StillAnOption
How We Review
One rubric for every lender, three rules above it, and what "Provisional" means.
By REPLACE WITH REAL NAME, REPLACE — e.g. 8 years covering consumer credit · Reviewed by REPLACE WITH REAL NAME · 1 min read · Updated September 16, 2026
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Every lender, app and card on this site is scored the same way, whoever owns it.
The rubric
The rubric has six parts, weighted by how much they matter to someone who needs money this week.
Cost transparency (25%). Are the APR, total cost and payment schedule shown before you apply? Is there a representative example?
Total cost versus peers (20%). What does a $500 and a $1,000 loan cost against the category median?
Accessibility (20%). Minimum score and income, bank requirements, states served, first-loan caps.
Speed (10%). Decision and funding time as published and as reported by borrowers.
Repayment flexibility (10%). Installments versus lump sum, early payoff without penalty, loyalty pricing, hardship options.
Customer experience (15%). Complaint patterns at the CFPB and BBB, clarity of servicing, ways to reach a human.
Three rules above the score
Nothing over 36% APR ranks above a cheaper option on the same page. Every product over 36% APR carries the "Expensive credit" flag. And we never describe any lender as guaranteed, instant, or "no credit check".
What "Provisional" means
When you see "Provisional" on a score, it means we haven't finished reviewing complaint data for that lender yet. The number can move.
How often we check
Terms are re-verified monthly and the date is printed on every card. Reviews are refreshed quarterly or when a lender changes its pricing. Corrections are noted at the bottom of the page they fix.
What we score, and how much it counts
| Criterion | Weight | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Cost transparency | 25% | Are APR, total cost and the payment schedule shown before you apply? Is there a representative example? |
| Total cost vs. peers | 20% | Dollar cost of a $500 and a $1,000 loan versus the category median. |
| Accessibility | 20% | Minimum score/income, bank requirements, states served, first-time caps. |
| Speed | 10% | Decision and funding time as published and as reported by borrowers. |
| Repayment flexibility | 10% | Installments vs. lump sum, early payoff without penalty, loyalty pricing, hardship options. |
| Customer experience | 15% | Complaint patterns (CFPB, BBB), clarity of servicing, contact options. |
Last verified September 16, 2026