Credit Score War · Loans · verified 2026-10-24
Personal and debt consolidation loans, ranked by starting APR.
As of 2026-10-24, the lowest advertised starting APR among the personal loan lenders CashWars checked is 5.96% (LendingClub). Starting APRs are the best case for top credit; your rate depends on your credit, income and loan. Every lender listed lets you check your rate with a soft pull.
| # | Lender | Advertised APR | Amounts | Origination fee | Check your rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LendingClub Bank (LendingClub Bank) | 5.96%–35.99% APR Starting APR is the best case; depends on credit | $1,000–$75,000 | 0.00%–8.00% origination/processing fee | Soft inquiry to check your rate; hard pull if a loan is issued | Visit LendingClub as of 2026-10-24 |
| 2 | PenFed Credit Union Credit union (membership required) | As low as 6.39% APR with autopay (top of range not shown on page) Starting APR is the best case; depends on credit | Up to $50,000 (minimum not stated on page) | No origination fee | Checking your rate won't affect your credit score | Visit PenFed Credit Union as of 2026-10-24 |
| 3 | SoFi Bank (SoFi Bank) | 6.49%–34.99% APR (with autopay and member discounts) Starting APR is the best case; depends on credit | $5,000–$100,000 | No origination fee required (optional fee for a lower rate) | Soft credit pull to check your rate; hard pull if you apply | Visit SoFi as of 2026-10-24 |
| 4 | Best Egg Online lender (loans by partner banks) | 6.99%–35.99% APR Starting APR is the best case; depends on credit | $2,000–$50,000 | 0.99%–9.99% origination fee (at least 4.99% on terms of 4+ years) | Checking your rate won't impact your credit score | Visit Best Egg as of 2026-10-24 |
| 5 | Discover Bank (Discover Bank) | 6.99%–24.99% APR Starting APR is the best case; depends on credit | $2,500–$40,000 | No fees of any kind | Checking your rate won't impact your credit score | Visit Discover as of 2026-10-24 |
| 6 | Upgrade Online lender (loans by partner banks) | 7.74%–35.99% APR Starting APR is the best case; depends on credit | $1,000–$50,000 | 1.85%–9.99% origination fee, deducted from proceeds | Checking your rate won't impact your credit score | Visit Upgrade as of 2026-10-24 |
Does debt consolidation actually save money?
- It saves when the loan's APR is lower than the rate you're paying now on the debts you pay off. APR already includes the origination fee, so compare APR to APR.
- Origination fee math: fees usually come out of the loan. A 5% fee on $10,000 means $9,500 lands in your account, but you repay $10,000 plus interest. Borrow enough to cover the payoff after the fee, not more.
- Longer terms lower the monthly payment but can raise total interest. Check the total cost, not just the payment.
- Don't run the cards back up. Consolidating then charging the cards again leaves you with the loan and new card debt. Keep the cards paid off.
- Struggling to make payments? Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor first; it's free or low cost.
Not listed: LightStream (Starting APR is only shown inside a calculator that varies by loan purpose; we couldn't read one fixed advertised minimum from its page (max APR 25.44% is published).) Marcus by Goldman Sachs (Its personal loan page didn't load the loan terms when we checked, so nothing could be verified.)
Checking your rate is a soft pull; applying for the loan usually means a hard credit pull. Rates, fees and amounts change; confirm on the lender's page. CashWars is not a lender or broker. Not financial advice.
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