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Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our loans reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the different types of lending options, the best rates, the best lenders, how to pay off debt and more — so you can feel confident when investing your money. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Many traditional offer cash quickly in exchange for extremely high interest rates and fees. As an alternative, some people turn toward a personal loan. Personal loans are generally payable in equal monthly installments over an extended period. You also have the option to pay the loan off early to free up income in your spending plan and possibly save on interest. However, it could be a costly move if the lender charges a prepayment penalty. What to do when you want a short-term loan
Many consumers turn to personal loans over other forms of financing because they come with more competitive interest rates and loan terms between one and seven years. The longer the loan term, the more affordable the monthly payment, making it easier to stay on track and preserve your credit rating. Still, the cost savings in the short term also means you’ll spend more on interest over time. To illustrate, if you get a 3-year, $5,000 loan with a 9 percent interest rate, you’ll pay $159 monthly and $5,723.95 over the loan term. But if you accept a 2-year term, your monthly payment will increase to $228, but you’ll only pay $5,482.17 for the life of the loan. If you’d prefer to save on interest, you can opt for a personal loan with a shorter term. Or you can take out a loan with a longer term to get a lower monthly payment that doesn’t stretch your budget too thin and pay it off early. However, it’s vital you choose a lender that lets you pay the loan off before the term expires without incurring a penalty. Online personal loan lenders with no prepayment penalties
If you’re seeking a short-term loan, it’s best to only consider who don’t penalize borrowers who wish to repay before the loan term ends. Otherwise, you will have to pay fees to close out the loan in your preferred time frame. Luckily, several lenders do not charge fees for paying off your loan early. Lender Loan amount Terms APR range $5,000 – $40,000 2 to 5 years 5.99% – 24.99% $5,000 – $100,000 2 to 7 years 6.99% – 21.49% (with autopay) $5,000 – $100,000 2 to 7 years 6.99% – 22.23% (with AutoPay) $1,000 – $50,000 3 to 5 years 5.60% – 35.99% Happy Money
Happy Money puts customers first with its innovative approach to lending. Its personal loans are ideal for consumers looking to consolidate high-interest debts to save money, and borrowers also get exclusive access to various tools to help manage their finances more effectively. While their funding times are a bit slower than what you’ll find with other online lenders, the minimum credit score requirement is on the lower end. And if you have pristine credit, you could qualify for a loan with an attractive interest rate. There are no prepayment penalties or late payment fees, but an origination fee of up to 5 percent may apply. LightStream
LightStream offers some of the lowest interest rates on personal loans. Although you’ll need a good or excellent credit score and lengthy credit history to qualify, you could be eligible for a flexible loan that doesn’t come with spending restrictions. If you can find a comparable loan product elsewhere with a better rate, LightStream will offer you a rate that’s 0.1 percentage points lower. Also, keep in mind that shorter loan terms typically come with lower interest rates, which means it’s in your best financial interest to opt for a shorter repayment period. Same-day funding is available, and there are no prepayment penalties or other fees. SoFi
If you have a credit score of at least 680, you could be eligible for a personal loan with SoFi even with minimal credit history. Another significant benefit of doing business with the online lender is the free access you’ll receive to financial advisors, career coaches and other virtual experiences and events designed to help you level up your finances. This online lender features a seamless application experience, and you won’t pay application, origination, late payment or prepayment fees. SoFi also allows joint applications if you’re unable to qualify for a personal loan on your own. Upstart
Upstart is worth considering as it also offers competitive interest rates and rapid funding options. Plus, the lender looks beyond your credit score and examines your education and work history to determine if you’re a good fit for a personal loan. If approved for funding, you won’t pay a prepayment penalty if you pay the loan off early. Still, Upstart charges an origination fee of up to 8 percent, along with late payment and returned payment fees. You’ll also pay a fee if you choose to receive paper statements in the mail. Alternatives to a personal loan for a short-term loan
A shorter-term personal loan isn’t the only option to get the funds you need. Here are some alternatives: Credit card: If you have a credit card with available credit, you can use it to meet your short-term financial needs. Be sure to repay what you spend before the due date rolls around to avoid accruing interest on those purchases. Or you can apply for a credit card that offers zero percent APR on purchases for a limited time and pay it off before the promotional period ends. Car title loan: You can borrow up to 50 percent of your car’s market value (if you own it outright) with a car title loan. Perfect credit isn’t required, but here’s the catch: you can expect to pay a hefty interest rate and your car is used as collateral. So, this loan product can stretch your budget too thin, and you could lose your vehicle if you fall behind on payments. Payday loan: These loan products cater to consumers with poor credit and should only be used as a last resort as they come with hefty APRS, sometimes as high as 600 percent. When you apply, the lender will request your paystub and banking information to ensure you are employed and know where to pull the funds from when it’s time to collect. Most loans do not exceed $500 and are due on your next payday. Bottom line
A personal loan can help you get over a short-term financial hardship or cover an important expense. When researching your options, confirm that the lender does not charge prepayment penalties. Even if you get a lengthy repayment period with a higher interest rate, your payment will be more affordable and you’ll have the ability to pay the balance in full early to save on interest. If a personal loan isn’t a good fit, however, other options are available. Be sure to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each to make an informed and intelligent financial decision. SHARE: Aylea Wilkins is an editor specializing in personal and home equity loans. She has previously worked for Bankrate editing content about auto, home and life insurance. She has been editing professionally for nearly a decade in a variety of fields with a primary focus on helping people make financial and purchasing decisions with confidence by providing clear and unbiased information. Related Articles