Capital One personal loans: What to know and alternatives to consider

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If you’re looking for a Capital One personal loan, you won’t find one. The bank doesn’t offer personal loans, but there are several good alternatives, including one that’s now part of the Capital One family.

A personal loan is a type of installment loan that typically has fixed interest rates and repayment terms. This type of loan has a variety of uses and could be a good option for you if you need to consolidate debt, pay for home renovations, fund a vacation or wedding or finance another large purchase.



What does the Capital One-Discover acquisition mean for personal loans?

Capital One completed its acquisition of Discover in May 2025, bringing Discover’s banking and lending products under the Capital One umbrella. Capital One still doesn’t offer personal loans directly, but borrowers can apply for one through Discover. Discover continues to offer and service personal loans under its own brand.

So while Capital One still doesn’t offer personal loans, Discover personal loans are now part of the Capital One family of companies. If you’re looking for a personal loan connected to Capital One, Discover may be worth considering as you compare lenders.

DiscoverWells FargoLightStreamUpstartSoFi
Loan amount$2,500-$40,000$3,000-$100,000$5,000-$100,000$1,000-$75,000$5,000 to $100,000
APR range6.99%-24.99%6.74%-26.74%6.49%-24.89%6.3%-35.99%6.99%-35.49%
Repayment terms36-84 months12-84 months24 to 240 monthsThree or five years24 to 84  months
Minimum credit scoreNone specifiedNone specifiedGood to excellent credit requiredNo minimum credit score requiredNone specified
Standout featureOwned by Capital One following the Discover acquisitionLarge loan amounts and no feesLow rates and no feesFlexible credit requirementsSame-day funding

Best for borrowers looking for a Capital One alternative: Discover

Why a Discover personal loan stands out: Discover personal loans are now part of the Capital One family following Capital One’s acquisition of Discover in May 2025. If you’re specifically looking for a personal loan from Capital One, Discover is one of the closest alternatives available.

Here are some additional details about Discover personal loans:

  • Flexible loan amounts — Discover offers personal loans ranging from $2,500 to $40,000, and the funds can be used for a wide variety of purposes. 
  • No fees — Discover doesn’t charge any fees at all, including origination fees, closing fees, or prepayment penalties. That means your APR is the same as the interest rate, making the loan easier to understand.  
  • Direct payment to creditors — If you’re taking out a personal loan to consolidate debt, Discover can send the funds directly to your creditors. 
  • Fast funding available — Once you’re approved for the loan, Discover can transfer the funds as soon as the next business day. 

Read reviews of Discover personal loans to learn more.

Best big-bank alternative: Wells Fargo

Why a Wells Fargo personal loan stands out: Like Capital One, Wells Fargo is one of the nation’s largest banks. The bank offers unsecured personal loans that you can use for a variety of purposes.

Check out some more details about Wells Fargo personal loans.

  • Large loan amounts available — Wells Fargo offers unsecured personal loans in amounts ranging from $3,000 to $100,000.
  • Competitive interest rates — Wells Fargo’s interest rates aren’t too far off from what several other big banks charge. But the bank offers rate discounts to customers who sign up for autopay with a qualifying checking account.
  • No fees — Wells Fargo doesn’t charge any origination fees, closing fees, or prepayment penalties on personal loans.
  • Repayment options — Wells Fargo offers loan terms ranging from 12 months to 84 months.

Read reviews of Wells Fargo personal loans to learn more.

Best for low rates: LightStream

Why a LightStream personal loan stands out: LightStream offers personal loans with low interest rates to qualified applicants, with a discount for people enrolled in automatic payments.

Here are some more details about LightStream personal loans.

  • Good credit required — LightStream personal loans are geared toward people with strong credit histories, and applicants who have excellent credit receive the lowest rates.
  • Rate-matching program — LightStream promises to beat competitor interest rates by a small percentage if certain conditions are met. Just remember, it’s a very small difference.
  • Multiple repayment terms — LightStream’s repayment options range from 24 to 240 months, depending on the size and purpose of the loan, and loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000.
  • No fees — LightStream doesn’t charge origination or late fees. But we don’t recommend making your monthly payments late because it can hurt your credit score. The lender also allows you to pay off your loan early without being charged a prepayment penalty.

Read our reviews of LightStream personal loans to learn more.

Best for borrowers with fair credit: Upstart

Why an Upstart personal loan stands out: An Upstart personal loan may be worth considering if you have less-than-ideal credit. Unlike many lenders that rely heavily on credit scores, Upstart considers additional factors like your education and employment history.

Here’s some additional information about Upstart personal loans.

  • No minimum credit score requirements — Upstart doesn’t have any minimum credit score requirements for personal loans, making it an option for borrowers with fair or minimal credit history.
  • Fast funding available — If you’re approved, you could receive the funds as soon as the next business day once you’ve accepted your offer and completed the verification process.
  • Flexible loan amounts — Upstart personal loans range from $1,000 to $75,000, and can be used for many different purposes. 
  • Origination fees may apply — Upstart charges origination fees between 1% and 5% which will be deducted from your loan proceeds. So if you take out a $20,000 loan, that means your fee could range from $200 to $1,000.

Read reviews of Upstart personal loans to learn more.

Best for same-day funding: SoFi

Why a SoFi personal loan stands out: SoFi may be a good option for borrowers who need access to funds quickly. The lender offers same-day funding for borrowers who are approved and complete the required steps. 

Here are some more details about SoFi personal loans.

  • Same-day funding available — Borrowers who are approved and accept the loan before the cutoff time may receive same-day funding.
  • Large loan amounts available — SoFi offers personal loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, so they can be used for a wide range of purposes. 
  • No fees — SoFi doesn’t charge any origination fees, prepayment penalties, or late fees. 
  • Rate discounts available — Borrowers may qualify for a 0.25% rate discount for enrolling in autopay, and an additional 0.25% member rate discount.

Read reviews of SoFi personal loans to learn more.

Our methodology: How we picked the best alternatives to a Capital One personal loan

Since Capital One is one of the nation’s largest banks, we looked at other big banks in the U.S. as well as online lenders that serve consumers throughout the country. We evaluated features like interest rates, fee structures, loan terms, eligibility requirements, the ability to apply for prequalification, and other perks that might make a loan attractive.

So while Capital One doesn’t offer personal loans, there are other options out there. Consider your finances carefully so you can work on getting the best personal loan for your situation.

FAQs about Capital One personal loans

Capital One doesn’t offer personal loans and focuses on its other lending and banking products. If you need a personal loan, you’ll have to explore other lenders.

No, you can’t apply for a Discover personal loan from Capital One. Although Capital One acquired Discover in May 2025, Discover continues to offer personal loans through its own website and application process.  

The minimum credit score needed to qualify for a personal loan varies depending on your lender. For example, Upstart doesn’t have any minimum credit score requirements, while LightStream is geared toward borrowers with good to excellent credit. 

Capital One doesn’t offer personal loans, but it does offer auto loans, credit cards, and business credit cards. 

*Approval Odds are not a guarantee of approval. Credit Karma determines Approval Odds by comparing your credit profile to other Credit Karma members who were approved for the personal loan, or whether you meet certain criteria determined by the lender. Of course, there’s no such thing as a sure thing, but knowing your Approval Odds may help you narrow down your choices. For example, you may not be approved because you don’t meet the lender’s “ability to pay standard” after they verify your income and employment; or, you already have the maximum number of accounts with that specific lender.