Upstart does allow personal loans for various purposes with a reasonable credit score. However, you must be in full-time employment or have another source of regular income to qualify.  Another advantage Upstart has over Payoff is that you can expect to receive your funds as quickly as one day after approval, although there is a three-business-day hold for educational loans. Payoff's main advantage is its accessibility for debt consolidation borrowers. So, unless you are looking to consolidate, Upstart is likely to be the better option for you.