A resource for borrowers shopping alternative loans.

Alternative Loans is the practical guide for anyone borrowing outside the big-bank channel — personal loans, debt consolidation, refinance, auto, business term loans, HELOCs, and the rest of the alternative-lending universe.

Who we write for

Borrowers comparing rate offers, homeowners weighing a HELOC, small-business owners looking at a term loan, and anyone trying to consolidate credit-card debt into something cheaper. The common thread: you want a real number, not a glossy ad.

What we believe

• Rate and lender info should be free, direct, and written like a real person is explaining it.
• Every borrower should understand APR, DTI, and origination fees cold — those numbers decide what a loan really costs.
• A good calculator beats a 3,000-word explainer.
• Affiliate links should be honest. We only link to lenders we'd actually point a friend toward.

How we work

Articles are drafted with the help of AI and reviewed against lender disclosures, CFPB guidance, and current market data before publishing. We refresh popular guides as rates and policies change. See our editorial standards for details.

Contact

Got a correction, a question, or a lender we should cover? Drop us a note.