Upstart is a lending platform that provides access to personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $75,000 through its network of bank partners. With a fast online application, most applicants receive an instant decision. Powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence, Upstart offers a more innovative and more accessible path to borrowing compared to many traditional options.
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DirectLendersList is not a review site; instead, it provides a comprehensive overview of financial products and services and incorporates the Web Rating feature to assist users in making informed decisions.
Web Ratings are important to consider when deciding on financial products or services. These ratings provide insights into the customer experience and serve as a helpful metric for assessing the quality of specific lenders, loan marketplaces, banks, or credit card issuers.
At DirectLendersList, our internal team takes the initiative to prepare web ratings for various financial products and services. These ratings are compiled using multiple channels to gather data from across the web, including customer feedback, ratings from reputable customer review sites, industry reputation, and other relevant data sources. Utilizing these diverse sources of information aims to provide users with a comprehensive and well-rounded assessment of the financial product or service.
The collected data is then utilized to calculate an average web rating, typically on a scale of 1 to 5, reflecting the overall customer satisfaction and experience associated with the specific offering. It is important to emphasize that these ratings are independently prepared by the DirectLendersList internal team and have not been influenced or approved by advertisers. This ensures the ratings remain objective and unbiased, providing users with reliable information to aid their decision-making process.
Upstart is an online lending marketplace that partners with banks to provide personal loans from $1,000 – $75,000. Unlike traditional credit models that rely primarily on credit scores, Upstart utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence to evaluate borrowers using multiple variables, including credit score, income, education, and employment history.
Since its founding, Upstart has helped more than 2.7 million borrowers access credit and has facilitated over $34 billion in loans. Borrowers can check their rate online in just minutes, and if approved, may receive funds as fast as the next business day.
Upstart was founded in 2012 by former Google employees Dave Girouard, Anna Counselman, Paul Gu, and Michael Kitchen, with headquarters in Palo Alto, California. The platform was created to expand access to credit by integrating additional variables into the lending process, moving beyond reliance on traditional credit-only models.
Over the years, Upstart has experienced rapid growth. In 2019, the company went public, raising $240 million in its IPO. Since then, it has continued to expand its partnerships with banks and credit unions, enabling more borrowers to access loans through the Upstart platform.
Upstart’s model incorporates a broad range of data points to help its bank partners evaluate applicants. While a credit score is one of the factors considered, the model also reviews variables such as income, education, and employment history to provide a more comprehensive picture of each applicant’s profile.
This innovative approach allows many borrowers, including those who might not qualify under traditional models, to access financing options for needs such as credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, and medical expenses.
Your loan amount will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will qualify for the full amount. Minimum loan amounts vary by state: GA ($3,100), HI ($2,100), MA ($7,000).
Although educational information is collected as part of Upstart’s rate check process, neither Upstart nor its bank partners have a minimum educational attainment requirement in order to be eligible for a loan.
If you accept your loan by 5pm EST (not including weekends or holidays), you will receive your funds the next business day. When the funds will be available to you will depend on your bank’s transaction processing time and policies.
The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for an unsecured Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 20.10% and a 8.53% origination fee of $853, for an APR of 24.65%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9,147 and will make 60 monthly payments of $267. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in June 2025. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.
💳 Personal Loans for Credit Card Refinancing
• Replace high-interest credit card balances with a fixed-rate personal loan, resulting in one predictable monthly payment, reduced interest costs, and a simplified repayment process.
🔄 Personal Loans for Debt Consolidation
• Combine multiple debts into a single loan to simplify payments and potentially lower overall costs.
🏥 Personal Loans for Medical Expenses
• Cover medical bills, procedures, or unexpected healthcare costs without draining savings or retirement funds.
🏠 Personal Loans for Home Improvement
• Finance projects such as kitchen remodels or bathroom renovations without relying on home equity.
💍 Personal Loans for Weddings and Major Life Events
• Manage one-time expenses, related to weddings, such as venue rentals, catering, or travel, with the predictability of fixed monthly payments.
Safety | 128-bit SSL/ Bank-level encryption |
Lender Type | Lending Marketplace |
BBB Rating | A+ Rating |
APR | 6.7% to 35.99% APR* |
Credit Score | 300 above |
Loan Amount | $1,000 to $75,000 (state minimums apply) |
Loan Term | 3 or 5 years |
Origination Fees | 0% to 12%* |
Time to Receive Funds | 1 to 3 business days* |
Your loan amount will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will qualify for the full amount. Minimum loan amounts vary by state: GA ($3,100), HI ($2,100), MA ($7,000).
The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for an unsecured Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 20.10% and a 8.53% origination fee of $853, for an APR of 24.65%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9,147 and will make 60 monthly payments of $267. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in June 2025. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.
To qualify for a personal loan through Upstart-powered lenders, applicants generally must meet the following criteria:
🔷 Identity: Provide a verifiable name, date of birth, and Social Security number (ITINs are not supported).
🔷 Age: Be at least 18 years old.
🔷 Residency: Have a valid U.S. residential address and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
🔷 Banking: Maintain a personal banking account at a U.S. financial institution with a valid routing transit number.
🔷 Contact: Have an active email account.
🔷 Employment / Income: Have a full-time job, an accepted job offer starting within 6 months, a regular part-time job, or another steady source of income.
🔷 Credit Requirement: Meet the minimum credit score of 300 in most states. Applicants must not have bankruptcies, public records, or accounts currently in delinquency.
• Fast Funding – If you accept your loan by 5 pm EST (excluding weekends and holidays), funds are typically disbursed by the next business day.
• Fixed APR Range – Loans through Upstart-powered lenders offer a fixed APR ranging from 6.7% to 35.99%, ensuring your monthly payment amount remains consistent throughout the loan term.
• No Prepayment Penalty – You can repay your loan early at any time without additional charges, potentially saving on interest.
• Set Repayment Terms – Choose between 3-year or 5-year repayment terms, depending on your budget and preferences.
• Simple Online Application – The application process is quick, online, and can provide an approval decision within minutes for most applicants.
When borrowing personal loans through Upstart-powered lenders, you may encounter the following types of fees and charges:
🔷 APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
Loans through Upstart-powered lenders come with fixed APRs ranging from 6.7% to 35.99%, depending on your credit profile, income, and other eligibility factors. The APR reflects both the interest rate and applicable fees, providing a comprehensive view of the total cost of borrowing.
🔷 Origination Fee
An origination fee of 0% to 12% may apply. This one-time fee is deducted from the loan proceeds before funds are disbursed.
🔷 Late Payment Fee
If a scheduled payment is not made on time by the due date, a late fee may be charged. The amount can be a flat fee or a percentage of the overdue balance, depending on your loan agreement. Enrolling in automatic payments can help reduce the risk of late fees.
🔷 Returned Payment Fee
If a scheduled payment fails due to insufficient funds or other issues, a returned payment fee may be charged. Each failed attempt to collect payment may result in an additional cost.
Your loan amount will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will qualify for the full amount. Minimum loan amounts vary by state: GA ($3,100), HI ($2,100), MA ($7,000).
The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for an unsecured Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 20.10% and a 8.53% origination fee of $853, for an APR of 24.65%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9,147 and will make 60 monthly payments of $267. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in June 2025. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.
If you accept your loan by 5pm EST (not including weekends or holidays), you will receive your funds the next business day. When the funds will be available to you will depend on your bank’s transaction processing time and policies.
DirectLendersList is not a review site; instead, it provides a comprehensive overview of financial products and services and incorporates the Web Rating feature to assist users in making informed decisions.
Web Ratings are important to consider when deciding on financial products or services. These ratings provide insights into the customer experience and serve as a helpful metric for assessing the quality of specific lenders, loan marketplaces, banks, or credit card issuers.
At DirectLendersList, our internal team takes the initiative to prepare web ratings for various financial products and services. These ratings are compiled using multiple channels to gather data from across the web, including customer feedback, ratings from reputable customer review sites, industry reputation, and other relevant data sources. Utilizing these diverse sources of information aims to provide users with a comprehensive and well-rounded assessment of the financial product or service.
The collected data is then utilized to calculate an average web rating, typically on a scale of 1 to 5, reflecting the overall customer satisfaction and experience associated with the specific offering. It is important to emphasize that these ratings are independently prepared by the DirectLendersList internal team and have not been influenced or approved by advertisers. This ensures the ratings remain objective and unbiased, providing users with reliable information to aid their decision-making process.
🔷 AI-driven credit evaluation
Upstart uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to evaluate borrower profiles beyond traditional credit factors. Its AI model considers elements such as income, employment, education, and overall credit behavior, offering a more inclusive assessment. This broader approach helps expand access to credit for borrowers who might otherwise face challenges qualifying through traditional lending methods.
🔷 Soft Credit Inquiry for Rate Check
Borrowers can check their personalized rates online through a soft credit inquiry, which does not impact their credit score. A hard credit inquiry is only triggered if the borrower chooses to proceed with a loan application.
🔷 Flexible Use of Funds
Loan proceeds can generally be used for a wide range of personal purposes, including consolidating debt, covering medical expenses, or addressing other financial needs. Restrictions may apply depending on your lender and state regulations.
🔷 Digital Account Management
Borrowers can track balances, schedule or modify payments, and monitor account activity through a convenient online dashboard. The platform also allows setting up automatic recurring payments, helping borrowers stay on track with their repayment schedule.
🔷 Flexibility to Make Extra Payments
Borrowers can make additional payments at any time without fees. Extra payments are applied toward the loan balance according to the loan terms, but do not replace scheduled monthly payments or change the due date of the next installment. This option helps reduce the outstanding balance faster and may lower the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
Although educational information is collected as part of Upstart’s rate check process, neither Upstart nor its bank partners have a minimum educational attainment requirement in order to be eligible for a loan.
When you check your rate, we check your credit report. This initial (soft) inquiry will not affect your credit score. If you accept your rate and proceed with your application, we do another (hard) credit inquiry that will affect your credit score. If you take out a loan, repayment information may be reported to the credit bureaus.
Looking for loans like Upstart? These alternatives provide personal loan options with varying terms and features.
Loan Amount: $1,000- $50,000
Repayment Terms: 24 to 84 months
Loan Amount: $250- $2,000
Repayment Terms: 6 to 12 months
Loan Amount: $1,000- $50,000
Repayment Terms: 36 to 60 months
Loan amounts available through Upstart-powered lenders may vary based on your financial profile and lender participation. Certain states have minimum loan amount requirements:
• Georgia: $3,100
• Hawaii: $2,100
• Massachusetts: $7,000
📌 Loan availability, terms, and amounts may vary by state and lender. Your specific options will be displayed during the application process.
Customer Service Availability
Support is available through multiple dedicated lines:
📞 Phone Support
• Customer Support: (650) 204-1000 (local)
• Toll-Free: 1-855-438-8778
🕑 Operating Hours
• Loan Application Support:
Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM ET (6:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT)
• Personal Loan Payment Support:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM ET (5:00 AM – 6:00 PM PT)
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM ET (7:00 AM – 3:30 PM PT)
💻 Secure Messaging
Available via your Upstart account dashboard
⭐ Reputation and Ratings
• Trustpilot: ★★★★☆ 4.9/5 (55,000+ reviews)
• BBB: A+ rating, Accredited Business
• WalletHub: ★★★☆☆ 3.0/5 (600+ reviews)
*Ratings as of September 2025; may change over time.
💬 Customer Feedback (Based on Reviews Across the Web)
Overall, customer reviews of Upstart highlight a fast and straightforward loan process, with many appreciating the clear terms and helpful support team. At the same time, some borrowers mention higher interest rates and limited payment flexibility.
✅ Positive Experiences
• Many customers appreciated the speed and simplicity of the loan process; some were approved and funded within a day.
• Customers highlight the clear and transparent loan terms, saying it gave them confidence in their decision.
• Support agents are described as friendly and helpful, especially when borrowers have questions.
• Some reviewers reported that, despite having less-than-perfect credit, they were still able to qualify for a loan.
❌ Negative Complaints
• Some borrowers felt the interest rates were high, especially if their credit wasn’t strong.
• A few borrowers found it frustrating that payment dates weren’t very flexible.
• Some wished they could apply with a cosigner to get better loan terms.
The state’s serviced may change without prior notice; visit the lender’s website for up-to-date information.
Alabama Georgia Maryland New Jersey South Carolina Alaska Hawaii Massachusetts New Mexico South Dakota Arizona Idaho Michigan New York Tennessee Arkansas Illinois Minnesota North Carolina Texas California Indiana Mississippi North Dakota Utah Colorado Iowa Missouri Ohio Vermont Connecticut Kansas Montana Oklahoma Virginia Delaware Kentucky Nebraska Oregon Washington District of Columbia Louisiana Nevada Pennsylvania Wisconsin Florida Maine New Hampshire Rhode Island Wyoming
Most frequent questions on Upstart Personal Loans
No. Upstart is not a direct lender; it operates as a lending marketplace. The company partners with banks and credit unions that issue and fund the loans. Upstart provides the technology to evaluate applications and also services the loan accounts after funding.
Loan amounts vary by state, lender, and your qualifications. Through Upstart, you may be eligible to borrow amounts ranging from $1,000 up to $75,000, depending on your credit profile, income, and state regulations.
Personal loans through the Upstart platform can typically be used for purposes such as debt consolidation, credit card refinancing, medical expenses, moving costs, or major purchases. However, loan use is subject to state regulations and lender policies, so specific purposes may not be permitted.
Checking your rate through Upstart uses a soft inquiry, which has no negative influence on your credit score. If you decide to proceed with an offer, the partner lender will conduct a hard inquiry, which may impact your credit score.
Loans through the Upstart platform include an origination fee ranging from 0% to 12% of the loan amount, which is deducted from the loan proceeds upon disbursement. Depending on the lender’s policies, late or returned payment fees may also apply. There are no prepayment fees if you decide to pay off your loan early.
No. Personal loans through the Upstart are only available to individual applicants. Co-signers or joint applicants are not permitted.
Yes. Loan repayment activity is generally reported to the major credit bureaus, which means on-time payments can help build your credit history.