Compare your options
There’s no single “best” consolidation loan — the right one depends on your credit, how much you owe, and what matters most to you. Here’s an honest side-by-side of well-known lenders, and how to think about choosing.
Figures as of June 2026; subject to change. For consolidation use.
| Lender | APR range | Loan amounts | Origination fee | Pays creditors directly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achieve | 6.25%–35.99% | $5k–$50k | 1.99%–9.99% (in APR) | ✓Yes |
| SoFi | 6.99%–35.49% | up to $100k | Optional | ✓Yes (0.25% discount) |
| Discover | 7.99%–24.99% | $2.5k–$40k | None | ✓Yes |
| LightStream | ~7.24%–23.89% | $5k–$100k | None | ✗No |
How to choose
Compare the total cost, not the sticker rate
A loan with no origination fee but a higher APR can cost more — or less — than one with a fee and a lower rate. Look at the total you’d repay over the full term.
Match the term to your goal
A longer term lowers the monthly payment but usually raises total interest. A shorter term costs less overall but demands a bigger payment.
Know your credit tier
Top-tier lenders advertise the lowest rates but decline applicants below ~660. Others work with good-but-not-perfect credit. Apply where you’re likely to qualify.
Decide if you want direct creditor payment
Some lenders pay your cards off for you; others deposit the funds and leave the payoff to you. Direct pay is simpler and removes the temptation to spend the cash.
A lender we often recommend
Why Achieve fits a lot of consolidation borrowers
For people with good (not perfect) credit who want their cards paid off directly, Achieve is frequently a strong fit. Here’s the honest case — strengths and trade-offs both.
Built for consolidation
Achieve can pay your credit card companies directly with the loan funds, so balances are cleared for you.
Ways to lower your rate
You may qualify for discounts by paying creditors directly, adding a co-applicant, or sharing retirement savings. Not all applicants qualify.
For good, not perfect, credit
Achieve considers applicants from around a 640 score and can fund in about 24 hours — reaching people that top-tier-only lenders decline.
The trade-offs to weigh:
- Achieve charges an origination fee (built into its APR); Discover and LightStream don’t.
- Loans cap at $50,000 — SoFi and LightStream go higher if you need more.
- It’s available in 38 states + D.C., so check that it serves your state.
Achieve APRs from 6.25% to 35.99% include an origination fee of 1.99% to 9.99%. The lowest rate is a best-case rate for the most creditworthy applicants and is not typical. Subject to credit approval.
Want help picking the right one?
Run your numbers, or talk it through with a consultant who’ll give it to you straight.