Lendup title logo

Our Rating: 78%

★★★★★
★★★★★

Lendup Personal Loan Review

Loan Amount:
$100 - $1,000
Minimum Credit Score:
Not Specified
APR IconAn illustrated APR Icon.
APRs From:
41.89% - 1251.43%
Funding Speed:
As soon as one business day

Features of Lendup Personal Loans

Pros

  • LendUp ladder rewards
  • Loans for borrowers with bad credit
  • No credit check
  • Quick processing
  • No prepayment fees

Cons

  • Doesn't always report to credit bureaus
  • Loan amount varies
  • Short payoff periods
  • Only available in 8 states
  • Not available to people without social security numbers
  • Extremely high APRs

About Lendup Personal Loans

LendUp gives cash-strapped borrowers funds in exchange for full repayment plus interest with the borrower’s next paycheck. They are billed as a payday loan alternative, but it use a similar model. Although this might seem like a great option, short-term loans like these may lead to big-time charges. For example, a 30-day, $100 loan in the state of California can accrue a fee of $17.60, which is an annual percentage rate of just over 210 percent. The company features the "LendUp Ladder System" to determine lending rates. A repeat borrower who pays on time can earn points to “climb” the ladder, with each ascending rung allowing you to apply for a loan at better rates. The ladder starts at Silver and progresses to Gold and then to Platinum, the tier that gets you the best rates and the option to report timely payments to the three major credit bureaus. You can climb the ladder by making payments, referring customers or taking free online education courses. Because LendUp’s interest rates may be higher than other lenders, if you have decent credit, you should look elsewhere for a personal loan.
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Est. APR
41.89% - 1251.43%
Est. APR
10.68% - 35.89%
Est. APR
7.16% - 29.99%
Est. APR
6.90% - 19.98%
Loan Amount
$100 - $1,000
Loan Amount
$2,000 - $45,000
Loan Amount
$1,000 - $40,000
Loan Amount
$3,000 - $100,000
Loan Terms
0-1/2 Years
Loan Terms
3-5 Years
Loan Terms
3 or 5 Years
Loan Terms
1-5 Years
Min. Credit Score
Not Specified
Min. Credit Score
640
Min. Credit Score
640
Min. Credit Score
Not Specified

Lendup Personal Loan Snapshot

Loan Amount:

$100 - $1,000

APR:

41.89% to 1251.43%

Minimum Credit Score:

Not Specified

Time to Funding:

As soon as one business day

Has Origination Fee:

No

Origination Fee: Not Applicable

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Pros and cons of Lendup Personal Loans

Before signing up for a loan with Lendup, take a look at this breakdown of some of its benefits and drawbacks.

Pros:

LendUp Ladder rewards: LendUp distinguishes itself from payday loans with the “LendUp Ladder,” this program allows borrowers to receive better rates and larger loans the longer they are a customer. “LendUp Ladder points” are earned by paying back loans in a timely manner or taking free financial education courses.

Accepts bad credit: Borrowers with a thin credit file or damaged credit might qualify for a loan from LendUp. According to LendUp good credit is not required.

Quick processing: LendUp loans are intended for customers who need quick cash before their next paycheck. They offer funding in as little as one business day.

Cons:

Doesn’t always report to credit bureaus: Not a great option for those looking to build credit. Only borrowers who have reached the platinum level on the LendUp ladder get reported to all three major credit bureaus.

The loan amount varies For first-time borrowers, available loan amounts may be more limited, and as low as $100. Available loan amounts increase as you climb the LendUp ladder.

Limited availability: LendUp is available in only 8 states.

High APRs: LendUp’s APRs vary by state, but the lowest rate for an installment loan is currently 41.89 percent. That’s higher than the maximums for most online lenders. In some cases, a loan with LendUp may be more expensive than one with a payday lender, with some APRs climbing into the thousands.

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Loan Terms

LendUp's short-term fixed-rate loans range roughly from $100 to $250. They feature loan terms of seven to 30 days, depending on the laws of the state in which you reside. In many states, LendUp also offers installment loans from about $500 to $1,000 and payable in up to five months where available. LendUp operates in 24 states: Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

You’ll repay your loan with an additional fee, which serves as a form of interest. For example, a $250 loan in Wisconsin with a 14-day repayment period incurs a $60 fee, for a total repayment amount of $310. This would make the APR an astronomical 625.7 percent.

Fees and penalties

LendUp’s fees vary by state but may include a verification fee or insufficient funds fee. Additionally, if you repay your loan early with a debit card or if you repay your loan with a MoneyGram, an extra charge will apply.

How to get a Personal Loan with Lendup

LendUp does not disclose eligibility requirements, such as minimum income or minimum credit score. To apply for a loan, you’ll need a bank checking account that accepts ACH transfers and proof of employment, as well as your address, income and Social Security number.

The application process is simple. Just fill out the online form with your name, address, Social Security number and bank checking account routing number for direct deposit. In several states, you’ll also have to upload a copy of your most recent pay stub to verify your income. LendUp, like most payday lenders, performs only a soft credit check, so it won’t adversely affect your score to apply.

You’ll get a decision almost instantly, and, in most cases, LendUp offers delivery of funds into your account by the next business day. You can set up an automatic repayment from your checking account, or pay by MoneyGram, personal check or debit card.

But if your credit is strong enough, you should consider other borrowing alternatives, particularly if a short-term cash infusion isn’t necessary — many other personal loan lenders offer much better APRs and terms. If your credit is damaged, a secured credit card is another option, which can help you rebuild your credit without the huge interest charges.