Anyone shopping for sunset loans eventually runs into the same problem: every lender advertises a low starting rate, and very few borrowers get it. This guide lays out what ten specialist U.S. lenders actually publish about their personal loan products, including the full APR range, loan sizes, repayment terms, fees and typical funding time, so you can compare sunset loans on the details instead of the headline.
We chose online lenders, marketplace platforms and consumer-finance companies rather than the largest national banks, because they are the names most borrowers with fair or average credit end up weighing for a personal loan. Inclusion here is editorial. A lender appearing on this page does not mean it belongs to our network, and we do not rank lenders based on payment. Figures come from each lender's own published terms or recent reputable reviews and can change at any time, so confirm everything in the lender's disclosure before you sign.
Lenders at a glance
Published figures as of our last review. Lenders change terms often, so confirm details with each lender.
| Lender | APR range | Amounts | Terms | Min. credit | Funding | Fees | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upstart | 6.3%–35.99% | $1,000–$75,000 | 36 or 60 months | Not published | About 1 business day | Origination 0%–12% | Thin credit files |
| Upgrade | 7.74%–35.99% | $1,000–$50,000 | 24–84 months | 600 (per reviews) | About 1 business day | Origination 1.85%–9.99% | Long-term card payoff |
| Best Egg | 6.99%–35.99% | $2,000–$50,000 | 36–60 months | 600 (per reviews) | As soon as next day | Origination 0.99%–9.99% | Fast funding, fair-good credit |
| Prosper | 8.99%–35.99% | $2,000–$50,000 | 24–72 months | 640 | As soon as 1 business day | Origination 1%–9.99% | Joint applicants |
| Avant | 9.95%–35.99% | $2,000–$35,000 | 24–60 months | 550 (per reviews) | Next business day | Admin fee up to 9.99% | Rebuilding credit |
| LendingPoint | 7.99%–35.99% | $1,000–$36,500 | 24–72 months | 640 (per reviews) | Next business day | Origination up to 10% | Fair credit, $35K+ income |
| Achieve | 6.25%–35.99% | $5,000–$50,000 | 24–60 months | 560 | 24–72 hours | Origination 1.99%–8.99% | Debt consolidation discounts |
| Happy Money | 8.95%–35.99% | $5,000–$50,000 | 24–84 months | 620 (per reviews) | Not published | Origination 2%–12% | Credit card payoff |
| Oportun | Not published (about 36% max) | $300–$10,000 | About 12–54 months | None required | 1–3 business days | Admin fee up to 10% | Small loans, no credit history |
| Mariner Finance | 15.99%–35.99% | $1,000–$25,000 | 12–72 months | Not published | Not published | Origination varies by state | In-branch service |
How we compared lenders for sunset loans research
Each lender was measured on the same seven factors: published APR range, smallest and largest loan amount, repayment term, minimum credit score where disclosed, typical funding time, fees, and state availability limits.
We started with each lender's own rate disclosures and personal loan pages, then cross-checked details against recent independent reviews when a lender left something out. If a number could not be confirmed, the table says "Not published" rather than filling the gap with a guess.
- APR, not interest rate. The APR folds in the origination fee, so it is the fairer number for comparison. Our guide to personal loan rates explains why the two can differ by several points.
- Minimum loan size. Several lenders start at $2,000 or $5,000, which matters for anyone researching sunset loans for a few hundred dollars.
- Fee structure. A 9.99% fee deducted from proceeds means a $5,000 personal loan deposits about $4,500 while you repay the full $5,000.
Shoppers whose search history includes sunset finance near me are usually hoping for a storefront. Only one lender below runs a meaningful branch network, and we flag it clearly.
Upstart: broad credit model and the widest amount range
Upstart is an online lending platform publishing fixed APRs of about 6.3% to 35.99% on personal loans from $1,000 to $75,000, repaid over three or five years, and it weighs education and employment alongside credit history.
The main strength is who gets a look. Upstart does not publish a minimum credit score, and recent reviews say it considers applicants with short credit histories. Most approved borrowers see money within about one business day of signing.
The drawback is the origination fee, which reviews put anywhere from 0% to 12%; Upstart's own representative example uses 8.15%. That fee comes out of the deposit, so a borrower who needs $3,000 in hand should request a bit more. Only two term lengths are offered.
Who it fits: recent graduates or early-career workers seeking a first personal loan with steady pay and a thin file, and anyone comparing sunset loans who wants a lender that looks past the score alone.
Upgrade: long terms and direct payoff discounts
Upgrade offers fixed-rate personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000 at published APRs of about 7.74% to 35.99%, with terms from 24 up to 84 months and a discount for sending part of the money straight to creditors.
A seven-year personal loan is rare among online lenders, though reviews note six- and seven-year terms generally apply only to larger balances. Funds usually go out within one business day after verification clears, while direct payments to card issuers can take up to two weeks to land.
Fees are the trade-off. The origination fee runs 1.85% to 9.99%, deducted from proceeds, and the lowest advertised rates require autopay plus the direct-payoff feature. Upgrade does not list a minimum score on its personal loan page; recent reviews cite 600.
Who it fits: fair-credit borrowers consolidating several cards who value a smaller monthly payment and are comfortable letting the lender pay creditors directly.
Best Egg: fast funding for established credit
Best Egg is an online lender offering personal loans from $2,000 to $50,000 at published APRs of about 6.99% to 35.99%, with three- to five-year terms and funding that can arrive in as little as one business day.
Speed is the draw. Best Egg says roughly half of its customers receive funds the next day, and there are no prepayment penalties.
Two details deserve attention. The origination fee ranges from 0.99% to 9.99%, and the disclosure says terms of four years or longer carry at least 4.99%, so a longer personal loan costs more upfront as well as in interest. Availability is also narrower: Best Egg does not lend in Iowa, Nebraska, Vermont, West Virginia or Washington, D.C., and some states have higher minimums. No minimum score is published; reviews cite 600.
Who it fits: borrowers with fair-to-good credit who need $2,000 or more fairly quickly and plan to repay within three years. For sunset loans in that range, the shorter term keeps the fee lower.
Prosper: marketplace lending with co-applicant support
Prosper is a long-running marketplace lender offering fixed-rate personal loans from $2,000 to $50,000 at published APRs of about 8.99% to 35.99%, repaid over two to six years, with joint applications allowed.
Applying with a co-applicant is a real advantage for someone whose own income or credit falls just short. Prosper also states its credit expectations more openly than most: its loan page says borrowers who accept a loan must have a score of 640 or higher. Money from an approved personal loan can arrive as soon as one business day after verification.
Recent reviews report an origination fee of 1% to 9.99%, taken from the loan amount, and a late fee of the greater of 5% of the amount due or $15 once a payment is more than 15 days past due, unless state law sets a lower limit. Prosper lists returned-payment fees without amounts, so ask for the fee schedule. Prosper has no branches, so anyone searching sunset finance near me for a storefront will need to look elsewhere.
Who it fits: couples or relatives applying together, and borrowers with credit in the mid-600s who want a term longer than three years.
Avant: mid-range credit and quick decisions
Avant markets personal loans of $2,000 to $35,000 at published APRs of about 9.95% to 35.99% over 24 to 60 months, and it typically sends approved funds by the next business day.
Avant often comes up when borrowers with credit in the 500s or low 600s compare sunset loans. Its page does not list a minimum score, but recent reviews cite 550. Approvals completed before 4:30 p.m. Central on a weekday are generally funded by ACH the next business day.
The cost structure of an Avant personal loan needs a close read. Avant charges an administration fee of up to 9.99% that is deducted from proceeds and treated as principal, so interest accrues on the fee itself. Its own example shows a $5,700 loan with that fee carrying a 29.95% APR. Reviews list Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Washington and West Virginia as excluded.
Who it fits: borrowers rebuilding credit who value a fast answer and accept higher costs for it. When weighing sunset loans from Avant against others, compare the net deposit, not only the APR.
LendingPoint: built around fair credit and steady income
LendingPoint is an online lender offering personal loans from $1,000 to $36,500 at published APRs of about 7.99% to 35.99%, with terms of 24 to 72 months and funding as soon as the next business day.
LendingPoint positions itself for the fair-credit middle. Its $1,000 minimum in most states helps borrowers with a smaller project, and it publishes a clear income floor: at least $35,000 a year, plus a verifiable bank account and government ID.
The origination fee can reach 10% depending on the state. Reviews say LendingPoint may add the fee to the balance by default rather than deducting it, so read the personal loan agreement to see whether you are borrowing the fee. Its own page excludes Nevada and West Virginia, and reviews list more, including Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska and Vermont. Reviews cite a 640 minimum score.
Who it fits: workers earning $35,000 or more with fair credit who want sunset loans in the $1,000 to $5,000 band and a choice of terms up to six years.
Achieve: consolidation focus with rate discounts
Achieve offers personal loans from $5,000 to $50,000 at published APRs of about 6.25% to 35.99% over two to five years, with a stated minimum credit score of around 560 for most loans.
Achieve grew out of the debt-relief business, and its personal loans lean toward consolidation. It lists up to three rate discounts: adding a co-borrower, sending funds directly to creditors, and showing retirement savings. Funds usually go out within 24 to 72 hours.
The $5,000 minimum rules Achieve out for smaller needs. Its page does not list the origination fee, but recent reviews report 1.99% to 8.99%. Reviews also name a dozen excluded states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Who it fits: borrowers consolidating $5,000 or more in card debt who can bring a co-borrower or retirement savings to earn a discount.
Happy Money: a loan designed to retire credit card balances
Happy Money offers fixed-rate personal loans from $5,000 to $50,000 at published APRs of about 8.95% to 35.99%, with terms of 24 to 84 months, and it markets the product mainly for paying off credit cards.
The company is upfront about fees on its rates page and states there are no prepayment fees. Quoted rates assume autopay, and the lowest APR applies to loans of $15,000 or less; larger balances start at 11.09%.
The origination fee is the weak spot: 2% to 12%, deducted from proceeds. On a $10,000 loan, a 12% fee would leave $8,800 for your cards, which can erase much of the savings versus a high-rate card. No minimum score or funding timeline is published; reviews cite 620. Its rates page lists Iowa as unavailable.
Who it fits: borrowers with fair or better credit and at least $5,000 in card balances who want one fixed personal loan payment and a firm end date.
Oportun: small loans for thin or no credit files
Oportun is a mission-driven lender making unsecured personal loans from $300 to $10,000, and it does not require an existing credit score, though it does review credit reports and ability to repay.
Oportun is one of the few names here that goes below $1,000, and its typical first loans fall between $500 and $4,000. That makes it relevant to anyone researching sunset loans for a car repair or a utility catch-up. It also offers a car-title-secured loan of $2,525 to $18,500 in a limited set of states.
The cost is high. Oportun does not publish a personal loan APR range; its own examples sit near 35.95% for unsecured loans, and an administrative fee of up to 10% is deducted from proceeds. Reviews describe unsecured terms of roughly 12 to 54 months and funding in one to three business days. It does not lend in several states, including Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, New York and Washington.
Who it fits: borrowers with little or no credit history who need a small personal loan and want to start a payment record.
Mariner Finance: branch-based personal lending
Mariner Finance is a consumer-finance company with physical branches, publishing personal loan APRs of about 15.99% to 35.99% on amounts from $1,000 to $25,000 and terms of 12 to 72 months.
For borrowers who prefer to discuss a personal loan across a desk from a loan officer, Mariner is the clearest option here, and the one most likely to match a search for sunset loans near me. Online loans run $1,500 to $14,000; larger amounts usually go through a branch. Mariner also offers a 15-day window to return the full amount with certified funds and owe no finance charges, a useful safety valve if a better offer appears.
The drawbacks are cost and transparency. The APR floor is far above online lenders, no minimum score or funding time is published, and its site says origination fees may apply without stating amounts. Reviews say it lends in roughly 29 states. Its own example shows $5,000 at 30.99% APR over 48 payments costing about $3,780 in finance charges.
Who it fits: borrowers with fair or limited credit who want in-person service in a state Mariner covers, and shoppers comparing sunset loans who would rather not handle everything online.
Choosing between these personal loan lenders
The right lender depends on three things in order: how much you need, which lenders serve your state, and the APR and net deposit each one actually quotes you after a soft-pull rate check.
Start by crossing off lenders that cannot fit your amount. For sunset loans between $500 and $1,500, Oportun, LendingPoint, Upstart and Mariner are the only names here that reach that range in most states. Achieve and Happy Money start at $5,000, which rules them out for a small bill however good the rate looks.
Next, prequalify with two or three lenders on the same day so the offers reflect the same credit snapshot, then compare each personal loan offer on four numbers:
- APR, which includes the fee and is the fairest single measure of cost.
- Cash deposited, meaning the loan amount minus any fee taken from proceeds.
- Monthly payment, tested against your budget with our personal loan calculator.
- Total repaid over the full term.
Our personal loan eligibility guide covers the income, bank account and identity checks most lenders run. Anyone vetting a sunset loan company or a sunset finance listing should apply the same four-number test regardless of brand.
| Your situation | Lenders worth a look |
|---|---|
| Need under $2,000 | Oportun, LendingPoint, Upstart, Mariner Finance |
| Thin or no credit file | Oportun, Upstart |
| Applying with a partner | Prosper, Achieve, Upgrade |
| Paying off $5,000+ in cards | Happy Money, Achieve, Upgrade |
| Prefer a branch | Mariner Finance |
| Want the longest term | Upgrade, Happy Money |
Red flags to watch for with any sunset finance offer
Walk away from any lender or broker that asks for an upfront fee before funding, pressures you to sign the same day, or refuses to put the full price of borrowing on paper first.
Legitimate personal loan lenders deduct origination fees from the loan or add them to the balance. They do not ask for a prepaid card, wire transfer or gift card to unlock approval. That request is the classic advance-fee scam, and it often surfaces among search results for sunset finance company reviews.
- Missing disclosures. Federal Truth in Lending rules require a lender to show you its APR, the dollar cost of credit and the sum of all payments before you are bound.
- Vague licensing. A real lender can name the bank that originates its loans or its state lending license.
- Rollover pitches. Offers to refinance into a bigger loan before you have paid much down can trap you in fees.
- Too-good rates for weak credit. A personal loan APR far below the market range for your score usually signals bait.
Whether you are reading about a well-known platform or an unfamiliar name tied to the term sunset credit, the same rule applies: get the full written terms for any sunset loans offer, read them slowly and keep a copy before you e-sign.
Common Questions About Comparing Lenders
Are the lenders on this page part of your network?
Not necessarily. This comparison is editorial, and a lender listed here does not necessarily receive requests through our form or pay us anything. We chose these ten because they are specialist personal loan lenders that borrowers commonly compare, and we summarized their published terms so you can judge them on your own.
Why do most of these lenders top out at 35.99% APR?
Many mainstream online lenders cap personal loan APRs at or just under 36%, a level often cited by consumer advocates and used in some state rate limits. Your own APR depends on credit, income, debt, amount, term and state, and the highest rates usually go to the weakest credit profiles or the longest terms.
Does checking rates on sunset loans with several lenders hurt my credit?
A prequalification check is normally a soft pull, and soft pulls leave your score untouched. A hard inquiry typically happens only when you accept an offer and move to final approval. Checking two or three lenders on the same day gives you comparable offers without a scoring penalty from the rate checks themselves.
How often do these published terms change?
Lenders adjust rates, fees and minimum amounts whenever their funding costs or credit policies shift, sometimes several times a year. Treat every figure in this comparison as a snapshot, and confirm the current APR, fee and term range in the lender's own disclosure before you apply or sign anything.