LENDER SHOOTOUT · LAST VERIFIED APRIL 2026
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HELOC and HEL Lender Shootout: Figure, Aven, Better, SoFi, Discover, US Bank, Chase, Rocket (April 2026)
Eight lenders, one big table. Real cap numbers, real fees, real conversion features. Rates change; this was last updated April 2026. Always verify directly with the lender before applying.
Full Comparison Matrix
| Lender | Type | APR Range | Draw Period | Lifetime Cap | Fixed Lock | Annual Fee | Closing Cost | Min Score | Max CLTV | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figure | HELOC | 8.75-15.99% | 5 years | 25.00% | No | $0 | ~$0 | 640+ | 85% | 5 days | Fastest digital close |
| Aven | HELOC credit card | 7.99-15.49% | 30 years | See docs | No | $0 | $0 | 640+ | 89.99% | 7-10 days | Card-style flexibility |
| Better | HELOC + HEL | 8.50-14.99% | 10 years | 18.00% | No | $0 | ~$500 | 680+ | 80% | 21-30 days | Better ecosystem users |
| SoFi | HEL only | 7.65-11.49% | N/A | N/A fixed | N/A | $0 | $0 | 680+ | 80% | 30-45 days | Lump-sum fixed rate |
| Discover | HEL only | 7.99-11.99% | N/A | N/A fixed | N/A | $0 | $0 | 620+ | 90% | 30-45 days | Fixed rate, low credit bar |
| US Bank | HELOC + HEL | 8.95-13.50% | 10 years | 18.00% | Yes (up to 3) | $0-$90 | $0-$750 | 680+ | 80% | 30-45 days | Conversion feature users |
| Chase | HELOC + HEL | 9.25-13.75% | 10 years | 18.00% | No | $50 | $0-$500 | 680+ | 80% | 30-45 days | Existing Chase customers |
| Rocket Mortgage | HELOC + HEL | 8.75-13.99% | 10 years | 18.00% | No | $0 | $0-$1,000 | 680+ | 85% | 30-45 days | Brand-name comfort |
Rates, fees, and terms sourced from public lender pages. Last verified April 2026. Verify with lender before applying.
Lender Profiles
Figure
Pros: Fastest funding (5 days), full digital process, no appraisal fee, no annual fee
Cons: Draw period only 5 years (shorter than most), no FRLO, higher margin for lower credit
Best for: Rate-agnostic borrowers who need fast access and value digital simplicity over rate optimisation.
Aven
Pros: HELOC in credit-card form factor (Visa), no annual fee, no closing costs, 30-year draw
Cons: Novel product with limited lender history, not available in all states, rate higher for low FICO
Best for: Borrowers who want spending flexibility of a credit card with home-equity rates.
US Bank
Pros: Fixed-Rate Lock Option available (up to 3 concurrent locks), branch + digital, competitive margin
Cons: Slower than digital-first lenders, relationship pricing advantages for existing customers only
Best for: Borrowers who want the conversion feature to hedge against rising rates.
Discover Home Loans
Pros: HEL specialist: no closing costs, competitive fixed rates, credit scores from 620
Cons: HEL only (no HELOC), so no revolving access or conversion feature
Best for: Borrowers wanting lump-sum fixed-rate access with low or no closing costs and a lower credit bar.
SoFi
Pros: HEL only, competitive fixed rates, no fees, member benefits ecosystem
Cons: HEL only (no HELOC), limited cash-out options vs HELOC flexibility
Best for: Existing SoFi members needing a lump-sum fixed-rate product with member rate discounts.
Chase
Pros: Relationship pricing for existing Chase customers (checking/savings balance discounts), trusted brand
Cons: No FRLO, $50 annual fee, competitive only for Chase relationship customers
Best for: Existing Chase Prime customers who qualify for relationship rate discounts.
Methodology and Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure
Rates and features sourced directly from each lender's public pricing page or product disclosure document, accessed April 2026. We did not personally test loan applications or verify rates for specific credit profiles.
This page contains affiliate links to several of the lenders listed. We may earn a commission if you submit an application through one of those links. This does not affect our ratings or recommendations. We included lenders we do not have affiliate relationships with (Discover, SoFi) because they are relevant to the comparison.
Get at least three quotes before applying. Rate differences between lenders can vary by 50-150bp for the same credit profile. A lower rate on a $100,000 HELOC at 1% saves $1,000/year.
FAQ
Related: Home · Rate Math · Convert to Fixed · Reset Mechanics · Credit Impact