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LightStream Pros
LightStream Cons
Types of Personal Loans Offered by LightStream
LightStream offers personal loans for almost any purpose. Whether you need to remodel your kitchen, pay for private school, purchase a new or used car, or consolidate debt, LightStream offers a range of loan amounts and your choice of terms.
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Common loan uses |
Prohibited uses |
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LightStream Loan Features
With LightStream personal loans, you can borrow between $5,000 and $100,000 for almost any purpose, except refinancing a Lightstream loan or student loan or paying for college. This may go without saying, but you also can’t use the loan proceeds for any illegal activity.
LightStream offers flexible terms between 24 and 144months, but terms greater than 84 months are only available on loan amounts greater than $25,000. You can use LightStream’s rate calculator to see what terms are available for your particular loan amount and purchase.
Loan terms | 24 to 144 months |
Repayment period | Begins one month after funding |
Loan amount | $5,000 to $100,000 |
Loan use limitations (i.e. only home improvements or only debt consolidation) | Can’t be used to refinance a student loan or LightStream loan, or for postsecondary educational expenses |
LightStream Interest Rates and Fees
LightStream does not charge any fees. Since the lender does not charge an origination fee, you’ll receive the full loan amount. While you should make your payments on-time to avoid hurting your credit, LightStream doesn’t charge a late fee. And there’s no penalty for repaying your loan early.
LightStream loan rates range from 5.24% to 19.99%. Your actual APR will depend on the information in your credit profile, the terms you choose, and the purpose for your loan. For example, home improvement loans start at 5.74%.
You can use LightStream’s rate widget to estimate your APR range based on your loan purpose. All published rates include a 0.5% AutoPay discount. If another lender offers you an unsecured loan with the same terms but a lower rate, LightStream will beat that rate by .10 percentage points.
Borrowing/origination fees | None |
Prepayment fees | None |
Late payment fees | None |
Other fees | None |
Interest rates | 5.24% to 19.99% with AutoPay |
LightStream Qualification Requirements
While LightStream doesn’t specify minimum credit score or income requirements, the lender only accepts applicants with good to excellent credit scores. LightStream defines good credit as having several years of credit history with a variety of types of accounts, a good payment history, and evidence of savings.
You also need sufficient income and assets for repayment in order to be approved. The lender will not accept income from the marijuana industry due to federal law.
LightStream loan requirements also state you must be 18 and have a valid driver’s license and a social security number to apply. You’ll also need a valid credit card for identity verification purposes.
LightStream does not allow co-signers, but the lender does allow joint applications. With a joint application, both borrowers have access to the funds and responsibility for repayment. You may have an easier time qualifying if you apply with a creditworthy co-borrower.Additionally, you might be eligible to borrow more money with two incomes.
Membership requirement | None |
Minimum credit score | Not Disclosed |
Income requirements | Not Disclosed |
Co-signer/joint application requirements | Joint applications allowed, so-signers not allowed |
LightStream Application Process
One drawback of using LightStream is that the lender doesn’t offer a prequalification option. Applying for a loan with LightStream will require a hard credit check, which will cause a small but temporary decrease in your credit score.
To begin your LightStream application, fill in your application type and primary loan purpose. If you’re selecting “Other,” you’ll need to provide an explanation.
On this page, you’ll also provide your zip code, loan amount, desired term, and payment method. Make sure you’re happy with the resulting monthly payment and APR range, and then click continue.
On the next page, you’ll enter your personal information:
- Your name
- Contact information
- Social security number
- Driver’s license number
- Date of birth
- Citizenship status
- Work status
You’ll also provide your financial information, such as your estimated annual income, housing costs, equity, checking and savings balances, and retirement assets.
Go to the next page and provide your security information. You’ll need a valid credit card for this step, but no charges will be made. Click “Confirm and Submit,” and your application will be reviewed by LightStream.
Once you’re approved, log into your account to schedule the transfer of your funds. If you login to your account before 2:30 pm ET on a banking business day and schedule the transfer by 3 pm ET, you’ll receive the funds as a same-day wire transfer. If you login by 5:30 pm ET and schedule the funds by 6 pm ET on a banking business day, you can receive the funds the next day as an ACH transfer.
Once you receive your loan, if you’re not happy with your experience, you can fill out a questionnaire within 30 days to receive $100.
LightStream Customer Support
LightStream has relatively limited options for customer support, especially during the application process. If you have questions, you can email customerservice@lightstream.com. The support team will respond within business hours, which are weekdays from 10 am to 8 pm ET and Saturday from 12 pm to 4 pm ET.
Once you’re approved for a loan, you will receive a phone number for customer service. LightStream doesn’t offer a live chat function like some other lenders.
On third-party review sites like Trustpilot, some customers who were denied a loan complained that they couldn’t reach customer service. However, most complaints were about issues besides the customer support team.
LightStream Online Reviews
LightStream has 1.8 out of 5 starts on Trustpilot based on reviews from 40 customers.Reviews on LightStream’s website are much more favorable, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from more than 25,000 customers.
Most customers who left positive reviews were happy with the ease and speed of the process. For example, one customer said, “This is the best experience I have ever had when applying for a loan. It was easy and everything was online and approval was immediate. I will deal with this company anytime. Just a great overall experience!”
Even average reviews mentioned that the process was simple and the customer service team was friendly. Customers also raved about the great rates and fast response times from customer service.
Most complaints were from customers who weren’t approved for a loan. Some customers who had good credit were expecting an approval, and were disappointed by the impact of the hard inquiry on their credit.
For customers who were approved, most complaints were about the inflexibility of due dates and the lack of options during times of hardship. One customer also mentioned that extra payments needed to be at least $100, which we agree is a drawback. And another customer complained that LightStream didn’t match a competitor’s lower rate as promised.
The positive reviews are related to | The negative reviews are related to |
Fast and easy loan approval process | Being denied a loan |
Low APRs | Inflexible payment options |
Excellent customer service | Better rates elsewhere |
LightStream Perks and Bonuses
Flexibility
Aside from an autopay discount, which is included in its published rates, LightStream doesn’t offer any savings opportunities. But you may be able to take advantage of the lender’s rate beat program.
Relative to other lenders, LightStream is also fairly inflexible when it comes to options for managing your loan. You can’t change your due date or defer payment during a time of hardship. You also can’t schedule bi-weekly payments, and you must make extra payments on the same date as your regular payment if you want them to apply to the principal. Furthermore, if you schedule a payment more than 18 days early, it will be applied as an extra payment, and your next monthly payment will still be due on the regular due date.
Transparency
LightStream’s website is informative and clear with a comprehensive FAQ section and a privacy page dedicated to helping consumers avoid scams. LightStream’s Loan Experience Guarantee and rate beat program also seem to indicate dedication to a transparent process with competitive rates, but one customer claims that LightStream didn’t match a competitor’s rate as promised.
Technology
You can manage your LightStream account online or through the lender’s mobile app, but keep in mind that the mobile app has mixed reviews. You have the option to enroll in autopay for a discount or use invoice payment. Note that you’ll need to login at least two business days before your due date to schedule a payment if you use the latter option.
LightStream Compared to Other Lenders
LightStream | Avant | SoFi | Upgrade | |
Loan terms | 24 to 144 months | 12to 60 months | 24 to 84 months | 24 to 84 months |
Loan amount | $5,000 to $100,000 | $2,000 to $35,000 | $5,000 to $100,000 | $1,000 to $50,000 |
Interest rates | 5.24% to 19.99% with autopay | 9.95% to 35.95% | 7.99% to 23.43% with autopay | 7.46% to 35.97% |
Min. credit score | Not disclosed (good or excellent) | Not disclosed (600 to 700 is typical) | Not disclosed (third-party sources say 680) | Not disclosed |
Co-signer requirement | No co-signers allowed (joint applications allowed) | No co-signers allowed | Co-signers allowed and joint applications allowed | Co-signers and joint applications allowed |
Final Thoughts
LightStream offers a simple and fast personal loan product with no fees. It also has starting interest rates that beat out competitors.
However, if you anticipate needing flexibility with repayment, such as changing your due date or skipping a payment, you’ll be better served by another lender. We also don’t think LightStream makes extra payments very convenient, so you might consider another lender if you’re planning to repay your loan early.
Furthermore, if you don’t have good or excellent credit, you shouldn’t apply. There's no prequalification option, so you’ll take a hit to your credit, and you’ll likely be denied for the loan.
