they are a much better option than payday loans because of the aforementioned benefits.
BadCreditLoans
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
BadCreditLoans.com is a marketplace that connects people who have really bad credit with lenders willing to work with them. This company can really help you get some fast cash easily, even if your credit score is really bad. The APR and other terms are competitive. Apply and wait until you receive offers from their lenders.
Pros:
- Reliable APR of 5.99% to 35.99%, which is absolutely within the range of personal loans.
- Amount of up to $10,000.
- A really bad credit score is OK!
- Free to register and no obligation to accept any offer.
- The minimum credit score required is 0.
- Very short approval time, and some offers will even arrive in a few minutes.
Cons:
- APR can increase in some cases if you have really bad credit, but it will still be LOWER than with traditional payday loans.
- If you have really bad credit, you can’t expect more than $3,000.
Bottom Line
Use BadCreditLoans only if you have really bad credit, and the only other option is to go to a payday lender.
CashUSA
Fees
- No fee to submit a loan request through CashUSA.com
- Origination fees vary by lender
- Interest and finance charges are determined by the individual lender
- Late payment, nonpayment, and other fees may apply according to the lender's loan agreement
- CashUSA.com does not determine or control lender fees or interest rates
- All applicable fees and rates must be disclosed by the lender before the borrower accepts the loan
- No prepayment fee is specified by CashUSA.com; any applicable terms are determined by the lender
Qualification Criteria
- Minimum age: 18
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must have been employed for at least 90 days
- Must meet the lender's minimum income requirements
- Must have a checking account in your name
- Must provide valid work and home telephone numbers
- Must provide a valid email address
- Credit history may be considered by participating lenders
- Some lenders may use nontraditional credit information
- Income, employment status, credit information, and other factors may affect eligibility
- Requirements may vary by lender and state
- Meeting these requirements does not guarantee connection with a lender or loan approval
- Not all applicants will qualify
Average Borrower Profile
- CashUSA.com does not publish a current average funded-borrower loan amount or average borrower credit score
- The network includes lenders that may consider borrowers with poor credit
- Poor credit may result in higher APRs or less favorable loan terms
- Monthly income and employment status can affect the amount a borrower may qualify for
- Actual loan amount, APR, fees, and repayment terms depend on the individual lender and borrower qualifications
Best For
- Comparing bad credit loans
CashUSA offers help to people with really bad credit, and their terms are very similar to those at regular personal loan companies. But there is one catch – their loans are secured. So, be very careful.
Pros:
- Reliable terms for people with really bad credit, like traditional personal loans.
- No minimum credit score is required.
- Amount: from $1,000 to $10,000.
- APR: 5.99% – 35.99%.
- Terms: 90 days to 3 years.
- Requests can be approved quickly and easily.
Cons:
- Only secured loans are available.
Bottom Line
CashUSA can be a great pick for people with really bad credit who are sure that they will pay the money on time. When you secure your loans, lenders feel that you are sure you can pay the money on time. But if you can’t, they can be risky. In this case, search for other lenders that give better terms. Use CashUSA only if you have really bad credit and are sure you will pay the money on time.
PersonalLoans
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
If you’ve been denied by PersonalLoans before, try again. This company has significantly increased its networks of lenders. These days, they are much more flexible and work with people with bad credit (but not too bad). Now people have 2-3 times more chances to get money from them.
Pros:
- Significant improvement in their lenders’ networks means more lenders, more offers, more flexibility, better terms, an easy approval process, and better transparency in contracts.
- Amount is from $1,000 to $35,000.
- Competitive APR of 5.99% to 35.99%.
- Terms are from 3 to 72 months.
- They require a minimum credit score of 580.
- No hard inquiry is performed in the application process.
Cons:
- 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.
Bottom Line
PersonalLoans is a really great company for people with a bad, fair, and great credit score. It will surely be one of your top picks while you shop around for offers.
LendingTree
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 one of the largest loan companies online. Hopefully, they are open to give loans to people with bad credit. If your credit score is 500 and above, you can register. LendingTree offers a very low APR of 3.99% for those with a good credit stand.
Pros:
- Amount: $1,000 to $50,000.
- APR: 3.99% – 35.99%.
- Bad credit is ok.
- Min. Credit Score: 500
- No minimum income requirements.
- Terms: 1 – 5 years.
Cons:
- Origination fee: 0-3%
- Too low credit is not ok.
Bottom Line
LendingTree can help many people get a loan if they are with bad credit. LendingTree is a type of personal loan for bad credit.
Upgrade
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
Upgrade is a relatively new lending company. They are great for people who have lost their job recently.
Pros:
- APR range: 7.99% to 35.99
- Amount: $1,000 – $50,000.
- Terms: 2 – 7 years.
- Upgrade has an A rating on BBB.
- No minimum income requirement.
- Time to receive funds: 1 day.
- No prepayment fee.
Cons:
- Minimum credit score: 580.
- Debt-to-income ratio: 40%.
- The minimum credit history required is 2 years.
- Returned payment fee: $10.
- Late fee: $10 after a 15-day grace period.
Bottom Line
Upgrade is one of the best loan companies, but they have some requirements for your credit score.
Upgrade Disclaimer:
Personal loans made through Upgrade feature Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of 7.74%-35.99% and a 1.85%-9.99% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. For certain discounts, collateral may be required. Repayment terms from 24 to 84 months. For example, if you receive a $10,000 unsecured 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 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 and other terms of your loan may vary and you may not be presented with multiple offers. If offered, your loan terms, including your rate, will depend on credit score, credit usage history, loan amount, and other factors. Late payments or other fees, as noted in your Borrower Agreement, may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. Certain loan offers may not be available in all states.
After acceptance, your funds will be sent within one (1) business day of clearing necessary verifications. Funds availability is dependent upon your bank’s transaction processing time and may take up to 2 weeks if sent directly to third party creditors.
App Store® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. Google Play™ and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC. ©2017-2026™, NerdWallet, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ©1995-2026 The Motley Fool. “The Ascent” is owned by the Motley Fool.
Is it Easy to Get a Loan if I Have Bad Credit?
When you have bad credit and want a loan quickly and easily, many lenders feel that you can’t repay the money, and that is why they offer you less money and a high APR. In some cases, they might even not approve your request. However, nowadays, there are many options for people in such a situation. If you can’t get a loan or you can’t find terms that work for you, you have a few more options:
- Get secured loan
Lenders believe that you will pay the money back and give you better terms with a secured loan.
- Try to avoid loans
Are you sure that you really need a loan? Check our options to avoid a loan.
- Try to improve your credit score
Although this is not an easy process, don’t wait for too long. Start doing this now so that you are easily approved next time when you need money.
What is The Risk of Getting an Easy Bad Credit Loan?
When people are looking for fast money, they typically don’t spend time researching the best options. That prevents them from finding the most appropriate offer for them.
People with a bad credit score are an easy target for payday lenders. These companies offer really bad terms. The loan amount is low, while their terms are high.
Don’t apply to companies that are not legit. The most important tip that all sites will give you is to shop around. But we would add this one: look only for legit loan companies. There are many of those who are not legit. People looking for fast money have no time to evaluate a website’s legitimacy, so that they can fall for scams.
Don’t reveal personal information easily. Some lenders reserve the right to sell your personal information. You should completely avoid such lenders. However, when you want fast cash, you can easily skip reading fine prints.
Don’t apply to a company that will make a hard inquiry. A hard inquiry should be performed only after you accept the terms from a legit company. If you fall victim to companies that pull your credit file while you are just shopping around, you risk losing points. When they do this, they reduce points from your credit score.
Conclusion
Getting a personal loan with bad credit is possible. But you have to be very picky to avoid scams. Compare many offers and apply only to all legit companies.


