Our experts answer readers' personal loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess personal loans). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.

When shopping for a personal loan, most borrowers make the interest rate their top priority. The lower the interest rate, the less the total cost of the loan will be. While other factors like fees and term lengths also are important when when selecting a lender, interest rates are critical in making your final choice.