Big Picture Loans vs MaxLend
Both are tribal installment lenders charging triple-digit APRs, so this is not a contest of good options — it is about which is less expensive and less risky. Big Picture Loans scores higher (3.2 vs 2.9), but the right pick depends on what you need.
| Feature | Big Picture Loans | MaxLend |
|---|---|---|
| Our score (/10) | 3.2 | 2.9 |
| APR range | 350–699% | 471–841% |
| Loan amounts | $200–$5,000 | $100–$3,750 |
| Product | installment | installment |
| Owning tribe | Lac Vieux Desert Band | Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation |
| Lending since | 2016 | 2013 |
Pick Big Picture Loans if…
- Lower maximum APR (699% vs 841%)
- Larger loans available (up to $5,000)
- Higher overall score (3.2 vs 2.9)
Our take on each
Big Picture Loans
Big Picture Loans is the rare tribal lender that actually won sovereign immunity in a federal appeals court — which is exactly why its up-to-699% loans are so hard to challenge.
MaxLend
MaxLend gamifies its pricing — a 'Preferred Rewards' loyalty ladder is the only way down from 700%+ APR — and it excludes its own home state of North Dakota.
Before choosing either, price a cheaper option.
Both loans are last-resort products. A credit-union Payday Alternative Loan is capped at 28%
APR, and cash-advance apps cost a fraction of a triple-digit tribal loan. If you already have
one of these loans, see our guide to getting
out.