We compared over 25 mortgage lenders based on rates, fees, loan options, and customer experience. Here are our top picks for 2026.
Zogby is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. We may receive compensation from the companies whose products appear on this site. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order products appear. Zogby does not include every financial company or every product available in the marketplace.
Key Takeaways
- 1 Getting pre-approved with 2–3 lenders lets you compare rates without additional credit score impact if done within a 45-day window.
- 2 The minimum down payment across our top picks starts at just 3%, making homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers through conventional and FHA programs.
- 3 Online-first lenders like Rocket Mortgage and Better.com often close faster and charge fewer fees than traditional banks, though in-person service may be limited.
- 4 FHA and VA loans accept credit scores as low as 580, while most conventional loans require a minimum of 620—check each lender's specific requirements before applying.
- 5 Always compare the APR (not just the interest rate) to understand the true cost of your mortgage, including origination fees, discount points, and other charges.
Our Top Picks for Mortgage Lenders
1. Rocket Mortgage
Min. Down Payment
3%
Loan Types
Conventional/FHA/VA/USDA
Min. Credit Score
580
Rocket Mortgage, headquartered in Detroit and a subsidiary of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), is the largest mortgage lender in the United States, originating over $130 billion in home loans annually. Founded in 1985 as Quicken Loans by Dan Gilbert, they rebranded to Rocket Mortgage in 2021 to reflect their industry-leading digital platform. Their Verified Approval process can confirm your loan in as few as 8 minutes, with a $10,000 guarantee backing the approval letter. Rocket Mortgage earned the #1 ranking in J.D. Power's U.S. Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study for 13 consecutive years. They offer 15- and 30-year fixed, adjustable-rate, jumbo, FHA, VA, and USDA loans with down payments as low as 1% through their ONE+ program for qualifying buyers.
Pros
- #1 in J.D. Power customer satisfaction for 13 straight years
- Verified Approval backed by a $10,000 guarantee
- ONE+ program allows as little as 1% down for eligible buyers
Cons
- No physical branch locations for in-person consultations
- Origination fees average 0.5–1% higher than discount online lenders
2. Better.com
Min. Down Payment
3%
Loan Types
Conventional/FHA/Jumbo
Min. Credit Score
620
Better.com, founded in 2016 by CEO Vishal Garg and headquartered in New York City, disrupted the mortgage industry by eliminating loan officer commissions entirely—a model that saves borrowers an average of $8,200 in fees compared to traditional lenders, according to the company. They charge zero origination fees, zero lender fees, and zero application fees. Better.com went public via SPAC in 2022 (NASDAQ: BETR) and has funded over $100 billion in mortgages. Their "Better Price Guarantee" promises to match any competitor's Loan Estimate within 3 business days of application or credit $100. The entire process—from pre-approval to closing—can be completed online, with most pre-approvals issued in under 3 minutes and closings averaging 21 days versus the industry standard of 44 days.
Pros
- Zero commissions, origination fees, or lender fees—saves avg. $8,200
- Pre-approval in under 3 minutes; average closing in 21 days
- Better Price Guarantee matches competitor estimates or credits $100
Cons
- No VA or USDA loan programs available
- Minimum 620 credit score required; limited for lower-credit borrowers
3. loanDepot
Min. Down Payment
3%
Loan Types
Conventional/FHA/VA
Min. Credit Score
580
loanDepot, founded in 2010 by Anthony Hsieh and headquartered in Irvine, California, is the second-largest non-bank retail mortgage lender in the U.S., having funded over $275 billion in loans. They went public in 2021 (NYSE: LDI) and operate over 200 retail locations across 44 states. Their flagship "Lifetime Guarantee" program waives all lender fees and title charges on future refinances after your first loanDepot refinance—a benefit that can save homeowners $4,000–$6,000 per refinance transaction. loanDepot's mello smartloan technology uses AI to automate verification and streamline the digital application process. They offer conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans, as well as a proprietary Grand Slam loan for VA-eligible borrowers with no down payment and no PMI.
Pros
- Lifetime Guarantee saves $4,000–$6,000 on every future refinance
- 200+ retail branches plus full digital application option
- Grand Slam VA loan: no down payment, no PMI for eligible veterans
Cons
- No USDA loan program available
- Rate transparency limited until formal application is submitted
4. Guaranteed Rate
Min. Down Payment
3%
Loan Types
Conventional/FHA/VA/USDA
Min. Credit Score
620
Guaranteed Rate, founded in 2000 by Victor Ciardelli and headquartered in Chicago, is one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the U.S. with over 850 branches in all 50 states. They pioneered the digital mortgage application in 2014 and now close loans in an average of 21 days—well below the industry average of 44 days. Their proprietary platform allows e-signatures, digital document uploads, and real-time rate locking from a mobile device. Guaranteed Rate has funded over $90 billion annually and employs 6,000+ licensed loan officers. They offer every major loan type including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and renovation loans, with rate-lock periods of 30 to 90 days. The company also sponsors the naming rights to Guaranteed Rate Field (home of the Chicago White Sox).
Pros
- Average 21-day closing time—nearly half the industry average
- All major loan types including renovation and jumbo
- 850+ branches nationwide with 6,000+ licensed loan officers
Cons
- Rates may vary by individual loan officer and branch
- Minimum 620 credit score required for conventional products
5. New American Funding
Min. Down Payment
3.5%
Loan Types
Conventional/FHA/VA/USDA
Min. Credit Score
580
New American Funding, founded in 2003 by husband-and-wife team Rick and Patty Arvielo and headquartered in Tustin, California, is one of the largest minority- and woman-owned mortgage lenders in the United States. They specialize in serving underrepresented communities and accept non-traditional credit histories including rent payments, utility bills, and bank statements for manual underwriting. NAF employs over 4,000 people across 170+ branch locations and has funded more than $200 billion in home loans. Their "I Dream" program targets FHA borrowers with credit scores as low as 580 and down payments starting at 3.5%, with personalized counseling in English and Spanish. New American Funding was recognized by HousingWire as a top lender for diversity and inclusion, and they won Scotsman Guide's Top VA Lender award.
Pros
- Manual underwriting accepts rent, utilities, and bank statements as credit proof
- Full Spanish-language support from application through closing
- I Dream program with personalized FHA counseling and 3.5% down
Cons
- Minimum 3.5% down payment—higher than some conventional alternatives
- Not licensed to originate in all 50 states
How to Choose a Mortgage Lender
Selecting the right mortgage lender involves more than just finding the lowest rate. You should consider the total cost of the loan including origination fees, closing costs, and any discount points. It's also important to evaluate the lender's customer service, digital tools, and how quickly they can close.
We recommend getting pre-approved with at least 2-3 lenders to compare offers side by side. Pre-approval involves a hard credit pull, but multiple mortgage inquiries within a 45-day window are typically treated as a single inquiry by credit scoring models.
Don't just focus on the interest rate—compare the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), which includes fees and gives you a more accurate picture of the total cost of borrowing. A loan with a slightly higher rate but lower fees could save you money overall.
Pro Tip
Don't just focus on the interest rate—compare the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), which includes fees and gives you a more accurate picture of the total cost of borrowing. A loan with a slightly higher rate but lower fees could save you money overall.
Mortgage Lenders Compared
| Provider | Min. Down Payment | Loan Types | Min. Credit Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rocket Mortgage
Top Pick
|
3% | Conventional/FHA/VA/USDA | 580 |
4.9
|
|
Better.com
|
3% | Conventional/FHA/Jumbo | 620 |
4.8
|
|
loanDepot
|
3% | Conventional/FHA/VA | 580 |
4.7
|
|
Guaranteed Rate
|
3% | Conventional/FHA/VA/USDA | 620 |
4.7
|
|
New American Funding
|
3.5% | Conventional/FHA/VA/USDA | 580 |
4.6
|
Our Methodology
Our editorial team evaluated over 25 mortgage lenders across dozens of data points to identify the best options for homebuyers and refinancers. Each lender was assessed on rates, fees, product selection, digital experience, and customer satisfaction to produce our final rankings.
Interest Rates & Fees
30%We compared current mortgage rates, origination fees, discount points, and closing costs across all lenders to determine which offer the lowest total borrowing cost.
Loan Product Variety
25%We assessed each lender's range of loan programs—including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and jumbo—to ensure borrowers of all types can find a suitable product.
Customer Experience
25%We analyzed J.D. Power satisfaction scores, online reviews, application process ease, and closing speed to evaluate each lender's overall service quality.
Eligibility & Accessibility
20%We reviewed minimum credit score requirements, down payment thresholds, geographic availability, and support for first-time buyers and underserved borrowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sarah Chen
Senior Senior Financial Editor
Sarah Chen is a certified financial planner (CFP®) and senior editor at Zogby with over 12 years of experience covering mortgages and home lending. She holds a degree in Economics from Columbia University and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Forbes. Sarah's work focuses on making complex financial products accessible to everyday consumers.
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Important Mortgage & Home Loan Disclaimers
- Mortgage rates shown are based on various assumptions including credit score, down payment, loan amount, and property type. Your actual rate may differ. Rates are subject to change daily.
- All mortgage lenders featured on this site are required to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and the Fair Housing Act, which prohibit discrimination in lending. Equal Housing Opportunity.
- Mortgage lending is regulated by state and federal law. Lenders must be licensed or registered in the states where they operate. NMLS Consumer Access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org
- APR (Annual Percentage Rate) includes the interest rate plus other costs such as points, mortgage insurance, and certain closing costs. The APR provides a more complete picture of the total cost of borrowing.
- Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) feature rates that may increase after the initial fixed-rate period, resulting in higher monthly payments. Understand the rate adjustment caps and frequency before choosing an ARM.
- Down payment requirements vary by loan type. Conventional loans may require as little as 3% down, FHA loans require 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans may require 0% down for eligible borrowers.
- Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is typically required on conventional loans when the down payment is less than 20% of the home's purchase price.
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be construed as, financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
Editorial Independence
Our recommendations are based on independent research and analysis. While Zogby may receive compensation from some partners listed on this page, our editorial team maintains full independence over our rankings and ratings. Compensation does not influence which products we recommend or how we rate them.