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Debt consolidation loans can lower your monthly payments and interest rates. Yet, not all debt consolidation loans are the same, and choosing the wrong one can worsen a debt situation.
Our team of loan experts and data analysts researched and scored loans from 35 popular lenders to bring you the best debt consolidation loans. The most heavily weighted factor in our scoring methodology was whether lenders offer a direct payment to third-party creditors. We also considered loan costs and terms to whittle down our list from 35 to 10. Read on for our top picks, and learn when taking out a debt consolidation loan may be the right move.
Why you can trust Forbes Advisor
Our editorial team has over 20 years of cumulative experience and relies on research and data-driven methodologies to provide unbiased ratings for emergency loans. We are not influenced by advertisers and provide honest and transparent product evaluations. You can read more about oureditorial guidelines and theloans methodology below.
Featured Debt Consolidation Offer
1
Accredited Debt Relief
15% to 25%
A+
| COMPANY | FORBES ADVISOR RATING | MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE | APR RANGE | LOAN AMOUNTS | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.0 | Does not disclose | 8.74% to 35.49%* | $5,000 to $100,000 | Via Credible.com’s Website | |
4.3 | 720 | 7.99% to 24.99% | $1,000 to $50,000 for existing U.S. Bank customers and up to $25,000 for new customers | Via MoneyLion’s Website | |
4.1 | 300 | 6.60% to 35.99% | $1,000 to $75,000 | Read Our Review | |
4.1 | Not disclosed | 8.99% to 17.99% | $600 to $50,000 | Via MoneyLion’s Website | |
4.1 | 660 | 6.49% to 25.79% | $5,000 to $100,000 | Via Credible.com’s Website | |
4.1 | 580 | 7.74% to 35.99% | $1,000 to $50,000 | Via Credible.com’s Website | |
3.9 | Not disclosed | 10.24% to 18.51% | $2,500 to $100,000 | Read Our Review | |
3.9 | 640 | 8.01% to 29.99%* | $2,000 to $45,000 | Compare rates from participating lenders via Forbes Advisor | |
3.9 | 660 | 7.04% to 35.99% | $1,000 to $60,000 | Via Credible.com’s Website | |
3.9 | 740 | 9.99% to 19.49%** | $2,000 to $30,000 | On Citi’s Website |
Minimum Credit Score
Does not disclose
APR range
8.74% to 35.49%*
with all discounts
Loan amounts
$5,000 to $100,000
Does not disclose
8.74% to 35.49%*
with all discounts
$5,000 to $100,000
SoFi has risen to prominence as one of the most recognizable online lenders. At SoFi, you can apply for various types of loans, including loans for school, debt consolidation and more.
Why We Like It
SoFi loans feature no origination fees or late fees. Additionally, SoFi loans offer a 0.25% rate discount when using autopay³, and SoFi can send loan funds directly to your creditors.
What We Don’t Like
You need a credit score of at least in the mid-600s to qualify. However, SoFi accepts co-applicants, and applying with someone who has good credit could improve your loan terms.
Who It’s Best For
SoFi is a good choice for credit card debt consolidation because it lacks fees and offers large loan amounts that can cover high card balances. Borrowers also receive one complimentary financial planning session, which could be an opportunity to discuss credit card spending with an advisor.
Lender details
Eligibility
Funding Speed
Funding may occur within one business day of clearing verification.
Disclosures
*Fixed rates from 8.74% APR to 35.49% APR. APR reflects the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. SoFi Platform personal loans are made either by SoFi Bank, N.A. or , Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. SoFi may receive compensation if you take out a loan originated by Cross River Bank. These rate ranges are current as of 11/03/25 and are subject to change without notice. Not all rates and amounts available in all states. See SoFi Personal Loan eligibility details at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/#eligibility-personal. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on a variety of factors, including evaluation of your credit worthiness, income, and other factors.
Loan amounts range from $5,000– $100,000. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 9.99% of your loan amount for Cross River Bank originated loans which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive and for SoFi Bank originated loans have an origination fee of 0%-7%, will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive.
Autopay: The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.
Direct Deposit Discount: To be eligible to receive an additional (0.25%) interest rate reduction on your Personal Loan (your “Loan”), you must set up Direct deposit with a SoFi Checking and Savings account offered by SoFi Bank, N.A., or enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee, all within 30 days of the funding of your Loan. Once eligible, you will receive this discount during periods in which you have enabled Direct Deposit to an eligible Direct Deposit Account in accordance with SoFi’s reasonable procedures and requirements to be determined at SoFi’s sole discretion, or during periods in which SoFi successfully receives payment of the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. This discount will be lost during periods in which SoFi determines you have turned off Direct Deposit to your Checking and Savings account or in which you have not paid for the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. You are not required to enroll in Direct Deposit or to pay the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee to receive a Loan.
¹Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for personal loan customers with credit cards and personal loans in their name only and subject to lender approval. To receive the offer, you must: (1) register and/or apply through this landing page; (2) complete a loan application with SoFi within 90 days of your application submit date; (3) meet SoFi’s underwriting criteria; (4) apply 50% or more of your loan proceeds directly to your lenders/creditors. Once conditions are met and the loan has been disbursed, the interest rate shown in the Final Disclosure Statement will include an additional 0.25% rate discount. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate the Direct Pay Rate Discount Program to unenrolled participants at any time with or without notice. It takes about 3 business days for your creditor/lender to receive payment after your loan is signed. You will be responsible for making all required payments to avoid credit card and other loan fees.
Minimum Credit Score
720
APR range
7.99% to 24.99%
with autopay
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $50,000 for existing U.S. Bank customers and up to $25,000 for new customers
Depends on the area you live in
720
7.99% to 24.99%
with autopay
$1,000 to $50,000 for existing U.S. Bank customers and up to $25,000 for new customers
Depends on the area you live in
US Bank is a major bank with 2,000 physical branches across 26 states. It also serves borrowers nationwide through online lending services.
Why We Like It
US Bank offers loans with no origination fees or late fees, and its interest rate cap (24.99% APR) is lower than that of several other competing lenders on this list.
What We Don’t Like
The average turnaround time for loans is one to four days. In comparison, competing lenders may offer next-day funding or even same-day funding. US Bank also doesn’t provide the option to pay your third-party creditors directly, so you’ll have to get funds and pay creditors yourself.
Who It’s Best For
US Bank is a good no-fee option for borrowers with a credit score above 700 who need to consolidate high-interest debt balances of less than $50,000.
300
6.60% to 35.99%
$1,000 to $75,000
Upstart utilizes an underwriting model that considers factors beyond just credit to approve borrowers for loans. According to Upstart, its underwriting approach can approve 43% more applications and provide interest rates that are 33% lower than traditional underwriting models.
Why We Like It
Upstart may accept borrowers for debt consolidation loans who have limited credit or less-than-perfect credit.
What We Don’t Like
Upstart offers only two loan terms: 36 months and 60 months. This limits your ability to personalize your debt payoff schedule.
The origination fee, which can be as high as 12%, is also substantial. If the fee to consolidate debt with Upstart exceeds the interest savings, it may not be a cost-effective option.
Who It’s Best For
Upstart is best suited for borrowers who want to consolidate debt balances but don’t have strong enough credit to qualify for other loan options with lower fees.
Lender details
Eligibility
Funding Speed
Next-day funding may be available if you accept a loan before 5 p.m. ET on a business day.
Not disclosed
8.99% to 17.99%
$600 to $50,000
Founded in 1935, PenFed is a credit union that anyone can join by opening a PenFed savings account and making an initial deposit of $5. Becoming a member unlocks access to loan products, deposit accounts and other banking services.
Why We Like It
PenFed loan amounts start at just $600 with loan terms as short as 12 months, so it’s an option for borrowers who need to consolidate small sums. Additionally, PenFed provides loans with no origination fee and lets you send money to third-party financial institutions via ACH transfer.
What We Don’t Like
PenFed doesn’t offer any discounts for using autopay, and the best interest rates available aren’t as low as those offered by competing lenders.
Who It’s Best For
PenFed loans are ideal for borrowers seeking a small loan with no fees.
Lender details
Eligibility
Funding Speed
Next-day funding may be available. The speed of funding may be longer or shorter depending on what time of day you apply for a loan.
6.49% to 25.79%
with autopay
660
$5,000 to $100,000
LightStream, the online lending division of Truist, offers loan rates as low as 6.49% APR on debt consolidation loans for borrowers with strong credit.
Why We Like It
LightStream has no origination fees and offers an autopay discount of 0.50% points. The lender also provides a rate beat program, which promises to beat competitor rates if you’re approved for a better deal on the same loan terms elsewhere.
What We Don’t Like
LightStream doesn’t offer the option to prequalify for loans without a hard credit check, so you’ll have to complete the full application to shop for rates with the lender.
Who It’s Best For
LightStream loans are best suited for borrowers with very good to excellent credit, which is defined as a FICO Score of 740 or higher. For eligible borrowers, LightStream loans can be an affordable way to consolidate high-interest debt, thanks to low rates and no fees.
Lender details
Eligibility
Funding Speed
Same-day funding may be available if you sign documents, provide a bank account and complete the loan verification process before 2:30 p.m. ET.
Minimum Credit Score
580
APR range
7.74% to 35.99%
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $50,000
580
7.74% to 35.99%
$1,000 to $50,000
Upgrade is a provider of loans and other financial products, including reward checking accounts and credit monitoring services.
Why We Like It
Upgrade loans offer terms of two to seven years, providing you with multiple years to repay your debt consolidation loan if necessary. When you take out a personal loan with Upgrade, you also get access to credit health insights in your Upgrade account dashboard.
What We Don’t Like
Upgrade has an origination fee of up to 9.99%, which is important to consider before borrowing.
Who It’s Best For
Upgrade loans are ideal for borrowers working on building strong credit history. Credit health monitoring is free and can help you track credit score growth as you pay off debt.
Not disclosed
10.24% to 18.51%
with autopay
$2,500 to $100,000
USAA is a bank that serves active-duty service members, veterans, certain government employees and qualifying family members.
Why We Like It
USAA’s lack of origination fees can significantly reduce borrowing costs. USAA also accepts co-applicants, and applying with someone who has strong credit could improve your loan terms.
What We Don’t Like
We couldn’t find an option to prequalify without a hard inquiry, so it’s less convenient to shop for rates with the lender.
Who It’s Best For
USAA is best for existing USAA members, service members and eligible family members. Members may find low rates and fees on loans and other banking products.
Minimum Credit Score
640
APR range
8.01% to 29.99%*
minimum rate includes autopay discount
Loan amounts
$2,000 to $45,000
640
8.01% to 29.99%*
minimum rate includes autopay discount
$2,000 to $45,000
Rocket Loans, under the Rocket Companies umbrella, offers personal loans that borrowers can use for various personal reasons, including debt consolidation.
Why We Like It
Rocket Loans receives high customer review ratings. What’s more, customer service is available on weekdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to answer loan questions.
What We Don’t Like
Rocket Loans only provides funding up to $45,000, which may not be enough to consolidate high balances. You also can’t apply with a co-applicant, making it a less viable option if you want to pay off joint debt you owe with someone else.
Who It’s Best For
Rocket Loans is best for borrowers with at least fair credit who value a high level of customer experience. The company receives positive customer feedback and has extended office hours on weekdays and weekends.
Lender details
Eligibility
Funding Speed
Same-day funding may be available depending on what time of day your loan is approved and signed.
660
7.04% to 35.99%
$1,000 to $60,000
LendingClub is a financial services company with a streamlined debt consolidation process. During the loan application, you specify the account information for the creditors you want to pay off with the loan funds. If approved, LendingClub sends the money directly to your creditors.
Why We Like It
LendingClub provides a discounted APR to customers who use loan funds to pay off existing debt. The minimum credit score requirement is 660.
What We Don’t Like
While borrowers with weak credit may qualify for LendingClub loans, be aware of potential high interest rates and the origination fee, which can reach up to 8%.
Who It’s Best For
LendingClub can be a good option for borrowers with below-average credit because you can apply with a co-applicant to strengthen your application, and rate discounts are available.
Loan details
Co-signer/co-borrower: Allows co-borrowers
*For borrower or co-borrower
Minimum Credit Score
740
APR range
9.99% to 19.49%**
Loan amounts
$2,000 to $30,000
740
9.99% to 19.49%**
$2,000 to $30,000
Citi is a traditional brick-and-mortar bank that provides a fully digital loan shopping experience with online applications and the option to prequalify without a hard credit check.
Why We Like It
Citi loans have no origination fees, and a 0.50% interest rate reduction discount is available for customers who use autopay, lowest advertised rate includes automatic payment discount.
What We Don’t Like
Citi doesn’t allow co-applicants, so you can’t apply with a spouse or partner. Additionally, existing Citibank deposit or credit card customers who have been with the bank for less than 12 months are not eligible for a loan.
Who It’s Best For
Citi loans are ideal for long-time Citibank customers and individuals who prefer to borrow from a major financial institution.
Details
Details:
Disclosure
**Terms, conditions, and fees for accounts, products, programs and services are subject to change at any time.
You must be at least 18 years of age (21 years of age in Puerto Rico). Co-applicants are not permitted. Existing Citi credit card customers who have been a Citi customer for less than 12 months and do not have a Citi deposit account are not eligible for a Citi® Personal Loan.
If you apply online, you must agree to receive the loan note and all other account disclosures provided with your loan origination in an electronic format and provide your signature electronically.
Rates as of 09-30-2025. Your APR may be as low as 9.99% or as high as 19.49% for the term of your loan. The lowest rate quoted assumes excellent credit, a loan term of 36 or 48 months, and includes a 0.5% APR discount for enrollment in automatic payments at the time of loan origination. Your APR will depend on a variety of factors including your creditworthiness, term of loan, and existing relationship with Citi. Citi offers personal loans with a period of repayment between 12 and 60-month terms. For example, if you borrow $10,000 for 36 months at 15.99% APR, to repay your loan you will have to make 36 monthly payments of approximately $351.52.
Existing Citi banking Relationship Tier customers will receive an additional 0.25% discount to the APR. If you are in default, your APR may increase by 2.00%. Rates subject to change without notice.
To check for offers you may qualify for, Citi conducts a soft credit inquiry. If you are presented with an offer and choose to proceed with the application process, Citi will conduct a hard credit inquiry which may have an impact on your credit score.
Citi® Personal Loan proceeds cannot be used to pay for post-secondary education expenses or for business purposes. Credit cards issued by Citibank, N.A. or its affiliates, as well as Checking Plus and Ready Credit accounts, are not eligible for debt consolidation, and Citibank will not issue payoff checks for these accounts. If you are unsure of the issuer on the account, please visithttps://www.citi.com/affiliatesproducts for a list of Citi products and affiliates.
Once approved, Citibank can deposit funds directly into an existing Citibank account the same business day, or within 2 business days when deposited to an external bank account, provided the bank account has not been recently opened. In such instances, Citi reserves the right to reject the bank account as the disbursing account for personal loan funds, and you can select another bank account or select to receive a check by mail, which is delivered generally within 5 business days.
Personal loans are made available by Citibank, N.A., Equal Housing lender
Most Popular is calculated from the number of times each affiliate product was selected by Forbes Advisor users over a six month time period.
²The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.
A debt consolidation may be right for you if:
There are several ways you can consolidate debt; one is taking out a loan to pay off debt to other creditors. Using a loan to combine balances can simplify repayment, lower your rate and help you pay off debt faster. You can get debt consolidation loans from banks or online lenders.
However, consolidation loans are not a “get out of debt” shortcut, especially for borrowers with bad credit. Generally, lenders give the lowest interest rates and best personal loans to borrowers with strong credit scores (740 or higher).
Some lenders offerconsolidation loans for borrowers with bad credit, but these loans tend to have higher fees and interest rates, so borrowing costs could actually exceed interest savings.
You can use a personal loan for debt consolidation. The table below provides an idea of the interest rates you may qualify for if you use a personal loan to consolidate your debt.
Applying for a debt consolidation loan is essentially applying for a personal loan to pay off other debt. Below are steps to take to qualify for the top debt consolidation loans:
Having a credit score of 670 will increase your approval odds, but an even higher credit score above 700 can help you qualify for lower interest rates on consolidation loans.
Typically, personal loan lenders want you to have a DTI of less than 36%; however, some lenders may accept up to 50%.
Interest rates for the most competitive personal loans cap at 36%. Borrowers with high credit scores are more likely to be approved for lower rates.
Lenders may charge origination fees of up to 12% to process your loan. There may also be additional fees to compare, such as prepayment penalties and late fees.
Loan terms often range from 12 to 84 months, depending on the lender and loan amount. High loan amounts and extended repayment periods are typically reserved for borrowers with good credit and strong income.
Many lenders allow you to prequalify online to get personalized loan rate quotes without a hard credit check. Try to obtain two to four rate quotes before settling on a loan.
When approved for a consolidation loan, make sure that the old credit balance is fully paid off with funds from your loan before you stop making payments. Paying late on your old credit accounts before the balance is paid off can result in late fees and a credit score hit.
The advantages of debt consolidation loans include the convenience of combining multiple payments and the potential for savings by securing a lower interest rate and monthly payment.
Thedownside to debt consolidation is that not everyone will qualify for an interest rate that makes it financially beneficial. Furthermore, using a loan to pay off balances on credit cards can free up more available credit on your cards, potentially leading to increased spending.
When you consolidate credit card balances, it’s important to change spending habits to avoid getting deeper into debt.
Also, note that some debt consolidation companies don’t offer the same service as a lender providing loans for debt consolidation. The strategy of debt consolidation companies may be negotiating debt settlements for a fee, which can be harmful to your credit, so explore your options.
The best debt consolidation companies are transparent with fees and outline the potential repercussions of going forward with the settlement plan. To find the best debt consolidation programs for you, be sure to read the fine print, ask questions about the process and compare fees.
Featured Debt Consolidation Offer
1
Accredited Debt Relief
15% to 25%
A+
Before choosing a debt consolidation loan to manage your debt, consider the following alternatives.
We reviewed 35 popular lenders in the categories of loan details, loan costs, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and the application process. We chose the best lenders based on the weighting assigned to each category:
Within each category, we also considered several characteristics, including available loan amounts, repayment terms, APR ranges and applicable fees. We also looked at minimum credit score requirements, whether each lender accepts joint applications and the geographic availability of the lender. Finally, we evaluated the availability of each provider’s customer support team.
Where appropriate, we awarded partial points depending on how well a lender met each criterion.
To learn more about how Forbes Advisor rates lenders, and our editorial process, check out ourLoans Rating & Review Methodology.
A debt consolidation loan could temporarily reduce your credit score due to the hard credit inquiry involved at application.
However, it could also be beneficial for your credit if paying off revolving debt (e.g., credit cards) reduces your credit utilization, since credit usage is a key factor in determining your credit score.
A debt consolidation loan is one way to pay off $60,000 in two years. To illustrate, with a 10% APR, payments for a two-year loan would be $2,768.70 per month, totaling $6,448.69 in interest. However, consider consulting with a financial advisor or debt counselor to receive guidance on managing your unique debt situation.
A consolidation loan only puts a Band-Aid on a debt problem unless you change your spending habits. Also, a consolidation loan might not always lower your interest rate or monthly payment, depending on the loan terms and the lender’s credit requirements.
Taylor Medine is a staff writer at Forbes Advisor who demystifies complex money topics to help everyday people make more informed financial decisions. Over her nearly a decade of experience, Taylor's work has been published on Bankrate, Experian, Credit Karma, MarketWatch, The Balance and more.
Angelica Leicht is a seasoned personal finance writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience but just one goal: to help readers make the best decisions for their wallets. Her expertise spans a wide range of financial topics, from the tools you need for retirement planning to navigating the ever-changing interest rate landscape, and has been featured in CBS News, Bankrate, The Motley Fool and more. When she's not editing, you can find her hanging out with her French bulldog or binging true crime podcasts.