Upstart Personal Loans Review

Good For: New Borrowers, Average Credit, Fast Cash

Upstart’s unique prediction model sets it apart from most other lenders in the marketplace, and it especially appeals to young people who haven’t yet established enough credit experience to qualify for attractive loans. Upstart is also positioning itself as a more tech-centric lender by offering to pay the tuition costs for borrowers who pursue coding as a career.

There’s a lot to like about Upstart, but is it the right personal loan provider for you? Here’s everything you need to know.

Upstart loan rates and terms

APR range	5.99% – 35.89%
Available loan terms	36 – 60 months
Loan amounts	$1,000 – $50,000
Time to fund	One business day
Origination fee	0% – 8%
Credit needed	620+
Income needed	N/A
Soft Credit Check?	Yes
Best for	New Borrowers, Borrowers With Thin Credit, Fair Credit
Click “Check Rates” to apply to Upstart    Visit Site

» MORE: Personal loans for fair credit

Upstart Personal Loan Review – Is Upstart Legit?

There are many sketchy lenders on the internet, which understandably leads some people to wonder, Is Upstart legit? Well, rest assured, not only is Upstart an upstanding and reputable lender, but it’s also among the best-reviewed institutions in the industry. Although some Upstart personal loan reviews call out the company for being too picky about who they approve, and some people have voiced complaints about the company’s customer service, for the most part, Upstart has earned overwhelmingly positive feedback from its customers.

In terms of Upstart loan requirements, the company doesn’t insist that borrowers have long financial histories in order to get approved, however, the prediction model does prefer FICO scores of 620 or above. As mentioned, aspects of an applicant’s education — including schools attended and areas of study — factor significantly into Upstart’s approval process, but that’s not to say that credit reports don’t play a role as well. In fact, having any negative remarks on your credit report could certainly stand in your way depending on whether it’s a minor blemish or a major eyesore.

How Upstart Compares

Are you wondering how Upstart compares to the competition? Prosper and LendingClub are two of the lenders Upstart is most often compared to. And while Upstart certainly holds its own against these two other companies, it doesn’t quite excel in all areas.

Upstart vs Lending Club: In terms of interest rates, reputation, and lending limits, Upstart outperforms Lending Club without question. However, depending on how fast you need to get your hands on the borrowed funds, Lending Club might have the edge here, as Upstart’s education-related loans can take longer to process. Also, Lending Club offers several types of loans that Upstart doesn’t currently support.

» MORE: LendingClub Personal Loan Review

Prosper vs Upstart: Weighing the pros and cons between these two lenders boils down to the borrower’s needs and how creditworthy they’re deemed to be. Upstart offers a far greater range of loans than Proper does, but, generally speaking, Prosper charges lower fees than Upstart. Prosper also offers lower APRs for highly qualified individuals, but charges higher maximum APRs for riskier borrowers. Overall, Upstart offers better rates and loan terms than Prosper, plus it has a better reputation according to each of the companies’ customers.

» MORE: Prosper Personal Loan Review

Upstart For Debt Consolidation

If you’re considering applying for a loan in order to consolidate credit card debt, Upstart offers a number of attractive features including rates up to 30% lower than other lenders. Borrowers can leverage Upstart debt consolidation with loans ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 and an APR as low as 8.16%. Terms are available on either a three- or five-year basis, and, with Upstart, there’s never any penalty for prepayment.

» MORE: Personal Loans For Debt Consolidation

How to Apply For An Upstart Loan

Applying for a personal loan from Upstart is easy and won’t negatively affect your credit score.

• Visit upstart.com and click BORROW at the top of the screen.
• From the drop-down menu, select the type of loan you’re interested in the click GET STARTED.
• Spend a minute or two filling out the form. Include your contact information, the highest level of education you completed, and accurate information about your income. When completed, click AGREE AND SEE YOUR RATE.
• After you agreed to the terms and conditions, you’ll immediately be able to see what loan offers you’re able to take advantage of.
• Select the offer that’s best for your needs, finalize your selection, and wait for the internal review.