Discover Personal Loans Review

Discover personal loans come with fixed interest rates, loan amounts up to $40,000, and a variety of terms to choose from. They also have no origination or repayment fees.

Additionally, you don't need collateral to secure a Discover personal loan. Discover personal loans also lets you check your interest rate before applying for your loan, with no impact on your credit score.

MoneyLion offers a service to help you find personal loan offers. Based on the information you provide, you can get matched with offers for up to $100,000 from our top providers. You can compare rates, terms, and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you.

Pros

• Flexible loan terms from 36 to 84 months

• 100% U.S.-based customer service

• No collateral required

• Quick funding on approval

• Can be a good way to consolidate debt

Cons

• Higher interest rates for those with lower credit scores

• No option to co-sign

A Discover personal loan is a financially responsible way to pay down debt and finance large or unexpected expenses. A variety of repayment terms and loan amounts means you can design the loan in a way that works for you and your budget.

Since it has a fixed interest rate and only one fixed monthly payment, it can help you pay down your debt or pay for major expenses in a responsible and manageable way. If you're looking to consolidate debt, Discover personal loans could save you money on interest over the life of the loan.

A Discover personal loan comes with benefits including no prepayment penalties, no origination fees, and no closing costs. If you're approved for a Discover personal loan, the funds can be deposited directly into your bank account and sent as early as the next business day. If you take out a debt consolidation loan, Discover will pay your creditors directly, so your only responsibility is paying your fixed monthly payment over the life of the loan.

Key Features

There are a few features that make Discover a great option when you're looking for a personal loan.

Fees

While other lenders can charge up to 5% in loan origination fees, personal loans from Discover have no origination fees. This not only saves you money but makes it easier to calculate the total cost of the loan upfront. In addition, Discover doesn't charge any late fees.

There are no surprises or hidden fees with this lender. With a Discover personal loan, you pay just your fixed interest fee, and no other fees.

APR

Discover offers fixed interest rates, meaning your interest rate will be the same for the duration of the loan. Rates vary based on an individual's credit and financial history, so usually the better your credit score, the lower the rate you'll likely get. Currently, unsecured personal loans from Discover have rates as low as 7.99% and up to 24.99%.

Loan Flexibility

When you apply for a Discover personal loan, you can choose from a variety of flexible repayment terms. These range from 36 to 84 months, so you can ensure your loan repayment amount can fit your budget. Unlike other lenders, Discover doesn't charge any prepayment penalties, which allows you the freedom of making extra payments or paying off the entire loan at any time without a penalty. And, if you decide you no longer need the loan, simply return the funds within the first 30 days, and you won't be liable for expenses associated with the loan.

Customer Service

Discover's customer service staff can help you fully understand and discuss your loan options so you're equipped to make the best financial decision.

How Discover Personal Loans Stand Out

Discover offers clear advantages for those seeking unsecured personal loans. Some of which are:

• Flexible loan amounts and repayment terms

• One convenient fixed monthly payment

• Zero origination fees

• No prepayment penalties

• 30-day money-back guarantee

• Simple application process

A key differentiator is their expert U.S.-based service team. Discover personal loans has highly trained and knowledgeable loan specialists to help you with your loan.

Comparable Personal Loan Options

There are many personal loan options you can pick from. Here are a few that are comparable to Discover.

Avant

Avant offers similar personal loan amounts ranging from $2,000 to $35,000. Interest rates with this private lender are significantly higher, ranging from 9.95% to 35.99% APR. Additionally, Avant repayment terms are limited to 12 to 60 months, giving you less flexibility and time to pay back your unsecured personal loan.

If you take out a personal loan with Avant, you'll pay an administration fee which can be up to 9.99%. This is automatically deducted from your loan funds when the loan is issued. Avant also has a $15 dishonored payment fee.

LendingClub

LendingClub, a peer-to-peer lender, offers customer loans between $1,000 and $60,000 for periods of 36 to 60 months. However, LendingClub charges origination fees ranging from 3% to 6% of the loan amount -- therefore you could pay up to $2,100 more on your loan.

LendingClub also has higher interest rates, with their APRs ranging from 6.53% to 35.99%. On the plus side, Lending Club, like Discover, has a 30-day guarantee. This means that if you decide you don't want the loan, you can return the money within 30 days and the loan will be canceled with no interest charged.

Who a Discover Personal Loan Is Best For

For most consumers, a Discover personal loan can be a good option for consolidating and paying down higher-interest debt. It can also be used for funding unexpected and big life expenses that you don't have the funds or savings to cover. The product is customer-focused, has fixed rates, and no fees.

A Discover personal loan can be particularly useful if you have a large expense that you're looking to pay off over time. For example, if you're hit with medical bills from a surgery or procedure that insurance doesn't cover. You can take out a loan and pay this expense down month-by-month.

A Discover personal loan can also help you reach your life goals, like getting your small business off the ground. You can use your Discover personal loan to pay for inventory, equipment, office space, and marketing -- these are expenses small-business owners often have to fund out-of-pocket in the first year.

To determine if a Discover personal loan is right for you, look at your upcoming expenses, compare them with your available funds and see if the terms of the loan match your needs.

How To Apply For a Discover Personal Loan

The application process for Discover personal loans is very simple. Once you determine your loan amount and your desired repayment term, you can visit the Discover personal loan application page or call Discover directly at 866-248-1255 to get started.

Before you apply, you can check your rate with a soft pull of your credit, meaning no ding to your credit score just for checking. You get the information on your rate upfront so you can apply with confidence.

Once you've completed the loan application information, you might need to speak with a Discover personal loan specialist to confirm. If approved for the loan, you'll receive and review the terms of your loan offer and choose to accept or not. Once you've accepted the loan rate and terms, funds will be dispersed as early as the next business day.

If you know you'll use your Discover personal loan for debt consolidation, have your debts and creditors' information ready.

FAQs

Is it easy to get approved for a Discover personal loan?

Discover has three requirements for a Discover personal loan:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• Be at least 18 years old

• Have a minimum individual or household income of $25,000

What credit score is needed for a Discover loan?

Discover doesn't state credit score requirements for their personal loans but the higher your score, the better your loan terms may be. Higher scores will likely qualify for lower rates -- scores of 660 and above are recommended.

How much can you borrow from Discover for a personal loan?

Discover personal loan amounts range from $2,500 to $40,000. The amount you'll be approved for may depend on factors such as your income and credit rating.

How much would a $5,000 Discover personal loan cost a month?

Your monthly payments will depend on your loan duration and credit score. If you have a 36-month loan, and a credit score of 660, your $5,000 personal loan will have a monthly payment of $194, with a 22.99% APR. Higher credit scores may receive lower interest rates.

How do Discover personal loans work?

If you are approved for a Discover personal loan, the full amount will be sent to your account as quickly as the next business day. From then on you'll be responsible for making monthly payments, which will include interest, to Discover until your loan is repaid in full.

What are the easiest loans to get approved for?

The easiest loan to get approved for will vary, depending on your specific financial situation. Lenders who don't check your credit may be a convenient, easy option but you might get better terms from lenders like Discover or LendingClub, depending on your credit score.