Best Personal Loans in Boise, ID: Top Lenders & Best Picks for You

Updated: December 28, 2023

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WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON

MoneyGeek's Picks for Best Personal Loan Lenders in Boise, ID

The best personal loan for you will depend on your particular needs and situation. To help you select the best personal loan lender in Boise, MoneyGeek considered more than 30 data points, including loan amounts, APR ranges, repayment lengths, penalties and other fees.

We also researched factors that affect your chances of getting approved, such as your gross income, credit score and debt-to-income ratio. Browse through our top picks for borrowers with bad credit, those with good credit and those who want to consolidate debt or finance home improvements to find which option meets your needs.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Boise: LightStream


  • LightStream
    • 4.49% to 20.49%APR Range
    • 660Minimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 84 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same DayTime to Receive Funds

    LightStream has the best overall personal loan in Boise among the lenders MoneyGeek evaluated. Launched in 2013, this online lending company offers personal loans from $5,000 to $100,000.

    With LightStream, you receive a 0.5% discount if you set up an automatic payment. It has no loan application processing charges or prepayment penalties. LightStream has a mobile app you can download to manage your account. It allows you to check your payment due date, monitor your account balance, make payments and even apply for another loan.

    However, LightStream isn’t ideal for every borrower. Its personal loans are only available to those with a credit score of at least 660. They also come with restrictions, meaning you can’t use your funds for postsecondary education or business expenses.

    Pros

    • Up to $100,000 loan amount
    • No origination or late fees
    • No prepayment penalty
    • 0.5% autopay discount

    Cons

    • No loan pre-approvals
    • Hard credit inquiry
    • High credit score requirement
    • Restrictions on loan use
    LightStream

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Boise: Upstart


  • Upstart
    • 3.22% to 35.99%APR Range
    • 300Minimum Credit Score
    • $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Next DayTime to Receive Funds

    Borrowers with bad credit can get the best personal loan in Boise from Upstart. This lender has provided lending solutions to customers using artificial intelligence (AI) since 2012.

    Upstart offers personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000. The lender doesn’t charge a fee for paying off your loan early. However, it has an origination fee of up to 10% and a late fee of 5% of the due amount or $15, whichever is greater.

    For those living in Idaho, there are no restrictions on fund usage. You’re free to use your loan for various purposes, including education expenses. To apply for an Upstart loan, you must meet its minimum credit requirements: a credit score of at least 300 and a debt-to-income ratio of 50% or lower.

    Pros

    • Allows bi-monthly payments
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Low credit score requirement
    • Performs soft credit inquiry

    Cons

    • No autopay discount
    • Doesn’t allow co-signers
    • Has origination and late fees
    • Potentially high interest rates
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Boise: SoFi


  • SoFi
    • 5.74% to 20.28%APR Range
    • 680Minimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 12 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Two DaysTime to Receive Funds

    Launched in 2011, SoFi offers various financial products to consumers and is our top pick for those with good credit scores. Its personal loans don’t come with origination fees, a prepayment penalty or late fees, which tend to increase your loan cost.

    Depending on your profile, you can borrow up to $100,000. You can also earn a 0.25% discount if you make automatic payments. If you lose your job, you can apply for SoFi’s Unemployment Protection Program, which temporarily allows you to modify your monthly payments.

    Keep in mind, however, that SoFi imposes restrictions on its fund usage. This lender may not be for you if you intend to use the money for college, investments, business expenses or real estate. Additionally, it’s not ideal for borrowers with a credit score lower than 680 and gross income below $50,000.

    Pros

    • No origination and late fees
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Autopay discount of 0.25%
    • Co-applicants are welcome
    • Provides employment protection

    Cons

    • High credit score requirement
    • Funding can take up to two days
    • Restrictions on fund usage
    • Co-signers are not allowed
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Boise: Upgrade


  • Upgrade
    • 5.94% to 35.47%APR Range
    • 560Minimum Credit Score
    • $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same DayTime to Receive Funds

    Launched in 2017, Upgrade aims to offer customers a better experience than traditional banks. MoneyGeek’s research indicates this lender provides the best personal loans in Boise for debt consolidation.

    You can borrow as little as $1,000 or as much as $50,000 from Upgrade. There’s no fee for paying off your loan early. However, expect an origination fee between 1.85% and 8%.

    You may not use your Upgrade personal loan for investments, education or illegal activities. If the loan is for consolidating debt, Upgrade will pay off your creditors directly. Borrowers with a credit score of at least 560 can apply for a personal loan from this lender.

    Pros

    • Has autopay discount
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Direct payments to creditors
    • Performs soft credit inquiry

    Cons

    • Has origination fee
    • Has late fee
    • Maximum loan amount of $50,000
    • Restrictions on fund usage
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Boise: Best Egg


  • Best Egg
    • 4.99% to 35.99%APR Range
    • 700Minimum Credit Score
    • $2,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Next DayTime to Receive Funds

    If you need a personal loan in Boise to finance home improvements, Best Egg may be the best lender for you. Depending on your borrower profile, you can borrow up to $50,000. Best Egg was founded in 2014.

    With Best Egg, you won’t have to pay a fee for repaying your loan early. However, expect an origination fee ranging from 0.99% to 8.99%, which will be deducted from your total loan amount.

    To qualify for a Best Egg loan, you need a minimum credit score of 700. You can prequalify by checking your rate. Because it’s a soft credit inquiry, your credit score won’t be affected.

    Aside from funding home improvements, you can use your Best Egg loan for large purchases, dream vacations, medical expenses and debt consolidation. That said, you can’t use it for education purposes.

    Pros

    • Prequalify with soft credit inquiry
    • Autopay discount
    • No prepayment penalty

    Cons

    • No joint loans
    • Charges origination fee
    • High credit score requirement
    • Restrictions on loan use
    Best Egg

Where to Start: How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Boise for You

You can use personal loans for various purposes, including funding your dream vacation or home improvements. They can also be ideal for individuals looking to consolidate debts or finance a major purchase.

Although the average personal loan debt in Idaho is $12,562, your actual loan amount will depend on your needs and borrower profile. Several factors, such as your credit history and employment details, also play a significant role in getting your loan application approved.

Below, MoneyGeek listed some important steps to help you choose the best personal loan lender in Boise.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Address the following questions before applying for a personal loan:

  • How much money do you need? Whether you’re using a personal loan for home improvements or debt consolidation, determine how much funding you’ll need. A small loan may not be enough, but you risk putting yourself in a tight financial spot if you borrow a larger amount at a high rate.
  • What is your credit score? Some lenders accept applicants with poor credit scores but charge them higher interest rates.
  • Can you afford the monthly payment? Assess your financial situation and determine if your source of income can cover the monthly payments for the life of your loan.
  • Do you have existing debts? A personal loan may not be a good idea if you already have debts.
2
Do Your Research

A personal loan requires a long-term commitment. Like with any important decision, it’s critical to conduct your own research and find all the options available.

Visit the websites of Boise lenders and take note of their loan amount limits, APR ranges, repayment terms and eligibility requirements. Gathering all the important details will help you weigh your options and decide on the best one for your needs.

Although MoneyGeek has presented recommendations for different borrower profiles, they may not suit your particular situation. That’s why it’s best to explore other options not included in this guide.

3
Wait

After choosing the personal loan lender that meets your needs, hold off on submitting a loan application. MoneyGeek strongly recommends waiting a few days to evaluate your current financial situation and determine whether taking out a personal loan is the right decision. By doing this, you may find an alternative option that doesn’t require paying a high interest rate for two to four years on average.

4
Read the Fine Print

Once you’ve decided on a lender, take the time to read and understand the loan agreement’s fine print. Find out if the lender charges a fee for processing your loan, making late payments or repaying a loan early. Keep in mind that additional fees can increase your monthly payments. Also, check if there’s an autopay discount. Knowing all the additional fees can help you avoid financial trouble over the lifetime of your loan.

5
Apply

After covering all your bases, it’s time to apply. You’ll need to submit certain information, such as your personal details, address verification and proof of income. Some choose to apply online for convenience, but you can also visit or call your lender if the option is available.

What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in Boise

Getting your personal loan application denied may be disheartening, especially if you were already set on using it to fund your dream vacation or home improvement project. It’s important to remember that loan applications get rejected for various reasons, including low credit score and insufficient income.

Reach out to your lender and ask why you weren’t approved. See whether it’s possible to modify certain details in your application, like the loan amount or repayment terms, to make it more attractive to the lender.

If your lender’s decision is final, you can look for a loan from a different company. It’s best to wait and improve the factor that caused your application to be rejected before doing this. Otherwise, you risk getting denied again.

Payday loans may seem like an attractive option if you need money right away. However, MoneyGeek advises against them due to their high interest rates and shorter repayment period.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Boise

There are various personal loan lenders in Boise, but the best option for you will depend on your particular needs and various credit and income factors. To help you in your personal loan journey, MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions below.

What is the best personal loan lender in Boise?
Which lender in Boise has the lowest interest rate?
Can I use a personal loan for vacations in Boise?
Can I use a personal loan for home improvement in Boise?
What can I not use my personal loan for in Boise?
How much can I borrow in Boise?
How long does it take to get a personal loan in Boise?
Can I pay off my loan early in Boise?

Our Personal Loan Methodology

METHODOLOGY

MoneyGeek analyzed more than 30 personal loan lenders using 35+ individual data points across six key categories: loan affordability, accessibility, customer service, flexibility, consumer friendliness and lender transparency.

For each category in this guide, we considered several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These include available loan amounts, APR ranges, application fees, minimum credit score, minimum gross income and disbursement time.

MoneyGeek values every consumer, so we also examined each lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that help make your experience easier and more accessible, like prequalifications, mobile apps and payment options.

Ultimately, we determined our top picks with your best interests in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make the best financial decision when choosing a lender that meets your unique needs.

sources
Shield Insurance

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.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, lender or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.

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