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You’ve probably seen ads about getting cash quickly. If you need funds right away, you might be tempted to approach a high-interest-rate payday lender or pawn shop — but these predatory loan options can be a big mistake.
Payday lenders typically charge the equivalent of an APR nearing 400%, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Pawn shops charge high fees and interest as well, and they typically only loan you a fraction of your pawned item’s value.
While it might be easy to get approved for a same-day loan through a payday lender or pawn shop, there are better options available if you need a fast loan.
Here’s what you need to know about same-day loans:
9 personal lenders for quick loans
Instead of going to a predatory payday lender or dropping off your grandma’s ring at a pawn shop, you might be able to quickly access cash by taking out a personal loan.
The lenders in the table below are Credible’s partners that offer fast loans. You can compare your rates from each of them in two minutes.
Plus, depending on the lender and whether you’re approved, the time to fund for a loan from one of these lenders could be as little as one business day after you’ve accepted and signed your final loan agreement.
Lender | Fixed rates | Loan amounts | Min. credit score | Time to fund |
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![]() | 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) |
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![]() | 7.99% - 15.19% APR | $10,000 to $50,000 | 740 | Next business day |
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![]() | 8.99% - 35.99% APR | $2,000 to $50,000 | 600 | As soon as 1 to 3 business days after successful verification |
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![]() | 5.99% - 24.99% APR | $2,500 to $35,000 | 660 | As soon as the next business day after acceptance |
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![]() | 7.99% - 35.99% APR | $2,000 to $36,500 | 600 | As soon as the next business day |
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![]() | 7.99% - 24.99% APR with autopay | $5,000 to $100,000 | 700 | As soon as the same business day |
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![]() | 18.0% - 35.99% APR | $1,500 to $20,000 | None | As soon as 1 to 2 business days after approval |
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![]() | 6.99% - 35.99% APR | $2,000 to $50,000 | 640 | As soon as one business day |
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![]() | 5.99% - 35.99% APR | $3,500 to $40,000 | 640 | 90% funded within a day13 |
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![]() | 8.99% - 25.81% APR10 | $5,000 to $100,000 | Does not disclose | 3 business days |
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![]() | 7.9% - 29.99% | $2,000 to $25,000 | 660 | 1 to 3 business days |
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![]() | 11.69% - 35.99% APR7 | $1,000 to $50,000 | 560 | Within one day, once approved9 |
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![]() | 8.49% - 35.99% APR | $1,000 to $50,000 | 600 | Within a day of clearing necessary verifications |
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![]() | 4.6% - 35.99% APR4 | $1,000 to $50,0005 | 620 | As soon as 1 - 3 business days6 |
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Find Out: Emergency Loans: How to Get a Personal Loan Fast
How to apply for a same-day loan
If you decide to get a personal loan, follow these four steps to apply:
- Shop around and compare lenders: Don’t just go with the first lender you find. Be sure to consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for your needs. Remember to compare rates as well as any fees charged by the lender. With Credible, you can easily compare your prequalified rates from multiple lenders in two minutes after filling out a single form.
- Complete the application: If you qualify for a personal loan, you’ll need to complete a full application and submit any required documentation. Make sure to thoroughly and accurately fill out the application and turn in documents quickly to avoid any delays.
- Accept your loan: Review your loan offer in detail to make sure there are no surprises down the road. If you agree with the terms, sign to accept your loan and start the funding process.
- Get your funds: If receiving your funds by direct deposit, you’ll have to enter your bank’s routing number and your account number. This way, the lender can send the funds directly to your account.
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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Same-day loan FAQs
Where can you get a same-day loan?
Several types of lenders offer same-day loans. These include payday lenders, car title lenders, and pawn shops — but keep in mind that these types of lenders often charge high rates and fees. You could also lose your car if you use it as collateral for a car title loan.
Reputable lenders and credit unions offer fast loan approval with better terms. For example:
- Alliant Credit Union offers same-day funding for many applicants.
- Earnin could also be a good payday loan alternative for smaller loans of up to $100 per day interest-free.
Learn More: Where to Get a Personal Loan
What should you know before taking out a same-day loan?
Before taking out a loan, be sure to research the lender and carefully read the associated terms and conditions. If you can’t keep up with the required payments, the loan is likely not a good choice for your financial needs. Keep in mind that you can get a small loan with some lenders, which could be easier to pay off in the long run.
You’ll also typically need some documentation with your application, such as paystubs or your most recent tax return to verify your income.
Check Out: How to Get a $5,000 Personal Loan
Are same-day loans and payday loans the same?
No. You might be able to get a fast payday loan, but there are other types of same-day loans available.
If you take out a payday loan, your next paycheck will generally be used as collateral. Payday loans could be available to borrowers with poor credit, but they also come with exorbitant charges and interest rates — sometimes as high as 500%. This could be especially detrimental if you can’t afford to repay a payday loan.
As a general rule, avoid payday loans at all costs — not only because of the astronomical interest rates but also the potentially predatory nature of payday lenders.
Check Out: Cash-Advance Loan
Are same-day loans better than using a credit card?
It depends. You can get what amounts to an interest-free loan with a credit card that has a 0% introductory APR. But the standard rate goes into effect when the promotional period ends. The average credit card rate was 16.44% as of the fourth quarter of 2021, according to Federal Reserve data. And with some cards charging an APR of 30% or more, your credit card can be an expensive way to finance an emergency expense if you can’t pay the debt off quickly. Read the fine print carefully before you commit.
Meanwhile, the average APR for a 24-month personal loan from a commercial bank as of the fourth quarter of 2021 was much lower, at 9.09%, Federal Reserve data shows. Although personal loan rates can be as high as credit cards in some cases (depending on your credit score), borrowers with good credit can pay significantly less. What’s more, personal loans come with predictable payments and a definite payoff date, which can make it easier to budget.
See: Personal Loan vs. Credit Card
Can you get a same-day loan without a credit check?
Typically no. Most reputable lenders will generally want to review your credit before approving you for a loan. Your credit score will also help determine the interest rate you qualify for. If you have less-than-excellent credit, some lenders offer personal loans for fair credit as well as bad credit options.
Check Out: Short-Term Loans
Can you get a same-day loan for bad credit?
If you have a poor credit history, your same-day loan options might be limited. Some lenders do offer same-day loans for borrowers with bad credit, but you could end up with a higher interest rate or have to pay a higher origination fee.
Be sure to consider the overall costs of taking out a bad-credit personal loan before you borrow.
One alternative, if the lender allows it, is to apply with a cosigner who has good credit and low debt. That way, the lender will factor the cosigner’s credit into its loan decision, increasing not only your chances of being approved, but also of being approved for a competitive rate. The downside for the cosigner is that they’re responsible for repaying the loan if you’re unable to make the monthly payments.
Learn More: Bad Credit Loans
What are some alternatives to same-day loans?
If a same-day loan doesn’t sound right for you, there are other options available. Here are a few alternatives that might be better for your needs:
- Peer-to-peer loan: This is a type of personal loan that’s funded by a group of investors. The peer-to-peer lending platform acts as a middleman and takes banks out of the equation.
- 0% APR credit card: Some credit cards offer introductory periods with 0% APR. If you pay off your balance by the end of this period, you won’t pay any interest. Keep in mind that if you can’t pay off the card in full by this time, you could be faced with hefty interest charges.
- Home equity loan: With this kind of loan, you can use the value of your home as collateral. Home equity loans generally offer lower interest rates, but if you can’t make your payments, you might risk losing your home.
- Home equity line of credit (HELOC): A HELOC is another type of home equity loan that gives you access to a revolving line of credit — similar to a credit card. You can borrow and repay the line of credit multiple times. Like a standard home equity loan, your house is used as collateral — meaning you could lose it if you stop making payments.
What is a same-day loan?
A same-day loan, also called an emergency loan, is a type of personal loan that’s approved and funded the same day you apply. Be aware that you might not be able to get an online loan the same day — some lenders require applicants to apply in person.
Who’s eligible for a same-day loan?
You might be eligible for a same-day loan if a lender determines that your credit is solid and you have sufficient income to repay the loan on time.
Lenders typically like to see a credit score of at least 670 to approve you for a loan. But some lenders look at your whole credit history and financial picture — not just your credit score — when making loan decisions.
If you don’t meet a lender’s requirements for an unsecured loan, some lenders offer secured loan options. Secured loans require you to provide an asset as collateral to qualify for the loan. If you’re unable to make your loan payments, the lender can take your collateral.
Because eligibility requirements vary by lender, it’s important to research and compare lenders and loans to find the best one for your situation.
What can same-day loans be used for?
You can use a same-day loan for any reason not specifically restricted by the lender (for example, you typically can’t use personal loan funds for gambling or to pay for education expenses).
Some common uses for personal loans include:
- Home repairs or renovations
- Emergency car repair
- Medical bills
- Veterinary care
- Overdue bill
- Credit card consolidation
- Funeral expenses
If you decide to take out a same-day loan, be sure to consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for you. Credible makes this easy — you can compare your prequalified rates from 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 4.60%-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 10%. 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.
Daria Uhlig contributed to the reporting for this article.