Taking out a personal loan is a great way to consolidate your debt down to one payment.
It is no surprise that they are still offering personal loans, either. In fact, an increase in personal loan balances shows this type of loan offer is sticking around.
The biggest problem with this is now finding the right loan for you. Every bank is different and every loan they offer is also different. From interest rates to loan terms, flexibility to other fees, there is a lot to consider when looking for your loan.
With this in mind, we have put together this list to help you figure out what you are looking for and who to turn to for your perfect loan to consolidate your debt.
Here are The Smart Investor Select’s picks for the best debt consolidation loans of 2023:
Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Debt Consolidation Loan
While there are a couple of ways to consolidate debt, here are the main factors you should take into account:
1. Interest Rate
The first thing you need to know is the interest rate of your loan.
When you’re applying for any loan it’s one of the first things that you’re going to ask about. Having great credit is going to help you with this process. You’ll be able to get a better interest rate and you’ll have a better chance of getting approved at the same time.
Now, when you start shopping around to different lenders look at these ratings. They will tell you how much it’s going to cost for you to get that particular loan. You will want to look at APR and APY at the same time. This is going to help you figure out the best possible balance for your loan. After all, it’s going to help you keep your costs down.
2. Fees
Next up are the fees that are associated with your debt consolidation. You could have a lot of fees associated with a loan or you could have a few. They could be large or small. In fact, some of them you might not even notice because they’re so small. But with everything from processing fees to origination fees and application fees you could definitely be ‘fee-d’ to death.
Not to mention if you end up late at any point you could be charged penalties. And if those fees and penalties put you over your limit you could be charged fees for that too. So, make sure that you’re fully aware of what you’re getting into and what type of fees you’re going to be charged.
3. Terms
The terms mean how long you’re going to have that loan for. What length of time do you have to pay everything back? Make sure you know exactly when the money is due and also that you’re being realistic about how much money you take out.
If you take out too much you may not be able to pay it back in time. You may end up with very large payments that you can’t make throughout the loan term.
OneMain Financial
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OneMain is unique to other online personal loan providers in that they have over 1,500 physical locations or branches. This is helpful to borrowers who may have issues getting lending with traditional banks. OneMain Financial is best for borrowers with less than perfect credit and could be a good fit for you if you have issues getting funding through traditional methods. OneMain rates are higher than average, but it is a much better deal than payday lenders. There is also have a quick turnaround time, so if you are in a financial jam they might be a good choice.
However, if you have good to excellent credit, you may want to look at other providers first. This review will cover mostly OneMain Financial personal loan offerings, even though OneMain considers auto loans like personal loans.
- Application Options
- Less than perfect Credit
- Joint Applicants
- No Prepayment Penalty
- Many Payment Options
- Higher interest rates
- Fees
- Not Available in All States
- Restrictions
- Can I negotiate with OneMain?
Since OneMain has no minimum credit limit requirements, its aim is not to be the most competitive loan option, but to provide finance for those who may struggle with typical lenders.
For this reason, it is unlikely that you will be able to negotiate with OneMain. However, it is still worth trying if you want to negotiate before you agree to the loan or negotiate a settlement figure if your circumstances change before the end of the loan term.
- Is OneMain good for debt consolidation?
OneMain offers personal loans of up to $35,000 over a term of up to five years. This makes this financial institution a good option if you want to consolidate several higher interest debts.
The company even has a dedicated debt consolidation page to provide resources for those who are considering this type of loan.
- Can I pay off a OneMain loan early?
OneMain does not have any prepayment penalties that may impede you from repaying a loan early. However, OneMain is a lender that does charge origination fees for its loans. This fee can vary according to your home state.
In some states, there is a flat fee of up to $500, while in others you could pay a percentage of the loan sum up to 10%. These fees will need to be included in your calculations if you want to repay your loan and switch to another lender.
- Can I add a cosigner to a OneMain personal loan?
OneMain does allow co-borrowers to make personal loan applications, but this is a little different compared to a co-signer. As a co-borrower, the party is not only financially responsible but can also access the loan funds.
This is different to a co-signer, where the second party is only financially responsible if you default on the loan. However, it is possible to use collateral, such as a vehicle to secure your loan and improve your chances of approval.
Lending Point
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Lending Point is based in Kennesaw, Georgia. This online lender offers a competitive option for those with fair credit. Where Lending Point stands apart from many lenders is that you can qualify for a loan if your credit score is 585 or above. The company will also consider other factors to establish your eligibility including income, financial history, job history, overall credit behavior.
Lending Point does not have prepayment fees, but there is a potentially costly origination fee. This can be zero to 6% depending on your location. There is also a $30 late payment fee, applied after a 15 day grace period.
- Application Options
- Less than perfect Credit
- Joint Applicants
- No Prepayment Penalty
- Many Payment Options
- Higher interest rates
- Fees
- Not Available in All States
- Restrictions
- Do LendingPoint personal loans offer prequalification?
LendingPoint does allow potential customers to prequalify for a loan to streamline the application process and enable comparison shopping.
You can check the available personal loan offers without triggering a hard credit check. The online application is easy and you simply need to submit your name.
- Can I add a cosigner to a LendingPoint personal loan?
Unfortunately, LendingPoint does not allow joint or cosigned loans. If you want to add a cosigner to your loan, LendingPoint is not the right lender for you and you are better to look elsewhere.
However, the lower credit score requirements and flexible lending requirements may mean that you can qualify for a loan without needing a cosigner.
- Can I pay off a LendingPoint loan early?
LendingPoint does not have any prepayment fees, so you should not incur any penalties if you decide to make additional payments or choose to repay your loan in full before the end of the loan term.
You simply need to speak to the LendingPoint team to obtain a settlement figure to clear your account.
- Is LendingPoint good for debt consolidation?
LendingPoint is a decent option if you’re looking for a debt consolidation loan. You can borrow up to $36,500. While direct creditor payments are not offered, LendingPoint does offer quick access to the loan funds.
You may have the money in your account the following business day after approval, so you can quickly initiate payments to your creditors. However, you do need to bear in mind that there may be an origination fee of 0% to 6% which is billed upfront from your loan funds.
FreedomPlus
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FreedomPlus is Freedom Financial Network's online personal loan provider. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Mateo. Other large personal loan providers, such as LendingClub and Prosper, have recruited employees for FreedomPlus. Over a billion dollars in personal loans have been funded by them.
FreedomPlus is suitable for people with good to excellent credit and a stable financial situation. It has quick turnaround times and a personal touch that can assist you in finding the best loan for you.
Due to the fact that FreedomPlus charges origination fees, more qualified borrowers may be able to qualify for better terms and larger loan amounts at another top lender.
- Joint Borrowers
- Quick Turnaround Times
- Customer Service
- Discounts
- Higher Minimum Amount
- Interaction With Representative Needed
- Origination Fee
- Not Available in All States
- Do Freedom personal loans verify income?
One of the best features of Freedom is that they offer fast funding. Most customers will receive a lending decision the same day as they submit their application, with funding within three days of approval.
However, there may be some instances where Freedom may require additional supporting documentation to verify income.
- Can I negotiate with Freedom?
Freedom does not advertise that it will match rates, but very few lenders actually do. If you’re shopping for a loan, it may be worth getting a quote and checking to see if Freedom will match the best rate, but there are no guarantees.
Likewise, if you want to negotiate a settlement figure, it is worth speaking to the Freedom team, but you may not be able to agree to a lower figure.
- Can I pay off a Freedom loan early?
Freedom does not have any prepayment fees, so it is possible to repay your loan early either in a lump sum or by making additional payments.
However, if you are thinking of switching to another lender, it is worth considering the origination fee that was paid at the start of your Freedom loan and factoring this into your calculations.
- Do Freedom personal loans offer prequalification? (soft credit check)
Freedom does allow prequalification. If you’re interested in a Freedom personal loan, you can complete a basic application on its website and you can find out the best rates and deals for your financial circumstances and credit profile. This process will not impact your credit score, as Freedom uses a soft credit check.
However, if you decide to proceed with a loan, it will trigger a hard credit check.
Upgrade has a deep executive bench with the goal of providing an online lending platform at a lower cost and with a better customer experience than traditional banks. It combines its products with free credit monitoring, including alerts and even providing education about credit on their platform. Upgrade seeks to help borrowers understand their credit potential and secure cheaper credit, in the long run, using credit monitoring.
Upgrade looks for a credit score of at least 620. However, the company may consider other factors to establish your creditworthiness.
- Free Credit Monitoring
- Soft Pull Inquiry
- Competitive Rates
- Simple Application Process
- Quick Turnaround Times
- No Prepayment Penalty
- Higher low end rates for those with excellent credit
- Origination Fee
- Requires Free Cash Flow
- Not Available in All States
- Restrictions for Investments
- What can an Upgrade loan be used for?
Upgrade can be used to consolidate debt, start or expand a business, fund home improvements, or make large purchases. It cannot be used to pay for postsecondary education, investments, illegal activities, or gambling of any kind.
- How's the Upgrade Customer Experience going?
Upgrade has a strong executive team with the goal of providing a lower-cost online lending platform with a better customer experience than traditional banks.
It combines its products with free credit monitoring, including alerts, as well as credit education on their platform. On iOS, the Upgrade mobile app has a score of 4.8, and on Android, it has a score of 4.7. It has a BBB rating of B+.
- When Does Upgrade Shine?
In the end, Upgrade is a lender that has been in business for more than 15 years. Over the course of these years, it has dealt with millions of people. It takes pride in meeting all of its customers' needs.
If you fall into one of the following categories, an upgrade personal loan may be a good fit for you:
- Require immediate funding.
- Want a diverse range of loan options
- Want to learn about money
LoansUnder36
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As a personal loan marketplace, Loansunder36 has a variety of options from regular personal loans to even loans specializing in debt consolidation if that is your primary goal. Like most marketplaces, Loansunder36 will put you through a process to pre-qualify you.
With this online marketplace, you are told up front that the maximum interest rate you will be offered is 35.99% (thus the company name Loans Under 36%). While that might seem high, chances are you will qualify for lower rates if you have decent credit. The application process is fairly straight forward and you can be connected with lenders in a matter of minutes.
You will be able to easily compare different loans and rate options after you complete the application process, so you can easily see which the best choice will be depending on your need and your credit history.
Upgrade looks for a credit score of at least 620. However, the company may consider other factors to establish your creditworthiness.
- Great Customer Service
- Get Money Quickly
- Most Credit Types Accepted
- Guaranteed Rate Under 36%
- Lenders might have Fees
- 72 month maximum payment plan
- Small Website
LendingTree
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LendingTree is a platform that aggregates all of the data for various loan types, including personal loans. Whether you've been thinking about using LendingTree for your loan needs or you're just curious, we've got all the information you need right here.
When you visit their website, you will find a variety of options. To apply for a personal loan, check the "personal loan" box and then answer a few simple questions. LendingTree uses the information you provide to match you with the best lenders based on your answers. Then you can shop around and compare the lenders they recommend.
While researching your options, you can compare them side by side and even speak with loan officers before submitting your official loan application to the lender of your choice.
- Up-Front View of Rates
- Online Application Process
- Many Choices
- Free & Simple to Use
- Not a direct lender
- Higher Interest
- Funding Time
- How many lenders are available via LendingTree?
Lending Tree is an intermediary with a network of over 500 lenders, which offer personal loans, home loans, student loans, auto loans, lines of credit, and credit cards.
When you submit your application, it is unlikely that you will have access to all of these lenders as many of them specialize in particular lending areas. However, Lending Tree will match you with lenders who are best suited to meet your loan requirements.
- Can I add a cosigner to a LendingTree personal loan?
This will depend on the specific lender, but LendingTree has compiled a list of lenders in its network that will allow a cosigner. You can add this preference in your inquiry and LendingTree will connect you with appropriate loan deals.
- Can I negotiate with LendingTree?
SInce LendingTree is connecting you with lenders from its network, it is unlikely that there will be room for negotiation.
However, you will be presented with multiple loan deals that match your lending requirements, so you can compare them and proceed with the loan that represents the best deal for you.
- Does LendingTree offer more financial products besides personal loans?
LendingTree is a financial marketplace where you can access a number of products. In addition to personal loans, you can access student loans, student loan refinancing, business loans, auto loans, mortgages, and credit cards. As with the personal loans, you can submit an inquiry and comparison shop for products in any of these areas.
AmOne
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AmONE is a personal loan marketplace. With different lending options available, you can shop here for any type of personal loan. After becoming pre-qualified, they will help you find the right loan. You will get approved quickly and can have access to the right loan for you within a matter of minutes. The first thing you will do is select the purpose of your personal loan and what your estimated credit score is.
After this step, you input how much money you are trying to borrow and what your employment status is. It takes you through other basic information like income, marital status, and mortgage information. You can see your loan options right on the screen after inputting all your information.
- Easy Application Process
- Compare Options
- Excellent Service
- Great Resources Available
- Rate Information is Tucked Away
- Detailed Application Process
- Too much Information
Getting the Best Debt Consolidation Loan
What is a Debt Consolidation Loan?
Debt consolidation is a financial strategy where you roll high-interest rate debts, such as credit cards, into a single loan that has a lower interest rate. It reduces your total debt and reorganizes it so you can pay it off much quicker.
For instance, if you have 3 credit cards with a combined outstanding balance on them totaling $25,000 and you ask your lender for a consolidation loan, he will give you the $25,000. That is if you are qualified. Then, you should pay off your 3 credit cards with that loan, close those cards and make a monthly payment to your lender for the $25,000 he advanced to you.
Your credit score can influence not only your credit card rate, but also your available credit limit. This chart using Experian data shows the average credit card debt by credit score. It shows that those with an average to good credit score have the highest amount of credit card debt.
How to Increase Your Chances to Get Consolidate Debt Loan?
When your credit is not too high, you might face issues when applying for a debt consolidation loan. Here are a couple of ways that can help you to increase your chances to get the loan:
- Know Your Needs
Getting your credit score is actually simple and you can do it for free on several websites. But once you know that score you also want to work on improving it. Those with excellent credit, in the mid to high 700’s or above, don’t need to worry about increasing their score. In general these scores are all treated the same by the lender.
If you have a lower score you could make a big impact on your offerings. If you’re really close to breaking into the next bracket this is even more important. For example, going from poor to good or good to very good. These classifications will help improve your loan offer.
Making sure each of your bills is paid on time and lowering the amount of debt you currently have will help you to improve your score.
So will getting rid of any false information that’s currently on your report. You want to make sure you have everything up-to-date and accurate.
- Know Your Limitations
Talk to the lender before you start this process to find out more about what you could be eligible for. Don’t try to get a loan for an amount that you’re never going to get. If you know you have great credit history and a stellar store you may be able to get a higher loan amount and better terms. If you know your credit history is spotty or your score is less than ideal you should know what the options are for you.
Getting a copy of your credit report ahead of time is a good way to make sure you’re prepared.
This will give you time to correct any mistakes on the report and evaluate it. That way you know what you should be able to get and what you likely aren’t able to. Also, make sure that you know what you can afford to pay each month. If you can’t afford to make the payments you’re going to be in even bigger trouble moving forward.
- Get Multiple Quotes
Make sure you’re asking questions. You want to know about different loan packages and different options. You want to know exactly what you’re going to need to apply for the loan. Also, you want to know all of the details about that loan.
So, make sure you ask questions of the lender. Find out how long the process will take, what you need and anything else you can. The more you know the faster everything else will go.
- Get Multiple Quotes
One of the first things you should do is get at least three quotes.
That means you don’t just go to your own lender. You also want to go to other places. And you want to use the lower of those quotes to get the offer you want at the place you want to go to.
But remember, lower interest is only part of it. You also want to look at terms, fees and anything else associated with that new loan.
- Prepare Your Documents
Make sure you’re prepared with everything you’re going to need when it comes time to apply.
Which paperwork do you need to have to fill out the paperwork or turn into your lender? Having a list of all of those documents can make it easier for you to get through the process. And you can do it much faster this way as well.- Slow Down Your Applications
You want to slow down the speed at which you’re getting those quotes.
If you’re applying for too many loans all at once it looks like you’re in financial trouble. That’s going to look bad when it comes to your second or third applications. Instead, you want to make sure that each loan company thinks they’re the only one that you’re going to. This improves your chances of getting approved.
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Should I Consolidate My Debt?
This is going to depend on a few different factors. In general, debt can be made a bit easier to handle by going with debt consolidation, but that’s not always the case. Not everyone does better with this sort of approach.
- One Payment Per Month
One of the biggest benefits you’re going to have is only a single payment each month. This is compared to the large number of payments you could have with individual debts. This makes it easier to keep track of over time.
- Easy to Apply
If you do decide to apply for a consolidation loan it’s actually quite simple to do.
Just about any financial institution handles them and they will generally make it as simple as possible. You don’t have a lot of paperwork and you don’t have to wait a long time to find out if you’re approved. In fact, you may even be approved right then and there.
This makes it a lot easier than other types of loans.
- Potential for Low Interest
You’re not guaranteed to get a low interest rate and this will depend on your institution and your credit, but these types of loans generally have far lower interest than your credit cards or whatever type of debt you’re trying to consolidate.
You want to know that for sure, however. So make sure you compare your current rates with the rates you’re being offered. That’s especially true for credit card balance transfers with short intro periods.
- Risk of Cycling Debt
One of the biggest drawbacks and dangers with this type of loan is that you’re clearing off all of your other debt and replacing it with a new debt.
For some, this could actually put them in danger of getting right back into the same debt again. The problem is that you’ll actually be in twice as much trouble. Home equity loans make this even more dangerous and could put you in a dire financial situation. Plus you’re at risk of losing your home or you’re going to have a larger mortgage than the home may be worth.
- Longer-Term Interest
You may pay less interest every month with a debt consolidation, but you could end up paying more overall depending on the type of loan you get. You could end up with a home equity loan that makes you pay more for your debt over that term of 30 or more years than you would otherwise.
In this chart compiled with data from TransUnion and The Wall Street Journal, you can see that over the last decade the outstanding balances have increased from $49 billion to $156 billion:
The Alternatives To Debt Consolidation Loan
Let’s say you don’t want to consolidate your loans. Then what can you do? Well, there are several different options. It all depends on what kind of debt-to-income ratio you have as well as the credit score you have. For those who have a great credit score, you can make the most of consolidation. But there are other options.
Balance Transfer
If you don’t want to or can’t do a debt consolidation loan but you do want to get all of your debt together this is a great way to go. If you can get a 0% interest transfer you will then transfer all of the debt to it. This means you can save money on interest over the life of the debt. Just keep in mind that you have to pay the debt off before the promo period ends.
Keep in mind that you’re going to be offered a short term low-interest rate. It might be 0% or it might be up to 5%, but it’s only going to last for a certain amount of time. You want to make sure you know how to pay off everything within that period of time because it’s going to save you money. By taking advantage of the no-interest portion of the exchange you can join all of your debts together and get all of the same benefits as a consolidation loan.
Home Equity Loan / HELOC
Home equity lines of credit are loans that allow the homeowner to borrow against the equity in their property. This can be an effective way to restructure finance, pay for home improvements or pay for a significant purchase.
As the following chart using FED Survey of Consumer Finances 2019 data, the average by family lines of credit fluctuates over time. In 2001, the average was at a low of $37,000 per family. This peaked in 2010 at $64,000.
This is also known as a second mortgage, and it’s something important to consider.
Now, with this type of loan, you’re going to work with a lender and take out a loan. But your home is going to be the collateral for it. This can be a big risk for some people because you want to make sure you don’t lose your house. You could end up losing your home and still being in a great deal of debt if you’re not careful here.
In order to get this type of loan you generally need good credit and equity built into your home.
You need to be able to get a good amount back. You also need to get a low-interest rate on the loan. This is going to help you pay off as much as possible though it’s going to reduce your equity in your home.
Now, make sure you’re going to be able to make the payments on this type of loan. If you don’t make those payments you’re going to end up in foreclosure. If you’ve ever seen this happen to someone else you definitely know how horrible it can be. Still, this type of loan can be great because you have very low interest. You just need to make sure you know what you’re trading in and what you’re going to be risking overall.
401k Loan
Now, this is not exactly the same as a traditional loan. When you take a 401k loan, you’re going to be the one who decides to take the money out and you take whatever you want (to an extent). From there you have to pay the money back as quickly as you can. That’s because you’re taking retirement funds out of your account and that costs a lot of money. You can only take up to 50% of the vested money or $50,000. You get the lesser of those two and then you’ll have to pay it all back within a period of five years.
If you don’t pay it back in five years you’ll end up with even larger fees and fines.
At least, unless you get an extension through your employer. These only apply for specific situations. For example, if you use it as a down payment on a house you may be able to get an extension on paying back the money that you borrow. You’ll also have an interest rate that has nothing to do with your overall credit score.
Loan Reviews Methodology
When it comes to choosing personal, student or car loans, we make sure that we evaluate all of the different products and services that are available for the lender we review.
The Smart Investor’s selection of loan providers for inclusion here was made based on key areas we evaluated: loan types and loan products offered, fees, and APR. We also considering customer satisfaction and reliable external ratings such as J.D power/Trustpilot.
Cutting fees is now table stakes in the personal and student loans market. In addition, the most valuable loan products tend to offer a deep bench of options that meet a wide array of customer needs. These include a diverse range of loan amounts and terms, as well as loan structures. We also make sure that you’re going to save money by cutting down on the APR that goes along with the loans offered.
