Looking to earn passive income through peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms? P2P investing lets you fund personal loans, real estate deals, or small businesses directly, often with higher potential returns than traditional savings accounts. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, choosing the right platform is key. Here’s our guide to the top 10 peer-to-peer lending platforms for investors in 2026. Each platform below offers unique features, risk levels, and earning potential.
1. LendingClub
LendingClub is one of the most established names in peer-to-peer lending for investors. Originally launched as a pure P2P platform, it now operates as a digital bank while still offering access to consumer loan investments. Investors can build diversified portfolios by funding fractions of personal loans. The platform provides detailed borrower data, automated investing tools, and historical performance metrics to help manage risk. While returns vary depending on credit grades, many investors appreciate LendingClub’s transparency and long operating history. It’s a strong choice for investors seeking relatively predictable consumer loan exposure.
2. Prosper
Prosper is another pioneer in the peer-to-peer lending space, offering investors access to unsecured personal loans. The platform allows fractional investing, meaning you can diversify across many borrowers with relatively small amounts of capital. Prosper provides borrower credit profiles, risk grades, and estimated returns to guide decision-making. Automated investing tools make it easy for passive investors to allocate funds according to selected criteria. While higher-risk loans may offer higher returns, diversification is essential. Prosper remains a popular P2P platform for investors seeking consumer credit exposure and steady cash flow.
3. Upstart
Upstart stands out among peer-to-peer lending platforms because it uses artificial intelligence to evaluate borrowers beyond traditional credit scores. Investors benefit from its AI-driven underwriting model, which analyzes education, employment, and other variables. This approach aims to improve risk assessment and potentially boost returns. Upstart loans primarily focus on personal lending, and institutional investors participate alongside individuals. The platform appeals to tech-savvy investors looking for data-driven decision-making. While returns depend on loan grades and economic conditions, Upstart offers a modern twist on traditional P2P investing.
4. Funding Circle
Funding Circle specializes in small business loans, making it a compelling option for investors who want exposure beyond consumer credit. Instead of funding personal loans, you’re investing in established businesses seeking growth capital. Returns can be attractive, but business lending carries different risks compared to consumer loans. Funding Circle provides risk grades, financial data, and portfolio tools to help investors diversify across industries. For those interested in supporting entrepreneurs while earning passive income, Funding Circle offers a focused peer-to-peer lending experience in the small business sector.
5. Mintos
Mintos is one of Europe’s largest peer-to-peer lending marketplaces, giving investors access to loans from multiple originators worldwide. The platform supports auto-invest features, secondary markets, and buyback guarantees on certain loans. Investors can choose from personal, business, car, and short-term loans across different countries. Mintos is particularly attractive for international investors seeking geographic diversification. However, currency and originator risk should be carefully evaluated. With competitive returns and a broad loan selection, Mintos remains a major global P2P lending platform for portfolio diversification.
6. Bondora
Bondora is a European peer-to-peer lending platform known for its “Go & Grow” product, which simplifies investing by offering a target return with flexible withdrawals. Unlike traditional loan-by-loan selection, investors can deposit funds and let the platform manage allocation automatically. Bondora also offers a more hands-on marketplace option for experienced investors. It primarily focuses on consumer loans in Europe. The platform’s simplicity makes it appealing to beginners, while experienced investors appreciate its data transparency. Bondora offers a user-friendly entry into international P2P investing.
7. PeerStreet
PeerStreet focuses on real estate debt investments rather than unsecured consumer loans. Investors fund short-term property-backed loans, often secured by residential real estate. This asset-backed approach can provide added security compared to unsecured P2P loans. PeerStreet allows investors to browse property details, loan-to-value ratios, and risk grades. Returns vary depending on project type and market conditions. For investors looking to diversify into real estate lending without owning physical property, PeerStreet offers a compelling peer-to-peer alternative.
8. Groundfloor
Groundfloor provides access to short-term real estate loans with relatively low minimum investments. Unlike many platforms restricted to accredited investors, Groundfloor is open to a broader audience in the U.S. Investors can select individual projects or diversify across multiple loans. Each investment includes project details, borrower background, and risk grading. Because it focuses on property-backed lending, returns are influenced by housing market conditions. Groundfloor is a strong choice for investors seeking real estate exposure within the peer-to-peer lending ecosystem.
9. Zopa
Zopa was one of the world’s first peer-to-peer lending platforms and played a major role in popularizing P2P investing in the UK. While it has transitioned into a digital bank model, its roots remain in marketplace lending. Historically, Zopa offered diversified consumer loan portfolios with automated allocation tools. Investors valued its risk-based pricing and strong credit screening. Although availability for new retail investors may vary, Zopa remains a landmark brand in the peer-to-peer lending industry and an important name in the sector’s evolution.
10. Kiva
Kiva operates differently from most peer-to-peer lending platforms. As a nonprofit microfinance platform, it allows investors (lenders) to fund small entrepreneurs worldwide, often with zero interest. While financial returns may be limited or nonexistent, social impact is the primary goal. Investors can browse borrower stories, regions, and business types before lending. Repayments can be reinvested into new projects. For investors who prioritize impact investing and global development over high yields, Kiva offers a meaningful alternative within the broader P2P lending space.
Is Peer-to-Peer Lending Worth It?
Peer-to-peer lending platforms can offer attractive returns, diversification, and passive income potential. However, they also carry risks, including borrower defaults, platform solvency, and economic downturns. The key to success is diversification, careful risk selection, and understanding each platform’s structure. If you’re building a diversified alternative investment portfolio in 2026, these top P2P lending platforms are a strong place to start.