Peer to peer loans are flexible, offer standout rates, low fees and fast access to funds - on the same day in some cases! Generally, peer to peer lenders use a risk-based tier system, which means the best rate will be given to those people with a good credit rating. Check out the table below to compare peer to peer personal loans.
Fixed
Borrow up to $50,000 unsecured from the only lender with no fees and none of the bank. Perfect if you earn more than $22,100 p.a. and have good to excellent credit. Back to back winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan Award, 2021 & 2022^.
Terms from 2 to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.95% would cost $34,757.21 including fees.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NOW Finance No Fee Unsecured Personal Loan
Excellent Credit
Terms from 1 to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.45% would cost $34,590.57 including fees.
OurMoneyMarket offer competitive low rates for borrowers with excellent credit on loans up to $75,000, plus free extra repayments and fee-free redraw facility. Winner of Mozo's Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan 2021 award^.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the OurMoneyMarket Low Rate Personal Loan
Unsecured, Fixed, Excellent Credit
Terms from 3 to 5 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.39% would cost $35,126.40 including fees.
With low rates for borrowers with excellent credit, a quick 1 minute rate estimate and simple online application, there’s a lot to love about this loan! You’ll not only benefit from no exit fees, there are also no early repayment fees. You could qualify by simply earning above $25,000 and you’ll be on the way to start spending (other eligibility criteria may apply).
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Plenti Personal Loan
Unsecured, Fixed
Terms from 1 to 5 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 4.99% would cost $33,959.97 including fees.
Excellent credit score needed to obtain this rate. Enjoy no-fuss personal loans of up to $30,000 with Alex Bank. No hidden early repayment penalties. Terms from 6 months to 5 years. Convenient, 100% online approval. Must be over 18 to be eligible (other eligibility criteria may apply). Winner of Mozo's Experts Choice Best New Loan Product award 2021^.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Alex Bank Personal Loan
Variable, Unsecured
Terms from 1 to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.75% would cost $35,190.18 including fees.
Get a personalised rate quote in just 2 minutes, apply in just 7 minutes. Lower rates for better credit. Money transferred to your account in 24 hours. No exit or early repayment fees. Borrow up to $50,000.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Symple Loans Personal Loan
Fixed
Terms from 3 to 5 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.35% would cost $34,832.61 including fees.
Fast, easy and 100% online, this is a low cost loan with no ongoing fees or extra repayment penalties. It's perfect for savvy borrowers with great credit. If you’re over 18 and earn above $30,000, you could qualify (other eligibility criteria may apply).
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed, Secured
Terms from 1 to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.99% would cost $35,820.67 including fees.
Special Offer: Enjoy no interest and no repayments for the first 3 months with a Better Start Personal Loan. Available for new personal loan customers, borrowing $20K+ to consolidate their debts. Offer ends 8 December 2021 (T&C’s apply). Offering loans from $3,000 at a fixed rate for the life of the loan.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Latitude Personal Loan
Fixed
Terms from 3 to 5 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.49% would cost $35,210.64 including fees.
Low personalised rates, ideal for borrowers with excellent credit. No monthly account fees, no early payout fees, so you can pay off your loan sooner. $0 establishment fee for loans from $5,000 to $30,000, a $595 establishment fee will be charged on loan amounts of $30,001 to $64,000.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Wisr Unsecured Personal Loan
Excellent Credit, Fixed
Terms from 2 to 5 years. Representative example: a 3 year $10,000 loan at 5.95% would cost $10,943.74 including fees.
Be rewarded for your good credit history with low rates. No ongoing fees. Pay off your loan with no early repayment penalties. Apply online and get a quote in minutes
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the SocietyOne Unsecured Personal Loan
Very Good Credit
Terms from 1 to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 8.49% would cost $37,171.08 including fees.
Competitive low rates on loans up to $75,000 for excellent credit. Free extra repayments. Fee-free redraw facility. Winner of Mozo's Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan 2021 award^.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the OurMoneyMarket Low Rate Personal Loan
Terms from 1 to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.75% would cost $34,840.18 including fees.
Handypay offers flexible home improvement loans for Excellent Credit or better. Handypay is a specialist home improvement plan provider and offers loans up to $75,000.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Handypay Personal Loan
Terms from 1 to 10 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.79% would cost $34,873.55 including fees.
Handypay offer flexible green loans up to $75,000 for Excellent Credit or better. Handypay is a specialist home improvement plan provider.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Handypay Green Loan
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Personal loans Awards
*WARNING: The Comparison Rate combines the lender's interest rate, fees and charges into a single rate to show the true cost of a personal loan. The comparison rates displayed are calculated based on a loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years or a loan of $10,000 for a term of 3 years as indicated, based on monthly principal and interest repayments, on a secured basis for secured loans and an unsecured basis for unsecured loans. This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan.
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.
Save with deals from the following well-known brands and many more...
If you're looking to borrow from a non-traditional lender, then you may be wondering if a peer to peer provider could be a good alternative. But what exactly is peer to peer lending and is it the right option for you?
Let our quick P2P lowdown answer all those tricky questions to help you decide:
What happens when you remove the banks from the borrowing equation and connect investors directly with borrowers? Well, according to the peer to peer movement you'll get a better personal loan deal with lower rates and fees. Peer to peer platforms aren't just limited to the personal loan world either but include all sorts of services including car-sharing, house swaps, clothes swaps and more...
For instance, house swapping platforms like AirBnB allow homeowners to rent out their property to holiday goers for a short stint. The homeowner gets some much-needed cash and the holiday-goer benefits from paying a cheaper amount for their overseas accommodation.
Traditional peer to peer lending and borrowing works in the same way, as an individual investor uses the P2P platform to lend directly to a borrower. The investor benefits from earning a profit through the interest charged and also gets that good feeling of helping out a stranger, whilst the borrower receives a more competitive rate and lower fees than what is offered by the big banks.
Learn more about peer to peer lenders by reading our tell-all guide here.
In Australia there are only a few main players (so far) for personal lending:
SocietyOne: As the first peer to peer platform to launch in Australia back in 2011, SocietyOne has a slightly different lending model to the traditional peer to peer platforms overseas because instead of connecting individual investors with strangers, the platform connects wholesale investors with borrowers.
Plenti: Originating in the UK, Plenti was brought to Australian shores in 2014 and was the first peer to peer platform to offer investment opportunities to everyday Aussies and is also known for introducing the concept of a provision fund aimed at protecting lenders if the borrower defaults on the personal loan.
MoneyPlace: The newest player to enter the game of peer to peer lending in Australia is Melbourne start-up MoneyPlace. Like SocietyOne and Plenti, this P2P provider offers competitive rates to creditworthy borrowers. In 2015, MoneyPlace entered into a five year $60 million strategic partnership with Auswide Bank, which will support the P2P lender during its initial growth stage.
You can compare the P2P providers side by side in the comparison table at the top of this page by interest rate, comparison rate (a calculation that shows the cost of both the rate and fees) and the features.
By removing the banks from the borrowing equation, peer to peer lenders have vastly lower overheads, as they don't have to pay dividends back to shareholders. Plus, they are run entirely online, which means they don't have to pay the high cost of branches and managers either.
Just like peer to peer lenders, credit unions are also part of the strangers helping strangers social movement, as they are completely customer owned and run by the philosophy of passing profits back to customers not shareholders.
However, there is a distinct difference between the two, as credit unions don't offer the option of becoming an investor like with a P2P player.
As a borrower though, your experience should be the same whether you go for a P2P lender or credit union - you apply for the personal loan and once approved you pay it back in set instalments over an agreed period of time (usually between 1 to 5 years). So if you're trying to choose between going for a P2P lender or credit union, the decision breaker should really be the better deal.
As long as you meet the conditions of the P2P provider - e.g over 18 years old and are an Australian resident - you'll be eligible for a peer to peer loan. But keep in mind if you have a poor credit rating you'll have to pay more in interest, as peer to peer lenders use a tier based pricing system reserving their best interest rates for creditworthy borrowers.
For instance at the time of writing, one of the peer to peer players we looked at was offering a low 8.95% interest rate if you had an "excellent" Veda Credit Grade but if your credit rating was "below average" you would receive a high 17.23% interest rate.
If you're a creditworthy borrower looking for a loan under $35,000 for a term of 1 to 5 years then a peer to peer loan could be for you, as peer to peer providers generally have smaller borrowing amounts and shorter timeframes compared to the major bank providers, whose loans can reach up to $100,000 and stretch over a 10 year period.
It's also perfect for borrowers who don't have any security like a car or house to secure a loan with, as peer to peer loans are usually unsecured. Plus if you're on a strict budget, you'll love the fact that P2P loans generally have fixed interest rates that are locked in for the life of the loan.
But if this doesn't sound like you, compare the personal loan market
here, to find the right borrowing match for your needs.Just like any other personal loan, it's important to look for flexible features to make the loan work for you. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Extra repayments facility: When you get some extra cash in your pocket, you'll be thankful if the P2P loan you signed up with allows you to make extra repayments, as a little bit extra can go a long way in the long run. For instance, if you take out a $30,000 loan over 5 years with a 9% interest rate and make an extra repayment of $200 each month you will save $2,187 in interest and slash your personal loan by 1 year and 5 months.
Redraw facility: While paying off your personal loan early should be your ultimate goal, if you need some money for unexpected bills or a new family car down the track, the option of dipping into those extra repayments you've made could come in handy.
Flexible repayment frequency: Another feature that can help you pay down your loan sooner is setting up your repayments over a fortnightly cycle rather than monthly. With 26 fortnights in the year, compared to just 12 months this will mean you will pay an extra month every year of the life of the loan. For example, if your fortnightly repayments are $500 you will pay off $13,000 in a year, whereas if your monthly repayments are $1,000 you will only pay off $12,000.
Does a peer to peer provider sound like the right match for your borrowing needs? Scroll to the top of the page to start your comparison. Or alternatively use our personal loan comparison tool to search Mozo's personal loan database that covers over 100 loans in the market today.
The majority of major peer to peer (P2P) players in Australia only offer unsecured fixed interest rates, but there are variable rate options available in the market.
Generally, peer to peer lenders use a risk-based tier system, which means the interest rate is scalable depending on your credit profile. The best interest rate will be offered to those with a squeaky clean credit rating.
Yes, however, peer to peer borrowing fees are generally lower than those attached to personal loans from the big banks, with some P2P providers offering no application, ongoing fees or exit fees.
Peer to peer providers will have an online application page and you'll need regular information on hand like income details, bank and ID requirements. The benefit of a P2P loan is the fast online approval process, which in some cases means the funds will be in your account on the same day.
Both peer to peer lending and crowdfunding provide you with funds. The critical difference between the two is that P2P lending gives you a loan that must be repaid with interest, while crowdfunding gives you a sum of money with no expectation of repayment.
As a borrower, a P2P loan is a regular loan. The difference is that it comes from investors rather than a large financial institution.
That said, you want to be a savvy borrower, so do your homework. You should always check out the investor requirements of the P2P platform you are using before taking out a loan.
You also want to make sure you are informed of your financial position, so you can make the best decisions when it comes to signing off on your loan. Visit our Mozo personal loans hub as a jumping-off point.
Compared to other types of investments peer to peer loans may offer lenders a higher rate of return. Also, a simple P2P platform might make transacting relatively easy and accessible.
Many investors also enjoy the idea of their money going to an individual in need of a loan while also making money themselves.
Like all investments, it is important to decide if peer to peer lending is right for you, as it does come with risks. There is no government guarantee of peer to peer lending, like most investments, so it is solely on the lender if the borrower cannot pay. Most P2P loans are also unsecured.
To protect yourself as an investor, it is essential to make sure the P2P platform is reputable - operating with an Australian financial services license and registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
In short: Yes. P2P lending operates on a risk-based tier interest rate system, which means that your rate is customised to you, so If you have good credit, you will be rewarded with a low rate.
Borrowers with poor credit can benefit from peer to peer lending. As it is a customised market, although you will be paying more than those with good credit, you may have options that would not be presented to you otherwise.
I've been trying to apply for a loan for over a week, applied online, my screen says 'thank you for applying we'll be in contact' and I've called multiple times and just keep getting hung up on. The issue is that my screen says I've applied but my application hasn't actually gone through for some reason. I've FINALLY managed to get through to someone and they don't even know how to fix my issue. I've been told they will call back, but last time I was told that no one ever actually rang me back. Extremely frustrating process.
Read full reviewI've been trying to apply for a loan for over a week, applied online, my screen says 'thank you for applying we'll be in contact' and I've called multiple times and just keep getting hung up on. The issue is that my screen says I've applied but my application hasn't actually gone through for some reason. I've FINALLY managed to get through to someone and they don't even know how to fix my issue. I've been told they will call back, but last time I was told that no one ever actually rang me back. Extremely frustrating process.
Do not use this bank, applied for a personal loan, they advertise simple and easy, what a joke, supplied documentation to them, looks like I was dealing with idiots overseas as most of my correspondence was online due to work commitments. Instead of looking over the application and telling me what they wanted me to supply first go instead of coming back in drubs and drabs asking for information, I supply it and they tell me they didn’t receive it, but I have proof it went through but anyway. Not reading emails properly or even knowing what they are asking for when it’s right in front of them. At one point some one in their assessing team sent an email and said application was not successful. Next day I get an email from them saying we need more information??? I said you knocked the application back and the guys says oh no we haven’t finished processing it?? I then emailed them what they said and they apologised for confusion, but still going back and forth. Not well trained staff, either I ended up pulling the application and went to another bank and got the loan in 24 hours. Do not waste your time and energy!
Read full reviewDo not use this bank, applied for a personal loan, they advertise simple and easy, what a joke, supplied documentation to them, looks like I was dealing with idiots overseas as most of my correspondence was online due to work commitments. Instead of looking over the application and telling me what they wanted me to supply first go instead of coming back in drubs and drabs asking for information, I supply it and they tell me they didn’t receive it, but I have proof it went through but anyway. Not reading emails properly or even knowing what they are asking for when it’s right in front of them. At one point some one in their assessing team sent an email and said application was not successful. Next day I get an email from them saying we need more information??? I said you knocked the application back and the guys says oh no we haven’t finished processing it?? I then emailed them what they said and they apologised for confusion, but still going back and forth. Not well trained staff, either I ended up pulling the application and went to another bank and got the loan in 24 hours. Do not waste your time and energy!
Corporate robots, don't lend to singles the two percent deposit scheme is rubbish, I tick all boxes and can afford the loan but cannot get because of unrealistic lending criteria. All banks.
Read full reviewCorporate robots, don't lend to singles the two percent deposit scheme is rubbish, I tick all boxes and can afford the loan but cannot get because of unrealistic lending criteria. All banks.
