Home / Guides / Best Personal Loans for Debt Consolidation (2026)

Best Personal Loans for Debt Consolidation (2026)

Financialist may earn a commission when you click partner links. That never changes our rankings or what we recommend. How we make money.

Our top picks at a glance

Best personal loans: comparison table

Last updated: September 28, 2026. APR ranges move with the rate market - verify the live range on each lender's site before applying.

Lender

Typical APR range

Loan amounts

Terms

Best for

Offer

SoFi

~9-30% (with discounts)

$5,000-$100,000

2-7 years

Best overall

See offer from Sofi

LendingTree

Varies by matched lender

$1,000-$50,000

2-7 years

Comparing multiple offers

See offer from Lendingtree

Upstart

~7-36%

$1,000-$75,000

3 or 5 years

Fair/thin credit files

See offer from Upstart

1. SoFi - Best overall

SoFi combines the widest loan range on this list ($5,000-$100,000) with no origination-fee options, rate discounts for autopay and direct deposit, and same-day funding on many approvals. For borrowers with good credit who want one clean application, it is the default first stop.

Pros: large loans available; autopay + direct-deposit rate discounts; unemployment protection program.

Cons: best rates need strong credit; no co-signer option on every product.

2. LendingTree - Best for comparing offers

LendingTree is not a lender - it is the comparison marketplace. One form puts your request in front of multiple lenders, which makes it the fastest way to see your real market rate instead of guessing. The tradeoff: expect follow-up contact from matched lenders.

Pros: multiple real offers from one application; strong for rate discovery.

Cons: marketing follow-ups; final terms come from the matched lender, not LendingTree.

3. Upstart - Best for fair or thin credit

Upstart underwrites with more than the credit score - education, income and employment history count - which makes it the strongest option here for borrowers a traditional bank would decline. Loans run $1,000-$75,000 with three- or five-year terms, and funds typically land the next business day after acceptance.

Pros: works for thin or damaged credit files; fast funding; co-applicant allowed.

Cons: APRs run high for weaker profiles; only two term choices.

Before you apply

FAQ

What credit score do I need? Best rates typically start around 720+. Upstart works with thinner files; most mainstream lenders want 640+.

How fast can I get funded? Same day to two business days is normal for online lenders once approved.

Will applying hurt my credit? Prequalification is a soft pull. The hard pull happens only when you accept a final offer.