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Compare Loans in Kenya

82 loan products. Mobile loans, bank-backed, personal, auto, and asset finance. Find the right loan for your needs.

By shrwed.co editorial teamUpdated May 2026CBK/IRA Verified

Loan types at a glance

Different loans for different needs. Speed, cost, and requirements vary significantly.

Loan Type Typical APR Speed Max Amount Requirements
Mobile Loans 80-630% Instant KSh 50K ID, M-PESA
Bank-Backed Mobile 13-45% Minutes KSh 5M Bank account, income
Bank App Loans 12-25% Same day KSh 10M Bank customer, salary
Personal Loans 14-28% 1-3 days KSh 5M Payslips, bank statements
Auto Loans 13-20% 1-2 weeks KSh 10M+ 30% deposit, logbook
Asset Finance 15-22% 2-4 weeks KSh 50M+ Business, 20-30% deposit

Top picks by category

Our editorial picks for each loan type. Based on APR, speed, and user experience.

⚡ Best Mobile Loan

M-Shwari

APR: 630% Limit: KSh 50K

Most accessible mobile loan. Instant disbursement, no paperwork. Best for emergencies under KSh 10K.

🏦 Best Bank-Backed

KCB M-PESA

APR: 106% Limit: KSh 5M

Best balance of speed and cost. KCB-backed, higher limits than pure mobile loans.

💰 Best Personal Loan

Faulu Kenya

APR: ~24% Limit: KSh 3M

Competitive rates for salaried employees. Flexible terms, transparent fees.

🚗 Best Auto Loan

NCBA Bank

APR: ~16% Limit: KSh 10M+

Leading car finance provider. New & used cars, competitive rates, fast approval.

Loan repayment calculator

Estimate your monthly payments for different loan amounts and terms.

KSh
Monthly PaymentKSh 9,069
Total InterestKSh 8,828
Total RepaymentKSh 108,828

How to choose the right loan

Not all loans are created equal. Match the loan type to your actual need.

📱 Mobile Loans

Best for: Emergency cash under KSh 10K, same-day repayment

Avoid if: You need more than KSh 50K or longer than 30 days

Watch out: APRs of 100-600%+. Only use for true emergencies.

🏦 Bank-Backed Mobile

Best for: Quick cash KSh 10K-5M, 1-6 month terms

Avoid if: You don't have a bank account or regular income

Watch out: Late fees, CRB listing for defaults

💰 Personal Loans

Best for: Planned expenses (school fees, medical, renovation)

Avoid if: You need cash today (takes 1-3 days)

Watch out: Processing fees (2-5%), insurance add-ons

🚗 Auto Loans

Best for: Buying a car (new or used)

Avoid if: You can't afford 30% deposit

Watch out: Comprehensive insurance required, logbook held by bank

🏗️ Asset Finance

Best for: Business equipment, machinery, trucks

Avoid if: You're a startup without cash flow history

Watch out: Asset repossessed if you default

Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest type of loan?

Bank app loans and personal loans have the lowest APR (12-25%). Mobile loans are the most expensive (80-630% APR) but fastest.

How quickly can I get a mobile loan?

Instant to 5 minutes. M-Shwari, KCB M-PESA, and Fuliza disburse immediately after approval.

Do loans affect my CRB?

Yes. All CBK-licensed lenders report to CRB. Late payments or defaults will negatively impact your credit score.

What's a good APR for a personal loan?

14-18% is competitive for salaried employees. Above 24% is expensive. Mobile loans at 100%+ APR should only be used for emergencies.

Can I get a loan without payslips?

Mobile loans don't require payslips. Bank-backed mobile loans may require proof of income. Personal loans typically require 3-6 months payslips.