Uprova vs Spotloan
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. Spotloan scores higher (4.6 vs 3.4), but the right pick depends on what you need.
| Feature | Uprova | Spotloan |
|---|---|---|
| Our score (/10) | 3.4 | 4.6 |
| APR range | 334–549% (documented) | ≈490% |
| Loan amounts | $300–$5,000 | $300–$800 |
| Product | installment | installment |
| Owning tribe | Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake | Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa |
| Lending since | 2020 | 2012 |
Pick Uprova if…
- Larger loans available (up to $5,000)
Skip Uprova if…
- You want to see the APR before you apply — it publishes none; the rate appears only in the agreement.
Pick Spotloan if…
- Lower maximum APR (490% vs 549%)
- Longer track record (lending since 2012)
- Higher overall score (4.6 vs 3.4)
Skip Spotloan if…
- You live in a state it does not lend to: Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland and 8 more.
- You need more than $800 — that is its ceiling.
Our take on each
Uprova
Uprova advertises a 34.5–35.99% APR on its homepage, then discloses rates of 333–549% in the loan agreements on record. That gap is the whole story.
Spotloan
Spotloan is one of the cheapest tribal lenders — but 'cheapest' still means up to 490% APR, and it uses simple daily interest, which rewards paying off early more than almost any competitor.
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.