Oportun Review
Installment Loans from $300 to $10,000
Fast approval • Secure application • No commitment
Oportun at a Glance
About Oportun
Oportun Inc, founded in 2005 in San Carlos, California (NASDAQ: OPRT), is a leading provider of affordable credit to low-to-moderate income Latino and underserved communities across the United States. With over 350 retail locations and a robust online platform, Oportun offers installment loans from $300 to $10,000 with repayment terms of 6-48 months, establishing themselves as the largest credit-building lender in the U.S.
What sets Oportun apart is their proprietary underwriting model that uses over 1,500 data points—including utility payment history, rent payments, remittances, and employment stability—to evaluate creditworthiness beyond traditional FICO scores. This allows Oportun to approve 46% of applicants, including those with no credit history or credit scores as low as 550.
Every Oportun loan is reported to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion), transforming borrowing into an opportunity to build or rebuild credit. Oportun has helped over 5 million members establish credit history, with the average customer seeing a 30-50 point credit score increase after 12 months of on-time payments.
With an 8.4/10 rating (highest in our review), 46% approval rate, and APRs ranging from 20-67% (lowest among subprime lenders), Oportun has revolutionized responsible lending for underserved communities. They're ideal for borrowers who need $1,000-$10,000, want to build credit, and appreciate bilingual service (Spanish and English) and in-person support at retail locations.
Expert Opinion: Highly Recommended
Oportun is the gold standard for subprime installment lending. Their 20-67% APRs are 5-10x lower than payday lenders, reporting to all three credit bureaus provides genuine credit-building, and the 46% approval rate gives borrowers a real chance at approval. The 8.4/10 rating reflects outstanding customer satisfaction and mission alignment. We recommend Oportun as the FIRST choice for anyone who needs $500-$10,000, lives in their 14-state service area, and wants to build credit while borrowing. Oportun is proof that responsible, affordable lending can serve low-income communities profitably. Before considering payday lenders, title loans, or high-APR tribal lenders, apply to Oportun. If declined by Oportun, try MoneyLion (all 50 states, 150-400% APR) or Fig Loans (Texas, Utah, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio—credit-building, 36-189% APR). Only use payday lenders or tribal lenders as a last resort after exhausting these better alternatives.
Example Loan Cost
Representative example of a typical Oportun loan:
*This is a representative example only. Your actual APR and costs will depend on your credit profile, loan amount, and state regulations. Always review your loan agreement before accepting.
Pros & Cons of Oportun
Advantages
- ✓ Lowest APR in subprime category (20-67% vs. 150-600% for competitors)
- ✓ Reports to all 3 credit bureaus—proven credit-building results (30-50 point increases)
- ✓ Highest rating in our review (8.4/10) and best approval rate (46%)
- ✓ Large loan amounts ($300-$10,000) with flexible terms (6-48 months)
- ✓ 350+ retail locations across 14 states for in-person service
- ✓ Bilingual support (Spanish/English)—culturally responsive lending
- ✓ No credit score required—accepts first-time borrowers and scores as low as 550
- ✓ Over 5 million members served since 2005—established track record
Disadvantages
- ✗ APR (20-67%) still higher than prime personal loans (6-18%)
- ✗ Available in only 14 states (California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Utah, Wisconsin, Idaho, Missouri, New Mexico, Arizona, Indiana, Ohio)
- ✗ 46% approval rate means 54% of applicants are declined
- ✗ Funding takes 48 hours—slower than 1-hour payday lenders
- ✗ May require in-person visit to retail location for first-time borrowers in some cases
How to Apply for a Oportun Loan
Start Your Application
Visit Oportun's website or use our comparison tool to submit your application. You'll need basic personal information, employment details, and bank account information.
Get Approved
Oportun will review your application and make a lending decision within 48 hours. You'll receive notification via email or SMS.
Review & Accept
Carefully review the loan terms, including APR, fees, repayment schedule, and total cost. Only accept if you understand and agree to all terms.
Receive Funds
Once you accept the loan, Oportun will deposit funds directly into your bank account. Funds typically arrive within 48 to 96 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Oportun help build credit?
Oportun reports every monthly payment to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. On-time payments create positive credit history, increasing your credit score. The average Oportun member improves their score by 30-50 points after 12 months of on-time payments. This establishes a credit profile that can qualify you for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards in the future.
What is the APR for Oportun loans?
Oportun's APR ranges from 20% to 67% depending on your credit profile, income, loan amount, and state. For example, a $5,000 loan at 40% APR over 24 months would have monthly payments of approximately $280 and total repayment of $6,720 ($1,720 in interest). This is 50-75% cheaper than payday lenders (300-600% APR) and competitive with credit cards for subprime borrowers (25-30% APR).
Can I get an Oportun loan with no credit history?
Yes! Oportun specializes in serving 'credit invisibles'—people with no credit history or FICO scores. They use alternative data like utility bills, rent payments, and employment history to assess creditworthiness. Many first-time borrowers are approved, making Oportun an ideal first credit product.
What states does Oportun operate in?
Oportun is licensed in 14 states: California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Utah, Wisconsin, Idaho, Missouri, New Mexico, Arizona, Indiana, and Ohio. They have 350+ retail locations in these states, plus online lending.
Alternatives to Oportun
While Oportun is a solid choice, you may also want to consider these alternatives:
- → Credit Union Payday Alternative Loans (PALs) – Lower APRs (28% max) but slower approval
- → Installment Loans – Longer terms (6-24 months) with smaller monthly payments
- → Cash Advance Apps – $50-$250 advances with low/no fees (Earnin, Dave, Brigit)
- → Compare Other Lenders – See all 30 lenders in our network
Ready to Apply with Oportun?
Get started in minutes. Fast approval, secure application, no commitment.
Apply Now at Oportun →⚠️ Important Disclosure
High-Cost Loan Warning: Oportun loans have APRs ranging from 20% to 67%, which is significantly higher than traditional bank loans. These loans are intended for short-term financial needs only and can be expensive if not repaid quickly.
Responsible Borrowing: Only borrow what you can afford to repay on time. Late or missed payments can result in additional fees, collection actions, and damage to your credit score.
Editorial Independence: Credizen.net is a comparison service. We may earn a commission when you click on lender links or apply for a loan through our platform. All reviews and ratings are based on publicly available data and user feedback. Oportun has not influenced this review.
Emergency Financial Help
If you're experiencing financial difficulties, contact your local financial counseling service.
- South Africa: National Credit Regulator - 0860 627 627
- Romania: ANPC - 0213142200
- Colombia: Superintendencia Financiera - (571) 594 2222
- Poland: KNF - 22 262 5000