- LendingTree is an online loan marketplace (founded 1996), not a lender, that matches your details with partner banks and online lenders so they compete for your business.
- It's free for borrowers and can surface multiple competing offers from one form, covering term loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, and equipment financing via partners.
- It makes no credit decisions or loans, and its lead-based model means submitting your info can trigger numerous calls and emails from lenders.
LendingTree at a glance
LendingTree is an online lending marketplace founded in 1996 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s important to be clear on what it is and isn’t: LendingTree is not a lender and does not make loans or credit decisions. Instead, it collects your information through a single request and matches you with partner lenders, who then compete for your business. Its pitch is that competition among lenders can help borrowers find better terms.
How it works
- One request — you share details about your business and financing needs.
- Matching — LendingTree routes your request to partner banks and online lenders based on their criteria.
- Compare and apply — you review the offers that come back and complete a formal application directly with the lender you choose.
What you can get matched with
On the business side, LendingTree’s partners offer a range of products, including term loans, business lines of credit, SBA loans and equipment financing. The specific options depend on your profile, and all rates, fees and terms are set by the individual lenders rather than LendingTree.
Who it’s best for
LendingTree suits owners who want to cast a wide net quickly and don’t mind fielding multiple lender contacts in exchange for more offers to compare. The flip side of the lead-generation model is volume: submitting your information can prompt a number of calls and emails, so it helps to set expectations and compare offers carefully.
How to decide
A marketplace is only as useful as the comparison you do afterward. Because every offer comes from a third-party lender, weigh LendingTree’s matches against other options before signing anything. The simplest way is to apply once through Hoss Capital — we’ll connect you with lenders so you can compare the real numbers side by side.
- Well-established, widely recognized comparison marketplace
- One form can surface multiple competing offers
- Free for borrowers — LendingTree is paid by partner lenders
- Useful for quickly gauging what lenders may offer your business
- – Not a lender — it makes no credit decisions and funds no loans
- – Submitting your info can trigger numerous calls and emails from lenders
- – Offers and final terms depend entirely on each partner lender
LendingTree FAQs
Is LendingTree a lender? +
No. LendingTree explicitly states it is not a lender and makes no loans or credit decisions. It's a marketplace that passes your information to partner lenders, who decide whether to extend an offer. Hoss Capital is also a matching service that connects you with lenders so you can compare options.
Does LendingTree cost anything to use? +
LendingTree is free for borrowers; it's compensated by the lending partners on its platform. Any rates, fees and terms you see are set by the individual lenders, so confirm those directly with the lender you choose, and note that they can change.
What happens after I submit a request? +
LendingTree matches your request with partner lenders and you may receive multiple offers to compare. Because the model is lead-based, you should expect outreach from several lenders. You complete a formal application directly with whichever lender you decide to pursue.
Last updated: June 2026