Simple interest personal loans: what to compare

Nearly every fixed-rate personal loan is a simple interest loan. That makes offers easy to compare, once you know which numbers matter.

Updated October 30, 2026. Examples are calculated with the formulas shown on our formula page.

Five things to compare

  1. APR, not just the interest rate. APR includes the origination fee.
  2. Origination fee: often deducted from the amount you receive, so borrow enough to cover it.
  3. Term: a longer term lowers the payment but raises total interest. Run both in the calculator.
  4. Prepayment terms: confirm there is no penalty for paying early.
  5. Late fees and hardship options: what happens if you miss a payment.

How to shop without hurting your credit

Prequalify with several lenders or a marketplace using a soft credit check, compare the APRs, then apply only to the best offer. Read the lender’s own terms before you sign.

Places to compare offers

Option

Even Financial

A loan-matching marketplace that shows personal loan offers from multiple lenders after one prequalification form.

Best for: Comparing several lenders at once

Visit the provider’s own site to compare current pricing and terms.

Option

SuperMoney

A comparison marketplace for personal loans and other financial products, with prequalified offers from partner lenders.

Best for: Shopping rates without a hard credit pull to prequalify

Visit the provider’s own site to compare current pricing and terms.

Option

Upgrade

An online lender offering fixed-rate personal loans with fixed monthly payments.

Best for: Borrowers who want one direct lender

Visit the provider’s own site to compare current pricing and terms.

Frequently asked questions

Are personal loans simple interest?
Almost all fixed-rate personal loans from banks, credit unions and online lenders are simple interest installment loans: a fixed rate, a fixed monthly payment and a set term.
Does prequalifying hurt my credit?
Prequalification usually uses a soft credit inquiry, which doesn’t affect your score. Submitting a full application typically triggers a hard inquiry. Check each lender’s disclosure.
What APR should I expect?
It depends on your credit, income, debts and the lender. Compare the APR, which includes fees such as origination charges, rather than the interest rate alone.