Online loans can help you meet your financial goals. However, it’s important to choose the right lender for your needs.

RadCred’s online marketplace matches subprime borrowers with receptive lenders in minutes, quietly and securely. Lenders check your monthly income, and if approved, money is usually deposited into your account quickly.

1. LightStream

LightStream is a great choice for borrowers who have comfortable incomes and excellent credit and are looking to streamline their monthly unsecured debt payments. The company focuses on borrowers with a low debt-to-income ratio and offers competitive rates, as well as no fees or prepayment penalties.

The application process is entirely online and can be completed from the comfort of one’s home. Borrowers will be asked to provide personal information, including if the loan is joint or individual, the amount they want to borrow and what the funds are for. They will also be asked if they would like to participate in the autopay discount program, which can save borrowers 0.50% in interest on their loan.

The company primarily looks at the borrower’s credit history but will also consider their employment, income, assets and debt-to-income ratio. They do not offer a soft credit pull option so it may be necessary to complete multiple applications in a short period of time in order to find out if they are eligible. This can cause a temporary hit to a credit score.

2. LendingPoint

If you have less-than-perfect credit, you might find cash mart yourself in need of a loan to pay for things like an emergency medical expense or a car repair. Personal loans from LendingPoint can help you cover these expenses. They have a low minimum rate of 7.99 percent and can be used for almost any purpose.

Unlike credit cards, which can snowball into long-term debt, personal loans have a set payment schedule and a predetermined payoff date. Plus, personal loans from LendingPoint are reported to Experian and TransUnion, which can help build your credit score.

LendingPoint’s application process is fast and easy, with many borrowers receiving funds the same day of approval. It also has a customer service team that is available via phone or online chat to answer your questions and assist you with the application process.

Bankrate surveyed 1.3K LendingPoint borrowers on their experience with the company’s loans. Borrowers rated LendingPoint highly for its simple loan process, helpful customer support representatives and lower rates than other lenders. Read the community reviews on our partner site Trustpilot to see what other borrowers have to say about their experience with LendingPoint.

3. LendingClub

Lending Club is a popular choice for many people who need an online loan with monthly payments. They offer an unsecured personal loan, a home improvement loan, and business loans. They also have a rewards checking account with 1% cash back on qualifying purchases.

Lenders evaluate borrowers on the basis of their credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and payment history. Each borrower is assigned a credit grade, from A to G. LendingClub then matches borrowers with investors who are interested in lending to them, based on their criteria.

The company offers a streamlined application process and lower interest rates than traditional banks. It has an excellent BBB rating and high ratings on Trustpilot.

The company has experienced some problems in the past, but they are addressing those issues. Overall, it is considered safe for borrowers and investors with strict security protocols in place. However, investing in peer-to-peer loans does carry risks and should only be done if it aligns with your risk tolerance. This is why it’s important to compare options before choosing a lender.

4. Dave

Unlike payday loans and other money apps, Dave’s cash advances don’t incur interest charges. Users also earn rewards on debit card purchases and have access to a savings account that earns an impressive rate of 4 percent APY. Dave isn’t a bank, but it offers FDIC-insured accounts in partnership with Evolve Bank & Trust. To qualify for a cash advance, you need to have three recurring direct deposits and a minimum of $1,000 in total monthly deposits.

The Dave app is free to download and use, but there’s a $1 monthly fee for its ExtraCash feature that lets you borrow up to $500. You can have the funds automatically paid back from your next paycheck or deposit them into a Dave Spending Account for later use. In addition to a cash advance, the app provides budgeting tools and can text you if an upcoming bill will put your current budget in danger. It also partners with LevelCredit to report rent and utility payments to the credit bureaus, which can help build your credit score.

5. Brigit

Brigit is a mobile app that offers cash advances to bridge the gap between paychecks. Its fees are lower than many competitors, and it has an excellent user rating in app stores. Its credit builder feature is an added bonus that could help users develop responsible financial habits and avoid overdraft fees in the future.

Unlike payday loans, which can lead to costly debt and bad credit, Brigit aims to help its users stay out of overdraft fees. It does this by tracking users’ bank account transactions with Plaid and notifying them when a repayment is due. Then, it automatically withdraws the amount from their bank account on the expected date without charging any extra fees or interest.

Brigit provides small loans, typically up to $250. They are meant to cover short-term gaps, like unexpected bills or groceries before payday. The funds can be deposited in their connected bank accounts within 20 minutes with express delivery (for a fee) or two to three business days for free. Users can also request payment extensions in the app for no extra charge.