Kreditoversigten helps you get an overview of the UK personal loan market. We compare lenders side by side so you can see loan amounts, representative APRs and repayment terms in one place before you apply — free and non-binding.
See the comparisonHow personal loans work in the UK
A personal loan is usually an unsecured loan: the lender doesn't take a claim over your home or car, and instead bases its decision on your income, outgoings and credit history. Loan amounts on the market typically range from around £1,000 to £25,000, with terms from one to seven years, though the exact range varies by lender.
Because pricing is risk-based, two applicants asking for the same amount can be offered different rates. That's why every lender on this site is required to show a representative example — a worked illustration of the rate, fees and total cost that at least 51% of accepted customers would actually receive — rather than a single headline rate on its own.
What lenders check before they say yes
Before making an offer, a UK lender will normally run a credit check with one or more credit reference agencies — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are the three main ones — and assess whether the loan is affordable based on your income and existing commitments. This protects you as much as it protects the lender: taking on credit you can't comfortably repay can do lasting damage to your finances and your credit file.
We do not list, and will never list, lenders who advertise "guaranteed approval" or "no credit check" loans. Any lender genuinely lending money in the UK carries out some form of affordability and credit assessment.
Comparing before you apply
Applying with several lenders one after another can leave multiple hard searches on your credit file in a short space of time, which some lenders read as a sign of financial pressure. Many comparison and eligibility tools instead use a "soft search", which shows you an indication of your chances without affecting your score — it's worth checking which type of search a lender uses before you submit a full application.
Once you've compared the representative APR, the total amount repayable and the term across a few lenders, you're in a much better position to pick the offer that actually suits your budget, rather than the first one you find.
Debt consolidation
If you're juggling several cards, catalogue accounts or existing loans, a debt consolidation loan can combine them into a single monthly payment, sometimes at a lower overall rate. Whether it saves you money depends on the new representative APR, the term you choose, and any fees for settling your existing agreements early — always work out the total cost, not just the monthly payment, before you switch.
Struggling with debt already?
If you're behind on payments or worried about your finances, free and impartial guidance is available from MoneyHelper and from debt charities such as StepChange and National Debtline — you don't need to take out further credit to get help. If a lender treats you unfairly, you can complain to them directly and, if unresolved, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
About Kreditoversigten
Kreditoversigten is a marketing and comparison service, not a lender and not a credit broker authorised by the FCA. We do not arrange credit ourselves. When you click through to a lender or submit an enquiry, we may receive a commission — this never changes the rate or amount you're offered, and using our comparison is always free.