SoFi vs. American Express: Which Personal Loan Is Right for You?

Updated: October 3, 2024

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MoneyGeek compared SoFi vs. American Express personal loans to help potential borrowers understand the most important loan factors. A comparison of APR ranges, loan limits and repayment terms helps borrowers gauge whether each lender matches their personal loan needs and whether they meet each lender’s qualifying conditions.

SoFi and American Express are top loan providers in the U.S. that offer loans to borrowers who need money quickly. They both have A+ ratings from the BBB, making them leaders in the personal loan space.

Key Takeaways

SoFi and American Express are recognized as top providers of loans in the United States, offering fast funding for a variety of financial needs.

Personal loans are not one size fits all. Evaluating APRs, credit requirements, repayment terms and more can help you find the best loan for your needs.

Lenders may consider things like your credit score, income, current debts and more when deciding whether or not to give you a loan as well as what APR to give you.

SoFi or American Express: Overview

SoFi and American Express have some similarities when it comes to their personal loans, but they also have some key differences that may make them ideal for certain borrowers.

SoFi personal loans offer a flexible loan amount range with competitive rates and quick funding, whereas American Express personal loans offer existing American Express credit cardholders a straightforward debt consolidation loan with a competitive interest rate.

To determine which lender is best for your funding needs, compare all factors of the loan before making a final decision. This includes APRs, credit requirements, loan terms, fund disbursement times and loan amounts.

SoFi


  • SoFi

    SoFi offers competitive rates and zero fees, plus employment protection.


    • 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

    SoFi personal loans range from $5,000 up to $100,000, with interest rates between 5.74% and 20.28%. To qualify for a personal loan with SoFi, you need to meet income requirements and have a credit score of at least 680. SoFi loans have no origination fees, closing charges or prepayment penalties.

    SoFi, or Social Finance Inc., is a fintech business founded in 2011 and backed by Stanford alumni. SoFi initially provided funding for homes and refinancing student loans. Around 2015, it first started providing personal loans. Currently, SoFi has more than four million members and more than $50 billion in funded loans.

    Pros

    • A+ BBB rating
    • Unemployment protection
    • Autopay discount
    • Allows joint loans
    • No prepayment, late or origination fees

    Cons

    • High minimum loan amount
    • No co-signers
    • Fairly high minimum credit score requirement
    • Income requirements
    • Won’t accept borrowers with new or no credit
    • Loan amount: $5,000 to $100,000
    • Repayment terms: 12 to 60 months
    • Minimum credit score: 680
    • Time to receive funds: Two days
    SoFi

American Express


  • American Express

    American Express is best for current cardholders looking to consolidate debt.


    • 4.93% to 19.97%APR Range
    • 660Minimum Credit Score
    • $3,500 to $40,000Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 84 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same DayTime to Receive Funds

    American Express personal loans are offered to American Express account holders, which they can use for a variety of purposes. This includes paying off existing credit card debt, home renovations, significant life events and any other major purchases.

    This personal loan lender is ideal for borrowers needing a loan amount ranging from $3,500 to $40,000, which can be repaid within 24 to 84 months. It doesn’t charge any origination fees and prepayment penalties. However, ensure to make the monthly payments on time to avoid paying late fees. Funds can be disbursed as early as the same day of application approval.

    Pros

    • A+ BBB rating
    • No origination fees or prepayment penalties
    • Soft credit inquiry
    • Flexible repayment terms

    Cons

    • Late payment fee up to $39
    • Only offered to American Express cardholders
    • No co-signers
    • Fund usage restrictions
    • Won’t accept people with new or no credit
    • Loan amount: $3,500 to $40,000
    • Repayment terms: 24 to 84 months
    • Minimum credit score: 660
    • Time to receive funds: Same day
    American Express

APR Range

Lender
APR Range

SoFi

5.74% to 20.28%

American Express

4.93% to 19.97%

SoFi offers personal loans with an APR as low as 5.74% to as high as 20.28%, depending on a borrower's creditworthiness. In comparison, American Express offers personal loans with an APR as low as 4.93% to as high as 19.97%.

APR, or the annual percentage rate, refers to the amount of interest put on top of your initial loan amount every year until it is paid off. The lower the APR, the less you pay over the course of your loan.

When selecting a lender, one of the most important factors you want to look at in order to save is one with a lower APR. However, you’ll want to consider all factors of your loan before making a final decision on a lender.

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MONEYGEEK’S VERDICT

Both lenders offer competitive APR ranges, but American Express wins this category. It offers a minimum and maximum APR that is lower than SoFi’s APR range.

Finding the lowest APR offer yields the highest savings. Though keep in mind that other factors may also affect the APR. For example, selecting a longer repayment period may cause the APR to increase.

Make sure to evaluate all factors of a loan before choosing a lender.

Minimum Credit Score

Lender
Credit Score

SoFi

680

American Express

660

Borrowers each have an assigned credit score from credit card bureaus. Credit scores are a good benchmark for how a borrower is likely to pay a loan responsibly. Borrowers with a credit score around 300 (lowest credit score) may not have as much chance to qualify for higher loans than borrowers with credit scores around 600 up to 850 (highest credit score).

Some lenders like American Express require applicants to have at least 660 to apply. SoFi requires their borrowers to have a score of at least 680.

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MONEYGEEK’S VERDICT

American Express is more accessible to a lot of borrowers due to having a lower minimum credit score requirement than SoFi. While you can qualify for some lenders with a low credit score, it helps to improve your score to be able to get a much lower APR and eventually a much higher loan amount in case you need it.

Credit scores are just one factor out of many to consider when evaluating loans. Keep in mind that your chosen loan amount, repayment terms and other factors are also worth reviewing when choosing a lender.

Loan Amount Range

Lender
Loan Amount Range

SoFi

$5,000 to $100,000

American Express

$3,500 to $40,000

American Express is ideal for borrowers who need a smaller loan as it starts at $3,500 and goes up to $40,000. However, borrowers who need a higher loan amount may find SoFi’s maximum loan amount of $100,000 more suitable.

Regardless of the available loan amount, MoneyGeek strongly recommends applying only for the amount you need. You may end up getting into more debt by borrowing more than you can realistically pay.

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MONEYGEEK’S VERDICT

A personal loan is one of the easiest solutions during a financial crisis. Consolidating debt, paying off high-interest credit cards and undergoing a major life change are just some of the examples of when getting a personal loan makes sense.

If you need a smaller loan, American Express might be ideal. However, if you need more funding, you may want to choose SoFi.

For this category, SoFi wins since it offers a larger loan amount of up to $100,000. Keep in mind, though, that loan amounts are not the only factor to consider when choosing a lender.

Repayment Terms

Lender
Repayment Terms

SoFi

12 to 60 months

American Express

24 to 84 months

SoFi offers loan repayment terms ranging from 12 to 60 months, while American Express lets you repay your loan in 24 to 84 months. American Express has better repayment terms since it offers more flexibility in terms of how long you can take to pay back your loan.

With both lenders, you can pay off your loans early without any prepayment fees. Choosing a shorter repayment term will help you get a lower interest rate. However, it will mean you pay higher monthly payments. Make sure you can afford to do this prior to choosing a shorter repayment period.

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MONEYGEEK’S VERDICT

In this comparison, American Express has better repayment terms.

The APR that is applied to your loan may also depend on the repayment terms you select. APRs are lower for shorter repayment terms than for longer ones.

Repayment terms are only one consideration when selecting a loan. Equally crucial are other factors, including credit score, loan size and APR.

Time to Receive Funds

Lender
Time to Receive Funds

SoFi

Two days

American Express

Same day

American Express disburses funds the same day your loan is approved, while SoFi releases funds after two days.

Keep in mind that applying online will help you get your application approved more quickly, subsequently helping you receive your funds faster. Applying in person will take longer to get your application approved and your funds released.

It’s important to choose a lender who can get you your funds quickly, especially if you have a financial emergency requiring immediate funding.

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MONEYGEEK’S VERDICT

For some borrowers, especially those who require the money for an emergency, how quickly you may receive the loan may be important. You can use the money more quickly if a lender can deposit the money into your account right away.

American Express releases funds the same day that a borrower’s application is approved, making it the winner in this category.

Don’t forget to review all aspects of a loan’s features prior to choosing a lender.

Final Thoughts

Borrowers may find it easy to compare SoFi vs. American Express just by looking at the available loan amount and APR ranges. SoFi personal loans may better suit borrowers that need a higher loan amount, plus its unemployment protection gives borrowers peace of mind that if they lose their jobs, they can get a reprieve on payments.

On the other hand, American Express credit cardholders may find it more convenient to get a personal loan from the same banking institution. It comes with a lower APR than SoFi and has better repayment terms.

Keep in mind that these suggestions are based on a general borrower profile. You’ll want to evaluate your specific financial needs to choose the best lender for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loan Lenders

The following frequently asked questions could help you learn more about SoFi and American Express personal loans.

What documents do I need to provide to personal loan lenders?
How do I know what my credit score is?
Do lenders conduct a hard inquiry?
Are interest rates on personal loans the same for all lenders?
Do lenders charge fees for personal loans?
What are the advantages of applying for a personal loan online?
Is prepayment allowed on personal loans?

About Christopher Boston


Christopher Boston headshot

Christopher (Croix) Boston was the Head of Loans content at MoneyGeek, with over five years of experience researching higher education, mortgage and personal loans.

Boston has a bachelor's degree from the Seattle Pacific University. They pride themselves in using their skills and experience to create quality content that helps people save and spend efficiently.


sources
  • American Express. "FAQ." Accessed September 18, 2024.
  • American Express. "Personal Loan." Accessed September 18, 2024.
  • SoFi. "FAQ." Accessed September 18, 2024.
  • SoFi. "SoFi Personal Loans." Accessed September 18, 2024.
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