6.99%–35.49%
- Amounts
- $5,000–$100,000
- Terms
- 2–7 years
- Fees
- 0%–7% options
- Best for
- Borrowers who want a polished online process
Advertised rates include discounts; origination-fee options affect both proceeds and APR.
Check optionsProvider comparison
The best pool loan is the one that fits the build.
We checked official provider pages for rates, limits, terms, fees, and funding mechanics. Then we kept the caveats next to the headline numbers.
| Provider | Advertised APR | Amounts | Terms | Fees | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best member perksSoFiDirect lender | 6.99%–35.49% | $5,000–$100,000 | 2–7 years | 0%–7% options | Borrowers who want a polished online process | Check options |
| Best overallLyon FinancialLending platform | 7.19% example | Up to $250,000 | Up to 30 years | Varies by partner | Large pool projects and long repayment terms | Check options |
| Best direct lenderLightStreamDirect lender | 7.24% example | $5,000–$100,000 | 2–20 years by loan type | No fees disclosed | Excellent-credit borrowers who value speed | Check options |
| Best for fair creditUpgradeLending platform | 7.74%–35.99% | $1,000–$50,000 | 2–7 years | 1.85%–9.99% | Smaller projects and broader credit profiles | Check options |
| Best for big buildsHFS FinancialLending platform | From 7.80% | $1,000–$450,000 | 1–30 years | Varies by partner | Very large or complex projects | Check options |
| Best contractor optionMedallion BankContractor financing | Contractor quote | Up to $75,000* | Not publicly posted | See contractor offer | Financing arranged at the pool contractor | Check options |
7.19% example
- Amounts
- Up to $250,000
- Terms
- Up to 30 years
- Fees
- Varies by partner
- Best for
- Large pool projects and long repayment terms
Lyon facilitates financing through third-party lenders; rates and eligibility vary by program.
Check options7.24% example
- Amounts
- $5,000–$100,000
- Terms
- 2–20 years by loan type
- Fees
- No fees disclosed
- Best for
- Excellent-credit borrowers who value speed
The lowest advertised rate requires AutoPay and excellent credit; available terms depend on loan purpose.
Check options7.74%–35.99%
- Amounts
- $1,000–$50,000
- Terms
- 2–7 years
- Fees
- 1.85%–9.99%
- Best for
- Smaller projects and broader credit profiles
Every offer includes an origination fee deducted from proceeds; the lowest rate has discount conditions.
Check optionsFrom 7.80%
- Amounts
- $1,000–$450,000
- Terms
- 1–30 years
- Fees
- Varies by partner
- Best for
- Very large or complex projects
HFS is not a lender; it matches applicants with third-party lenders whose offers and fees differ.
Check optionsContractor quote
- Amounts
- Up to $75,000*
- Terms
- Not publicly posted
- Fees
- See contractor offer
- Best for
- Financing arranged at the pool contractor
Current consumer rates and terms are not posted publicly. The $75,000 ceiling appears in an older official program overview and should be confirmed.
Check optionsWhat the table can tell you
Whether a provider publishes a competitive starting rate, reaches your budget, offers a sufficiently long term, charges an origination fee, or sends money through a contractor.
What it cannot tell you
Your approved APR, exact fees, approval odds, or whether the lowest payment is the best household decision. Only a personalized offer can answer those questions.
How we score fit
No mystery points.
Rate transparency
A clear range beats an isolated teaser when comparing offers.
Project fit
A lender should reach the real budget without forcing a dangerously short term.
Fee clarity
Origination fees reduce usable proceeds and belong beside the APR.
Funding control
Pool builds may need staged payments or borrower approval before a builder is paid.
Borrower risk
Unsecured debt does not put the home up as collateral; HELOCs and equity loans do.
Early payoff
No prepayment penalty preserves flexibility if you refinance or pay ahead.
Source notes
Read the small type before the application.
Lyon Financial and HFS Financial describe themselves as financing facilitators or platforms, not the lender making every offer. Their partner lender controls final underwriting, fees, and availability. Medallion Bank generally appears through participating contractors, and its current public site does not post a consumer APR range.
LightStream's lowest pricing assumes AutoPay and a strong credit profile. SoFi's published range includes discounts and permits origination-fee options. Upgrade states that every offer includes an origination fee deducted from proceeds. These distinctions are why we avoid declaring one provider universally cheapest.
Use the linked official sources in each provider's disclosure, verify the offer's Truth in Lending information, and compare the amount financed—not just the cash that lands in your account.
Keep researching
Guides that pair with this comparison.
Use the pool loan calculator to model payments at different amounts and terms — then come back here to see which lenders match your numbers.
For a deeper look at what drives your APR, read the pool loan rates guide. If you are weighing secured versus unsecured borrowing, the pool loan vs. HELOC guide breaks down the tradeoffs.
Not sure what the project should actually cost? Our pool cost guide covers the full budget from contractor bid through years of ownership. And for step-by-step financing advice, see how to finance a pool.