Avant vs. Upstart: Which Personal Loan Is Right for You?

Last updated 08/13/2025 by

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Summary:

Choosing between Avant and Upstart? It all comes down to what matters most to you — speed, flexibility, or borrower experience.

Avant may be the better fit if you’re looking for longer repayment terms and a lender known for strong customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, Upstart stands out for its fast funding process and innovative approach to evaluating applications.

Both lenders have their strengths, but only one will align with your financial goals. Let’s break down how they compare so you can borrow with confidence.

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Side-by-Side comparison Avant vs. Upstart

Feature	Avant	Upstart
Loan Amounts	$2,000 - $35,000	$1,000 - $50,000
APR Range	9.95% - 35.99%	6.53% - 35.99%
Loan Terms	24 months - 60 months	36 months - 60 months
Minimum Credit Score	600 - 760	620 - 850
Origination Fees	Up to 9.99%	0% - 12%
Late Payment Fee	$25	$15
Prepayment Fee	No	No
Checking Account Required	Yes	Yes
Pre-Qualified Soft Credit Inquiry	Yes	Yes
SuperMoney User Score	strongly recommended	strongly not recommended

About Avant

Avant is a personal loan provider focused on helping borrowers with fair to good credit access financing quickly. It offers loans from $2,000 - $35,000 with APRs ranging from 9.95% - 35.99%.

Loan terms range from 24 months - 60 months, and funding is typically completed within 1 business day. Borrowers need a credit score in the 600 - 760 range to qualify.

Avant charges Up to 9.99% in origination fees. It also discloses its $25 late payment fee and does not charge a prepayment penalty for early repayment.

Avant User Score:strongly recommended

About Upstart

Upstart is an AI-driven personal loan platform that considers more than just credit scores. It offers personal loans between $1,000 - $50,000 with APRs starting at 6.53% - 35.99%.

Loan terms are between 36 months - 60 months, and borrowers may receive funds as soon as the same day. The platform accepts credit scores as low as 620 - 850.

Upstart charges an origination fee of 0% - 12%, and discloses a $15 late payment fee. Like Avant, it does not charge for early payoff.

Upstart User Score:strongly not recommended

Which Lender Is Best for You?

Both Avant and Upstart offer competitive personal loan options, but the best fit depends on your priorities:

Choose Avant if you’re looking for a lender with more flexible loan terms (up to 24 months - 60 months), funding within 1 business day, and a strong reputation. Avant also accepts borrowers with credit scores starting at 600 - 760, making it a solid choice for people with fair credit.
Choose Upstart if your goal is to get funded fast (as soon as the same day) and potentially qualify for a lower APR, starting at 6.53% - 35.99%. While its repayment terms are shorter, Upstart may appeal to borrowers who want to pay off their loan sooner and minimize total interest.

Both lenders do not charge for early payments and charge origination and late fees — so it’s important to compare those carefully:

Avant charges up to Up to 9.99% with a late payment fee of $25.
Upstart charges up to 0% - 12% with a late payment fee of $15.

Key Differences Between Avant and Upstart

While Avant and Upstart offer similar loan amounts — up to $2,000 - $35,000 — several key differences can help you decide which lender is right for you:

APR Starting Point: Upstart has a lower starting APR (6.53% - 35.99%) compared to Avant (9.95% - 35.99%), which may make it more attractive for well-qualified borrowers.
Loan Terms: Avant offers more flexibility with terms ranging up to 24 months - 60 months, while Upstart caps its terms at 36 months - 60 months.
Credit Score Requirements: Avant accepts credit scores starting at 600 - 760, which may be helpful for borrowers with fair credit. Upstart, while still competitive, starts at 620 - 850.
Funding Time: Upstart can offer same-day funding, whereas Avant typically funds within 1 business day — both are fast, but Upstart may have a slight edge for urgency.
Fees: Both charge origination and late fees, but Upstart’s origination fee can go as high as 0% - 12%, compared to Avant’s maximum of Up to 9.99%. Late fees also vary, so be sure to review:
- Avant: $25
- Upstart: $15
User Satisfaction: Avant earns a higher SuperMoney user score (strongly recommended), while Upstart’s lower score (strongly not recommended) may reflect concerns from past borrowers.

What’s Next?

Want to dive deeper into each lender? We’ve created in-depth reviews that cover everything you need to know — from rates and fees to user satisfaction.

Avant

Read the full Avant review – strongly recommended

Upstart

Read the full Upstart review – strongly not recommended

Still comparing lenders? Explore more head-to-head matchups:

Or view all your options on our Personal Loan Reviews page.

Key Takeaways

Avant offers longer loan terms and accepts slightly lower credit scores than Upstart.
Upstart may offer faster funding and a lower starting APR.
Both lenders charge origination and late payment fees, but ranges differ.
Avant has a stronger SuperMoney user score compared to Upstart.

FAQ about Avant and Upstart

Is Avant or Upstart better for fair credit borrowers?

Avant is typically a better option for fair credit borrowers because it accepts lower credit scores compared to Upstart. It also offers more flexible loan terms, making repayment easier for some borrowers.

Which lender offers faster funding, Avant or Upstart?

Upstart may offer faster funding, with some applicants receiving funds as soon as the same day. Avant also provides quick access to funds, usually within one business day, but Upstart has a slight advantage in speed.

Do Avant and Upstart charge prepayment penalties?

No, neither Avant nor Upstart charges prepayment penalties. You can repay your loan early without additional fees, which may help you save on interest.

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