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 | 210–682% | 471–841% |
| Loan amounts | $500–$5,000 | $100–$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 (682% vs 841%)
- Larger loans available (up to $5,000)
- Longer track record (lending since 2011)
- Higher overall score (3.0 vs 2.9)
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.