Upstart Review for 2025: Rates, Loan Options and Customer Feedback

Pros and cons of Upstart

Upstart Pros:

• Competitive interest rates
• Digital-first mortgage application experience
• Fast funding across all products

Upstart Cons:

• No in-person service
• Some products aren’t available in every state
• Doesn’t offer home purchase or refinance mortgages

Upstart mortgage rates

Upstart’s rates vary based on the product you choose, your credit profile, and other factors like income, debt-to-income ratio, and loan term.

• HELOCs: Rates are generally competitive with large banks and credit unions, and your exact rate will depend on your credit score, income, home equity, and chosen repayment term.
• Personal Loans: Rates depend on your overall creditworthiness and the length of the loan. Borrowers with strong credit, stable income, and low existing debt typically receive the most competitive offers.
• Auto Loan Refinancing: Rates vary depending on your vehicle, current loan balance, and credit profile. Many borrowers see lower monthly payments, but the savings potential depends on your specific situation.

Because Upstart doesn’t post live rates on its website, the most accurate way to see what you’d qualify for is to use their online rate check tool. It’s free, takes only minutes, and won’t affect your credit score.

Remember that interest rates vary a lot by customer. Your rate depends on your credit score, down payment, loan type, and home price. That means you shouldn’t take average rates (or advertised rates) at face value. Instead, pick three to five lenders you’re interested in and get rate quotes from each. Then, compare the interest rates, closing costs, and other fees you’re offered to see which lender can give you the best deal.

Upstart Review for 2025

Upstart’s mix of HELOCs, personal loans, and auto refinancing makes it stand out as a versatile digital lender. But how do these products actually measure up when it comes to cost, flexibility, trust, and overall borrower experience? This section of our Upstart review breaks down the details.

Affordability

Upstart’s HELOC rates are generally competitive with big banks and credit unions, and the process is far faster. Your actual rate depends on your credit, income, and home equity, so the personalized quote is what really matters. The main trade-off: you’ll have to draw at least 80% of your line immediately after closing, which means paying interest on that amount right away. For borrowers who need a large lump sum quickly, that’s a plus, but it’s less ideal if you prefer to borrow gradually.

Lending flexibility

Upstart offers borrowers a good range of lending options in one place, which can be a big advantage if you want to explore different financing paths without juggling multiple lenders. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to tap into equity through a HELOC, someone consolidating debt with a personal loan, or a driver hoping to lower monthly car payments through auto refinancing, Upstart has a product to fit.

Qualifying can also be more accessible than with traditional banks. While requirements vary by product, Upstart’s AI-driven approach considers more than just your credit score, things like your income, employment history, and education may factor into approval. That can make it appealing for borrowers with solid financial footing but limited or less-than-perfect credit histories.

The combination of different loan types, competitive terms, and flexible underwriting makes Upstart a versatile choice for a wide range of borrowing needs.

Trustworthiness

Upstart has helped millions of borrowers through partnerships with over 100 banks and credit unions, which speaks to its stability and reach. For you as a potential borrower, that means they aren’t a small, untested startup but have a solid track record and established lending relationships.

They earn strong reviews on consumer sites, including a 4.9/5 rating on Trustpilot, with many customers praising the simple application process, clear instructions, and fast funding. That said, some borrowers have filed complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), most often about unexpected fees or slow responses from customer service. While these issues don’t appear to be the norm, they’re worth noting so you know to review your terms closely and ask any questions before committing.

Overall, this Upstart review finds that the company scores well on trust for its digital lending model, but like with any lender, the best protection is to read the fine print and keep communication lines open.

Customer experience

Upstart is designed for borrowers who want a straightforward, all-digital process from start to finish. You can check your rate in just a few minutes without affecting your credit score, upload documents online, and in many cases have funds in your account within days. For HELOCs, the timeline from application to funding can be as short as five business days, much faster than most traditional banks.

Customer support is easy to reach by chat, phone, or email, and their pre-approval process is clearly visible on the site so you don’t have to dig for it. The trade-off is that they don’t post live rates on their website, so you’ll need to go through the rate-check step to see your personalized offer. For many borrowers, that’s a small inconvenience in exchange for the speed and convenience of their platform.

If you value being able to apply, get approved, and manage your loan without setting foot in a branch, our Upstart review shows their customer experience is likely to be a strong fit.

FAQs about Upstart

Is Upstart the best lender for you?

If you’re a homeowner who needs fast access to a large amount of cash and you’re comfortable managing your loan online, Upstart could be a great fit, especially for a home equity line of credit (HELOC). The application is quick, funding can happen in just days, and credit limits are generous compared to many traditional lenders. This Upstart review highlights how the HELOC can be a strong option for borrowers seeking speed and simplicity

It’s also a plus that Upstart offers personal loans and auto refinancing, so if you have other borrowing needs down the road, you can explore multiple products without starting from scratch with a new lender.

That said, their HELOC’s 80% initial draw requirement makes it better suited for borrowers who want a lump sum right away rather than those who plan to withdraw smaller amounts over time. And since they don’t offer traditional mortgages, you’ll need to look elsewhere if you’re buying a home or refinancing an existing one.