Fairstone Financial vs Loans Canada for 2025

Item: Fairstone Financial vs Loans Canada
Rating: 3.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Wednesday, June 18th

2025 Canadian Personal Loan Reviews

Fairstone Financial

Available throughout Canada
Loan amounts from $500 to $50,000
Offers both secured and unsecured loans
Interest rates start at 19.99% on secured, 26.99% on unsecured
Terms of 6-60 months on unsecured, 36-120 months on secured
Over 3.3. million loans approved
"A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
In business for over 100 years

Since 1923, Fairstone Financial has been a trusted option for over 3.3 million Canadian borrowers, including those with diverse credit histories. With nationwide availability and both secured and unsecured loan options ranging from $500 to $50,000, the lender holds an "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB. However, some aspects disappoint, such as their higher starting interest rates (19.99% on secured, 26.99% on unsecured) compared to competitors. While our rating reflects the company's longstanding history and varied loan options, we still have concerns that stem from mixed customer reviews. Despite this, for many, Fairstone remains a viable choice for obtaining needed funds through secured and unsecured personal loans.

Read Full Review

View Loans

Loans Canada

Loan referral service available in all provinces
Loan amounts ranging from $500 to $50,000
APRs from 6.99% to 46.96%
Terms ranging from 4-60+ months
"A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
In business since 2012

Loans Canada has been around for over 10 years, helping people across the nation to get quotes from various well-vetted lenders. Although the BBB gives the service a perfect grade, and the website's lender database is a good resource for anyone looking for a personal loan, Loans Canada has consistently given us trouble with even the most basic steps of the quote process. Try one of the higher-ranked comparison platforms on our list if you want to shop around for a loan.

Read Full Review

View Loans

Read Full Review

View Loans

Read Full Review

View Loans

The 10 Best Canadian Personal Loans

Loan Connect

FlexMoney

Borrowell

Fairstone Financial

Spring Financial

goPeer

Loans Canada

Mogo

Loan Away

LendingMate

Who Offers the Best Personal Loans in Canada?

In urgent need of some quick cash? Unless you've got a friend or family member ready to lend a hand, your next stop is likely a financial institution. However, not all lending avenues are the same, and some unscrupulous lenders out there are charging interest rates well beyond 100%.

Fortunately, for those seeking personal loans in Canada, there are lenders that can help you bridge the financial gap without sinking you further into trouble. The online world presents Canadian consumers with a wide variety of options for personal loans. Some directly link you with funding, while others act as intermediaries, connecting you with reputable financial partners to secure your loan.

Continue reading below

What are the best Canadian Personal Loans

Canadian Personal Loan FAQ

What is a personal loan?

Sometimes referred to as "instalment loans” or "consumer loans”, personal loans involve borrowing a set amount of money and agreeing to pay it back in regular payments. These loans may be for a specific purchase, like a home renovation or car, or used to pay off debts with higher interest rates.

Can I use a personal loan for any purpose?

Yes, usually. During the quote and application process, you may be asked to specify the purpose of your personal loan - but that's not a binding commitment. That information is often used to give you alternative types of financing, like debt consolidation or an auto loan.

How much can I borrow?

In Canada, most providers of personal loans offer amounts that range from $500 to $50,000. Your loan offers will depend on several factors, such as your credit history, your current income, your debt-to-income ratio and your employment history.

Do I need a good credit score to qualify for a personal loan?

It helps. The higher your credit score, the less you'll probably pay in interest and fees, and the bigger the amount of the loan you'll qualify for. But, if you're not quite there yet, there are some lenders who specialize in personal loans for people with less-than-stellar credit.

Can I pay the loan back early?

Most of the time, yes, without penalty. That's good to know if you're applying for a loan with a lender that only offers longer-term funding (e.g. 3 or 5 years): as long as there's no prepayment penalty, you can pay it back as quickly as you like. Read the terms of your loan offer carefully before you sign, to determine if there will be any fees if you pay it back ahead of the loan period.

What fees should I expect when taking out a personal loan?

Beyond the interest charged on your loan, you might have an origination fee as well. The origination fee is often a percentage of your total loan amount, and may either be added to the total of your loan or subtracted from it before you receive the payout. For example, if your origination fee is 1% of a $1000 loan, that $10 may either give you a total borrowed amount of $1010, or you may only receive a payout of $990.

How quickly can I get the money from my personal loan?

That depends on how quickly you can gather any required documents for the application and on the lender you select. Once your personal loan has been approved, some providers can have the funds in your account in as little as an hour, while others may take up to a week or more to get the money to you.

Is it safe to apply for a loan online?

Absolutely. Most of the financial services you already know and trust make their loan application process easy to complete online. Plus, doing your research on the internet helps you find the personal loan with the best rate and terms for your situation, instead of just taking whatever your local bank may have to offer. As with all online transactions, however, be sure to choose a loan provider with a proven track record: a positive rating from the BBB and numerous customer reviews are two good signs that you can trust a given lender online.

Continued from above...

A relatively new player gaining traction is the social lending network, or peer-to-peer lending, where everyday individuals invest in funding loans for their Canadian neighbors. This arrangement creates a win-win, with investors earning on the interest you pay and you getting the funds you need without sky-high rates or fees.

Regardless of the path you choose, it's crucial to understand the terms of any personal loan offers you receive. Not repaying a loan (on time or at all) can have a detrimental impact on your credit score, a setback that can be challenging to set right down the road.

Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you're clear on the interest rate, repayment terms, and any potential origination fees or prepayment penalties. While the allure of accepting the first cash offer you receive may be strong, take your time and be a discerning consumer.

As you navigate the array of personal loan options in Canada, you'll need to figure out where to start and which service to trust. Consider these factors:

Direct funding or referral platform. Will the provider directly fund your loan, or will they connect you with various lenders for comparison? If it's a referral service, who are their lending partners, and can they be relied upon?
Transparency. Does the service disclose upfront the average interest rates paid by borrowers? How hard is it to find out how much you can borrow? Are any fees clearly outlined?
Reputation. What do other borrowers say about the lender or referral platform? Are they rated and/or accredited by the BBB? Is the provider established and trustworthy?
Timeframe for receiving funds. How long will it take to get your loan funded? Some lenders can transfer money within an hour of your loan's approval, while others may have you waiting for a week or longer. Choose accordingly if you're trying to get money quickly.

For an in-depth review of the best online sources for personal loans in Canada, look no further than our list here at Top Consumer Reviews. We're confident that our insights will assist you in quickly getting the funds you need with terms you can manage. Be a well-informed borrower on your financial journey!