Best Egg vs. Upstart: Which Personal Loan Is Right for You?
Updated: October 23, 2023
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Best Egg and Upstart are great options if you want a personal loan to help with debt consolidation, moving expenses or a significant purchase. Both lenders offer next-day funding after loan request approval. However, Upstart is the best option for borrowers with poor credit, while Best Egg is the best option for those with good-to-excellent credit.
MoneyGeek gathered relevant, current data about Upstart and Best Egg personal loans to help consumers choose between the two lenders. We considered interest rates, credit requirements, loan amounts and terms.
Best Egg or Upstart: Overview
MoneyGeek compared Best Egg and Upstart loans in terms of their APR ranges, minimum credit score requirements, available loan amounts, repayment terms and fund disbursement times.
Both lenders offer the same maximum loan amount ($50,000) and repayment term (five years), but Best Egg is more stringent on its minimum credit score requirement, which must be 700 or higher. However, if your credit score is less than perfect and you need a personal loan with a lower interest rate, Upstart may be the better option.
Best Egg
Upstart
APR Range
APR stands for annual percentage rate, the loan’s interest rate expressed as a yearly rate. A higher APR means you will pay more interest over the life of your loan. The APR may also vary depending on factors like creditworthiness, job history and other financial information.
Best Egg's personal loan APR ranges from 4.99% to 35.99%. On the other hand, Upstart offers variable APRs between 3.22% and 35.99%, depending on one's creditworthiness. Although its maximum loan amounts are the same, Upstart offers a lower minimum.
While getting a personal loan with the lowest APR is preferable, it shouldn't be your only consideration.
Upstart’s minimum APR is lower than Best Egg's minimum, making Upstart the winner of this category. Lenders give the lowest APRs to borrowers with the best credit.
However, a low APR shouldn't be your only consideration when shopping for personal loan providers. Other factors, such as the lender’s repayment term, loan amounts and credit requirements, are also important.
Minimum Credit Score
Best Egg personal loans require a minimum credit score of 700, while Upstart’s minimum is 300. A high credit score will help you get better loan terms with either company.
Credit bureaus assign you a credit score ranging from 300 to 850 based on your credit history. Lenders consider your credit score when determining whether to grant you a loan and setting your APR.
Note that factors like your credit and payment history, outstanding balances, types of credit accounts (credit cards, mortgages and loans) and new applications for credit accounts can affect your score.
With a good-to-excellent credit score, your interest rate will be lower, and it will be easier to qualify for the loan. The best option for those with good credit is Best Egg. However, if your credit is less than stellar, Upstart may be your best option, as the company caters to borrowers with no credit history or low credit scores.
Loan Amount Range
A personal loan amount range encompasses the minimum and maximum amount a lender will offer borrowers. Best Egg and Upstart will lend up to $50,000. Upstart offers a lower minimum of $1,000 compared to Best Egg’s $2,000 minimum.
In addition to loan amount ranges, numerous factors affect your loan amount, including your creditworthiness, the loan's payback term, the loan's purpose and other lender conditions.
Best Egg and Upstart offer the same maximum loan amount but provide different minimum amounts. Upstart takes first place in this category because its minimum personal loan amount is lower than Best Egg’s.
Your situation and how you plan to use the funds will determine how much you need to borrow. A larger loan is good for debt consolidation and home improvements, while a smaller loan is suitable for more moderate expenses. Know how much money you need, and only borrow that amount.
Repayment Terms
The repayment term of a personal loan refers to how long a borrower may take to repay it. You can repay Best Egg and Upstart personal loans over a minimum of 36 months to a maximum of 60 months.
Short-term loans may last between 12 and 24 months, while long-term loans can last up to 84 months. Longer payment terms usually come with lower monthly payments but can cost more in the long run. It is in your best interest to get a loan with the shortest payback period and affordable payments. However, your particular situation will determine your ideal payback period.
Best Egg and Upstart provide identical loan repayment terms, resulting in a tie in this comparison.
Your credit score can affect the length of your loan's payback period. Your debt-to-income ratio and monthly income will also determine your ability to pay, so lenders often consider those factors when establishing your payback period.
Time to Receive Funds
Both Best Egg and Upstart offer speedy loan disbursement. Conventional lender timeframes might range from a few days to a few weeks. On the other hand, Best Egg and Upstart disburse your borrowed cash the next business day after you sign your personal loan agreement.
Best Egg may be the preferable choice for those with excellent credit who urgently need a loan. Upstart, on the other hand, may be best for those with poor credit. You should also examine factors like APR, loan terms and loan amounts.
The sooner a lender disburses your cash, the sooner you can use it, which is important in a financial emergency. Both lenders release funds as soon as the next working day. Although speedy loan disbursement is desirable, it should not be your only consideration.
Final Thoughts
Because of their similarities, choosing between Best Egg and Upstart for a personal loan might be difficult. Both lenders provide the same loan amount maximum and disbursement timeframe.
However, if you have a poor credit score, Upstart will be the better choice. Borrowers with solid credit can also benefit from Upstart's affordable interest rates.
Based on the information provided above, MoneyGeek concludes:
- Best Egg is ideal for borrowers with good credit who want to take advantage of favorable loan terms.
- Upstart is perfect for customers who want a lower-interest loan or have bad or no credit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loan Lenders
MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about personal loans to help you find the right lender for your situation.
The prerequisites for applying for a personal loan differ depending on the lender. Most lenders, however, require a completed loan application form and proof of identity, income and residency.
You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three main credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, or via the Annual Credit Report website.
Most lenders, including Best Egg and Upstart, do a soft credit check to assess prequalification and then a hard credit inquiry during the application process.
No, interest rates vary from lender to lender.
The primary fees associated with personal loans include application fees, origination fees, late payment fees and prepayment penalties. However, not all lenders levy all of these fees.
Online loan applications are convenient. If you have the required documentation, apply online for a personal loan. This saves time and speeds up approval and funding.
Yes. However, confirm with your lender if they charge a prepayment penalty fee.
sources
- Best Egg. "Best Egg Personal Loan." Accessed September 19, 2022.
- Best Egg. "Best Egg Personal Loan Requirements." Accessed September 19, 2022.
- Upstart. "About Upstart's Online Lending Platform." Accessed September 19, 2022.
- Upstart. "Can I Apply for a Second Loan?." Accessed October 24, 2022.
- Upstart. "Personal Loans." Accessed September 19, 2022.
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the rates mentioned may have changed. We recommend visiting the lender's website for the most up-to-date information available.
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