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CreditNinja Installment loan
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Min. Amount
$300
Max. Amount
$5,000
Turnaround time
1 to 2 business days

Our verdict

An easy application process and fast funding may not make up for triple-digit interest rates.

CreditNinja offers installment loans from $300 to $5,000, with no minimum credit score and funding as soon as the same day. Terms go up to 24 months — longer than most payday loans — but rates are extremely high and origination fees apply. It also requires income by direct deposit, which may exclude gig workers. This loan might work in an emergency, but it’s an expensive last-resort option.

Best for: Bad credit borrowers who don’t qualify for less expensive loan options.

Pros

  • Loans from $300 to $5,000
  • Accepts bad credit borrowers
  • Funding as soon as the same day

Cons

  • APRs could reach triple digits
  • Charges origination fees
  • Does not disclose rates and fees before applying

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Your reviews
  • Ask a question

Is CreditNinja legit?

CreditNinja is a legitimate company. It’s not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but it has an A- rating and many reviews from (mostly) satisfied customers. It also attempts to communicate with unhappy customers and has closed 32 complaints within the last year.

CreditNinja is transparent about communication, providing not only email and live chat access but also a phone number and physical address. Loans are provided by two FDIC-insured banks: First Electronic Bank and CC Connect, a division of Capital Community Bank, both based in Utah.

What makes CreditNinja shine?

We like that CreditNinja doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement, giving borrowers with poor credit histories a loan option beyond short-term payday loans. It’s also nice that it offers loans as large as $5,000, which is more than you can get with other fast funding options such as cash advance apps.

In addition, customer reviews regularly praise the easy online application process, good customer service and fast funding.

Where CreditNinja falls short

CreditNinja may not officially be a payday loan lender, but evidence points to APRs on par with payday loans. Its website states that rates for loans exceed 36%, and individuals protected by the Military Lending Act aren’t eligible to apply. Reviewers report triple-digit APRs, whereas most online personal loans are typically between 6% and 36%.

It’s also unfortunate that CreditNinja normally charges origination fees. It doesn’t disclose those fees until you’ve applied, but typically origination fees can reach as high as 10%, and they’re deducted from your loan proceeds. For example, if you borrow $1,000, you’ll only receive $900, but you’ll pay interest on the full amount.

How CreditNinja compares to other lenders

Product Finder Score Loan amount Turnaround time Requirements
Finder score
Up to $500
Instant, once qualified
Active Varo Bank Account with a positive balance and at least $800 in total qualifying direct deposits in the current or previous month. Additional quals apply.
Varo Advance (VA) is a small dollar line of credit. Initial limits range from $20-$250. Work your way up to $500 over time. Fees range from $1.60 - $40 based on loan amount.
Finder score
Up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays
1 to 2 business days or within 30 minutes for a fee
At least 18 and a US resident, Valid Social Security number, At least 60 days of banking history, Proof of consistent income, Positive bank balance, Get paid by direct deposit.
Access up to $150 per day, with a max of $750 between paydays. Subject to EarnIn terms & conditions.
Finder score
$50 to $750
Up to 3 days or within an hour for a fee
Among other factors, you must receive a monthly total of $500 or more in Eligible Payroll Deposits into your Current Account.
Get up to $750 before payday, once you qualify. Paycheck Advance is an earned wage access service and is not a loan or credit product. Subject to Paycheck Advance Terms and Conditions.
OppLoans logo
Finder score
$500 to $5,000
As soon as the same business day
+18 years old, Receive paychecks through direct deposit, $1,500 minimum monthly income, Live in eligible state
Not available in: CO, CT, GA, IA, MD, MA, NY, SD, VT, WV. Comes with the option to change your due date so you won’t fall behind on repayments.
Cleo logo
Finder score
Up to $250
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Not stated
Automatically monitor your spending plus access cash advances up to $100 at a time.
Chime logo
Finder score
Up to $500
Within 24 hours or $2 for instant transfers
Chime checking account, direct deposits of $200+ and only available in some states
Access up to $500 of your pay before payday fee-free within 24 hours. See Chime terms and conditions.
CreditNinja logo
Finder score
$300 to $5,000
1 to 2 business days
Checking account at least 60 days old, regular income through direct deposit, resident of eligible state, age of majority in your state
Fast online funding up to $5K, but you won't know about rates and terms until after you apply.
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What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score crunches 3+ types of short-term loans across 65+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.

To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best short-term loans for all credit types, you can see how each short-term loan stacks up against other short-term loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type.

Read the full Finder Score breakdown

CreditNinja loan details

Minimum credit score/credit rangeNo minimum credit score required
APRUndisclosed, but more than 36%
Loan amounts$500 to $5,000 (Individual states may vary)
Terms4 to 24 months
Approval turnaroundAs soon as same day
AvailabilityAvailable in: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Fees
  • Origination fee
  • Late fees
  • Insufficient funds fees (NSF)
  • No prepayment penalties

CreditNinja contact information

Phone number855-646-5201
customer service hoursWeekdays: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT
Email[email protected]
X, formerly Twitter@CreditNinjaCom
Facebook@CreditNinjaCom

Calculate your monthly loan payments

To find out how much you’ll end up paying each month and over the life of the loan, enter your loan amount, interest rate and repayment term into the calculator below.

Monthly Repayment Calculator

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How to qualify for CreditNinja

To qualify for a CreditNinja loan, you’ll need to meet these minimum requirements:

  • Be over 18 with a valid Social Security number
  • Have a verifiable checking account
  • Have a recurring source of income paid by direct deposit (paycheck, disability, social security, etc.)
  • Agree to a credit check
  • Have no active bankruptcies

How to apply

To apply for a loan through CreditNinja, all you need to do is:

  1. Go to the CreditNinja website and select Apply now.
  2. Fill out the application by providing your name, address, email, phone number, date of birth and SSN.
  3. Provide your bank details so CreditNinja can verify your income.
  4. Receive a loan offer, review the details and decide if you want to accept the terms.
  5. Sign the agreement if you agree with the terms. Expect your funds within 24 hours.

CreditNinja reviews and complaints

BBB accredited No
BBB rating A-
BBB customer reviews 4.21 out of 5 stars, based on 399 customer reviews
Trustpilot Score 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on 9,324 customer reviews
Customer reviews verified as of 22 May 2025

CreditNinja has mainly positive reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau. On Trustpilot, the company earns four or five stars from 89% of customers. Ratings are similar on the Better Business Bureau website, which is unusual since customers primarily use the site to lodge complaints.

Those who give the company high ratings praise the simple online application process, fast loan approval time, speedy funding and helpful customer service reps. The primary complaint is about the cost of borrowing. Many customers take issue with the company’s triple-digit interest rates and report repaying more than double what they originally borrowed. Other complaints include rejected applications and funding not arriving on the same or next business day.

What do people on Reddit say?

Conversations on Reddit about CreditNinja pretty much mirror what’s being said on review sites. When asked for opinions on the company, Redditors on both sides typically pipe up. Those who recommend the company report getting cash quickly when they were in need.

But plenty of comments warn against using CreditNinja because of its high interest rates and hidden fees. There are also people on Reddit asking for help because they’re having trouble paying off their CreditNinja loans, highlighting how this type of loan often traps borrowers in a cycle of debt.

Frequently asked questions

Is CreditNinja a monthly payment?

Yes, when you take out a loan through CreditNinja, you pay it back in monthly installments. A detailed payment schedule can be found in your loan contract, which is sent after your application is approved.

Does CreditNinja affect your credit?

Applying for a loan with CreditNinja may lower your credit score slightly if the company conducts a hard credit check. If you take out a loan and miss payments or default, CreditNinja could report this activity to the three major credit bureaus, which damages your credit score. But taking out the loan and repaying on time likely has a positive impact on your credit.

Does CreditNinja accept everyone?

While CreditNinja doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement, it doesn’t automatically accept all applications. You must be 18 years or older and have recurring, verifiable income deposited into your checking account to qualify.

How fast will my CreditNinja loan be funded?

Applications approved before 10:30 a.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday, are normally funded the same business day. If you’re approved after that time, you’ll usually receive the loans on the next business day, unless further verification is needed.

If CreditNinja turns me down for a loan, can I reapply?

If you already have a CreditNinja account, you can log in to your account and, if you’re eligible to reapply, you will see a button to click.

Can CreditNinja send my loan funds by check?

No. CreditNinja loan proceeds are deposited directly into your bank account, so you’ll need to have a verified checking account to qualify for the loan.

Will CreditNinja let me change my repayment date?

You can change your repayment date if your current date isn’t convenient, but you can’t do it through your online account. You’ll need to call CreditNinja at 855-646-5201 and talk to a customer support member.

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