Upstart, Upgrade, and CreditNinja are all online lenders that offer personal loans.1 If you don’t have perfect credit and need fast funding, CreditNinja may be a strong option to consider. Continue reading to learn more about Upstart vs. Upgrade vs. CreditNinja.
Brand Overview
Here is a quick overview of some of the features of each lender, including CreditNinja:
| Lender | Loan Amount Range | Key Information |
| CreditNinja | $300-$5,000 | – No minimum credit score for credit check, takes into account current employment. – No hidden fees, can pay off loan early. – Repayment options up to 24 months. |
| Upstart | $1,000–$50,000 | – Origination fees range from 0%–12%, depending on credit and offer. – Ideal for younger borrowers. – AI-driven decisions, fast prequalification (soft pull). – No prepayment penalty. |
| Upgrade | $1,000–$50,000 | – Origination fee between 1.85%–9.99%, deducted from proceeds. – Requires more conventional credit (typically a minimum of ~600). – Offers joint applications, budgeting tools and credit monitoring. – Direct payments for debt consolidation. |
Loan details in the table are illustrative and not guaranteed. It does not constitute an offer, commitment, or guarantee of any specific loan terms. Final terms depend on creditworthiness, underwriting, and law. Contact the lender for personalized offers.
CreditNinja
At CreditNinja, we have an easy and transparent process, provide fast funding once approved, (sometimes as soon as the same business day), and don’t have a minimum credit score requirement to apply.*
Our personal loans are unsecured, so no collateral is needed, and we offer flexible repayment with predictable monthly installments. This makes it possible for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit or thin credit files to access funds quickly, while also preserving their financial health, which can be hard to do with other bad credit borrowing options like payday loans. Borrowers can also check their rates with a soft credit check which does not impact their credit. Loan fund amounts range between $300 and $5,000.
Here is more information on us and our loans:
| Pros | Cons |
No Minimum Credit Score Required to Apply — Anyone can apply for a CreditNinja loan, and you don’t need excellent credit to be approved. An Easy and Fast Process — Everything can be done from the comfort of home, our terms are clear, and our customer service agents can help you along the way. Unsecured Loans With Manageable Repayment and No Collateral — You could get the funds you need without putting your personal assets at risk, while making consistent monthly payments that fit within your budget. Great Option for a Small Cash Need — Minimum loan amounts start at $300, much lower than both Upstart and Upgrade. | Limited Loan Amounts – Our loan amounts go up to $5,000, so they may not be the best fit if you need to borrow a large sum of money. Higher APRs for Bad Credit — We sometimes charge higher interest rates compared to loans for people with top credit scores. This allows us to still approve and support borrowers who may not have perfect credit. Not Ideal to Consolidate Debt — Our loans are better suited for short-term cash needs rather than long-term strategies like combining multiple debts. |
Loan details in the table are illustrative and not guaranteed. It does not constitute an offer, commitment, or guarantee of any specific loan terms. Final terms depend on creditworthiness, underwriting, and law. Contact the lender for personalized offers.
Upstart
Upstart is an indirect lender or lending marketplace that uses AI to connect borrowers to personal loan options. This means they don’t give out the funds themselves. Upstart personal loans range from $1,000 to $50,000.
The repayment for these loans ranges from 3 to 5 years. Compared to Upstart, CreditNinja loans are up to 24 months. We are a direct lender with real loan agents, who can provide quality customer support.
Here are some pros and cons of Upstart that you should consider:
| Pros | Cons |
| Considers Other Factors Alongside Credit Scores — Upstart looks at income, education, and employment history. High Loan Amounts Available — Loan amounts go up to $50,000, which can be used for a variety of expenses. Fast Application Process — Includes a soft credit pull for prequalification. No Prepayment Penalties — Borrowers can pay off their loan early without extra fees. | Limited Repayment Terms — Loans must be repaid over 3 or 5 years, which may not work for smaller or short-term borrowing needs. Origination Fees Deducted From Loan Proceeds — Fees range from 0%–12% and are taken out of the loan amount before funds are disbursed. Better Offers May Be Available for Good Credit Borrowers — While Upstart’s consideration of alternative factors may help borrowers with bad credit, those with strong credit may face higher fees and APRs and could find more competitive offers elsewhere. |
Upgrade
Upgrade is a neobank and lender that offers a wide range of financial products including:
- personal loans
- credit cards
- checking accounts
- credit/money tools
- secured loans
- debt consolidation loan options
In some cases, they provide the loans themselves, and in other cases they work with other lenders to provide funding.
Their personal loans typically range from $1,000 to $50,000, come with fixed monthly payments, and often include an origination fee deducted up front. Repayment terms are generally limited to 36 or 60 months. APRs range based on creditworthiness, and generally you’ll have to have okay credit for these loans (typically a minimum of 600). However, cosigners are options for those with poor credit. Funding can be fast.
Compared to Upgrade, CreditNinja may have the advantage for borrowers who need smaller loan amounts, shorter repayment terms, or who don’t want to worry about steep origination fees eating into their loan disbursement. CreditNinja can be a more straightforward option for urgent or short-term financial needs, especially for borrowers who don’t have perfect credit.
Here are some pros and cons of Upgrade:
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers Joint Applications and Cosigner Options — These can improve approval chances and potentially increase loan amounts. Includes Financial Tools — Provides budgeting features and credit monitoring to help borrowers manage their finances. Good Option for Debt Consolidation — Upgrade can pay your creditors directly, simplifying the consolidation process. Potential Discounts Available — Borrowers may qualify for certain discounts, such as autopay. | Requires More Conventional Credit — Typically a minimum score of around 600. Borrowers with low credit or without a cosigner may need to look elsewhere. Origination Fee Deducted From Proceeds — Fees range from 1.85%–9.99% and are taken out of the loan amount before disbursement. Limited Loan Term Options — Terms are restricted to 36 or 60 months, with no shorter-term choices available. Complex Loan Contracts — Agreements may feel complicated due to multiple discounts, conditions, and requirements. |
FAQ
1. What is the difference between Upstart, Upgrade, and CreditNinja?
Upstart and Upgrade are online lenders that focus on personal loans, while CreditNinja is a lender known for offering installment loans to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. Upstart uses AI to evaluate creditworthiness, Upgrade emphasizes flexible loan products with credit-building features, and CreditNinja provides fast approvals for borrowers who may not qualify with traditional lenders.
2. Which is better: Upstart, Upgrade, or CreditNinja?
The “better” option depends on your needs. CreditNinja may be better suited for borrowers with bad credit who need quick access to cash. Upstart may be ideal if you have limited credit history, and Upgrade may work well if you want debt consolidation and credit card alternatives.
3. Do all three lenders, Upstart, Upgrade, and CreditNinja, offer debt consolidation loans?
Upstart and Upgrade are well-known for debt consolidation loans. Upgrade even offers direct payment to creditors. CreditNinja, on the other hand, provides installment loans that can be used for any emergency purpose, but it is not marketed specifically as a debt consolidation option.
4. Is CreditNinja a payday loan company like Upstart and Upgrade?
No. While CreditNinja does cater to borrowers with low credit, it offers installment loans and personal loans, not payday loans. This means borrowers repay in multiple scheduled monthly payments, which can be more manageable than lump-sum payday loan repayments.
5. Which lender is faster for funding: Upstart, Upgrade, or CreditNinja?
All three lenders are relatively fast. CreditNinja often provides same-day or next-day funding, making it slightly faster for urgent financial needs.* Upstart and Upgrade can fund loans within 1–2 business days.
References:
- Best Personal Loans | NerdWallet
- Upstart 2025 Personal Loan Review | NerdWallet
- Upgrade Personal Loans Review 2025 | Forbes Advisor
