Best Egg is a respectable online lending company providing personal loans to borrowers in the US.
Since its founding in 2014, Best Egg has funded over $29 billion in loans and thus helped many people get the money they need.
APR range from 6.99% to 35.99%
Fortunly Rating
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
- Competitive interest rates
- Loan amounts start at just $2,000
- Low APR
- No prepayment penalties
- A straightforward application process
- Direct Pay option for eligible creditors
- High credit score requirements
- Charges an origination fee
- Unavailable in Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington, DC, and US territories
Best Egg Overview
Best Egg is an online financial platform with headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. Its lending process is quick and straightforward, and borrowers can apply for a loan directly on the company's website.
Best Egg offers unsecured personal loans up to $50,000, with annual percentage rates (APRs) starting at 6.99%. Repayment terms, loan amount, and even availability of loans may vary depending on your location.
Customer testimonials are full of clients singing praises of the company’s fast turnaround times; most loans are approved within minutes and funded within a few days. Best Egg itself says about half of its customers get their money the next day, while successful verification can lead to funds arriving within one to three business days.
Best Egg also has a user-friendly website with clear explanations of all the terms and conditions.
Some of the stand-out features include a flexible due date, Direct Pay for sending funds to eligible creditors, and a mobile app for account access and management.
If you are looking for a smaller loan amount, you can't go wrong with Best Egg, as it offers loans starting at $2,000. Their rates are also very competitive.
How Best Egg Compares to Other Lenders
Best Egg is not the only company out there, so let's compare it to some of its major competitors.
Best Egg vs. Upgrade
Upgrade is a financial institution offering loans from $1,000 to $50,000, with APRs starting at 7.74%. Its repayment terms run from 24 to 84 months, and its origination fee ranges from 1.85% to 9.99%.
Upgrade advertises that its lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. That gives Upgrade a longer term range than Best Egg, while Best Egg keeps its standard unsecured personal-loan offering simpler at 36 to 60 months.
Both companies also provide customers with fast online rate-checking and quick funding potential.
However, Best Egg may be the better fit if you want Direct Pay built into the unsecured loan experience, while Upgrade may appeal more if you want longer repayment flexibility.
Best Egg vs. Prosper
Prosper is a personal loan company offering loans from up to $50,000. Its annual percentage rate starts at 8.99%, and its repayment terms range from two to five years.
Prosper also charges an origination fee of 1% to 9.99%. The company is known for no prepayment fees, and it allows borrowers to make extra payments without penalty.
Both Best Egg and Prosper are good options for borrowers who need a personal loan quickly and have a good credit history.
They also have a similar interest rate and transparent fee structure.
However, Best Egg is the better option if you are looking for a more significant loan amount, as Best Egg loans go up to the same $50,000 level as Prosper rather than a higher cap.
Loan Types
Let's look at some other types of loans you could secure through Best Egg.
Debt Consolidation
Next, we have the debt consolidation loans. If you struggle to make all of your monthly payments on time, consider this option.
The lender offers debt consolidation loans for borrowers who need to combine multiple debts into one loan.
Debt consolidation loans from Best Egg come with a fixed interest rate and a fixed monthly payment, so you will know exactly how much you need to pay each month and when you will pay off the loan.
Credit Card Refinancing
Best Egg offers credit card refinancing loans to borrowers who want to pay off its high-interest credit cards and get a lower interest rate.
Credit card refinancing loans from Best Egg also have a concrete term, fixed interest rate, and a fixed monthly payment.
The company’s Direct Pay feature can send funds straight to eligible creditors, which makes this use case one of the more practical reasons to consider Best Egg.
Home Improvement Loans
Best Egg offers home improvement loans to those who need to renovate or repair their home.
Home improvement loans come with a fixed interest rate and a fixed monthly payment, so you will know exactly how much you need to pay each month and when you will pay the loan off.
Best Egg’s home improvement loans are also available to those with less than ideal credit history, so even if you are struggling, you still have a chance of getting a loan.
Still, the site does not publish a simple minimum-score promise, so readers should treat approval as case by case.
Moving Loans
If you're about to move and need to finance your move, you can check out Best Egg moving loans, designed to help you cover all your moving-related costs.
You can use these loans to cover various moving costs, such as hiring movers, buying packing supplies, renting a moving vehicle, and moving insurance.
You don't necessarily need to open an account to check the rates and terms. You can view the rates and terms without creating an account.
All you need to do is enter the amount of money and the loan reason, choose the amount of money you are willing to pay, and answer a few questions about your employment and credit history, and you will be able to see the quote. Best Egg also says checking your rate does not impact your credit score.
These loans come with interest rates that range from 6.99% to 35.99%, with loan amounts ranging from $2,000 to $50,000. They come with three or five-year terms and no prepayment penalties for paying off your loan early without penalty.
Other Loan Types
Besides all previously mentioned types of loans, the Best Egg also has personal loans for a variety of different purposes, such as:
- Vacation loans
- Loans for special occasions (weddings, birthday celebrations, and family reunions)
- Baby and adoption loans
When you're looking for a loan, it's important to understand the terms and conditions of the loan before you apply.
If you're still unsure which type of loan is best for you, visit the company's website or speak to one of its representatives. They will help you find the right loan for your needs.
Application Process and Requirements
The application process is simple and easy. You can apply online in minutes as there are only three steps:
- Pre-approval: The first step is pre-approval, where you will provide some basic information such as your name, address, and contact information. Once you do that, you will receive a pre-approved offer, which is great for those who want to check the loan rate without affecting their credit scores.
- Apply: The next step is to apply, where you will provide more detailed information about yourself. This part of the process requires you to provide some of your contact and financial information, so be sure to have that handy.
- Get approved: The final step is to get approved, which is where you will find out if you are accepted for the loan. If you are, you can fund your loan and receive your money within a few days as soon as you verify your information.
When it comes to credit score requirements, there are a few simple conditions that you must meet to be eligible for a loan.
- For favorable loan rates, it’s best if you have a good credit score. According to some experts, if you have a score of 700 or higher, there is a good chance you will be accepted for a loan.
- In addition to this, you also need to have a low debt-to-income ratio. This ratio is calculated by dividing your monthly debt payments by your monthly income, and it shouldn't be higher than 36%.
- Another important thing about requirements is that you must have a steady source of income. Best Egg’s official requirements page more clearly lists the basics as being a US citizen or permanent resident living in the US, legal age in your state, a valid Social Security number, a verifiable personal checking account, a valid email, and a physical address.
Customer Support
Best Egg lists personal-loan phone support at 1-855-282-6353. The published hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
The company also offers an app, account login, and help-center resources for borrowers who prefer self-service support.
Our Verdict
Applying for a loan and borrowing money can be overwhelming, with many options available. Best Egg is an excellent option for those looking for personal loans, as it has competitive interest rates, fixed monthly payments, and no prepayment penalties.
It is especially appealing to borrowers who want fast funding, fixed-rate unsecured loans, and a Direct Pay option for debt payoff. The biggest drawbacks are its origination fee, limited state availability, and the fact that some of the strongest offers are geared toward borrowers with stronger credit profiles.
FAQ
Does Best Egg charge prepayment penalties?
No. Best Egg says its loans can be prepaid at any time without penalty.
What is Direct Pay?
Direct Pay is Best Egg’s feature that allows unsecured-loan borrowers to send funds directly to eligible creditors such as credit cards, retail cards, and personal loans.
How fast does Best Egg fund personal loans?
Best Egg says about half of its customers receive funds the next day, and verified loans can reach a bank account within one to three business days.