Managing money with a low credit score can feel like an uphill battle. Every day costs don’t wait for better circumstances, and traditional lenders often make it even harder by setting strict requirements or offering terms that just don’t feel fair. But access to financial support shouldn’t disappear because of poor financial decisions in the past.
Thankfully, there are lenders in the UK who approach borrowing differently. They focus on creating more supportive and flexible options so people aren’t left without choices or forced to resort to risky loans. These lenders are usually known for their low-credit loans to help those facing financial emergencies, giving them a chance to manage short-term needs without feeling overwhelmed.
To help you make the best decision for your situation, we’ve put together a list of 7 trusted low-credit loan lenders in the UK that put people first. Each of these companies has its own approach, but what they share is a commitment to fairer lending and helping customers find a path forward.
1. Salad
Finding fair credit can be a challenge if you have a poor credit history. Fortunately, Salad is dedicated to changing that. Instead of shutting people out, they’ve built a lending model designed for workers who often get overlooked, from NHS staff and carers to teachers and other employed individuals.
Their focus is simple – fair loans that don’t punish people for circumstances beyond their control.
How Salad Stands Out
Most high-cost lenders rely heavily on credit scores and steep interest rates. Salad takes a different approach. By using open banking, they look at your actual income and spending habits to see what you can reasonably afford. From the beginning, Salad provides complete transparency about repayment terms and conditions, helping you avoid any hidden fees.
Salad’s Loan Details at a Glance
- Borrow between £300 and £2,000
- Repay over 6 to 24 months
- Representative APR of 79.5% (fixed annual rate of 59.97%)
Compared to most payday loans or short-term credit options, these rates are far more sustainable and manageable.
Why It Matters
Salad isn’t just about providing cash when it’s most needed. Their mission is tied to financial inclusion, making sure hard-working people have safe credit options that don’t push them into stressful situations. They even became the first independent lender in the UK to secure an Open Banking license, highlighting their commitment to doing things the right way.
For anyone looking for a transparent, ethical alternative in the low-credit zone, Salad has quickly become a trusted name, not just for their ability to support people in the moment, but for creating a path towards healthier finances.
2. Drafty
Drafty offers a flexible line of credit that can be a safer alternative to payday loans if you need access to funds quickly but have a low credit score. Once approved, you can borrow anywhere between £50 and £3,000 and withdraw money as needed, rather than taking out a lump sum upfront. This makes it easier to manage smaller expenses without overborrowing.
With a representative APR of 96.2% (variable), it’s still a high-cost option, but compared to many short-term credit providers, the transparency and repayment flexibility can make it more manageable.
3. Lending Stream
Lending Stream is a direct lender that gives you access to short-term loans, even if your credit history isn’t ideal. As a new customer, you can borrow between £50 and £800, while returning customers can get up to £1,500. Repayments are spread over 6 or 12 months, giving you more breathing room compared to traditional options.
An initial soft credit check is carried out before approval, followed by a full check, but your overall affordability is also considered. The representative APR is 1,271%, which highlights the high cost of this type of borrowing, but terms are kept clear and straightforward. You can also repay early without having to worry about extra fees, and funds often reach your account in under two minutes once approved.
4. CashASAP
CashASAP gives you a way to borrow money quickly when you’re in a tight spot. As a new customer, you can borrow between £200 and £300, and if you’ve borrowed before, that can go up to £750. You can choose between payday loans that you repay in 1 to 35 days or instalment loans that you spread across 3 to 6 months, depending on your current financial situation.
The loans are high-cost, with a representative APR of 1,266%, so it’s worth being careful before you apply. On the positive side, funds usually land in your account within minutes once approved, and you won’t face penalties for paying off your loan early.
5. Loans2Go
Loans2Go offers unsecured personal loans from £250 up to £2,000, with repayments spread over 18 to 24 months. The interest is high, with a representative APR of 679%, so you’ll want to be sure the monthly payments fit comfortably into your budget. For instance, borrowing £550 over 18 months works out to roughly £1,936 in total repayments.
The process to get started is simple. A soft eligibility check lets you see if you’re likely to be approved without affecting your credit score, and full checks follow if you decide to move ahead. There are no fees for setting up or paying off early, but missing payments can quickly make things more expensive.
6. CashFloat
CashFloat is a UK-based direct lender that offers short-term loans between £250 and £2,500, with repayment periods lasting 3 to 9 months. The representative APR is 611.74%, though the exact rate depends on the loan amount and term. While the cost of borrowing is high, CashFloat makes a point of keeping terms clear and manageable.
They place more importance on your ability to repay than on your credit score, which makes them an option if you’ve struggled with credit in the past. You check eligibility with a soft credit search, and funds are often released within an hour once approved. You can also repay early at no extra charge, and their ‘Easy Start’ and cashback schemes are designed to support more responsible borrowing.
7. Evlo
With Evlo, you can borrow between £1,000 and £15,000, with repayments spread over 18 to 60 months. There’s no need for a guarantor, and the process starts with a soft credit check, allowing you to see your chances of approval without affecting your credit score.
The APR can vary quite a lot, but it’s explained clearly before you commit. For many people, Evlo’s biggest draw is the support they offer in person through their branches, which has helped them serve over 300,000 customers since 2006. It’s a more personal option if you prefer face-to-face guidance with your loan.
To Sum Up
An unexpected expense can throw things off balance, and a low credit score doesn’t make it any easier. The lenders we’ve mentioned in this article show that even with a low credit score, there are ways to borrow responsibly without being pushed into unmanageable debt.
Each one offers different terms and rates, but all of them give you a chance to meet unexpected expenses with clearer terms than you might find in traditional lending options.
