Plain Green 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. On our methodology they land within 0.1 of each other — effectively a tie.
| Feature | Plain Green | MaxLend |
|---|---|---|
| Our score (/10) | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| APR range | 448–700% (documented) | 419–841% (documented) |
| Loan amounts | $200–$4,500 | $1,000–$3,750 |
| Product | installment | installment |
| Owning tribe | Chippewa Cree Tribe, Rocky Boy's Reservation | Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation |
| Lending since | 2011 | 2013 |
Pick Plain Green if…
- Lower maximum APR (700% vs 841%)
- Larger loans available (up to $4,500)
- Longer track record (lending since 2011)
- Higher overall score (3.0 vs 2.9)
Skip Plain Green if…
- You live in a state it does not lend to: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and 2 more.
- You want to see the APR before you apply — it publishes none; the rate appears only in the agreement.
Pick MaxLend if…
- You were only approved by MaxLend.
Skip MaxLend if…
- You live in a state it does not lend to: Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii and 12 more.
- You want to see the APR before you apply — it publishes none; the rate appears only in the agreement.
- You need less than $1,000 — that is its smallest loan.
Our take on each
Plain Green
Plain Green is one of the oldest and most-litigated tribal lenders — its Think Finance ties produced about $1 billion in relief, and loans made before June 2016 were cancelled outright.
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.