Best Debt Consolidation Loans in December 2023

Combine high-interest debts into one debt consolidation loan

Checking rates won't affect your credit score

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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Written by Amanda Push | Edited by Katie Lowery | Updated December 27, 2023

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6.40% - 35.99%

$1,000 - $50,000

36 and 60

300

0.00% - 12.00%

Best Feature (Optional Text)
Next-day funding: Upstart says 99% of applicants who accept their loans by 5 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday will get their money in one business day. The exception is loans for education expenses, which are subject to a waiting period of three business days, according to federal law. Next-day funding: Upstart says 99% of applicants who accept their loans by 5 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday will get their money in one business day. The exception is loans for education expenses, which are subject to a waiting period of three business days, according to federal law.

Pros

  • Flexible loan ranges
  • Able to use loan funds to cover student debt
  • May receive funds as quickly as one business day

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer joint applications or secured loans
  • Limited loan repayment terms
  • Charges an origination fee (0.00% - 12.00%)

Accodian One

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Upstart might be a good choice if you’re looking for a small loan, as it lets you borrow loans starting at just $1,000. It also offers low APRs starting at 6.40%, but you’ll need strong credit to get the lowest rates. Upstart also charges an origination fee (0.00% – 12.00%) and has limited loan terms. Read our full Upstart review.

Accodian Two

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Upstart might be a good choice if you’re looking for a small loan, as it lets you borrow loans starting at just $1,000. It also offers low APRs starting at 6.40%, but you’ll need strong credit to get the lowest rates. Upstart also charges an origination fee (0.00% – 12.00%) and has limited loan terms. Read our full Upstart review.
Upstart might be a good choice if you’re looking for a small loan, as it lets you borrow loans starting at just $1,000. It also offers low APRs starting at 6.40%, but you’ll need strong credit to get the lowest rates. Upstart also charges an origination fee (0.00% – 12.00%) and has limited loan terms. Read our full Upstart review.

Accodian Three

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Upstart might be a good choice if you’re looking for a small loan, as it lets you borrow loans starting at just $1,000. It also offers low APRs starting at 6.40%, but you’ll need strong credit to get the lowest rates. Upstart also charges an origination fee (0.00% – 12.00%) and has limited loan terms. Read our full Upstart review.
Upstart might be a good choice if you’re looking for a small loan, as it lets you borrow loans starting at just $1,000. It also offers low APRs starting at 6.40%, but you’ll need strong credit to get the lowest rates. Upstart also charges an origination fee (0.00% – 12.00%) and has limited loan terms. Read our full Upstart review.
Upstart might be a good choice if you’re looking for a small loan, as it lets you borrow loans starting at just $1,000. It also offers low APRs starting at 6.40%, but you’ll need strong credit to get the lowest rates. Upstart also charges an origination fee (0.00% – 12.00%) and has limited loan terms. Read our full Upstart review.

Debt consolidation lenders at a glance

Upstart logo

Upstart: Best for borrowers with bad credit

User ratings
APR range6.40% - 35.99%
Loan amounts$1,000 - $50,000
Loan terms36 and 60 months
Origination fee0.00% - 12.00%
Min. credit score300
ProsCons

  Flexible loan ranges

  Able to use loan funds to cover student debt

  May receive funds as quickly as one business day

  Doesn’t offer joint applications or secured loans

  Limited loan repayment terms

  Charges an origination fee (0.00% - 12.00%)

See Your Personalized Results

Prosper logo

Prosper: Best for peer-to-peer loans

User ratings
(924)
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Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.

APR range6.99% - 35.99%
Loan amounts$2,000 - $50,000
Loan terms24 to 60 months
Origination fee1.00% - 7.99%
Min. credit score560
ProsCons

  Offers quick funding

  Flexible loan amount options

  Peer-to-peer lending alternative to traditional lenders

  Limited options for loan terms

  Charges an origination fee

  Charges late fees

See Your Personalized Results

LightStream logo

LightStream: Best for no origination fees

User ratings
(0)
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Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.

APR range7.49% - 25.49%* with autopay
Loan amounts$5,000 - $100,000**
Loan terms24 to 144 months*
Origination feeNo origination fee
Min. credit scoreNot specified
ProsCons

  Low APR (7.49%*)

  Charges zero fees

  High maximum loan amount of $100,000)

  No prequalification services

  High minimum loan amount of $5,000

See Your Personalized Results

Wells Fargo logo

Wells Fargo: Best for current Wells Fargo customers

User ratingsUser ratings coming soon
APR range8.49% - 24.49%
Loan amounts$3,000 - $100,000
Loan terms12 to 84 months
Origination feeNo origination fees
Min. credit scoreNot specified
ProsCons

  High maximum loan amount of $100,000

  Charges no origination, closing or prepayment fees

  May be approved within one business day

  High minimum loan amount of $3,000

  May charge late fees

  Only offers personal loans to Wells Fargo customers

See Your Personalized Results

Upgrade logo

Upgrade: Best for small loan amounts

User ratings
APR range8.49% - 35.99%* with autopay
Loan amounts$1,000 - $50,000
Loan terms24 to 84 months
Origination fee1.85% - 9.99%
Min. credit score580
ProsCons

  Flexible loan terms of 24 to 84 months

  Potential autopay discount

  May receive funds as soon as one business day

  Charges an origination fee (1.85% - 9.99%)

  Isn’t clear on some eligibility requirements

  May have to pay late fees

See Your Personalized Results

SoFi logo

SoFi: Best for avoiding fees

User ratings
APR range8.99% - 25.81%* with autopay
Loan amounts$5,000 - $100,000*
Loan terms24 to 84 months
Origination fee0.00% - 6.00%
Min. credit score680
ProsCons

  Same-day funding available

  Doesn’t charge any fees

  Allows for co-applicants

  High minimum borrowing amount of $5,000

  High minimum credit score requirement

  Not available to LendingTree customers in Vermont

See Your Personalized Results

Best Egg logo

Best Egg: Best for borrowers with excellent credit

User ratings
APR range8.99% - 35.99%
Loan amounts$2,000 - $50,000
Loan terms36 to 60 months
Origination fee0.99% - 8.99%
Min. credit score600
ProsCons

  May receive funds as soon as the next business day

  Option to change your due date

  No prepayment penalties for paying your loan off early

  Charges an origination fee of 0.99% - 8.99%

  High credit score requirement (600)

  High income requirement to receive lowest APR

See Your Personalized Results

Achieve logo

Achieve: Best for interest rate discounts

User ratings
APR range8.99% - 35.99%
Loan amounts$5,000 - $50,000
Loan terms24 to 60 months
Origination fee1.99% - 6.99%
Min. credit score620
ProsCons

  May receive loans within 48 hours of approval

  Can choose your payment due date

  Allows for co-applicants

  Loans are not offered in all 50 states

  Charges an origination fee of 1.99% - 6.99%

  High minimum borrowing amount of ($5,000)

See Your Personalized Results

Avant logo

Avant: Best for short repayment terms

User ratings
(1,526)
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Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.

APR range9.95% - 35.95%
Loan amounts$2,000 - $35,000
Loan terms12 to 60 months
Origination feeUp to 4.75%
Min. credit score580
ProsCons

  Funding as soon as the next business day

  Low credit score requirements (most Avant borrowers have scores between 600 and 700)

  No prepayment penalty

  Must pay an origination fee (Up to 4.75%)

  Does not allow for co-applicants

  Unclear about specific eligibility requirements for personal loans

See Your Personalized Results

Happy Money logo

Happy Money: Best for borrowers with good credit

User ratings
APR range11.72% - 24.67%
Loan amounts$5,000 - $40,000
Loan terms24 to 60 months
Origination fee1.50% - 6.25%
Min. credit score640
ProsCons

  Eligibility requirements are clear

  No prepayment penalties or late fees

  Rates may be lower than credit card interest rates

  Loans can only be used to consolidate credit card debt

  May charge an origination fee (1.50% - 6.25%)

  No joint applications

See Your Personalized Results

Reach logo

Reach Financial: Best for quick funding

User ratings
APR range14.10% - 35.99%
Loan amounts$3,500 - $40,000
Loan terms24 to 60 months
Origination fee0.00% - 8.00%
Min. credit score680
ProsCons

  Access to free monthly credit score

  Flexible loan amounts and terms

  Ability to change due date

  May charge an origination fee

  Limited loan use

  High maximum APR

See Your Personalized Results

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What is debt consolidation?

Debt consolidation is a debt management strategy that involves rolling one or multiple debts into another form of financing. For instance, you may take out a debt consolidation loan or balance transfer credit card and use it to pay off existing debts with better terms.

Ideally, you’ll want to consolidate your debt to a lower APR than what you’re currently paying. This can help you save money on interest, lower your monthly payments and pay off debt faster.

When is a debt consolidation loan a good idea?

There’s no one-size-fits-all debt management strategy. To determine that, you’ll need to take a close look at your finances.

Debt consolidation is a good idea when…

  • You have debt with high (or variable) interest rates
  • You can qualify for a lower APR than what you’re currently paying on your debts
  • You’re struggling to manage credit card bills and loan payments
  • You want to pay off debt faster on a set schedule

Debt consolidation is a bad idea when…

  • You can’t qualify for a lower APR than what you’re currently paying on your debts
  • You still won’t be able to afford your payments after consolidation
  • Your debt burden is small

How does debt consolidation work?

Although there are many ways to consolidate debt, it generally works the same way: You pay off one or more debts using a new debt. Some popular debt consolidation methods include personal loans and balance transfer credit cards.

Depending on your unique situation — how much debt you have to consolidate, your credit score, how soon you need the funds, what type of debt you have and other factors — one method may work better for you than another.

Personal loans:
Combine many types of debt into one fixed monthly payment with a debt consolidation loan.

Balance transfer credit cards with 0% APR:
Consolidate credit card debt onto a balance transfer credit card with a 0% intro APR period.

Home equity loans:
Tap your home’s equity to pay off debt by using your home as collateral.

Debt management plans:
Enroll in a DMP through a certified nonprofit credit counseling agency to repay your debt in three to five years.

ProsCons
Personal loan for debt consolidation
  • • Fixed APR and monthly payments
  • • Potentially lower APR than what you’re currently paying
  • • APRs can run high for fair and bad credit borrowers
  • • Subject to fees, like loan origination fee and prepayment penalty
  • • Bad credit borrowers may not qualify at all
Balance transfer credit card
  • • Some cards have introductory 0% APR periods, which can last as long as 20 months
  • • Potentially lower APR than what you’re currently paying on your credit cards
  • • Variable APR
  • • Can only be used for consolidating credit card debt
  • • Intro offers reserved for borrowers with strong credit
  • • May be subject to a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5%
Home equity loans
  • • Fixed APR and monthly payments
  • • Interest rates are typically lower than with unsecured debt
  • • Can consolidate a large amount at once
  • • Only homeowners are eligible
  • • You run the risk of going into foreclosure if you fail to pay
  • • You could go underwater on your home, taking out more money than it’s worth
  • • Subject to closing costs
401(k) loan
  • • No credit check needed
  • • Interest rates are low
  • • Borrowing from and paying interest to yourself rather than a lender or bank
  • • Some plans servicers don’t permit 401(k) loans
  • • Payments are made with after-tax dollars, and you’re taxed again during retirement
  • • If you default on the loan, the amount is subject to income tax and a 10% penalty
  • • If you lose employment, you may have to repay the loan in its entirety within a few months
Debt management plan
  • • Comes at low or no cost
  • • A credit counselor may be able to negotiate down fees and interest rates on your debts
  • • Consolidates many types of debts into one monthly payment
  • • Won’t affect credit score if you adhere to the plan
  • • Can only be used for unsecured debts
  • • You’ll likely have to stop using or close your credit cards
  • • Can take up to five years to complete, in which time you can’t take out credit

How to get a debt consolidation loan

  1. Check your credit score. Most consolidation options have certain credit requirements, such as a minimum credit score. Unsecured personal loans don’t require collateral, which means that lenders rely more heavily on your financial situation, along with other factors, to determine eligibility. Check your credit score for free using LendingTree Spring.
  2. Calculate how much you need to borrow. Add up all your monthly debt payments that you wish to consolidate. You can use a personal loan to pay off credit cards, payday loans and other high-interest debts. Some lenders let you borrow as much as $100,000 for a debt consolidation loan.
  3. Determine the APR you need in order to save money. Your APR would need to be lower than what you’re currently paying on your debts for a personal loan to be worthwhile.
  4. Compare APRs by prequalifying with lenders. Many lenders let you prequalify for a personal loan to get an idea of your potential APR without impacting your credit score. This lets you compare estimated loan offers before you formally apply.
  5. Formally apply with a lender. If you’re approved, the lender can deposit the funds directly into your bank account. What happens next? You can use that money to pay off all types of debt. In some cases, your new lender will pay off those debts directly.

3 major benefits of debt consolidation

1. Simplifies your budget
Managing multiple due dates and accounts can add stress to your life and budget. Debt consolidation combines some, if not all, of your debt into one payment. You’ll only have to track a single account instead of multiple accounts and debt payments.

2. Saves you money on interest
If you’re able to secure a lower APR, you could save yourself hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars over the life of your loan. Your APR is the measure of how much interest and fees you’re paying on the loan.

3. Improves your credit score
As you pay off your debt consolidation loan, your credit utilization ratio will gradually decline, helping boost your credit. On top of that, your on-time payments will be reported to the credit bureaus, further increasing your credit score.

Debt consolidation vs. debt relief: What’s the difference?

Whereas debt consolidation involves taking out a new loan or credit card to repay debt on better terms, debt relief seeks to reduce the amount of debt you owe through negotiation or legal means. Debt relief comes in many forms, such as credit counseling, debt settlement and bankruptcy.

Debt consolidation vs. credit counseling

Credit counseling is a nonprofit service to help you manage expenses and debt payments more effectively. A credit counselor may set you up on a debt management plan and even negotiate debts and monthly payments on your behalf.

Debt consolidation vs. debt settlement

Debt settlement involves negotiating with your creditors to lower the amount of debt you owe and reduce fees charged to your account. Some companies offer this service, but these programs may come with high fees and can severely damage your credit.

Debt consolidation vs. bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal process offering debt relief for an individual or business. When you file for bankruptcy, your assets may be sold to repay your creditors, or you may be enrolled in a court-ordered debt repayment plan.

How your credit score impacts loan rates

When it comes to obtaining most types of credit, including personal loans, the higher your credit score, the better the interest rates you are likely to be offered by lenders.

In the eyes of lenders, your credit score indicates how likely you are to repay a loan on time and in its entirety. Every time a lender offers someone a loan, they are taking a risk; the higher the credit score, the lower the perceived risk.

However, even borrowers looking for a personal loan with bad credit can find lenders that are willing to work with them. Keep in mind that you may not receive that lender’s lowest interest rates.

Average APR and loan amounts by credit score

Credit score rangeAverage APRAverage loan amount
720+14.80%$18,963
680-71923.48%$14,567
660-67932.06%$10,895
640-65945.00%$8,270
620-63958.69%$6,377
580-61989.33%$4,366
560-579127.20%$3,027
Less than 560165.66%$2,530

Source: LendingTree user data on closed personal loans for the third quarter of 2023.

Alternatives to debt consolidation

Debt consolidation loans may be the right choice for some borrowers, but there can be downsides. For example, APRs can be high for borrowers with poor credit, and loans are often subject to fees. If these are dealbreakers for you, here are alternative strategies:

Balance transfer credit cards

If you have high-interest debt, you may be able to cut back on how much interest you pay by getting a 0% intro balance transfer credit card.

These types of credit cards come with no interest for a set period of time. Once the introductory period ends, you’ll have to pay interest on whatever balance is left on the card.

Home equity loans/home equity lines of credit

Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) allow borrowers to take advantage of the equity they’ve built into their homes.

Home equity loans work as a second mortgage and often come with fixed interest rates. You’ll be provided a lump sum and may be able to borrow up to 80% of your home’s value.

HELOCs, on the other hand, function as a credit line that is used to borrow against your home’s equity. These types of loans are similar to credit cards in that you only pay interest on the amount you borrow. HELOCs typically come with variable interest rates.

Credit counseling

A debt consolidation loan won’t ultimately solve your financial issues if you’re struggling with sticking to a budget. If you find yourself in this scenario, you can work one-on-one with a credit counselor.

A credit counselor can help you create a realistic debt management plan and teach you how to manage your finances. They can also help you navigate whether bankruptcy is a good option for you.

Debt repayment strategies

In some cases, it may be beneficial to aggressively pay off your current debt instead of taking on a new loan. The debt avalanche and debt snowball methods are among the most popular forms of debt repayment strategies.

Debt avalanche method

This debt repayment strategy focuses on paying off debts with the highest interest rates first. As a result, the debt avalanche method can help borrowers save money on interest in the long run.

Debt snowball method

When it comes to paying off debt, small wins can feel like big accomplishments. This is why some borrowers prefer the debt snowball method. This strategy focuses on paying off debts with the smallest balances first.

Federal funds rate and debt consolidation loans

The Federal Reserve meets throughout the year to assess the federal funds rate — which affects variable interest rates through the economy — and adjust it as needed to fight inflation. The Fed last raised the federal funds rate in July 2023, marking the 11th increase since March 2022 and the highest federal funds rate since 2001. In general, a Fed rate hike can raise variable interest rates across the economy.

Because debt consolidation loans have fixed interest rates, federal funds rate hikes shouldn’t change your existing loan terms or monthly payments. However, if you’re looking to apply for a new debt consolidation loan while the Fed continues to raise rates, you may want to consider getting that loan sooner rather than later so you can lock in a lower APR.

Frequently asked questions

Debt consolidation can help you keep track of payments, get a lower interest rate and pay off your debt faster. It’s a smart move under the right circumstances, but you’ll want to weigh your options to see if this is a good idea for your situation.

 

For example, it’s not worth consolidating if you can’t get a lower APR on the new form of financing than what you’re currently paying on your debts. But when you consolidate debt for a lower APR, you’ll save money in the long run, and you may be able to save money on monthly payments, too.

There might be a small drop in your credit score after consolidating debt, since you are taking out a new credit product or loan. You might also see a dip in your credit score if you settle a debt or work with a debt management service.

 

Some borrowers see their credit score increase by consolidating debt, particularly credit card balances. Paying off credit card balances lowers your credit utilization ratio, which can give your credit score a boost.

 

Whatever the initial effect on your credit score, debt consolidation can help you increase your credit score over the long term. If you choose an option with affordable payments, you can build up a healthy payment history, which is central to a good credit score.

Applicants with good credit will have a wider range of debt consolidation options. They can get approved more easily for balance transfer credit cards with introductory 0% APR periods and personal loans with lower APRs.

 

Still, there may be options for consolidating debt if you have bad credit. You could try a secured loan, such as a home equity loan, which may come with a lower APR. There are also 401(k) loans, which let you borrow money from your own retirement fund without a credit check.

That will depend on your financial situation. There are a few primary methods of debt consolidation, including personal loans, balance transfer credit cards and home equity loans. You may also consider a 401(k) loan or debt management plan to consolidate debt. To learn about your credit card debt consolidation options, talk to a credit counselor who can provide free or low-cost guidance on your debt relief options.

It always costs money to borrow money, which is why you want to find the debt consolidation option with the lowest APR to save yourself the most money in the long run.

 

Different debt consolidation options come with their own set of interest rates and fees. For example, some personal loan lenders charge origination fees (upfront, administrative charges) or prepayment penalty fees (for paying off a loan before the term ends). If you go with a balance transfer card, it can come with a balance transfer fee.

Debt consolidation has the potential to save you money, but it’s not guaranteed. To save money, you’ll have to consolidate your debt into another form of financing that has a lower APR than what you’re currently paying on your debts. Before you consolidate debt, it’s important to take a look at your current credit card and loan agreements to determine the APR you’re paying, so you can shop around for financial products that will save you money.

If your goal is to get out of debt faster, consolidating your debts can be a smart move. Consolidating with a personal loan, for example, can give you the option to choose a short loan term, so your debt will be paid off sooner. And if you get a lower APR than what you’re currently paying on your debts, then you can pay off your debt faster even if you pay the same amount of money toward your debt each month.

There are several places to seek a consolidation loan, including banks, credit unions and online loan lenders. You can also see if you prequalify for a loan through LendingTree’s network of lenders using our personal loan marketplace. Just fill out a single form, and you’ll know if you’re eligible within minutes.

Secured debt is tied to an asset you own, called collateral. Some borrowers can more easily qualify for a secured loan and even pay less in interest. But if you stop repaying the loan, the lender has the right to claim that collateral and sell it to settle the debt. Home equity loans are a type of secured debt that can be used for consolidation.

 

Unsecured debt doesn’t require that you have or put up collateral for the loan. Personal loans and credit cards are examples of unsecured debt. With no collateral on the line, lenders will rely more on an applicant’s credit score to decide whether to extend a loan and how to determine your APR.

How we chose the best debt consolidation loans

We reviewed more than a dozen lenders that offer debt consolidation loans to determine the overall best 11 lenders. To make our list, lenders must offer competitive annual percentage rates (APRs). From there, we prioritize lenders based on the following factors:

  • Accessibility: Lenders are ranked higher if their personal loans are available to more people and require fewer conditions. This may include lower credit requirements, wider geographic availability, faster funding and easier and more transparent prequalification and application processes.
  • Rates and terms: We prioritize lenders with more competitive fixed rates, fewer fees and greater options for repayment terms, loan amounts and APR discounts.
  • Repayment experience: For starters, we consider each lender’s reputation and business practices. We also favor lenders that report to all major credit bureaus, offer reliable customer service and provide any unique perks to customers, like free wealth coaching.

LendingTree reviews and fact-checks our top lender picks on a monthly basis.