Earnest vs SoFi Student Loan Refinancing: Rates, Flexibility, and Benefits Compared
Last updated 02/10/2026 by
Ante MazalinEdited by
Andrew LathamSummary:
Earnest and SoFi both offer student loan refinancing, but they appeal to different borrowers. Earnest focuses on highly customizable repayment options, while SoFi combines refinancing with member benefits and broader financial tools.
To help you compare your options quickly, the table below highlights key differences in rates, terms, funding speed, and borrower protections.
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Quick Comparison: Earnest vs SoFi Student Loan Refinancing
| Feature | Earnest | SoFi |
|---|---|---|
| Loan Amounts | $5,000 - $500,000 | $5,000 - $1,000,000 |
| Fixed APR | 5.19% - 9.99% | 5.24% - 9.99% |
| Variable APR | 5.72% - 9.99% | 6.24% - 9.99% |
| Loan Term (Years) | 5 years - 20 years | 5 years - 20 years |
| Funding Time Range (Days) | 7 days - 14 days | 1 days - 7 days |
| Minimum Credit Score | 650 - 850 | 650 - 850 |
| Co-signing Allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Unemployment Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Origination Fees | 0% | 0% |
| No Prepayment Fee | Yes | Yes |
| SuperMoney User Score | mostly not recommended | strongly recommended |
About Earnest
Earnest is a direct online lender known for repayment flexibility. Borrowers can customize loan terms, adjust payment schedules, and access hardship protections during periods of financial stress.
Main Features
- Loan amounts: $5,000 - $500,000
- Fixed APR: 5.19% - 9.99%
- Variable APR: 5.72% - 9.99%
- Loan terms: 5 years - 20 years
- Funding speed: 7 days - 14 days
- Unemployment protection: Yes
User Rating: mostly not recommended
About SoFi
SoFi is a direct online lender that pairs student loan refinancing with member benefits such as career coaching and financial planning tools.
Main Features
- Loan amounts: $5,000 - $1,000,000
- Fixed APR: 5.24% - 9.99%
- Variable APR: 6.24% - 9.99%
- Loan terms: 5 years - 20 years
- Funding speed: 1 days - 7 days
- Unemployment protection: Yes
User Rating: strongly recommended
How Earnest and SoFi Compare
- Flexibility: Earnest emphasizes repayment customization, while SoFi combines flexibility with added member benefits.
- Borrower support: Both offer unemployment protection, but SoFi adds career and financial tools.
- Ideal borrower: Earnest suits borrowers who want control over repayment, while SoFi targets financially strong applicants seeking perks.
Which Student Loan Refinance Lender Is Best for You?
- Choose Earnest if:
- You want maximum repayment flexibility
- You have strong income and credit
- You want customizable loan terms
- Choose SoFi if:
- You want flexible loans plus member benefits
- You qualify for strong credit-based pricing
- You value career and financial support tools
Pro Tip
If you qualify for both lenders, compare Earnest’s customization against SoFi’s added benefits to see which delivers more long-term value.
What’s Next?
Earnest: Review Earnest’s flexible refinance options to see how customized repayment terms could fit your budget.
Read the full Earnest review — mostly not recommended
Read the full Earnest review — mostly not recommended
SoFi: Explore SoFi’s refinancing rates and member benefits to see how they could reduce your overall borrowing cost.
Read the full SoFi review — strongly recommended
Read the full SoFi review — strongly recommended
Key Takeaways
- Earnest emphasizes repayment flexibility and customization.
- SoFi combines refinancing with added member benefits.
- Both lenders offer fixed and variable APRs with no prepayment fees.
- The right choice depends on whether you value control or perks.
FAQs
Is Earnest better than SoFi?
Earnest may be better for borrowers who want customized repayment options, while SoFi may appeal to those who value additional member benefits.
Do both lenders offer unemployment protection?
Yes. Both Earnest and SoFi provide unemployment protection or hardship options.
Which lender is better for high-income borrowers?
SoFi typically targets borrowers with strong income and credit profiles.
Do both lenders offer variable APRs?
Yes. Both lenders offer variable APR options, depending on eligibility.
Compare More Student Loan Refinance Lenders
- LendKey vs SoFi Student Loan Refinancing — Compare credit union–backed refinancing with SoFi’s flexible loans and member benefits.
- LendKey vs Earnest Student Loan Refinancing — See how traditional credit union lending compares to a highly customizable refinance option.
- SoFi vs Laurel Road — Compare refinancing rates, borrower protections, and member perks from two major online lenders.
- College Ave vs Ascent — Compare private student loan lenders with different approaches to rates, cosigners, and repayment flexibility.
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