8 oct 2026 ·
Advertiser: Every figure comes from the lender’s own website or a named independent source, and our method is explained at the end of the article.
If your credit score sits in the fair range, you can still get a personal loan. You just have fewer lenders to choose from and you’ll usually pay a higher APR than someone with good credit. Picking the right lender can save you thousands of dollars.
We compared seven online lenders that accept fair-credit borrowers, using the rates, fees and requirements each published as of October 8, 2026.
What counts as fair credit?
On the FICO scale most lenders use, a fair score is 580 to 669, according to Experian. Below 580 is considered poor, and 670 or higher is good.
Lenders don’t look at your score alone. Your income, existing debt and recent payment history also shape your offer. That’s why two people with the same score can get very different rates.
Our top picks at a glance
Upgrade is our top pick for most fair-credit borrowers. The best lender for you depends on your score, how much you need and whether you can apply with someone else.
| Lender | Best for | APR range | Origination fee | Loan amounts | Terms | Min. credit score* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upgrade | Best overall | 7.74% – 35.99% | 1.85% – 9.99% | $1,000 – $50,000 | 2 – 7 years | About 580 |
| Upstart | Thin credit history | 6.3% – 35.99% | 0% – 12% | $1,000 – $75,000 | 3 or 5 years | About 300 |
| Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub) | Debt consolidation | 5.96% – 35.99% | 0% – 8% | $1,000 – $75,000 | 2 – 7 years | About 600 |
| Prosper | Applying with a co-applicant | 8.99% – 35.99% | 1% – 9.99% | $2,000 – $50,000 | 2 – 6 years | 640 |
| Best Egg | Low minimum fee | 6.99% – 35.99% | 0.99% – 9.99% | $2,000 – $50,000 | 3 – 5 years | Not published |
| Avant | Lower fair scores | 9.95% – 35.99% | Up to 9.99% | $2,000 – $35,000 | 2 – 5 years | About 550 |
| OneMain Financial | In-person help and secured loans | 11.99% – 35.99% | 1% – 10% or $25 – $500 | $1,500 – $30,000 | 2 – 5 years | None required |
*Prosper publishes its minimum. For the others, «about» figures come from independent reviewers (Finder for Upgrade and Upstart, NerdWallet for Happen Bank, Avant and OneMain), because the lenders don’t publish one. Rates and fees were checked October 8, 2026.
The best personal loans for fair credit, reviewed
1. Upgrade — best overall for fair credit
Upgrade combines a reachable credit bar with the most flexibility in this list. Terms run from 24 to 84 months, joint applications are allowed, and you can lower your rate with autopay, direct payment to creditors, or collateral such as your car. Funds are sent within one business day after verification.
- Pros: wide term range, several rate discounts, joint and secured options, soft-pull rate check
- Cons: every loan has an origination fee of at least 1.85%; maximum of $50,000
2. Upstart — best for a thin credit history
Upstart’s model looks at your education and employment as well as your credit, which can help if you have a short credit history. Reviewers report it accepts scores as low as 300 in most states. It lends up to $75,000 and usually funds the next business day.
- Pros: considers more than your score, high maximum loan, fast funding
- Cons: origination fee can reach 12%; only 3- or 5-year terms; no co-borrowers
3. Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub) — best for debt consolidation
LendingClub rebranded as Happen Bank in June 2026; the loans work the same way. It offers up to $75,000 with terms up to seven years, and accepts joint applications. NerdWallet reports a rate discount of 0.5 points when you let the bank pay your creditors directly. Money can arrive in as little as 24 hours after approval.
- Pros: lowest starting APR here, fee can be 0%, joint applications, direct pay to creditors
- Cons: origination fee up to 8%; reviewers cite a minimum score around 600, so it’s harder to reach at the very bottom of the fair range
4. Prosper — best for applying with a co-applicant
Prosper lets you add a co-applicant, which it says can improve your chances of getting an offer. Loans run from $2,000 to $50,000 over two to six years, with funds as soon as one business day after verification. Its published minimum score is 640, so it suits the upper end of fair credit.
- Pros: co-applicants allowed, published credit requirement, six-year option
- Cons: 640 minimum excludes lower fair scores; fee of 1% to 9.99%
5. Best Egg — best for a low minimum fee
Best Egg’s origination fee starts at 0.99%, but it’s at least 4.99% on terms of four years or more. It lends $2,000 to $50,000 over three to five years, and about half of customers get their money the next day. It also offers a secured loan and a homeowner discount option.
- Pros: low starting fee, fast funding, secured option
- Cons: short term range; not available in Iowa, Nebraska, Vermont, West Virginia or Washington, D.C.
6. Avant — best for lower fair scores
NerdWallet reports a 550 minimum score for Avant, which puts the whole fair range within reach. Avant lends $2,000 to $35,000 over two to five years and can fund the next business day.
- Pros: reachable for scores at the bottom of the fair range, fast funding
- Cons: starting APR of 9.95% is higher than most; administration fee up to 9.99%; no co-borrowers; $35,000 cap
7. OneMain Financial — best for in-person help and secured loans
OneMain has more than 1,300 branches, so you can talk to someone face to face. It has no required minimum score, accepts joint applications, and offers secured loans backed by a vehicle. Funds can arrive as fast as one hour after closing with an eligible debit card.
- Pros: branch network, no minimum score, secured and joint options, fast funding
- Cons: highest starting APR here (11.99%); fees of 1% to 10% or $25 to $500 depending on your state; not available in several states. In March 2026, 13 state attorneys general sued OneMain over add-on products; OneMain denies the claims. Decline any optional add-ons you don’t need.
What a fair-credit loan really costs
In October 2026, borrowers with fair credit were offered an average APR of 23.77%, according to NerdWallet’s prequalification data. That’s more than four points above the average for good credit. Here’s what that gap means on a $10,000 loan repaid over three years:
| Credit tier (NerdWallet ranges) | Average APR | Monthly payment | Total interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent (720–850) | 15.16% | $347 | $2,508 |
| Good (690–719) | 19.55% | $369 | $3,296 |
| Fair (630–689) | 23.77% | $391 | $4,080 |
| Bad (300–629) | 27.53% | $411 | $4,800 |
We calculated payments from NerdWallet’s average APRs. Note that NerdWallet’s tiers differ slightly from FICO’s ranges. Your own APR could be higher or lower.
Moving up just one tier could save you about $800 in interest on this loan. That’s why it can pay to improve your score before you borrow, if you can wait.
How to get a better rate with fair credit
- Prequalify with several lenders. Most online lenders, including Upgrade, Upstart, Best Egg and OneMain, let you check offers without affecting your score. Compare at least three.
- Compare APRs, not interest rates. The APR includes the origination fee, which can add up to 12% at some lenders.
- Add a co-applicant. Upgrade, Happen Bank, Prosper and OneMain accept joint applications. A co-borrower with stronger credit can lower your rate, but they become equally responsible for the debt.
- Offer collateral. Upgrade, Best Egg and OneMain have secured options that may lower your rate. You could lose the collateral if you don’t repay.
- Use direct pay for debt consolidation. Some lenders cut your rate when the loan goes straight to your creditors.
- Borrow only what you need, for the shortest term you can afford. A longer term lowers your payment but raises the total interest.
- Lower your credit utilization first. Paying down card balances before you apply can lift your score quickly.
Alternatives to a personal loan with fair credit
- Credit union loans: credit unions often look at your whole relationship with them, not just your score. Federal credit unions can’t charge more than 18% interest on most loans, a ceiling the NCUA has extended to September 10, 2027, and some offer small «payday alternative loans» with capped fees.
- Secured credit or share-secured loans: borrowing against your own savings account can get you a low rate while you build credit.
- Home equity: if you own a home with equity, a HELOC usually costs much less. It does put your home at risk. See our guide to personal loans vs HELOCs.
- 0% intro APR balance transfer card: for consolidating card debt, if you can qualify and repay the balance before the promotion ends.
- Waiting a few months: paying down balances and making every payment on time can move you into the good range, where rates drop.
Loans to avoid
Some lenders advertise «no credit check» or «guaranteed approval.» These are usually payday loans, title loans or other short-term loans with APRs that can run into the hundreds of percent. They often require repayment within weeks, which can trap you in a cycle of renewing the loan.
Red flags to watch for:
- A lender asks for a fee before you get the money. Legitimate lenders take fees out of the loan proceeds, never upfront.
- APR above 36%, the cap many consumer advocates and some states use as the limit for affordable credit.
- Pressure to sign immediately, or a lender that won’t show the APR and total cost in writing.
- Repayment due in full in a few weeks.
How we chose these lenders
We looked at major online lenders that accept borrowers with scores in the fair range (580–669). We ranked them on five factors:
- Cost (30%): APR range and origination fees
- Access (25%): minimum credit score and whether co-applicants or collateral are accepted
- Flexibility (20%): loan amounts, term options and rate discounts
- Speed (15%): how quickly funds are sent after approval
- Transparency (10%): whether rates, fees and requirements are clearly published
All rates, fees, amounts and terms come from each lender’s official website, checked on October 8, 2026. When a lender doesn’t publish a minimum credit score, we cite the independent reviewer that reports it. We didn’t apply for these loans ourselves, and no lender paid to be included. We review this list at least once every quarter.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a personal loan with a 600 credit score?
Yes. Several lenders on this list accept scores around 600 or lower, including Upgrade, Upstart, Avant and OneMain, based on lender sites and independent reviews. Expect a higher APR than borrowers with good credit, and compare offers from several lenders.
What APR should I expect with fair credit?
NerdWallet’s October 2026 data shows an average APR of 23.77% for borrowers in its fair tier (630–689). Your rate could be lower with a co-applicant, collateral or a low debt-to-income ratio, or higher if your score is near the bottom of the range.
Does prequalifying hurt my credit score?
No. Prequalification uses a soft credit inquiry, which doesn’t affect your score. A hard inquiry happens only when you accept an offer and complete the application.
Which lender is easiest to get approved with fair credit?
Lenders that look beyond your score, such as Upstart, or that report low or no minimum scores, such as Avant and OneMain, tend to be the most accessible. Approval still depends on your income, debts and recent payment history.
Is it better to add a co-signer or co-borrower?
A co-borrower with stronger credit can help you qualify or get a lower rate at lenders that allow joint applications, such as Upgrade, Happen Bank, Prosper and OneMain. Both of you are responsible for the loan, and late payments hurt both credit reports.
Is LendingClub still offering personal loans?
Yes. LendingClub rebranded as Happen Bank in June 2026 and continues to offer personal loans under the new name.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not financial 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. Always read the full loan agreement and compare several offers before you borrow.