Best Quick Loans for Fast Cash in December 2025
Get a loan as quickly as today
| Lender | User rating | APR | Amount | Min. credit score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6.40% – 25.29% (with discounts) | Not specified | 499 |
Quick loan lenders at a glance
Best for: Avoiding fees – LightStream
- Sign your loan documents by 2:30 p.m. Eastern time on a business day for a same-day loan
- No origination fee or late payment fee
- APR discount for using autopay
- If you aren’t happy with the process, LightStream will send you $100 through its Loan Experience Guarantee program (stipulations apply)
- Can’t check rates without dinging your credit
- Must have good to excellent credit to qualify
- No extensions on payment due dates
Other lenders commonly charge origination and/or late payment fees, but LightStream doesn’t charge either. LightStream is also fast — it can fund your loan on the same business day if your application is approved, verified and closed by 2:30 p.m. Eastern time.
LightStream doesn’t let you prequalify, so you’ll have to submit to a hard credit hit to check your eligibility. This will probably drop your credit score by a handful of points.
If you’re looking for a quick loan because you’re facing an expensive home repair, note that LightStream’s home improvement loans offer even longer repayment terms (24 to 240 months). Although a long repayment term often means more overall interest, it can help lower your monthly payments.
LightStream funded around 4,700 personal loans to LendingTree users in 2024.
LightStream doesn’t specify its exact credit score requirements, but you must have good to excellent credit to qualify. Most of the applicants that LightStream approves have the following in common:
- At least five years of on-time payments under a variety of accounts (credit cards, auto loans, etc.)
- Stable income and the ability to handle paying their current debt obligations
- Savings, whether in a bank account, investment account or retirement account
What is a quick loan?
A quick loan is simply a personal loan with a fast funding timeline. The definition of a fast funding timeline can vary, but we consider this to be same-day or next-day funding.
If you have a surprise bill or emergency, you can probably use a quick loan to pay for it. Personal loans are versatile, and lenders generally place very few restrictions on how you can use your funds.
For more information, take a look at the pros and cons of emergency loans.
Some popular reasons to take out a quick loan include:
How to improve your chances of getting a quick loan
In some ways, how fast you get your loan is out of your hands. Still, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process.
What could speed up the loan process…
- Choosing an online lender. Many online loans come with same- or next-day funding. Online lenders can also have higher rates and fees than banks and credit unions.
- Applying before noon on a business day. Even if a lender advertises same-day loans, it depends when you apply.
- Getting direct deposit. If the lender gives you the option between direct deposit and paper check, direct deposit is quicker.
- Taking time on your application. Mistakes can cause unnecessary back and forth with the lender.
What could slow down the loan process…
- Choosing a bank or credit union. Banks and credit union loans can have lower rates, but the process is often slower (especially if you aren’t already a member).
- Adding a second person to your loan. Including a co-borrower on your application means your lender will have two credit histories to review.
- Being self-employed. Some lenders might ask for extra documents, such as profit and loss statements and business tax returns.
- Having rocky credit. A checkered financial history means the lender will have more to scrutinize.
Expert insights on quick loans
A quick loan shouldn’t mean a rushed loan. Take the time to understand the rates, fees and other fine print before you apply. What you don’t know can cost you. Comparison shopping is a must, too, because offers can vary widely from lender to lender. Other imperfect options such as credit card cash advances may be worth considering as well.
Quick loans for bad credit
Getting a personal loan if you have bad credit can be a challenge. Some lenders might deny your application. Others may charge you triple-digit interest rates. But there are ways to access legitimate, quick bad credit loans with reasonable rates.
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Consider bad-credit lenders
Some lenders specialize in emergency loans for bad credit. , and have low minimum credit score requirements and can provide next-day funds. -
Apply with another person
Getting a joint loan (a loan with a co-borrower) can help boost your odds of loan approval, but keep in mind that adding a second person to your loan might slow things down. -
Back up your loan with collateral
Getting a loan with bad credit can be easier if you opt for a secured loan. But a secured loan can take extra time to process. The lender will need to review your collateral to make sure it fits its guidelines.
Why use LendingTree?
$2.8B in funding
In 2024 alone, LendingTree helped find funding for over $2.8 billion in personal loans.
$1,659 in savings
LendingTree users save $1,659 on average just by shopping and comparing rates.
309,000 loans
In 2024, LendingTree helped find funding for over 309,000 personal loans.
When banks compete, you win
You’d shop around for flights. Why not your loan? LendingTree makes it easy. Fill out one form and get lenders from the country’s largest network to compete for your business.
Tell us what you need
Take two minutes to tell us who you are and how much money you need. It’s free, simple and secure.
Shop your offers
Our users get 18 personal loan offers on average. Compare your offers side by side to get the best deal.
Get your money
Pick a lender and sign your loan paperwork. You could see money in your account in as soon as 24 hours.
Avoiding predatory quick loans
Needing a quick cash loan can make you desperate. Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of predatory lenders willing to take advantage of a bad situation.
If you need money fast, payday loans can seem enticing. They promise quick cash without a credit check. Avoid payday loans at all costs.
Payday loans can come with fees that equate to APRs as high as 400%. You also usually only have a week or two to pay back what you borrowed. These short terms could force you to take yet another payday loan to pay for the first one, trapping you into a cycle of debt.
For more details, compare personal loans versus payday loans.
Like payday loans, pawn shop loans don’t require credit checks. They are also risky and come at a high cost.
A pawn shop loan requires an expensive personal item (like jewelry) in exchange for the loan. The amount you can borrow is typically much less than what your collateral is worth. So, you’re already getting a bad deal from the start. If you don’t repay your loan, the pawn shop will keep your collateral to offset its loss.
Car title loans and pawn shop loans are similar in that they both require collateral. In the case of a car title loan, it’s your car.
Car title loans generally come with sky-high interest rates and fees. You generally only have 15 days to 30 days to pay your loan, and your loan might only be equal to 25% to 50% of your vehicle’s value. Worst of all, the lender can repossess your vehicle if you don’t repay.
Quick loan alternatives
Credit card cash advance
Could be best if you already have a credit card that allows cash advances, and you have the credit limit to spare.
You may be able to get cash from an ATM using your credit card. Because you’re already approved for the card, you won’t have to fill out another application. This is called a cash advance.
Cash advances usually come with a 5% fee of the amount withdrawn. They also tend to have higher interest rates than normal charges. Unlike a normal charge, cash advances start accruing interest as soon as you take the advance. Simply put, you’ll pay interest even if you pay your bill in full by your due date.
Paycheck advance apps
Could be best if you need just a little bit of money to carry you to your next pay day.
Paycheck advance apps let you borrow money from your upcoming paycheck. In most cases, these apps don’t require a credit check and don’t charge interest. Instead, some may charge a membership fee or ask for a voluntary tip.
These apps offer small-dollar loans, which could be helpful if you’re struggling to make it through the week. But beware — borrowing from your paycheck too often can get you into a hole that’s hard to dig out of.
Buy now, pay later apps
Could be best if you’d rather split up a retail purchase instead of paying for it in full up front.
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps let you break retail purchases into smaller payments (usually four, spread across six weeks). BNPL apps are typically interest free, unless you choose a long-term financing option (like a six-month payment plan).
BNPL can help get you out of a bind, but you shouldn’t rely on them. You might end up overspending. Plus, having more than one BNPL in play means juggling multiple automatic withdrawals.
Hardship programs
Could be best if you’re behind on a loan or bill (but know that not all creditors may be willing to work with you).
If you need help paying a loan or utility bill, see if you’re eligible for a financial hardship program. You might be able to pause your payments (also called forbearance), have fees waived or get a temporary rate reduction.
If you enter a loan forbearance program, you’ll still have to repay the loan in full eventually. Interest may also continue to accrue.
The quickest way to borrow money is to use a credit card, loan, cash advance or paycheck app. LightStream, , and all offer same-day loans. You’ll have better odds of getting money today if you apply early in the day and submit any required documentation (e.g., proof of identity, W-2, etc.) immediately. Call your lender to ask if there’s anything you can do to speed up the process.
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25+ years in business. 110+ million Americans served. $260+ billion in funded loans.
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Savings
We’ll match you with up to five lenders from our network of 300+ lenders who will call to compete for your business.
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We provide ongoing support with free credit monitoring, budgeting insights and personalized recommendations to help you save.
Ways to make fast cash
To cut down on how much you have to borrow (and how much interest you’ll pay), you could earn some extra cash by:
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Doing odd jobs
Keep an eye on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups to see if anyone in your area needs help with yard work or house cleaning. For safety purposes, vet the person making the request and tell a friend where you’ll be. -
Donating plasma
You could consider donating plasma if you’re in good health. Donations generally take 90 minutes to two hours. At $30 to $70 per donation, you could make some serious dough and help others in the process. -
Selling stuff online
Turn gently used clothes, electronics and furniture into cash by selling them on Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Craigslist. -
Starting a side hustle
Although this one will take a bit more time, side hustles can be a great way to make some cash. According to a LendingTree survey, 55% of Gen Zers and millennials are side hustlers, earning an average of $1,253 a month.
Frequently asked questions
LightStream, , and offer same-day loans as long as you submit everything by the lender’s cutoff time.
Technically, there is no such thing as an instant loan. No matter the company, you have to fill out an application and submit any required documentation. Understanding how emergency loans work is key to getting a good deal.
You could opt for a paycheck advance app — these generally have a fast funding timeline.
The easiest loans to get (payday loans, pawn shop loans and car title loans) are the most expensive. Before resorting to these options, check out , or . These lenders work with borrowers with fair to poor credit.
Most reputable online lenders have minimum loan amounts between $1,000 and $2,000. However, some paycheck advance apps (such as Dave) will let you borrow up to $500. Dave is easier to qualify for than most personal loans, but it will access your bank account to make sure you can afford to borrow.
You could also consider a cash advance if you have a credit card that allows it.
Our methodology
According to our standardized rating system, the best quick loans come from SoFi, LightStream, Rocket Loans, OneMain Financial, Upstart, Discover, PenFed, Avant and Upgrade.
We reviewed more than 14 lenders to determine the overall best nine quick loans. To make our list, lenders must offer same- or next-day funding with competitive APRs. From there, we prioritize lenders based on the following factors:
Accessibility. Lenders are ranked higher if their personal loans are available to more people and require fewer conditions. This may include lower credit requirements, wider geographic availability, faster funding and easier and more transparent prequalification and application processes.
Rates and terms. We prioritize lenders with more competitive fixed rates, fewer fees and greater options for repayment terms, loan amounts and APR discounts.
Repayment experience. For starters, we consider each lender’s reputation and business practices. We also favor lenders that report to all major credit bureaus, offer reliable customer service and provide any unique perks to customers, like free wealth coaching.