8 oct 2026 ·
Advertiser disclosure: Every figure below comes from the lender’s own website or a named independent source, and we explain our method at the end of the article.
Avant and OneMain Financial both lend to people with fair or poor credit, the borrowers many online lenders turn away. Both cap APRs at 35.99% and both can fund quickly. But they work in very different ways.
Avant is an online-only platform with a lower starting APR. OneMain has more than 1,300 branches, accepts co-applicants and offers loans secured by your car, which can help you qualify when your credit is weak.
Below we compare both side by side, using terms each published as of October 8, 2026.
Quick verdict
- Choose Avant if you prefer to apply online, want a lower starting rate and plan to borrow alone.
- Choose OneMain if your credit is poor or thin, you’d like to apply with someone else or offer your car as collateral, or you want to meet with someone in person.
- Either way: compare the APR on your actual offers, borrow only what you need and decline any optional add-on products you don’t want.
Avant vs OneMain at a glance
Avant wins on starting rate and online convenience. OneMain wins on access, with no minimum score, joint and secured loans, and branches. Figures were checked October 8, 2026.
| Feature | Avant | OneMain Financial |
|---|---|---|
| APR range (fixed) | 9.95% – 35.99% | 11.99% – 35.99% |
| Upfront fee | Administration fee up to 9.99% | Origination fee: 1% – 10% or $25 – $500, depending on your state |
| Loan amounts | $2,000 – $35,000 | $1,500 – $30,000 |
| Repayment terms | 24 – 60 months | 24 – 60 months |
| Minimum credit score | Not published; reviewers report 550 to 580 | No required minimum (NerdWallet) |
| Joint applications | No co-borrowers or co-signers (NerdWallet) | Yes |
| Secured option | No | Yes, with a vehicle; larger amounts need a lien on a vehicle no more than 10 years old |
| How you apply | Online | Online or at 1,300+ branches |
| Funding speed | As soon as the next business day | As fast as 1 hour after closing with an eligible debit card; 1–2 business days by check or ACH |
| Late fee | $25 if more than 10 days late (Credible) | Up to $30 or 15% of the payment (NerdWallet) |
| Not available in | HI, IA, ME, MA, NY, VT, WA, WV (Credible) | AK, AR, CT, MA, RI, VT, WA, D.C. (NerdWallet) |
Sources: Avant, OneMain Financial personal loans, NerdWallet Avant review, NerdWallet OneMain review, Credible Avant review.
Rates and fees: what a loan really costs
Both lenders top out at 35.99% APR. Avant starts lower, at 9.95% vs OneMain’s 11.99%, but borrowers with fair or poor credit rarely get the starting rate. In October 2026, the average APR for fair credit (630–689) was 23.77%, according to NerdWallet.
How the fees differ
- Avant charges an administration fee of up to 9.99%, deducted from your loan before you receive it.
- OneMain charges an origination fee that depends on your state: either a percentage (1% to 10%) or a flat amount ($25 to $500), according to NerdWallet. On larger loans in flat-fee states, that can work out cheaper than a percentage fee.
Here’s how fee type changes the cost of getting $8,000 in hand over three years at the fair-credit average APR of 23.77%:
| Fee | Amount borrowed | Monthly payment | Total cost above $8,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.99% fee | About $8,420 | About $329 | About $3,856 |
| 9.99% fee | About $8,888 | About $348 | About $4,515 |
| $500 flat fee | $8,500 | About $332 | About $3,968 |
We calculated these with a standard loan formula; the rate is illustrative, and both lenders will quote you their own rates and fees.
OneMain’s own example
OneMain says a $6,000 loan at 24.99% APR repaid over 60 months has monthly payments of $176.07. That works out to about $10,564 repaid in total, or roughly $4,564 in interest and fees. Avant didn’t publish a representative example on the pages we reviewed.
Other fees
- Late fees: Avant charges $25 if your payment is more than 10 days late, per Credible. OneMain may charge up to $30 or 15% of the payment, per NerdWallet.
- Returned payments: Avant charges $15 if a payment bounces, per Credible.
- Prepayment: neither charges a prepayment penalty.
Eligibility and credit score
OneMain is usually the more accessible of the two, because it gives you more ways to qualify.
Avant doesn’t publish a minimum credit score. NerdWallet reports 550 and Credible reports 580. Credible also notes you could be approved with income of at least $1,200 a month. You must apply on your own: NerdWallet says Avant doesn’t accept co-borrowers or co-signers, and it doesn’t offer secured loans.
OneMain has no required minimum credit score, according to NerdWallet, and also considers your cash flow. If your own credit or income isn’t enough, you have two extra options:
- Apply with a co-applicant whose credit and income can strengthen the application.
- Secure the loan with a vehicle. OneMain says larger loan amounts require a first lien on a motor vehicle no more than 10 years old. If you don’t repay, the lender can take the vehicle.
Online vs in-person
Avant is online-only. You check your rate, apply and manage your loan through its website or app.
OneMain lets you apply online, but you can also visit one of more than 1,300 branches. That can help if you’d rather talk to someone face to face, need help with documents, or want to close your loan in person.
Loan amounts, terms and funding speed
Loan size. Avant lends $2,000 to $35,000; OneMain lends $1,500 to $30,000. Avant says its minimums vary by state.
Terms. Both offer two to five years.
Funding.
- Avant: funds can arrive as soon as the next business day. Credible says applications need approval by 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday.
- OneMain: money can be in hand as fast as one hour after your loan closes if you choose funding to an eligible bank-issued debit card. Checks or bank transfers can take one to two business days.
Availability. Neither lender operates everywhere. Avant isn’t available in Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Washington or West Virginia, per Credible. OneMain isn’t available in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington or D.C., per NerdWallet. Check your state before you apply.
Which one is right for you?
| Your situation | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fair credit, applying alone, comfortable online | Avant | Lower starting APR, simple online process |
| Poor or limited credit | OneMain | No required minimum score |
| You can apply with a spouse or partner | OneMain | Accepts co-applicants; Avant doesn’t |
| You own a car and want better odds | OneMain | Vehicle-secured loans |
| You want to talk to someone in person | OneMain | 1,300+ branches |
| You need $30,000–$35,000 | Avant | Lends up to $35,000 vs OneMain’s $30,000 |
| You need the money within hours | OneMain | As fast as 1 hour after closing with an eligible debit card |
Avant pros and cons
Pros
- Lower starting APR (9.95%)
- Loans up to $35,000
- Next-business-day funding
- No prepayment penalty
Cons
- Administration fee up to 9.99%
- No co-borrowers or co-signers
- No secured loan option
- Not available in eight states
OneMain pros and cons
Pros
- No required minimum credit score
- Joint and vehicle-secured loans
- In-person help at 1,300+ branches
- Very fast payout to an eligible debit card
- Never charges prepayment penalties, OneMain says
Cons
- Higher starting APR (11.99%)
- Origination fees on every loan
- $30,000 maximum
- Facing a 2026 lawsuit over add-on products (see below)
A warning about add-on products
On March 16, 2026, a bipartisan group of 13 state attorneys general sued OneMain. They allege employees steered borrowers into buying credit insurance and home and auto club memberships, and misled them about whether these were required and how to cancel them. OneMain says the allegations are untrue, that the practices were already reviewed and resolved with the CFPB, and that it will fight the case (PBS NewsHour). In 2023, OneMain agreed to pay $20 million in a separate settlement with the CFPB.
What this means for you: with any lender, read your loan agreement line by line. Optional products like credit insurance aren’t required to get a loan. If something was added that you didn’t ask for, ask to remove it before you sign.
If neither fits
If you’d like a lender that weighs more than your score, look at Upstart. For more options, see our guide to the best personal loans for fair credit. If you need the money today, see same-day personal loans.
How we compared these lenders
We compared both lenders on five factors: APR range, fees, eligibility, loan options (amounts, terms, joint and secured loans) and funding speed. We also considered how each lender serves customers and any regulatory actions that could affect borrowers. Every figure we could find comes from the lender’s official website, checked on October 8, 2026. Where a lender doesn’t publish a figure, we cite the independent reviewer that reports it. Where reviewers disagree, as with Avant’s minimum credit score, we show both figures.
We didn’t apply for these loans ourselves. Rates and terms change often, so we review this comparison at least once every quarter.
Frequently asked questions
Is Avant or OneMain better for bad credit?
OneMain is usually more accessible for poor credit. It has no required minimum score, according to NerdWallet, and lets you add a co-applicant or secure the loan with a vehicle. Avant can be a good fit for fair credit, with a lower starting APR.
Does OneMain require collateral?
Not always. OneMain offers both secured and unsecured loans. It says larger loan amounts require a first lien on a vehicle no more than 10 years old.
Can I get a joint loan with Avant?
No. According to NerdWallet, Avant doesn’t accept co-borrowers or co-signers. OneMain does accept joint applications.
How fast can I get money from Avant or OneMain?
Avant can fund as soon as the next business day. OneMain can put money in hand as fast as one hour after closing if you choose an eligible debit card; checks and bank transfers take one to two business days.
Does OneMain make you buy insurance?
No. Credit insurance and memberships are optional. A 2026 lawsuit by 13 states alleges OneMain misled some borrowers about this, which OneMain denies. Review your loan agreement and remove any add-ons you didn’t ask for before signing.
Can I pay off my loan early?
Yes. OneMain says it never charges prepayment penalties, and Avant doesn’t charge one either, according to The Motley Fool.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not financial or legal advice. We are not a lender or a financial advisor. APRs, fees and requirements shown are those published by each lender, or reported by the sources cited, on the date above and may change at any time. Your actual offer depends on your credit, income, state and other factors. Information about legal proceedings reflects public reporting and the parties’ statements as of the date above; allegations have not been proven in court. Always read the full loan agreement and compare several offers before you borrow.