Comparing loans with Money Expert
Free, no obligation search
Finding a quote costs nothing at all and you're not committed to any deal you see
No impact on your credit score**
We perform a soft eligibility search that won't affect your credit report
Choose from over 50 lenders***
We'll show you loans from a range of top lenders and banks, so you know you're in safe hands
Finding the best loan for you doesn’t need to be tricky. With so many different types of loan for you to choose from, getting your head around what suits you best can be difficult.
Whether you need a personal loan to help you with household maintenance, or a loan to help you consolidate any debts, there is a wide range of products available for you. Knowing where to start can be the hardest hurdle to pass.
At Money Expert we want to make borrowing simple, helping you to find a personal loan tailored to your needs, leaving you free to enjoy the simple things in life.
Be the Money Expert. Find out your loan options today.
Find a loan**Although lending partners initial eligibility checks involve a soft pull of your credit information, and there is no impact on your credit file at this stage, lending partners may subsequently conduct a hard search, prior to finalising your loan offer. This hard search would stay on your report for 12 months. | ***Correct as of June 2025
Types of loan
Depending on your circumstances, there are a range of different types of loan that might suit your needs.
What is a guarantor loan?
Guarantor loans are suitable for those that haven’t borrowed money before or have a poor credit history.
To take one out, you will require a guarantor (usually a family member or friend) who will agree to keep up with your repayments should you fail to do so.
Key features
Suitable for people who haven’t borrowed before / a poor credit history
Requires a guarantor to guarantee any payments
What is a secured loan?
Similar to a mortgage, a secured loan involves borrowing money that is secured against an asset that you own, like your home. This gives the lender a bit more security, while for the borrower there is the potential to borrow larger amounts and repay over longer terms.
It is worth knowing how secured loans and their repayments work before you take one out. However, if you already have a good credit rating and are certain you will be able to keep up with repayments, a secured loan is a viable option.
Key features
Can borrow larger amounts
Have longer repayment terms
Requires collateral to secure the loan
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it.
See more about secured loansWhat is a personal loan?
A personal loan is when you borrow a fixed amount of money from a lender, then you simply pay it back in monthly payments, plus any additional interest.
Personal loans can be used for a number of different reasons, such funding home improvements, buying a car or paying for a holiday.
The rate you are offered on a personal loan will depend on your credit score. The better your score, the lower the rates you’re likely to be offered by our lenders.
Key features
Borrow from £1,000 to £50,000
Repay your loan over 1 to 7 years
Get a quick online decision
What is a bridging loan?
Bridging loans are short term secured loans used to cover a temporary shortage of credit, when a down payment is needed on a new mortgage before an existing home is sold, for example.
This type of loan may come with additional fees, and you will need an exit plan in mind before accepting a bridging loan.
Key features
Short term secured loan
Mainly used to help with property transactions
May include additional fees
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.
Why use Money Expert to compare loans?
At Money Expert, we want to make borrowing simple.
That is why our loan comparison won’t impact your credit score, comparing offers from over 40 lenders.
Whatever you require a loan for, we will do our best to find the best loan suited for your circumstances.
Free and no obligation
Money Expert will always be free, and you are under no obligation to accept a quote.
Transparent terms
All loan features are clearly shown with no hidden costs.
No impact on your credit score*
We use a “soft search” to match you to your credit file, leaving no impact on your credit rating.
Personalised offers
Tailored to your circumstances, Money Expert will provide you with a wide range of loans to choose from within 2 minutes.
Safe and secure process
We understand how important it is for you to feel safe online; your experience with us will always be secure.
Over 50 lenders & banks**
We will match you with personalised offers from a panel of over 40 lenders
*Although lending partners initial eligibility checks involve a soft pull of your credit information, and there is no impact on your credit file at this stage, lending partners may subsequently conduct a hard search, prior to finalising your loan offer. This hard search would stay on your report for 12 months. | **Correct as of May 2025
What can loans be used for?
People tak eout loans for all kinds of reasons depending on their personal circumatances and financial situation. Some common reasons to take out a loan include:
- Personal Loans for Major Purchases: Personal loans are frequently used for buying high-cost items such as cars, furniture, or electronics when savings are insufficient to cover the purchase upfront. They offer a way to spread the cost over months or years.
- Home Improvements: Many homeowners opt for loans to fund renovations and improvements. These projects can increase the value of a property, enhance its functionality, or improve its energy efficiency. Financing these upgrades through a loan can be a practical choice to achieve immediate results without waiting to save up the necessary funds.
- Debt Consolidation Loan: Consolidating multiple existing debts into a single loan is a popular use for personal loans. This strategy can simplify your finances by combining several payments into one and potentially reduce the overall interest rate, making debts easier and cheaper to manage.
- Business Start-up Costs: Entrepreneurs often use loans to cover the initial costs of starting a business. These funds can be used for buying inventory, renting office space, hiring employees, or covering other essential startup expenses.
- Weddings and Special Events: Loans can also fund significant events such as weddings, milestone parties, or large family gatherings. These events can be expensive, and a loan may help to finance the celebration without depleting savings.
- Travel: While not always advisable, some people choose to take out loans for travel to cover the costs of a once-in-a-lifetime trip or a long-desired vacation. Financing travel should be approached cautiously, ensuring the repayments are manageable.
- Emergency Situations: In times of unexpected financial distress, such as job loss or emergency repairs (home or auto), loans can provide necessary relief and a buffer to re-establish stability.
How can life insurance help you and your family?
Life insurance can offer an important helping hand to any financial dependants you have should you pass away. The payout will help cover general expenses like bills or food shopping that you might have been responsible for. But life insurance policies are often taken out to cover debts or expenses like mortgages or funeral costs.
Check and improve your credit score
Your credit score is one of the primary factors lenders consider when evaluating your loan applicaiton. A higher score suggests you have a history of managing debt responsibly. Before applying, check your credit score through a credit reporting agency to understand where you stand.
- Rectify any errors: Ensure your credit report is accurate. Dispute any errors that could be dragging your score down.
- Pay off existing debts: Reducing your current debt can improve your debt to income ratio and your credit score, making you more attractive to lenders.
Increase your income and reduce debt
Improving your financial standing can significantly increase your chances of securing a loan.
- Boost your income: Higher income can improve your debt to income ratio, a key metric lenders use to evaluate your ability to repay the loan.
- Pay down debts: Lowering your existing debt before applying for a new loan demonstrates financial respnsibility and frees up more of your income for future repayments.
Provide a stable employment and residence history
Lenders value stability when assessing loan applications. A steady job and a consistent address history indicate reliabilty.
- Maintain consistent employment: Job stability reassures lenders that you have a regular income to meet your loan obligations.
- Long-term residence: Staying at one address for a considerable period can positevely impact your application.
Apply for the right amount
Requesting the right loan amount that aligns with your financial capacity and needs is crucial:
- Realistic borrowing: Only apply for the amount that you need and can reasonably afford to repay. Overborrowing can lead to financial strain and potential default.
Prepare a solid application
A well-prepared application can make a significant difference.
- Complete documentation: Provide all required documentation such as proof of income, employment verification, and identification. Incomplete applications can be automatically denied.
- Accuracy: Ensure all the information you provide is accurate and truthful to avoid delays and possible rejection.
How to compare loans
Comparing loans has never been easier. All you need to do is tell us a bit about yourself. Here’s our simple guide to checking your eligibility for your loan:
Loan details
First off, tell us how much you’d like to borrow, what it’s for, and how long you need the loan for.
Personal details
We need to know about you, your address, and contact details.
Living situation
Tell us about your current living situation; i.e. do you rent, own your own home, etc.
Employment details
Tell us your employment status, length of employment and pay frequency, so lenders understand how you generate an income.
Your finances
Including details of your monthly income, and your current outgoings
The final tick
Make sure you have checked the details you have offered us and then tick the box. Easy!
Frequently asked questions
Will searching for a loan affect my credit score?
Searching for a loan with Money Expert will not affect your credit score. We will only ever use a “soft search” to check and match you to your credit report. This shows us how well you are likely to pay back your loan, without conducting a full examination of your credit history.
Unlike “hard searches,” only you will be able to see that a search has been done on your credit report. Other companies cannot see that a search has been done, so no impact is made on your credit score or any other future applications you may make.
Should you accept or apply for a loan, a “hard” search will be carried out. Here are a few of the differences between the credit checks:
“Soft” credit checks:
- When you search your own credit report
- An identity check is made from a company searching for your credit report
- You compare credit or a loan online via a reputable credit lender or broker
“Hard” credit checks:
- You apply to a utility company, i.e. water, electricity, gas
- You apply for a mobile phone contract
- You apply for a loan, mortgage or credit card
In short, just searching for a loan will not do any damage to your credit score.
How much can I borrow?
Each personal loan is tailored to your circumstances. The exact amount you can borrow will be determined by your credit rating and your financial situation at the time of application.
Personal loans can be awarded up to the value of £50,000. If you need a bigger loan, you may wish to consider a secured, homeowner loan. Whatever you decide, make sure it is the right choice for you. Any amount you want to borrow needs to be affordable with your circumstances, so that you can make your repayments.
Take a look at our comprehensive loans guide for more information.
Bear in mind that when searching for a loan, something that sounds too good to be true often is. Using our free personal loans comparison service will help you find the best loans available for you. With no hidden fees or surprises, you can trust our results.
How do I check my loan options?
Borrowing money has never been easier. Filling out our quick loan comparison calculator will take you moments. All we need to know is the amount, purpose and duration you want to have your loan for. After you’ve done that hit the red button. That’s it!
Does my credit rating need to be good to get a loan?
While a good credit rating improves your chances of securing a loan and getting better interest rates, it is not always mandatory. Some lenders offer loans specifically for individuals with lower credit scores.
About our loan comparison service
The loan comparison service via this website is provided by MoneyExpert in association with Aro.
Aro is a broker, not a lender and it matches a customer's loan application with lenders and brokers from our panel depending on the information provided.
Who are Money Expert?
Money Expert is a full service, 100% independent price comparison website. We have helped over 1 million customers save on utilities, broadband, and loans since we launched in 2003.
We aren’t owned by an insurance or lending company, and will always seek to get you the best loan deal possible. Getting a quote is free, there are no obligations, and it won't affect your credit score!
Loans guides
We endeavour to keep our users fully informed when it comes to taking out a loan. Please read through our handy guides to find the information you need.
Last reviewed: 1 July 2025
Next review: 1 August 2025