Motley Fool Money's 2026 Personal Loan Awards
The best personal loans for low interest, debt consolidation, emergencies, and more
To determine the Best Personal Loans awards for 2026, The Motley Fool Money's experts evaluated accounts with our ratings model, focusing on industry factors and user benefits, including:
- Competitive APRs
- Variety of loan options
- Low to no fees
Special attention was also paid to:
- Autopay discounts
- Customer service
- Loan amounts
- Term offerings
Best Personal Loan Overall
SoFi Personal Loans
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= PoorSoFi Personal Loans stands out in the personal loan landscape by offering competitive interest rates and a generous loan limit of up to $100,000. By opening a SoFi® checking or savings account and setting up auto-pay, you can enjoy a 0.25% rate reduction, which can be stacked for a total of 0.5% if you do both. Plus, there are no origination fees, late fees, or prepayment penalties, and you can benefit from same-day funding for added convenience.
Best Low-Interest Personal Loan
LightStream by Truist
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= PoorLightStream by Truist offers some of the lowest rates on personal loans, as well as high loan limits. Also, LightStream by Truist doesn't charge fees, and it prioritizes customer service, even paying unhappy customers for their feedback.
Rates quoted are with AutoPay. Your loan terms are not guaranteed and may vary based on loan purpose, length of loan, loan amount, credit history and payment method (AutoPay or Invoice). AutoPay discount is only available when selected prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. To obtain a loan, you must complete an application on LightStream.com which may affect your credit score. You may be required to verify income, identity and other stated application information. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 8.49% APR with a term of 5 years would result in 60 monthly payments of $205.12. Some additional conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Truist Bank is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2025 Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, LightStream, and the LightStream logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Lending services provided by Truist Bank.
Best Personal Loan for Home Improvement
LightStream by Truist
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= PoorLightStream specializes in low-rate financing for major projects, offering loans up to $100,000 and terms ranging from 24-240 months (varies by loan purpose). That flexibility makes it ideal for large-scale renovations or upgrades. With no fees and same-day funding available for approved borrowers, LightStream keeps home improvement simple, fast, and affordable.
Rates quoted are with AutoPay. Your loan terms are not guaranteed and may vary based on loan purpose, length of loan, loan amount, credit history and payment method (AutoPay or Invoice). AutoPay discount is only available when selected prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. To obtain a loan, you must complete an application on LightStream.com which may affect your credit score. You may be required to verify income, identity and other stated application information. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 8.49% APR with a term of 5 years would result in 60 monthly payments of $205.12. Some additional conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Truist Bank is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2025 Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, LightStream, and the LightStream logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Lending services provided by Truist Bank.
Best Emergency Loan
SoFi Personal Loans
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= PoorWhen you need funds fast, SoFi Personal Loans delivers. Applications take just minutes, and loans can be funded as soon as the next day. Borrowers also benefit from no fees, flexible repayment terms, and unemployment protection — making SoFi Personal Loans a reliable option when unexpected expenses hit and speed matters most.
Best Debt Consolidation Loan
Discover Personal Loan
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= PoorDiscover makes consolidating debt straightforward and flexible. Borrowers can choose repayment terms from 36 - 84 months, helping spread payments over time without stretching their budget. With competitive fixed rates, no origination fees, and consistently strong customer service, Discover Personal Loans are a dependable choice for simplifying multiple debts into one manageable loan.
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About the Author
Alicia Aldrich is Head of PR & Media Relations at The Motley Fool, where she is responsible for advancing the company's purpose of making the world smarter, happier, and richer. She has more than 15 years of experience growing the visibility, credibility, and authority of purpose-driven brands.