Best Installment Loans for Bad Credit in April 2026
Find rates below 36% — even with bad credit
- You can get an installment loan with bad credit, even with scores as low as 300.
- Top lenders cap rates under 36%, avoiding payday-level costs.
- Monthly payments are fixed, making repayment more predictable.
- Approval depends on income and credit factors, not just your score.
- Comparing lenders can lower your rate and fees.
Read more about how we made our picks for the best installment loans for bad credit.
Installment loans for bad credit at a glance
Can you get an installment loan with bad credit?
Yes, it’s possible. But not all lenders offer reasonable rates. On this page, we’ve highlighted the four best installment loan lenders for bad credit. Here’s what they have in common:
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Affordable rates
Financial experts use 36% as the line between affordable and predatory rates, and the lenders we feature on this page all cap their rates at 35.99%. That means 35.99% is the highest rate they’ll charge you, assuming you qualify. -
Low credit requirements
Having a bad credit score (below 580) often means you can’t get traditional personal loans. But the lenders on this page offer installment loans specifically for people with bad credit. -
High ratings
These lenders scored at least 4.6 out of 5 stars in customer satisfaction among LendingTree users at the time of writing. Read lender reviews from real LendingTree users.
If you have a bad credit history, expect your rates to be close to 35.99%, the high end of the listed range. Use our loan calculator to decide if you can afford monthly payments at that rate.The fact that a lender offers loans for bad credit isn’t a guarantee that you’ll be approved. Learn about reasons lenders deny personal loans and ways to boost your odds.
Installment loans for bad credit vs. payday loans
Installment loans (or personal loans)
- Cheaper way to borrow money
- Long repayment periods
- Build credit as long as you make on-time payments
- Require a credit check
- Take longer to send you money
Payday loans
- Fast and convenient
- Better odds of approval
- Very expensive
- Typically due in two weeks
- Often lead to cycle of borrowing more to pay off your original loan
Choose installment loans from reputable lenders over payday loans whenever you can. Payday loans are convenient, but their high rates make them much more expensive. Learn more about personal loans vs. payday loans.
How to get your loan money faster
Prep your documents
Your lender may ask you to submit additional paperwork before approving your application. Find these documents ahead of time so you have them ready before the lender asks for them:
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Proof of identity
Social Security number and a government issued ID (like a driver’s license, passport or visa) -
Proof of residence
Mortgage statement, lease or utility bill -
Proof of income
Pay stubs, W-2 or tax documents
Choose direct deposit
Lenders typically send you money via check or direct deposit. Choose direct deposit if you can — you’ll have your money in hand much sooner.
Apply early and keep an eye on your inbox
Many lenders send money the same or next day, but most of them have cutoff times. Upstart, for example, will send your money the next business day as long as you’ve signed your paperwork by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday.
Get ahead of the cutoffs by applying for your loan early in the day and responding to lender emails immediately.
Find out how long it takes to get a personal loan — plus more ways to beat the clock.
Alternatives to installment loans for bad credit
Paycheck advance app
- Fast funding, no credit check, no interest
- May charge fees, may not offer enough money
Learn about the best paycheck advance apps.
Credit card for bad credit
- Sometimes requires a credit check, charges fees or a security deposit
- Comes with rates below 36% and allows you to pay off balance over time
Cash advance
- Fast and convenient
- Expensive because of high fees and interest rates
People with good to excellent credit don’t have to pay as much to borrow money. They qualify for lower rates and can even borrow money for free with a 0% APR credit card. Take time to improve your credit before you apply for a loan if at all possible.
How to find installment loans for bad credit with LendingTree
You’d shop around for flights. Why not your loan? LendingTree makes it easy. Fill out one form and get lenders from the country’s largest network to compete for your business.
Tell us what you need
Take two minutes to tell us who you are and how much money you need. It’s free, simple and secure.
Shop your offers
LendingTree users with bad credit get four personal loan offers on average. Compare your offers side by side to get the best deal.
Get your money
Pick a lender and sign your loan paperwork. You could see money in your account in as soon as 24 hours.
How we chose the best installment loans for bad credit
We reviewed more than 40 lenders and loan marketplaces to determine the overall best installment loans for bad credit loans. To make our list, lenders must offer installment loans for bad credit (a minimum credit score below 580) with rates under 36%.
From there, we assessed each lender or marketplace across four categories: eligibility and access; cost to borrow; loan terms and options; repayment support and tools.
According to our standardized rating system, the best installment loans for bad credit come from Upstart, OneMain, Avant and Upgrade.
Our categories
We assess how easy it is for people to qualify and apply. This includes state availability, soft-credit prequalification, membership requirements, funding speed and whether borrowers with less-than-excellent credit can get a loan.
We evaluate how affordable the loans are based on minimum and maximum APRs, loan fees and rate discounts. Lenders with unclear or potentially predatory costs receive lower scores.
We consider repayment term flexibility, loan amount ranges and whether options like secured loans, joint loans or direct-to-creditor payments are offered — plus whether the lender clearly communicates these options.
We evaluate borrower experience after funding: customer service access, hardship or forbearance programs, payment flexibility and digital tools like mobile apps or credit monitoring.
Our process
We gather data directly from lenders through their websites, disclosures and direct communication with company representatives. Our editorial team verifies and updates information regularly. We value transparency and award less favorable scores when lenders obscure or omit details.
Our editorial team applies the same scoring model and standards to every lender. Lenders cannot pay to influence our ratings. Read more about our editorial guidelines.
Why trust our methodology?
Our writers and editors dig through the facts, contact lenders directly and even go through the application process ourselves if it helps better explain what you can expect. As a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠, I’m committed to breaking down complex financial details so people can make confident, informed decisions with their money.
Jessica’s experience in editing and financial education helps shape LendingTree articles that are clear, accurate and truly useful to readers. Her certification means our recommendations are built on a foundation of consumer-first financial knowledge — not just numbers.
Frequently asked questions
You can get a same-day loan for bad credit with some reputable personal loan lenders that offer quick loans, or you can use a paycheck advance app to borrow a small amount of money. You can also use a payday lender, but be prepared for high rates and an expensive loan.
We’ve highlighted four of the installment lenders with the lowest eligibility requirements on this page. There are other installment lenders that are easier to get approved for, but their loans can be as expensive as payday loans. Some charge rates that go into the triple digits.
If you’re having trouble getting a bad credit installment loan, you can take the time to improve your credit or apply with a co-borrower or cosigner. Learn more about how to boost your chances of getting a loan.