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With an installment loan, you can make a purchase and pay off the balance over time with steady, even payments.
An installment loan could be especially helpful if you need to cover expenses, but aren’t able to save the money ahead of time.
Here’s what you should know about installment loans and where to get one:
- 15 online lenders for installment loans
- What are installment loans?
- Where can you get an installment loan?
- How do you qualify for an installment loan through an online lender?
- How to apply for an installment loan
- What is the difference between a payday loan and an installment loan?
- Installment loan alternatives
15 online lenders for installment loans
There are plenty of lender options to choose from if you need an installment loan. Here are Credible’s partner lenders that offer personal installment loans:
| Lender | Fixed rates | Loan amounts | Min. credit score | Loan terms (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 View details | 9.95% - 35.99% APR | $2,000 to $35,000** | 580 | 2, 3, 4, 5* |
*If approved, the actual loan terms that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law, and other factors. Minimum loan amounts vary by state. **Example: A $5,700 loan with an administration fee of 4.75% and an amount financed of $5,429.25, repayable in 36 monthly installments, would have an APR of 29.95% and monthly payments of $230.33. |
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 View details | 6.49% - 29.99% APR | $5,000 to $35,000 | 740 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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 View details | 5.99% - 29.99% APR | $5,000 to $35,000 | 600 | 3, 5 |
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 View details | 6.99% - 24.99% APR | $2,500 to $35,000 | 660 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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 View details | 7.99% - 29.99% APR | $10,000 to $35,000 | Not disclosed by lender | 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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 View details | 10.68% - 35.89% APR | $1,000 to $40,000 | 600 | 3, 5 |
LendingClub personal loans review †Based on a majority of borrowers from LendingClub's marketing partners who were issued loans between 1/1/19-12/13/19. The time it takes for your loan to be funded may vary. |
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 View details | 15.49% - 35.99% APR | $2,000 to $25,000 | 585 | 2, 3, 4 |
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 View details | 3.99% - 19.99% APR | $5,000 to $100,000 | 660 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (up to 12 years for home improvement loans) |
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 View details | 6.99% - 19.99% APR1 | $3,500 to $40,0002 | 660 (TransUnion FICO®️ Score 9) | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
1Rate reduction of 0.25% available for AutoPay. 2You may be required to have some of your funds sent directly to pay off outstanding unsecured debt. 3After making 12 or more consecutive monthly payments, you can defer one payment as long as you have made all your prior payments in full and on time. Marcus will waive any interest incurred during the deferral and extend your loan by one month (you will pay interest during this extra month). Your payments resume as usual after your deferral. Advance notice is required. See loan agreement for details. |
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 View details | 18.00% - 35.99% APR | $1,500 to $20,000 | None | 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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 View details | 5.99% - 24.99% APR | $5,000 to $40,000 | 640 | 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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 View details | 6.49% - 17.99% APR | $600 to $20,000 (depending on loan term) | 670 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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 View details | 6.95% - 35.99% APR | $2,000 to $40,000 | 640 | 3, 5 |
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 View details | 5.99% - 18.83% APR | $5,000 to $100,000 | Does not disclose | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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 View details | 6.94% - 35.97% APR | $1,000 to $50,000 | 580 | 3, 5 |
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 View details | 8.13% - 35.99% APR4 | $1,000 to $50,0005 | 580 | 3 to 5 years4 |
4The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 15% and 36 monthly payments of $33 per $1,000 borrowed. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Average APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved. 5This offer is conditioned on final approval based on our consideration and verification of financial and non-financial information. Rate and loan amount are subject to change based upon information received in your full application. This offer may be accepted only by the person identified in this offer, who is old enough to legally enter into contract for the extension of credit, a US citizen or permanent resident, and a current resident of the US. Duplicate offers received are void. Closing your loan is contingent on your meeting our eligibility requirements, our verification of your information, and your agreement to the terms and conditions on the www.upstart.com website. 6If you accept your loan by 5pm EST (not including weekends or holidays), loan funds will be sent to your designated bank account on the next business day, provided that such funds are not being used to directly pay off credit cards. Loans used to fund education related expenses are subject to a 3 business day wait period between loan acceptance and funding in accordance with federal law. |
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What are installment loans?
Installment loans are a kind of loan where you get the money in a lump sum and repay it over time with a fixed monthly payment.
There are two types of installment loans to choose from:
- Secured loans are backed by collateral — something of value you agree to give to the lender if you don’t repay the loan. This type of loan could be easier to qualify for because there’s less risk for the lender.
- Unsecured loans don’t require collateral. Because of the higher risk to the lender, this type of loan might come with slightly higher interest rates compared to a secured loan.
These loans can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Here are a few common installment loans you might come across:
- Personal loans are generally unsecured, though there are some lenders that offer secured personal loans. You can use a personal loan to fund almost any personal expense. For example, you could use debt consolidation loans to help repay debt or home improvement loans for house repairs.
- Auto loans are used for car purchases and are secured by the vehicle.
- Mortgages can be used to purchase homes, with those same homes acting as collateral.
- Private student loans are unsecured loans that you can use to pay for your college education.
Unlike an auto loan or mortgage that has a specific purpose and required collateral, a personal loan can be used for almost anything.
Learn More: Loans for Credit Card Consolidation
Where can you get an installment loan?
If you’re wondering where to get a loan, don’t worry — there are many lenders that offer installment loans, including:
- Online lenders offer quick access to installment loans and sometimes have less stringent requirements than banks and credit unions. If you have poor or fair credit, you might have an easier time getting approved by an online lender.
- Banks might offer larger loan limits and longer loan limits than online lenders. However, bank loans also tend to have stricter requirements to qualify.
- Credit unions are nonprofit organizations, so they generally offer lower interest rates than banks. Keep in mind that you’ll need to join the credit union before you can take out a loan, though.
Check Out: How to Get a $5,000 Personal Loan
How do you qualify for an installment loan through an online lender?
Each lender has its own requirements to qualify for a loan. However, there are a few common criteria that most lenders look for, including:
- Good credit history: If you have a strong credit history, you’re more likely to be approved.
- Verifiable income: Many lenders require you to earn a certain amount so they know you can make your payments.
- Debt-to-income ratio: Lenders look at your DTI ratio to see if you make enough money to afford another loan on top of any other debt you might have.
Some lenders also allow cosigners, which could make it easier to qualify. Having a creditworthy cosigner might also get you a lower interest rate compared to what you’d get on your own.
Before you borrow, estimate how much you’ll pay for a loan using our personal loan calculator below.
Enter your loan information to calculate how much you could pay
With a $ loan, you will pay $ monthly and a total of $ in interest over the life of your loan. You will pay a total of $ over the life of the loan.
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Check Out: Long-Term Personal Loans
How to apply for an installment loan
If you’re ready to apply for an installment loan, follow these four steps:
- Prepare ahead of time. Before you apply, gather any pertinent paperwork you’ll need to submit. This might include tax returns, pay stubs, or your photo ID. It’s also a good idea to check your credit report for any errors.
- Compare lenders. Be sure to consider as many lenders as you can to find a loan that fits your needs. Remember to compare not only rates but also repayment terms and any fees the lender might charge.
- Choose your loan. Once you’ve shopped around, pick the loan option that you like best.
- Finish the application. You’ll need to fill out a full application and submit any required documentation to apply for the loan. If you’re approved, the lender will have you sign for the loan so they can send you your funds.
If you’re ready to find your personal installment loan, remember to shop around and compare multiple lenders. Credible makes this easy — you can see your prequalified rates from all of our partner lenders in two minutes.
What is the difference between a payday loan and an installment loan?
A payday loan is another type of installment loan. However, payday loans come with much riskier terms compared to most other installment loans.
Here are several differences between payday loans and personal installment loans to keep in mind:
| Payday loans | Personal installment loans | |
| Time to fund | Same day | Typically 1-7 business days (depending on the lender) |
| Repayment terms | About 2 weeks | 1-7 years (depending on the lender) |
| Interest rates | 300% to 500% | Varies |
| Credit check required? | No | Yes |
| Reported to credit bureaus? | No | Yes |
A personal installment loan is generally a much better and safer option if you need quick access to funds. Depending on the lender, your loan could be funded on the same day you’re approved.
Learn More: How to Get a $20,000 Personal Loan
Installment loan alternatives
If you need to borrow money, there are other options available outside of installment loans. Here are a few other choices:
- Credit card: You can charge purchases on a credit card and pay them off over time. If you’re able to pay off your balance by the due date, you could avoid paying interest. However, if you can’t repay your balance in full by that time, you might be stuck with hefty interest charges.
- Personal line of credit: Similar to a credit card, a line of credit is a revolving type of credit — meaning you can repeatedly draw on your credit line as long as you continue paying it off. A personal line of credit is generally unsecured and might be tied to a checking account.
- Home equity line of credit (HELOC): Unlike a personal line of credit, a HELOC is secured by the equity in your home. While you might get a lower interest rate on a HELOC, keep in mind that you could lose your home if you default on the loan.
If you decide to take out a personal loan, remember to consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for you. Credible makes this easy — you can compare multiple lenders in two minutes.
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About Rates and Terms: Rates for personal loans provided by lenders on the Credible platform range between 4.99-35.99% APR with terms from 12 to 84 months. Rates presented include lender discounts for enrolling in autopay and loyalty programs, where applicable. Actual rates may be different from the rates advertised and/or shown and will be based on the lender’s eligibility criteria, which include factors such as credit score, loan amount, loan term, credit usage and history, and vary based on loan purpose. The lowest rates available typically require excellent credit, and for some lenders, may be reserved for specific loan purposes and/or shorter loan terms. The origination fee charged by the lenders on our platform ranges from 0% to 8%. Each lender has their own qualification criteria with respect to their autopay and loyalty discounts (e.g., some lenders require the borrower to elect autopay prior to loan funding in order to qualify for the autopay discount). All rates are determined by the lender and must be agreed upon between the borrower and the borrower’s chosen lender. For a loan of $10,000 with a three year repayment period, an interest rate of 7.99%, a $350 origination fee and an APR of 11.51%, the borrower will receive $9,650 at the time of loan funding and will make 36 monthly payments of $313.32. Assuming all on-time payments, and full performance of all terms and conditions of the loan contract and any discount programs enrolled in included in the APR/interest rate throughout the life of the loan, the borrower will pay a total of $11,279.43. As of March 12, 2019, none of the lenders on our platform require a down payment nor do they charge any prepayment penalties.
