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Best Debt Consolidation Loans of March 2025

Name: Credible Debt Consolidation Loans
Brand: Credible
Rating: 4.8 (8282 reviews)

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Rates from 6.94% APR¹
Loan amounts from $1,000 to $200,000
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By Meredith Mangan

Written by

Meredith Mangan

Meredith Mangan is a senior editor at Credible. She has more than 18 years of experience in finance and is an expert on personal loans.

Edited by Kelly Larsen

Written by

Kelly Larsen

Kelly Larsen is a student loans editor at Credible. She has spent over 10 years covering personal finance, with expertise in mortgage and debt management.

Updated March 11, 2025

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Compare rates on personal loans to consolidate debt

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Filters$20,000 loan amount and 700-749 credit score, ordered by APR

LightStream

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Rates from (APR)

6.94-25.29%⁴

Loan term

2 - 7 years

Loan amount

Up to $100,000

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LightStream: Best for personal loans overall

Lightstream is one of three Credible partner lenders to offer loan amounts up to $100,000, which makes it ideal for financing large expenses like home improvements or weddings. Funds are available as soon as the same day you apply and there are no origination fees. Rates are also among the lowest we've seen — as of this writing, Lightstream's lowest APR beats SoFi's advertised lowest APR by 1 percentage point. But you'll need good credit to qualify.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: None

Minimum credit score: 700

Origination fee: None

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: None

Time to fund: As soon as the same business day

Best Egg

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Rates from (APR)

6.99-35.99%

Loan term

2 - 5 years

Loan amount

Up to $50,000

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Best Egg: Best for secured loans

Best Egg is a solid lender for a wide range of borrowers. It offers competitive rates, reasonable loan terms and amounts, and personal loans for fair credit. You'll need a FICO score of at least 600 to qualify, but the lower your score, the higher your APR may be. The APR includes the interest rate and origination fees, which range from 0.99% to 9.99% with Best Egg.

Note that if you successfully prequalify with Best Egg, you may be more likely to be approved for the loan relative to other lenders you prequalify with. Based on Credible data, borrowers who chose to apply for a loan with Best Egg were more than twice as likely to be approved (relative to most other Credible partners).

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $15

Minimum credit score: 600

Origination fee: 0.99% to 9.99%

Check processing fee: $7

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: $15

Time to fund: As soon as 1 - 3 business days after successful verification

Upstart

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Rates from (APR)

7.80-35.99%

Loan term

3, 5 years

Loan amount

Up to $50,000

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Upstart: Best for fast personal loans for all credit types

Upstart has one of the lowest available APRs of Credible partner lenders and of all non-partners we reviewed, making it a good choice for well-qualified applicants. However, it's also is one of few lenders that doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement (if you apply on the lender's website), which makes it an option if you have bad credit or no credit history. Upstart may charge an origination fee as high as 12%, but good-credit borrowers may not be charged one at all.

Trustpilot gives Upstart 4.9 stars, which is the highest of all lenders we reviewed.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $15

Minimum credit score: 620

Origination fee: 0% to 12%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: 5% of late payment or $15 (whichever is greater)

Time to fund: As soon as 1 - 3 business days

Splash Financial

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Rates from (APR)

7.99-17.97%

Loan term

3 - 6 years

Loan amount

Up to $35,000

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Splash Financial: Best for quick loans for good credit

It's worth considering a personal loan through Splash if you have good credit (ideally, a FICO score above 700). The platform offers loans from a wide range of lenders, and next-day funding is available. Plus, Splash has a live chat feature so you can get real-time answers without having to wait on hold or for an email. Loans are available up to $100,000 if you apply via Splash's website.

Rates are competitive, but borrowers with excellent credit may find lower APRs elsewhere. Splash is not an option for borrowers with bad credit.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: Varies by lender

Minimum credit score: 700

Origination fee: 3.99% to 7.49%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: Varies by lender

Time to fund: Funding in as little as one business day for eligible applicants

Upgrade

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Rates from (APR)

7.99-35.99%

Loan term

2 - 7 years

Loan amount

Up to $50,000

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Upgrade: Best for fair credit

Upgrade has a suite of features that make it a very attractive lender: competitive interest rates, discounts for direct pay and autopay, as soon as same-day funding, up to seven-year repayment terms, and nationwide availability. Plus, loans are available to fair-credit borrowers, and you don't need to input your Social Security number to prequalify on the website. Upgrade even offers secured personal loans, which is not common among lenders.

However, Upgrade does charge an origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99%. You must have a FICO score of at least 600 and a minimum income of $25,000 annually to qualify.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $10

Minimum credit score: 600

Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: $10

Time to fund: Within a day of clearing necessary verifications

LendingClub

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Rates from (APR)

8.91-35.99%⁵

Loan term

2 - 5 years

Loan amount

Up to $40,000

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LendingClub: Best for online experience

LendingClub is a solid lender for good credit borrowers and some fair credit borrowers that apply directly on its website. It's easy to prequalify with LendingClub, especially if you're uncomfortable providing your Social Security number, as the company doesn't require it at the prequalification stage. (You will need to provide it if you move forward with a full application.)

While prequalification is not a guarantee that you'll be approved for a loan, LendingClub does a better job than most other Credible partner lenders at approving applicants that have successfully prequalified. In other words, you're less likely to have your application declined once you apply (if you've already prequalified). LendingClub may charge an origination fee between 3% and 8%.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $15

Minimum credit score: 660

Origination fee: 3% to 8%

Check processing fee: $7

Do they allow a cosigner: No, but co-borrowers allowed

Late fee: 5% of late payment or $15 (whichever is greater)

Time to fund: 24-hour funding upon approval

Happy Money

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Rates from (APR)

8.95-17.48%

Loan term

2 - 5 years

Loan amount

Up to $40,000

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Happy Money: Best for consolidating credit card debt

Happy Money has been in operation since 2009 (formerly known as Payoff). It's an option for fair-credit borrowers (plus those with better credit), and notably has a relatively low top-end APR. In other words, you could qualify for a lower rate with Happy Money with fair credit, relative to other lenders that offer fair-credit loans. The company does charge an origination fee on some loans, up to 5%, but that's not as high as some other lenders' origination fees.

You should be prepared to wait a few days to get your money, as funding can take three to five days once approved. And loans aren't available in Massachusetts or Nevada. Happy Money has an A+ rating with the BBB and is ideal for debt consolidation and credit card consolidation loans.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: None

Minimum credit score: 640

Origination fee: 2% to 5%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: None

Time to fund: As soon as 2 - 5 business days after verification

SoFi

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Rates from (APR)

8.99-29.99%³

Loan term

2 - 7 years

Loan amount

$5,000 - $100,000

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SoFi: Best for personal loans for excellent credit

SoFi stands out for offering no-fee personal loans with competitive rates, high loan amounts, long loan terms, discounts for autopay and direct pay, and funding as soon as the same day. Plus, SoFi prioritizes convenience for existing and potential customers with features like live chat and an easy prequalification process that doesn't require your Social Security number.

The main catch is that you need to qualify for a loan with SoFi, which can be hard to do if you don't have good credit. You also won't be able to apply with a cosigner, since SoFi doesn't accept cosigners; nor does it offer secured personal loans.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: None

Minimum credit score: Does not disclose

Origination fee: 0% - 7%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: None

Time to fund: Typically within a few days, given approval and bank account verification

Prosper

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Rates from (APR)

8.99-35.99%

Loan term

2 - 5 years

Loan amount

Up to $50,000

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Prosper: Best for peer-to-peer lender

Prosper is the only remaining true P2P marketplace in the peer-to-peer lending space that connects borrowers with individual investors for some loans. If you apply for a loan with Prosper, the funding may come from an individual who has chosen to invest in you. Prosper offers personal loans between $2,000 and $50,000 with terms between 2 and 5 years, and funding as soon as one business day. You can use a personal loan through Prosper for a variety of purposes, including debt consolidation and home improvement. The platform has excellent customer service reviews on Trustpilot, as well.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $15

Minimum credit score: 640

Origination fee: 1% to 9.99%

Check processing fee: $5 or 5% of the payment (whichever is lower)

Do they allow a cosigner: Yes

Late fee: 5% of late payment or $15 (whichever is greater)

Time to fund: 1 business day following acceptance of loan offer, completion of all necessary verification steps and final approval. One business day is also dependent on your bank’s ability to quickly process the transaction.

Rocket Loans

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Rates from (APR)

9.12-29.99%

Loan term

3, 5 years

Loan amount

Up to $45,000

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Rocket Loans: Best for fast personal loans

Rocket Loans delivers no-frills same-day personal loans with a generous autopay discount to good-credit borrowers and some borrowers with fair credit. APRs and available loan amounts are competitive — Rocket Loans offers $2,000 loans up to $45,000 loans. Plus, the company offers small business loans if you apply directly through its website. However, you’ll only have a choice between two repayment terms — 3 or 5 years — and origination fees can be as high as 9%. If you have fair credit, you may qualify, but won’t be able to add a cosigner or get a secured loan to improve your rate.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: None

Minimum credit score: 640

Origination fee: Up to 9%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: Yes

Time to fund: If approved, you may receive funds in your account as soon as the same business day

Avant

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Rates from (APR)

9.95-35.99%

Loan term

2 - 5 years

Loan amount

Up to $35,000

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Avant: Best for all credit types

Avant personal loans are a good choice for borrowers with bad credit looking for small- to moderate-sized personal loans. Loans are available up to $35,000 and you could get the money as soon as the next business day after approval. Plus, Avant is more likely than some lenders to approve the applications of borrowers who've prequalified with Avant. However, the lender charges an origination fee up to 9.99%, and its top-range interest rates are among the highest of the lenders we reviewed.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $15

Minimum credit score: 550

Origination fee: 0.95% to 9.99%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: $25

Time to fund: As soon as the next business day (if approved by 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday)

Reprise Financial

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Rates from (APR)

9.99-35.99%

Loan term

3-5 years

Loan amount

Up to $25,000

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Reprise Financial: Best for bad credit

Reprise may be an excellent option if you need a loan with bad credit. The lender says it will consider applicants with FICO scores as low as 560, and offers secured loans as well as some cosigned loans to help you qualify. Loan funds can be available the next business day once you’re approved. Plus, the company has a 4.7 Trustpilot rating — indicating generally satisfied customers. But Reprise is not for everyone. Available loan amounts are relatively low at $25,000, and the minimum repayment term is relatively high at three years. The lender also charges origination fees, does not offer discounts, does not consider income from self-employment, and is not available nationwide.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: Return Payment Fees - $20 except where state has a different limit (ie – NM)

Minimum credit score: 560

Origination fee: 0% to 6%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: Late Fees - $15 except where the state has a different limit (ie. NM)

Time to fund: If your loan is funded by 3pm CST (not including weekends or holidays) you will receive your funds the next business day.

BHG Financial

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Rates from (APR)

10.26-23.48%⁶

Loan term

3 - 10 years

Loan amount

Up to $200,000

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BHG Financial: Best for large personal loans

BHG Financial stands out for offering the largest loan amounts — up to $200,000 — of any Credible partner lenders. Simply put, if you need an unsecured personal loan over $100,000, there are very few places to look, but BHG is one. You'll have up to 10 years to repay the loan, but you'll need an annual income of at least $100,000 to qualify and a FICO score that's 660 or higher. The primary applicant has to meet both income and FICO requirements, the co-applicant only has to meet the income requirements.

Loan amounts start at $20,000, so look elsewhere for small loans. And BHG charges a modest origination fee between 3% and 4%, depending on your financial profile. Loan funds are available within five to 14 days of loan approval.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $20

Minimum credit score: 660

Origination fee: 3% to 4%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: Lesser of $40 or 5% of the payment.

Time to fund: Funding in as few as 5 days

Universal Credit

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Rates from (APR)

11.69-35.99%

Loan term

3, 5, or 7 years

Loan amount

Up to $50,000

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Universal Credit: Best for debt consolidation loans for bad credit

Universal Credit is one of a handful of lenders that offers personal loans for bad credit. If your FICO credit score is at least 560, you may be eligible for a Universal Credit personal loan. It offers loan amounts up to $50,000, repayment terms up to seven years, and discounts for direct pay and autopay. Funds are available as soon as the next business day after loan approval.

Note that rates and fees can be relatively high — you may pay an origination fee from 5.25% to 9.99%, and APRs start at 11.69%. If you get a loan with a high interest rate, consider refinancing your personal loan at a lower rate once you've improved your credit score.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $10

Minimum credit score: 560

Origination fee: 5.25% - 9.99%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: $10

Time to fund: As soon as 1 business day after acceptance

Reach Financial

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Rates from (APR)

14.30-35.99%

Loan term

2 - 5 years

Loan amount

Up to $40,000

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Reach Financial: Best for fast funding and fair credit

Reach is an option if you have fair credit, especially if you need money fast. According to the company, 90% of Reach personal loans are funded within one day of approval.

It's a good choice for debt consolidation and credit card refinancing, but borrowers with excellent credit may not find the lowest rates with Reach. The company also charges more fees than some of its competitors and doesn't offer direct pay or autopay discounts. If you need a 7-year term loan, you'll need to look elsewhere. Reach personal loans are not available in all states.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $25

Minimum credit score: 660

Origination fee: 4% to 8%

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: No

Late fee: $15

Time to fund: 90% funded within a day

OneMain Financial

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Rates from (APR)

18.00-35.99%

Loan term

2 - 5 years

Loan amount

Up to $20,000

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OneMain Financial: Best for bad credit personal loans

OneMain Financial has multiple options for bad-credit personal loans. There is no minimum credit score requirement, meaning you could get a personal loan with bad credit or no credit. Cosigners are allowed — a cosigner is someone (ideally, with good credit) who promises to repay the loan if you can't, which can make it easier to qualify or lower your rate. And, secured personal loans are available. You secure a loan with collateral, which may also help you qualify or lower your rate.

Rates are higher than competitors and OneMain charges origination fees as either a flat fee up to $500, or a percentage from 1% to 10% (depending on your state of residence). Note that even if you prequalify for a personal loan with OneMain, getting approved isn't a given. According to internal Credible data, OneMain had one of the lowest rates of loan approval after prequalification among partner lenders.

Prepayment penalty: None

Unsuccessful payment fee: $10 to $50

Minimum credit score: N/A

Origination fee: $25 to $500

Check processing fee: None

Do they allow a cosigner: Yes

Late fee: $5 - $30

Time to fund: As soon as 1 - 2 days after acceptance

Debt consolidation loan rates

Annual percentage rates (APRs) vary from one lender to the next. Lenders consider several variables in deciding interest rates and terms, including your financial situation, and the size and type of loan you’re seeking.

One way lenders evaluate your financial qualifications is by looking at your credit — both your credit report, which shows how you’ve handled credit in the past, and your credit score, which lenders use to assess how likely you are to repay your loan in the future.

In the following table, you’ll see how credit scores can affect APRs on three-year and five-year fixed-rate personal loans, based on Credible’s proprietary data:

How does debt consolidation work?

Debt consolidation involves combining two or more existing debts into one loan, ideally with a lower interest rate than you’re currently paying. Consolidation leaves you with just one payment to make each month.

A debt consolidation loan can be a type of installment loan, like a personal loan or a home equity loan. You could also use a low or 0% APR credit card balance transfer offer to consolidate and refinance credit card debt, but you would have to pay off the entire balance during the low- or no-interest period to avoid interest charges.

With a debt consolidation loan, you receive a lump sum to pay off your debts and then repay the consolidation loan in monthly installments. Some personal loan lenders pay out the lump sum directly to you, while others may pay your creditors directly if you provide your existing debt balances and payment information.

Remember, paying off your credit card balances through debt consolidation doesn’t erase debt. You still have to repay the lender that gave you the debt consolidation loan.

The key elements of a debt consolidation loan include:

Repayment terms: Most lenders offer terms of two to seven years. Prepayment penalties for personal loans are rare, so you might be able to repay the loan early if you manage your finances well.
Loan amounts: Debt consolidation lenders usually require you to borrow at least $1,000, and some let you borrow up to $50,000. But some lenders offer loans up to $100,000 or more.
Interest rates: The APR (annual percentage rate) for a debt consolidation loan can start as low as 7% and go as high as 36%. Several factors influence your rate, including your credit score, credit history, income, and employment status. Personal loans usually have fixed interest rates, so your rate and payment should stay the same for the life of the loan.
Fees: Lenders may charge fees for issuing a loan. An origination fee is a common one, and may be between 1% and 10% of the amount you borrow. The lender may deduct the origination fee from your loan amount and discloses the fee(s) on a statement required by the Truth in Lending Act. You’ll receive the statement after the lender approves your application. You’ll also see upfront fees reflected in the APR, which represents the total annual cost of your loan.

Tip: Because they include upfront fees, APRs can be more informative than interest rates alone for estimating the total cost of a loan.

Funding times: The standard funding time is typically up to five days. But most lenders fund loans within one to three days after you’ve accepted your loan and met the lender’s documentation and verification requirements. A few lenders can fund loans on the same business day if you’re approved before the daily cutoff time.

Pros and cons of debt consolidation

Debt consolidation loans have clear benefits for many borrowers who have two or more credit accounts. They also have some drawbacks you should consider before you apply.

Pros

One bill, one payment: You’ll have just one bill to keep track of and one payment to make each month.
Lower APRs than credit cards: Average interest rates on personal loans are typically lower than the average rate on credit cards, so you might save money on interest and reduce the amount of your monthly payments.
Fixed rates and payments: Debt consolidation loans usually have fixed rates and repayment terms, which could help you set a timeline for paying off debt.
Could improve your credit: Making timely payments every month until your loan is fully repaid can improve your credit. Your payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score.
Discounts: Many lenders can use your loan to pay your creditors directly, and some offer direct pay discounts.
Fast funding: Funding can be quick with a debt consolidation personal loan or credit card balance transfer.

Cons

Hard credit check: Lenders typically run a hard credit inquiry when you apply, and the loan application may lower your credit score by as much as five points for up to a year.
Upfront fees: Some loans have origination fees, which add to the cost of your loan.
Could be hard to qualify: It can be hard to qualify for debt consolidation if you have bad credit.
May not solve spending issues: You may be tempted to re-use credit cards you’ve paid off or take out other forms of debt.

Our Impact

We're making a difference

With Credible, you can save money while enjoying a simple, intuitive personal loan shopping process.

in 2023 We helped over

69,600 people

save money on their loans

We've saved our customers

over $63 million

in interest on their loans

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Why Credible
How it works
FAQs

Calculate your savings with Credible

Use our debt consolidation calculator to see how different terms and interest rates can change what you pay over time.

1. Enter your current loan details

Remaining balance

Interest Rate

Time remaining

2. Choose a rate to compare

Our lender rates vary from 6.94% to 35.99% APR¹

Interest Rate

Loan term

3. Check the results

With an interest rate of 12.00% over 5 years, you will pay per month and in interest over the lifetime of your loan.

Total interest:

New Loan

Current Loan

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Monthly payment:

New Loan

Current Loan

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Checking rates won’t affect your credit score. Calculator results are for illustrative purposes only.

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Why Credible?

Shop top lenders in one easy place

Whether you want to consolidate debt or cover an unexpected expense, Credible makes it easy to find a personal loan that works best for you.

It’s your data, your decision

Checking rates on Credible is 100% free. We earn money by helping you find the best product — not by selling your data.

We’re unbiased and transparent

We don’t get paid to rank products higher, and we don’t hide fees. You’ll know exactly what your cost breakdown is before selecting a lender.

Our process

How to get a debt consolidation loan online with Credible

One simple form
We’ll ask questions to narrow down your lender and rate eligibility. Receive real rates, not estimates.
Compare rates
Shop from lenders like Discover, Upstart, SoFi, and more. Choose your lender, interest rates, and term.
Close your loan and fund your goal
If you’re approved, you’ll just need to sign your documents — then relax as the funds make their way to you.

Find My Rate

Checking rates won't affect your credit score

Benefits of a debt consolidation loan

Lower rates

Getting rid of high-interest debt can save you money on interest payments.

Improve your credit

Making on-time payments on a loan can boost your credit score.

Know when you’ll be debt free

Instead of having an open-ended term with your credit card company, a loan provides you with an end date so payoff is in sight.

For all your goals

Get a personal loan for all your financial needs

Our lender partners support personal loans for many different loan purposes. They offer low interest rates and a variety of loan amounts and loan terms to help you meet your personal and financial goals.

Debt Consolidation

Pay off high-interest debt by combining it all into a single loan and payment at a lower interest rate.

Debt Consolidation Loans

Home Improvement

Finance a home improvement project from major repairs to a remodel or addition.

Home Improvement Loans

Credit Card Refinancing

Refinance high-interest credit debt by combining it all into one loan and payment at a lower interest rate.

Credit Card Refinancing Loans

Bad Credit Loans

Loans for those who may have credit difficulties (like poor credit or a thin credit history).

Bad Credit Loans

Just need money? Get started now.

Find My Rate

Checking rates won’t affect your credit score

Debt consolidation loan FAQs

By Meredith Mangan

Written by

Meredith Mangan

Senior editor

Meredith Mangan is a senior editor at Credible. She has more than 18 years of experience in finance and is an expert on personal loans.

Reviewed by Kelly Larsen

Written by

Kelly Larsen

Writer, editor

Kelly Larsen is a student loans editor at Credible. She has spent over 10 years covering personal finance, with expertise in mortgage and debt management.

Updated Feb 19, 2025

Editorial disclosure: Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as “Credible.”

What is a debt consolidation loan?

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A debt consolidation loan is any loan that you use to pay off multiple debts. Instead of multiple payments, you only have one payment to manage; and, ideally, the interest rate on the debt consolidation loan is lower than the net interest you paid prior to consolidating debt.

You can use a personal loan, a home equity loan, or a credit card balance transfer to consolidate debt.

Related: What Is Debt Consolidation?

How can I get a debt consolidation loan?

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You can get a debt consolidation loan from a number of personal loan lenders. Ideally, you’ll have a good credit score (a FICO score of 670 or above), sufficient income to make monthly payments, and a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) below 36%. However, since you’re not taking on new debt, you may get approved with a higher DTI.

If your credit score isn’t good, you may still be able to get approved by a lender that offers personal loans for fair credit. Borrowers with bad credit should consider applying with a cosigner or co-borrower, or using collateral to get approved.

Learn More: How To Get a Debt Consolidation Loan

What factors impact debt consolidation loan rates?

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Debt consolidation rates are impacted by a range of factors, including:

Your credit score: A higher credit score usually means a lower annual percentage rate (APR).
Your DTI: A lower DTI will help you qualify for a lower APR.
The loan amount: Higher loan amounts may have higher APRs.
The repayment term: Shorter repayment terms often have lower interest rates, but not always.
The lender: Rates differ across lenders, which is why it’s best to prequalify with multiple lenders to find the best debt consolidation loan rates.

What are the pros and cons of a debt consolidation loan?

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Pros:

Trade multiple payments for one payment.
Potentially lower your interest rate.
Potentially lower your monthly payment.
Decrease your credit utilization, in some cases, and quickly increase your credit score.
Get a clear timeline for paying off debt.
Improve your credit in the long term by making timely payments.
Many lenders can pay your creditors directly (and give you a discount for it).
Funding can be quick with a debt consolidation personal loan or credit card balance transfer.

Cons:

The loan application may temporarily lower your credit score.
Some loans have origination fees.
It can be hard to qualify for debt consolidation if you have bad credit.
It will hurt your credit if you can’t make payments.
You may be tempted to borrow more money than needed to pay off debt.
Loan approval and funding can take a month or more with a home equity loan.

How do I compare debt consolidation loans?

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When shopping for debt consolidation loans, follow these steps:

Consider how much money you need to consolidate your debt.
Prequalify with a few lenders to get a sense of the APR you’ll pay.
Use a personal loan calculator to estimate monthly payments based on that APR for different repayment periods.
Find lenders that offer the loan amount you need and the repayment term you want.
Prioritize lenders that pay your creditors directly (some will give you an interest rate discount for doing so).
Prequalify with those lenders to find the loans with the best terms and lowest APRs for you.
Seek out lenders without origination fees — an origination fee is deducted from the amount you borrow upfront and will reduce what your creditor receives.

Learn More: How to Choose the Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lender

How does a debt consolidation loan affect your credit score?

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A debt consolidation loan should improve your credit score if you make timely payments and pay off the loan in full. When you first apply, you may see your score dip by a few points — but this is temporary and shouldn’t last more than a year.

If you’re consolidating credit card debt, you could quickly see an increase in your credit score once your credit cards are paid off. This is because your credit utilization will decrease as long as you keep those accounts open. If you make late payments, or fail to pay off the loan, a debt consolidation loan could hurt your credit.

Learn More: How Debt Consolidation Helps Your Credit

What are the alternatives to a debt consolidation loan?

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While a personal loan is often a great way to consolidate debt, it may be easier to qualify or get a lower rate with other options. Consider these alternatives:

Credit card balance transfer
Home equity loan
Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
Cash-out refinance (home or car)
Cash-value life insurance loan
401(k) loan
Borrow money from friends and family

Can I refinance a debt consolidation loan?

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Yes, you can refinance a personal loan used for debt consolidation, and you may be able to refinance a home equity loan or HELOC used for debt consolidation as well.

If you used a credit card balance transfer, you can’t refinance it, but you could roll the balance into a personal loan at a lower rate if you aren’t able to pay it off within the promotional APR period.

¹Personal Loans Rate and Terms Disclosure: Rates for personal loans provided by lenders on the Credible platform range between 6.94% - 35.99% APR with terms from 12 to 120 months. Credible also works with network Partners like MoneyLion and AmONE, who offer loan and other products with different rates and terms than described here. Rates presented include lender discounts for enrolling in autopay and loyalty programs, where applicable. Actual rates may be different from the rates advertised and/or shown and will be based on the lender’s eligibility criteria, which include factors such as credit score, loan amount, loan term, credit usage and history, and vary based on loan purpose. The lowest rates available typically require excellent credit, and for some lenders, may be reserved for specific loan purposes and/or shorter loan terms. The origination fee charged by the lenders on our platform ranges from 0% to 12%. Each lender has their own qualification criteria with respect to their autopay and loyalty discounts (e.g., some lenders require the borrower to elect autopay prior to loan funding in order to qualify for the autopay discount). All rates are determined by the lender and must be agreed upon between the borrower and the borrower’s chosen lender. For a loan of $10,000 with a three year repayment period, an interest rate of 7.99%, a $350 origination fee and an APR of 10.43%, the borrower will receive $9,650 at the time of loan funding and will make 36 monthly payments of $313.32, assuming your lender deducts the origination fee from the offered loan amount. Assuming all on-time payments, and full performance of all terms and conditions of the loan contract and any discount programs enrolled in included in the APR/interest rate throughout the life of the loan, the borrower will pay a total of $11,279.43. As of March 3, 2022, none of the lenders on our platform require a down payment nor do they charge any prepayment penalties.

Prequalified rates are based on the information you provide and a soft credit inquiry. Receiving prequalified rates does not guarantee that the Lender will extend you an offer of credit. You are not yet approved for a loan or a specific rate. All credit decisions, including loan approval, if any, are determined by Lenders, in their sole discretion. Lowest rate advertised is not available for all loan sizes, types, or purposes, and assumes a very well qualified borrower with an excellent credit profile.

²To check the rates and terms you may prequalify for, Credible conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. If you choose a lender and continue with your application, the lender will usually conduct a hard credit pull that may impact your credit score.

Debt consolidation and credit card refinancing involve using a new loan to pay off your existing balance. This does not eliminate debt, but replaces one debt with another. While personal loan rates generally are lower than credit card interest rates, you may pay more in origination fees and interest over the life of the loan depending on other loan terms. Please consult a financial advisor to determine if refinancing or consolidating is right for you.

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