Upstart is a better option for borrowers with lower credit scores or those needing smaller loan amounts, but it comes with the potential for origination and late payment fees. LightStream is preferable for borrowers with good to excellent credit seeking larger loans and who can benefit from autopay discounts and the Rate Beat Program, with the added advantage of no origination or late payment fees.
| Attribute | Upstart Personal Loans | LightStream Personal Loans |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum credit score required | No strict minimum; may approve applicants with scores as low as 300 and considers those with insufficient credit history | 660, but a score of 695 or higher may be needed to qualify. LightStream prefers borrowers with a FICO score of 700 or higher. |
| APR range | 6.60% to 35.99% | 6.49% - 25.29% with AutoPay. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. |
| Loan amounts available | $1,000 to $50,000 (minimums vary by state) | $5,000 to $100,000. |
| Loan terms offered (in months) | 36 or 60 months | 24 to 84 months for most loan amounts and purposes; Up to 144 months (12 years) depending on the loan type; Up to 12 years on boat and RV loans over $25,000; Up to 20 years (240 months) on home improvement loans over $25,000. |
| Origination fee | 0% to 12% of the loan amount | None. |
| Late payment fee | 5% of the past-due amount or $15, whichever is greater | None. |
| Prepayment penalty | None | None. |
| Funding time (days) | Potentially one business day | Same-day funding is possible. You may receive funds the same day if you apply, are approved, and complete the loan agreement by 2:30 p.m. ET on a business day. |
| Debt-to-income ratio requirements | No more than 50% (45% for residents of Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Vermont) | LightStream doesn't disclose a specific DTI requirement but considers DTI as part of the loan approval process. A healthy DTI is required. The maximum DTI is 50%. |
| Available discounts | None for autopayments | 0.50% APR discount for AutoPay; Rate Beat Program: LightStream will beat any competitor's interest rate on an unsecured loan by 0.10 percentage points if you meet the terms and conditions. |
| Collateral requirements | Most loans are unsecured; some lenders may place a lien on other accounts or offer secured loans with a vehicle lien | None; LightStream offers unsecured personal loans. |
| Customer service availability | Phone, email, and online chat; 4.9-star rating on Trustpilot and A+ rating from BBB; below-average score in J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Consumer Lending Satisfaction Study | Via email at customerservice@lightstream.com; Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. ET; Phone: 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478) Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm, or Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm ET. |
| User Feedback | Not available | Online application is generally considered straightforward; Reports payments to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). |