Best Loans for Bad Credit in 2025-Upstart Personal Loan

How to obtain a loan through Upstart

Upstart provides a fast and straightforward online loan process. Here’s what you should know about applying for an Upstart personal loan.

Check your credit
Before submitting an Upstart loan application, make sure to check your credit score and determine how much you need to borrow. A personal loan calculator can help you estimate your monthly payments.

Prequalify for a loan
Upstart allows you to prequalify for a personal loan. By answering a few questions, Upstart will conduct a soft credit inquiry to give you a preliminary view of your credit history. This will not affect your credit score and will help you understand your potential rates, terms, and loan amounts.

Formally apply
If you successfully prequalify and are satisfied with your loan offer, you will need to complete a formal application. This involves a hard credit pull, which may lower your credit score by a few points. Upstart typically makes approval decisions instantly, and you usually won’t need to provide additional paperwork.

Close on your loan
If Upstart approves your loan application, you will need to formally accept your offer by signing the loan agreement. After you sign and finalize your loan, Upstart can fund your personal loan in as little as one business day.

How Upstart stacks up against other personal loan providers

Even if you think Upstart matches your needs for a personal loan, it’s always a good idea to explore and compare other lenders. Here’s how Upstart measures up against other similar personal loan providers.