What Avant Offers
Avant is a popular online lender that specializes in personal loans for borrowers with fair to poor credit. Known for fast funding and accessible credit requirements, here's what they offer:
Avant's key features:
- Accepts credit scores as low as 550, making it accessible for fair/poor credit
- Fast funding - often next business day after approval
- Administration fee up to 4.75% (deducted from loan amount)
- Mobile app for easy loan management and payments
- Soft credit check during pre-qualification
Why You Might Need an Avant Alternative
While Avant serves the bad credit market well, you might look elsewhere if:
- Need higher loan amounts: Avant maxes out at $35,000; some lenders offer up to $50K or more
- Want lower fees: Avant's administration fee can be as high as 4.75%, which reduces your loan proceeds
- Looking for even lower credit requirements: Some lenders have no minimum credit score at all
- Need longer repayment terms: Avant offers up to 5 years; some competitors offer 7+ years
- Want to compare rates: Smart borrowers always check 3-5 lenders to find the best deal
- Seeking lower APR: If your credit has improved, you may qualify for better rates elsewhere
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Top 5 Avant Alternatives Compared
Here's how the best Avant alternatives stack up:
| Lender | Min. Credit | APR Range | Loan Range | Max Term | Origination Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avant (baseline) | 550 | 9.95% - 35.99% | $2K - $35K | 5 years | Up to 4.75% |
| Upgrade | 560 | 9.99% - 35.99% | $1K - $50K | 7 years | 1.85% - 9.99% |
| OneMain Financial | None | 18.00% - 35.99% | $1.5K - $20K | 5 years | Varies by state |
| LendingPoint | 550 | 9.99% - 35.99% | $2K - $36.5K | 5 years | 0% - 6% |
| Upstart | 300* | 7.80% - 35.99% | $1K - $50K | 5 years | 0% - 12% |
| OppLoans | 600 | 160% - 179% | $500 - $4K | 11-18 months | 0% |
*Upstart accepts applications from borrowers with scores as low as 300, but uses AI-based underwriting considering education, employment, and other factors.
Detailed Alternative Reviews
1. Upgrade - Best for Higher Loan Amounts
Top PickUpgrade offers loan amounts up to $50,000 compared to Avant's $35,000 maximum. With similar credit requirements (560 vs 550 minimum) and longer repayment terms, Upgrade is ideal for borrowers who need more money or extended payment schedules.
Why Choose Over Avant
- Higher maximum loan amount ($50K vs $35K)
- Longer repayment terms (up to 7 years vs 5)
- Free credit monitoring included
- Joint applications allowed for better rates
- Potential for rate discounts with autopay
Considerations
- Slightly higher minimum credit score (560 vs 550)
- Origination fee can go up to 9.99%
- May require higher income verification
Best for: Borrowers needing $35K+ or preferring longer repayment terms to lower monthly payments.
2. OneMain Financial - Best for No Minimum Credit
No Credit MinimumOneMain Financial has no minimum credit score requirement and offers both secured and unsecured loans. If you have very poor credit or were declined by Avant, OneMain may still approve you, especially if you can provide collateral.
Why Choose Over Avant
- No minimum credit score requirement
- Secured loan options (use vehicle as collateral)
- In-person branch support available
- Same-day funding possible at branches
- Accepts co-applicants to improve approval odds
Considerations
- Higher minimum APR (18% vs 9.95%)
- Lower maximum loan amount ($20K vs $35K)
- May require in-person branch visit
- Origination fees vary significantly by state
Best for: Borrowers with very poor credit (below 550) or those willing to secure a loan with collateral for better rates.
3. LendingPoint - Best for Similar Bad Credit Focus
Lower FeesLendingPoint targets the same credit range as Avant (550+ minimum) but typically offers lower origination fees. If you qualify with Avant, you'll likely qualify with LendingPoint - making it smart to compare both.
Why Choose Over Avant
- Lower maximum origination fee (6% vs 4.75%)
- Slightly higher maximum loan ($36.5K vs $35K)
- Fast funding (1-2 business days)
- Rate discounts for autopay available
- Accepts both good and poor credit applicants
Considerations
- Same 550 minimum credit score as Avant
- Limited to 5-year maximum term
- Not available in all states
Best for: Borrowers with 550-650 credit scores who want to compare multiple offers for the lowest fees.
4. Upstart - Best for Thin Credit Files
AI UnderwritingUpstart uses AI-powered underwriting that considers education, employment history, and earning potential - not just credit score. If you have a thin credit file but strong education/income, Upstart may offer better rates than Avant.
Why Choose Over Avant
- Higher maximum loan amount ($50K vs $35K)
- Considers education and job history, not just credit
- Lower minimum APR possible (7.80% vs 9.95%)
- Fast funding - often next business day
- Good for young professionals with limited credit
Considerations
- Higher maximum origination fee (12% vs 4.75%)
- AI model may decline based on factors beyond score
- May require higher minimum income
Best for: Borrowers with thin credit files but strong education/employment history who may score better with AI underwriting.
5. OppLoans - Best for Very Poor Credit
Emergency OptionOppLoans focuses on borrowers with very poor credit who need smaller loan amounts quickly. While rates are significantly higher than Avant, they may approve when others won't. Consider this a last resort option.
Why Choose Over Avant
- No origination fees (0%)
- Focuses on income, not credit score
- Fast approval and funding process
- May approve extremely poor credit
- Reports to credit bureaus (helps rebuild)
Considerations
- Extremely high APR (160%-179%)
- Much lower loan amounts (max $4K)
- Very short terms (11-18 months)
- Not suitable for large expenses
Best for: Borrowers with very poor credit needing small emergency loans when traditional lenders (including Avant) decline them.
How Swipe Solutions Helps You Compare
Instead of applying to Avant and multiple alternatives individually (risking hard credit pulls at each), Swipe Solutions streamlines the process:
- Compare multiple offers at once: See rates from various bad credit lenders with one simple form
- No credit score impact: We use soft credit checks that don't affect your credit
- Get matched intelligently: Our system connects you with lenders most likely to approve your profile
- Save significant time: Get results in 2 minutes instead of hours of individual applications
- See all your options: Compare Avant-like lenders alongside alternatives with higher limits or lower fees
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