Live in 23 states · alternatives in 27

Fees out front.
Cheaper options shown first.

The fees for a $300 two-week payday loan can be as low as $3 or reach $75 — this difference is set by your state's regulations, not by your personal credit. SB Loan connects you with state-licensed lenders providing loans from $100 to $1,000, highlights the most economical choices, and shows your precise costs on-screen in about 30 seconds — with zero commitment.

See my options Compare alternatives first

SB Loan is paid a fee by the lending partners you are matched with. We organize results based on your potential cost, not our commission.

🔒 Protected with 256-bit AES
⚖️ Lenders licensed for your state only
⚡ Receive a decision in approximately 90 seconds
🛡️ It's free to compare your choices
Your final loan amount LIVE
$500

Texas: a typical fee is $22.10 per $100 you borrow for a 14-day term.

$100$1,000
Loan fee $110.50
Effective APR 576%
PAL alternative (28% APR, 6 mo) ~$45
Total to repay $610
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🔒 Rate checks require no hard credit pull · Information is protected with encryption

🛡️ SSL secured
🏛️ State licensed
🔐 AES-256 PII
📃 TCPA compliant
⚖️ Checked by AFC® and CFP®
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States covered
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Licensed lender partners
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Median loan amount
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How it works

Three uncomplicated phases. Full disclosure.

We serve as a connection platform, not a direct lender. Our system verifies your location, evaluates Military Lending Act eligibility, and presents both the licensed-lender path and the more affordable substitute — consistently.

~30 seconds
1

Enter your location

Just state and ZIP code. We confirm what's allowed in your area before asking for private information. People in states where it's banned are shown alternatives, not a loan offer.

~2 minutes
2

Basic personal information

Five brief steps. AES-256 encryption for stored data, TLS 1.3 for data transfer. Only last-4 digits of SSN; full SSN is never kept unencrypted. Separate TCPA permissions for each communication method.

~90 seconds
3

Genuine choices surface instantly

Loan offers from lenders licensed in your state appear instantly, ordered from lowest to highest cost. A Payday Alternative Loan from a credit union is also shown — it can be up to 90% cheaper.

Browse by product

Identify the appropriate credit instrument.

Expenses can differ by a factor of 22 across loan types. We present them — and always indicate which choices offer better value.

Payday loans High cost Online payday loans High cost Same-day payday loans High cost Payday loans near me High cost Installment loans Variable Title loans Highest cost Cash advance High cost Bad credit loans Variable Loan alternatives 15 cheaper options
Browse by state

Rules differ considerably.

Payday loans are effectively banned in 14 states plus DC (through total prohibitions or 36% APR maximums). Texas operates under a unique CAB/CSO model. Find your location.

Texas CAB California $300 cap New York Banned Florida Allowed Ohio Capped Michigan Allowed Georgia Banned Illinois 36% cap Pennsylvania Banned North Carolina Banned Tennessee Allowed Missouri Allowed Nevada Allowed Arizona Banned (installment available) Colorado 36% cap + 36 more states & DC →
Why we're different

We lead Google rankings by being forthright about pricing.

Lots of payday lending sites conceal fees with 'quick cash' slogans. We take the reverse approach. Every page clearly states the total expense, lists other possibilities, and suggests a sensible borrowing plan. Google's ranking systems recognize this clarity. Our users value it.

See what borrowing really costs

Contents of every SB Loan page:

  • ✓ The precise dollar charge, not merely APR
  • ✓ The exact rate ceiling and law governing your area
  • ✓ The Payday Alternative Loan possibility, displayed in parallel
  • ✓ Genuine contributors with confirmed credentials (AFC®, CFP®, JD)
  • ✓ A stepwise guide for "what happens if repayment proves difficult"
  • ✓ Editorial guidelines + verification process + update log
  • ✓ TCPA-compliant consents, no pre-checked boxes
  • ✓ MLA adherence: 36% MAPR ceiling enforced automatically
Common questions

Questions borrowers genuinely pose.

Clear information, checked by AFC® and CFP® experts.

What is the actual cost of a payday loan?

This varies by state. For example, Alabama lenders can charge up to 17.5% per $100 — a $300 loan for 14 days would cost $52.50 (~456% APR). In Colorado, that loan's APR is capped at 36% (roughly $4.14). California permits fees up to $17.65 per $100. Our Cost Index for all 50 states displays typical costs in actual dollars, not just APR percentages.

Could applying affect my credit rating?

Many payday lenders rely on other information (such as bank account history, income verification) rather than major credit reports, so an application typically involves a soft inquiry that leaves your score unaffected. If you take a loan and repay it, most payday lenders also do not report to the bureaus — meaning it won't help your credit history, but it also won't harm it unless the debt is forwarded to a collection agency.

What happens if I'm unable to pay by the due date?

Contact your lender first. Many states require lenders to offer a free Extended Payment Plan (EPP) once per year. Try to prevent the loan from defaulting — that can cause collection efforts, overdraft charges, and possible legal steps. Our comprehensive guide outlines your FDCPA rights and state-specific consumer protections.

Are there less expensive choices than a payday loan?

Yes — almost always. A Payday Alternative Loan (PAL) from a federal credit union has a capped APR of 28%. Earned Wage Access providers like DailyPay, EarnIn, and Brigit let you access money you've already earned early. Many employers and nonprofit organizations offer emergency aid programs. See our full ranking of 15 alternatives by cost.

Is SB Loan a direct lender?

No. SB Loan is a matching service. We connect users with licensed third-party lenders. We are not a lender, do not determine creditworthiness, and do not impose any charges on users. Every lender independently establishes their terms and makes the final lending decision.

What is SB Loan's business model?

We earn a referral fee from the lenders in our network when a loan is funded. This payment structure is the same for all partners, so we have no incentive to steer you toward any specific lender for financial reasons. We match you with the lender most likely to approve you at the lowest available rate for your circumstances.

Is payday lending legal in your state?

14 states + DC have essentially banned payday lending (outright bans or 36% APR caps). Select your state — we'll show a brief summary of the rules.

Select a state to see the legal loan products accessible where you live.

Explore possibilities without obligation.

Comparison is free. We only work with lenders authorized in your state. Other options are always included.

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