The Best Loan Alternatives to Oportun

Since 2006, Oportun has been helping low-income borrowers build credit with personal and secured loans, offering APRs capped at 35.99%, much lower than the 400% APRs charged by other lenders. However, loan amounts and fees can differ by state, with origination fees of up to 8%. If this doesn’t fit your needs, there are loans like Oportun with similar competitive rates, some offering no fees or interest, no minimum credit score requirements, and fast loan processing, sometimes within the same day.

The Best Loans Similar to Oportun

Discover the top loan alternatives akin to Oportun, providing competitive rates, minimal requirements, and swift approval processes.

Cleo

Cleo offers a money-saving alternative to Oportun, with no origination fees or interest on cash advances. Members can request advances ranging from $20 to $70 initially, increasing to $250 over time, either through customer support for free or more conveniently via the app with a $5.99 monthly subscription fee, which also grants access to personal financial management tools.

For $14.99 per month, users gain access to credit builder tools, including a secured credit card, early paycheck access, and up to $500 in emergency cash advance with direct deposits, all while Cleo reports to credit bureaus to help you build credit.

NetCredit

NetCredit is one of the many loan companies like Oportun that offers loans up to $10,000 for people with bad credit, with rates ranging from 34% to 155% APR depending on the state, still lower than many installment and payday lenders. Repayment terms span from 6 to 60 months, longer than OppLoans. There are no prepayment penalties, allowing you to save on interest by paying early. Similar to Oportun, NetCredit reports timely repayments to credit bureaus, which can boost your credit score. Plus, approved loans are often funded as quickly as the next business day.

OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial is a top-rated lender offering secured and unsecured loans for those with bad credit, without requiring a minimum credit score. You can potentially borrow between $1,500 and $20,000, surpassing Oportun’s limit of $10,000. Just like Oportun, you can apply online or visit a local branch. Plus, if you change your mind within seven days, you can return your loan without any fees. While OneMain’s rates start at 18% APR, they cap at 35.99% APR, making it more affordable than payday or installment lenders, although there’s an origination fee.

OppLoans

OppLoans, similar to Oportun, doesn’t check your credit during the application process, but its APRs are higher, reaching 179%. Despite being high, this rate is still lower than what installment or payday lenders typically charge, and you might receive your funds as soon as the same business day after approval. Additionally, like Oportun, OppLoans reports your repayments to all three major credit bureaus, which can positively impact your credit score.

However, its repayment terms range from 9 to 18 months, shorter than Oportun’s, potentially resulting in higher monthly payments. Nonetheless, this could mean getting out of debt faster, and repayments can align with your paycheck schedule.

EarnIn

EarnIn is a cash advance app allowing you to borrow up to $750 of your earned wages before payday with its Cash Out feature, which is higher than many similar apps, and there are no interest or financing fees involved. To use Cash Outs, you must be employed, receive regular direct deposits, and earn at least $320 each pay period. You can transfer up to $100 a day to your bank account or more than $100 per day to an EarnIn card. Transfers typically take one to three business days but can be faster for a fee.

Fiona

One of the best loan places, like Oportun, is Fiona. Previously known as Even, Fiona is a free online service that helps connect borrowers of all credit backgrounds with personal loan providers. With access to a network of 31 lenders, Fiona offers loans up to $100,000, significantly more than Oportun’s $10,000 limit.

It’s a convenient option if you want to compare multiple lenders by completing just one form, and it conducts only a soft credit check during the process. However, a drawback is that you might receive many marketing emails and calls from Fiona’s lending partners after applying.

Chime SpotMe

Chime doesn’t give out loans, but if you’re worried about paying overdraft fees, this online bank might help. Their SpotMe feature offers a no-fee overdraft service, covering up to $200 for your Chime Checking account. To qualify, you’ll need to deposit $200 or more monthly and activate your Chime debit card. SpotMe only applies to overdrafts from ATM or debit card transactions and starts at $20, but you can increase it with regular deposits, good account history, promotional bonuses, or through SpotMe Boost, where members can enhance each other’s protection.

Prosper

Prosper, a peer-to-peer (P2P) lender, offers loans ranging from $2,000 to $50,000 with APRs between 8.99% and 35.99% and repayment terms of three to five years. Unlike Oportun, Prosper’s loans come from both traditional investors and ordinary people. There’s an origination fee of 1% to 7.99% based on your credit rating, and it might take up to 14 days to receive your funds. However, Prosper doesn’t receive as high ratings on Trustpilot as Oportun, with some customers mentioning issues during the application process and lengthy waits.

Upstart personal loans

If you need more than the usual $500 limit from a cash app, consider a personal loan from Upstart. They offer loans from $1,000 to $50,000, with rates ranging from 7.8% to 35.99% and repayment terms of 36 to 60 months. Upstart doesn’t set a minimum credit score requirement, but most borrowers have scores around 600. Instead of focusing solely on credit, Upstart looks at factors like your education, income, and work history. 

Available nationwide, Upstart doesn’t penalize for early repayment and typically deposits funds within one business day, earning positive customer reviews. However, be prepared for a potential origination fee of up to 12% of the loan amount, in addition to interest charges.

Find Incredible Oportun Alternatives and Borrow Money Today

Oportun loans are an option for individuals with no credit history or bank account who may struggle to get loans from traditional sources like banks or credit unions. While Oportun can be a helpful solution, it’s wise to explore all your alternatives to find the best fit for your financial needs. With a range of alternatives available, find the perfect fit for your situation and take the next step towards financial stability today.