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As the name suggests, direct deposit loans are loans that are directly deposited into your bank account.
However, while loan companies often market direct deposit payday loans as a fast way to get cash in an emergency, the interest rates on these loans can be sky-high.
The good news is there are ways to get direct deposits quickly that don’t involve taking out a payday loan. Keep reading to learn more about direct deposit loans and the alternatives.
Here’s what you should know about direct deposit loans (and less expensive alternatives):
- What are direct deposit loans?
- What are the pros and cons of direct deposit loans?
- Online personal loans vs. direct deposit loans
- How to get an online personal loan
- 10 alternatives to direct deposit loans for quick cash
- Other alternatives to a direct deposit loan
What are direct deposit loans?
Direct deposit loans are payday loans that are quickly deposited into your bank account. You might be able to get a direct deposit loan online or from a storefront lender, often without a credit check.
Requirements for direct deposit loans vary from lender to lender, but in general, you’ll need to:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a bank account
- Have pay stubs that show a recurring source of income
- Live in a state where payday loans are legal
Depending on the lender, you might end up paying 400% APR or more on a direct deposit loan.
If you decide to pursue a short-term direct deposit loan, be cautious. Lenders that offer direct deposit loans tend to target individuals with lower credit scores, since these borrowers have fewer options. Remember, there are alternative lending options with fast funding times that are likely better solutions in an emergency.
You can use Credible to compare multiple lenders with more favorable interest rates than direct deposit loans. It only takes a few minutes, and it won’t impact your credit.
What are the pros and cons of direct deposit loans?
If you’re considering a direct deposit loan, here are some points to keep in mind:
Pros
- Could get approved even with bad credit: In many cases, you only need to be 18 or older and have a job to get a direct deposit loan. This means you could get approved even if you have bad credit.
- Easy application: Applying for a direct deposit loan online might take just a few minutes.
- Fast loan funding: Depending on the lender, you could have your money as soon as the next business day — or even instantly.
Cons
- High rates and fees: It’s not uncommon for direct deposit loans to have APRs of 400% or higher.
- Can borrow only a small amount: Direct deposit loan amounts are generally only a few hundred dollars — typically $500 or less. If you need to borrow more (such as for a car repair or major purchase), this might not be enough.
- Payment could be taken from your account: Unless you choose a direct deposit installment loan, you’ll typically give the lender a post-dated check or provide authorization for them to debit the funds from your bank account. If the due date rolls around and you don’t have the cash, this could put you in a financial bind.
Online personal loans vs. direct deposit loans
Personal loans are an extremely flexible financial product that can be used to cover nearly any expense. Credible’s partner lenders offer a variety of personal loan products that you can use to cover virtually any cost, such as medical bills, car repairs, or home maintenance.
Both online personal loans and direct deposit loans can come with fast loan funding. However, they each have different loan terms, amounts, and rates, as well as varying eligibility requirements.
Here’s a look at several important features of online personal loans vs. direct deposit loans:
| Rates | Could be up to 400% APR or even higher | Varies |
| Loan amounts | Typically up to $500 (might be able to borrow $1,000 or more with a direct deposit installment loan) | $600 to $100,000 (with Credible partner lenders) |
| Loan terms | Usually until your next payday | 1 to 7 years (depending on the lender) |
| Time to fund | Immediate or within a few business days | Typically one week or less (some lenders offer same- or next-day funding) |
| Credit score | Any | Usually need good to excellent credit (670 and up), though some lenders offer loans for poor or fair credit |
If you’re looking for next- or same-day loans, be careful — while you can get cash from a direct deposit loan quickly, the high APR could land you in a deeper financial rut.
Here’s what you might expect to pay if you borrow $1,000 with a direct deposit loan vs. a personal loan:
- If you take out a $1,000 direct deposit loan with a 150% interest rate and one-year term, you’d pay a whopping $982 in interest.
- If you take out a $1,000 personal loan with a 5% interest rate and one-year term, you’d pay just $164 in interest.
No matter which type of loan you choose, it’s a good idea to consider how much a loan will cost you over time. You can estimate how much you’ll pay for a loan using our personal loan calculator below.
How to get an online personal loan
If you’re ready to take out a personal loan, follow these four steps:
- Shop around and compare lenders. Be sure to compare as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for you. Compare not only rates but also repayment terms and any fees charged by the lender.
- Choose your loan option. After comparing lenders, pick the loan option that best suits your needs.
- Fill out the application. You’ll need to complete a full application and submit any required documentation, such as tax returns or pay stubs.
- Get your funds. If you’re approved, the lender will have you sign for the loan so they can send you the funds. The time to fund for a personal loan is typically a week or less — though some lenders might fund your loan as soon as the same or next business day.
Tip: While you’ll generally need good to excellent credit to qualify for a personal loan, there are some lenders that offer personal loans for bad credit.
However, these typically come with higher interest rates compared to the rates given to borrowers with good credit.
If you’re struggling to get approved for a personal loan, another option is applying with a cosigner. Not all lenders allow cosigners on personal loans, but some do.
Even if you don’t need a cosigner to qualify, having one could get a lower rate than you’d get on your own.
Personal loans for poor credit
Predatory lending products often target borrowers with low credit scores, but if you have bad credit, there are better options out there. While qualifying for a traditional personal loan with a low interest rate is ideal, you can find personal loans designed for borrowers with bad credit that still have better interest rates than those for direct deposit loans.
You may also want to consider adding a cosigner to your loan application to improve your chances of getting approved. A cosigner with good to excellent credit can also help you snag a lower interest rate, since the lender is taking on less risk. Just keep in mind that your cosigner will be responsible for repaying the loan if you fail to make payments, and this could potentially damage your relationship.
Check Out: Credit-Builder Loans
10 alternatives to direct deposit loans for quick cash
There are other options to quickly borrow cash besides direct deposit loans. For example, you might qualify for a personal loan with better terms.
If you’re approved, you could get your loan funds as soon as the same or next business day, depending on the lender.
Here are Credible’s partner lenders that offer fast loan funding:
| Lender | Fixed rates | Loan amounts | Min. credit score | Time to fund | Loan terms (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 9.95% - 35.99% APR | $2,000 to $35,000** | 550 | As soon as the next business day (if approved by 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday) | 2, 3, 4, 5* |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 7.99% - 15.19% APR | $10,000 to $50,000 | 740 | Next business day | 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 8.99% - 35.99% APR | $5,000 to $50,000 | 600 | As soon as 1 to 3 business days after successful verification | 3, 5 |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 6.99% - 24.99% APR | $2,500 to $35,000 | 660 | As soon as the next business day after acceptance | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 7.99% - 35.99% APR | $2,000 to $36,500 | 600 | As soon as the next business day | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 7.99% - 24.99% APR | $5,000 to $100,000 | 700 | As soon as the same business day | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (up to 12 years for home improvement loans) |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 18.0% - 35.99% APR | $1,500 to $20,000 | None | As soon as 1 to 2 business days after approval | 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 6.99% - 35.99% APR | $2,000 to $50,000 | 640 | As soon as one business day | 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 11.69% - 35.99% APR7 | $1,000 to $20,000 | 560 | Within one day, once approved9 | 3,5 |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 8.49% - 35.99% APR | $1,000 to $50,000 | 600 | Within a day of clearing necessary verifications | 2, 3, 5, 6 |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 4.6% - 35.99% APR4 | $1,000 to $50,0005 | 580 | As soon as 1 - 3 business days6 | 3 or 5 years4 |
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Avant
If you have poor to fair credit, Avant may be a good choice. If you’re approved, you could have your loan funded as soon as the next business day.
Axos Bank
Axos Bank offers personal loans ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. With Axos Bank, you could have your funds deposited by the next business day after loan approval.
Best Egg
Best Egg offers loans for a wide variety of uses, including debt consolidation, major purchases, credit card refinancing, and more.
You can borrow $2,000 to $50,000 through Best Egg and could get your funds within one to three business days after successful verification.
Discover
Discover could be a good option if you’re looking for longer repayment terms — you could have up to seven years to repay a Discover loan.
You’ll likely get a decision on your application on the same day you apply and might have your loan funded as soon as the next business day if you’re approved.
LendingPoint
LendingPoint specializes in working with borrowers who have near-prime credit, which could make it a good choice if you have a credit score in the upper 500s to 600s.
If you’re approved, your loan could be funded as soon as the next business day.
LightStream
LightStream might be a good option if you’re looking to borrow a large loan amount — personal loans from LightStream range from $5,000 to $100,000.
Plus, if you’re approved, you could have your loan funded as soon as the same business day.
OneMain Financial
If you prefer taking out a personal loan in person, OneMain Financial could be a good choice — it has about 1,400 branch locations in 44 states.
Loans approved in person at a branch office could be funded on the spot with a check, while online loans will generally be funded within one to two business days by direct deposit.
Prosper
With Prosper, you can borrow $2,000 to $50,000 with repayment terms from two to five years. If you’re approved, you could have your loan funded in as little as one business day.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is another lender that could have your loan funded in as little as one business day, once approved. You can borrow $1,000 to $20,000 with a repayment term of three or five years.
Upgrade
Upgrade offers personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. If you’re approved, you could have your loan funds within a day of clearing the necessary verifications.
Upstart
With Upstart, you can borrow $1,000 to $50,0005. Keep in mind that Upstart considers education and job history in addition to credit score, which means that you might qualify for a loan even if you have limited credit history.
Learn More: How to Get a Fast Personal Loan for Quick Cash
Other alternatives to a direct deposit loan
There are also other options besides personal loans if you need quick cash. Here are a few alternatives to consider:
- Pawn shop loans: These types of loans are available from pawn shops and are secured by a valuable item that you own, such as jewelry or machinery. However, pawn shop loans can also come with extremely high rates and fees. Plus, if you can’t repay the loan, the pawn shop can sell your item.
- Cash advance apps: Apps like Earnin and MoneyLion offer members small, interest-free cash advances. Keep in mind that this type of cash advance might be limited to a few hundred dollars or less.
- Credit cards: A credit card could be a simple way to cover small, recurring expenses. Some credit cards even come with 0% APR introductory offers, which means you won’t have to pay interest if you repay your balance by the time this period ends. However, if you can’t repay the card in time, you could be stuck with some hefty interest charges.
- Loans from friends or family: If you have friends or family willing to lend you the money you need, you might be able to avoid interest charges. However, be sure to stick to the repayment terms you agree upon to avoid any damage to your relationships.
If you decide to take out a personal loan, remember to consider as many lenders as you can to find the right loan for your needs. Credible makes this easy — you can compare your prequalified rates from multiple lenders in two minutes.
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Keep Reading: How to Get a $5,000 Personal Loan Fast
Jacqueline DeMarco has contributed to the reporting of this article.
