The ReturnPolicy score is calculated based on several factors including: convenience, customer service, speed of refund, flexibility and users’ ratings.
Upstart.com has made waves in the personal finance industry since its inception, positioning itself as a smarter, AI-driven lending platform that goes beyond traditional credit scores to assess borrower risk. Founded in 2012 by ex-Googlers, Upstart aims to improve access to affordable credit while reducing the risk and costs associated with lending for its bank partners.
Over the years, Upstart has carved out its niche by using non-traditional variables like education and employment history in its credit decision process. This has allowed it to appeal to a younger demographic and those who may not have extensive credit histories but are financially responsible.
However, Upstart is not alone in its quest to revolutionize the personal loan industry. It faces stiff competition from a host of other players, each with their own unique value propositions and customer service philosophies. Let's delve into how these competitors stack up against Upstart.com.
3.0 / 5
LendingClub.com is often cited as one of the pioneers of the peer-to-peer lending industry, allowing borrowers to access funds directly from investors. Founded in 2006, LendingClub offers personal loans, business loans, and auto refinancing, among other services. Its competitive edge comes from a well-established brand and a broad range of loan products.
As a competitor to Upstart, LendingClub's use of traditional credit scoring metrics contrasts with Upstart's AI-driven approach. This distinction can be a deciding factor for borrowers who may not have strong traditional credit profiles but are still creditworthy by Upstart's standards.
Prosper.com is another heavyweight in the peer-to-peer lending arena. With a similar model to LendingClub, Prosper connects borrowers and investors, offering personal loans for a variety of uses. It boasts a straightforward application process and competitive rates, catering to consumers with good credit histories.
Prosper's focus on creditworthy consumers can sometimes mean it's less accessible for those with less-than-stellar credit, providing an opportunity for Upstart to capture that segment of the market with its alternative credit assessment methodology.
SoFi.com has expanded rapidly since its start as a student loan refinancing company. Now offering an array of financial products, including personal loans, mortgages, and investment services, SoFi targets a more affluent clientele with perks like career coaching and financial planning.
Its competition with Upstart stems from its personal loan offerings, which tend to have higher loan amounts and stricter credit requirements, appealing to a different borrower profile than Upstart's typical customer.
Avant.com caters to the middle-income consumer segment with personal loans. It differentiates itself with a fast and easy application process and flexible payment options. Avant is particularly competitive for borrowers looking for smaller loans with less stringent credit requirements compared to some of its competitors.
Avant's approach to lending makes it a direct competitor to Upstart, especially for consumers who value speed and convenience but may not qualify for loans from lenders that have stricter credit criteria.
LendingPoint.com focuses on providing personal loans to individuals with fair credit, distinguishing itself through a personalized customer service experience. It emphasizes a quick approval process and seeks to help borrowers improve their credit scores over time.
This makes LendingPoint a competitor for Upstart as both companies aim to serve those who might not be favored by traditional credit scoring models.
BestEgg.com is known for its straightforward personal loan products designed to be as simple and fast as possible. With competitive rates and a user-friendly platform, Best Egg positions itself as a practical choice for borrowers looking to consolidate debt or finance major purchases.
Competing with Upstart, Best Egg appeals to borrowers who are looking for reliability and speed in their loan process, potentially drawing away customers who value those aspects highly.
Payoff.com specializes in helping borrowers consolidate and pay off credit card debt. Its services are tailored to provide financial education and support along with loan products, aiming to foster better financial habits among its customers.
While Upstart offers a broader range of personal loan options, Payoff's niche focus on credit card debt makes it a competitor for that specific use case.
LightStream.com is a division of SunTrust Bank and offers loans for virtually any purpose, priding itself on low rates for borrowers with excellent credit. It stands out with its 'Rate Beat' program and loan experience guarantee, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.
LightStream competes with Upstart by targeting the higher end of the credit spectrum, potentially drawing away customers with strong credit profiles who are searching for the lowest possible rates.
Marcus.com by Goldman Sachs is a direct bank that offers personal loans with no fees. It's marketed toward consumers with good or excellent credit and provides an option for debt consolidation, home improvement, and other personal loan needs.
As a competitor to Upstart, Marcus's brand recognition as part of a major financial institution and its fee-free loan structure are considerable draws for potential borrowers.
Upgrade.com provides personal loans with a focus on responsible credit growth. Alongside its loans, Upgrade offers credit monitoring and educational tools to help borrowers understand and improve their credit.
Upgrade's holistic approach to credit positions it as a competitor to Upstart, particularly for consumers who are not only looking to borrow but also to develop better financial literacy and habits.
NerdWallet.com is best known as a personal finance comparison site, offering advice and tools for credit cards, loans, and other financial products. While not a lender itself, NerdWallet's comprehensive comparisons can influence where borrowers decide to apply for loans, impacting Upstart's potential customer base.
NerdWallet competes with Upstart indirectly by guiding consumers towards a wide array of loan options, some of which may offer more appealing terms than Upstart's products.
Bankrate.com serves as another authoritative source for financial product comparisons and information. Its robust set of tools and calculators aids consumers in making informed decisions about loans, potentially directing them towards or away from Upstart's offerings.
Bankrate's influence in the finance space means that its recommendations and comparisons are significant to Upstart's ability to attract new borrowers.
CreditKarma.com offers free credit scores and reports, along with a marketplace for financial products including personal loans. It uses consumers' credit profiles to suggest financial products that may be a good fit, affecting Upstart's reach to potential borrowers.
Credit Karma's role as a facilitator for loan shopping puts it in competition with Upstart by potentially steering consumers towards other lenders with tailored loan offers.
4.0 / 5
4.0 / 5
LendingTree.com is an online loan marketplace that aggregates loan offers from multiple lenders, allowing borrowers to compare and choose the best terms. LendingTree's platform can redirect customers who might have considered Upstart to other lenders with more competitive rates or terms.
As such, LendingTree competes with Upstart by providing a direct comparison of loan products, which includes those offered by Upstart's rivals.
2.5 / 5
2.5 / 5
Experian.com is one of the major credit bureaus that offers credit reports, scores, and monitoring services. In addition to this, Experian also has a platform for comparing personal loan offers. Its influence on credit reporting and scoring can have implications for Upstart's customer acquisition strategy.
Experian competes with Upstart by providing consumers with insights into their creditworthiness and by showcasing alternative loan options that may be more appealing than what Upstart can offer.
Credible.com is a multi-lender marketplace that allows borrowers to receive and compare personalized loan offers from multiple lenders, including student loans, personal loans, and mortgages. Its user-friendly platform and the ability to compare personalized offers put it in competition with Upstart's own loan products.
Credible's emphasis on choice and transparency in the lending process makes it a strong competitor to Upstart by helping consumers find the best loans for their needs.
USBank.com is the online presence of U.S. Bank, a traditional financial institution offering personal loans among many other banking products. Its reputation and the security of being associated with a large, established bank attract customers who may otherwise consider alternative lenders like Upstart.
U.S. Bank competes with Upstart by offering similar loan products, but with the added trust and comprehensive services of a traditional bank.
Fool.com, the website for The Motley Fool, offers a wealth of financial advice including information on personal loans. While not a lender, its recommendations and educational content can sway borrowers' decisions, potentially affecting Upstart's market share.
The Motley Fool's trusted financial guidance can lead borrowers to explore loan options beyond Upstart, putting it in indirect competition with the brand.
Sign Up for the ReturnPolicy.com Newsletter
