2026 Head-to-Head Audit • US Market

Earnest
vs
Figure HELOC

Q: Should I choose Earnest or Figure HELOC?

Choose Earnest if you prioritize The slider tool lets you match your exact budget to your repayment timeline. Choose Figure HELOC if you prioritize Fastest HELOC funding in the industry (as few as 5 business days).

Q: What is the biggest catch with Earnest vs Figure HELOC?

For Earnest, the main trade-off is: Not available in Nevada. For Figure HELOC, watch out for: Requires 100% initial draw of the approved credit line at closing.

Skip the marketing fluff. Below is the side-by-side breakdown of fees, yield/rewards math, fine-print restrictions, and the exact household profile each product is built for.

Choose Earnest If...

The absolute best platform for refinancing student loans with hyper-customizable repayment terms.

The slider tool lets you match your exact budget to your repayment timeline
Skip-a-payment feature is a massive safety net

Primary Catch: Not available in Nevada

Choose Figure HELOC If...

100% digital fixed-rate home equity line with 5-minute online approval and funding in 5 days.

Fastest HELOC funding in the industry (as few as 5 business days)
Fixed interest rate protects you against Federal Reserve rate volatility

Primary Catch: Requires 100% initial draw of the approved credit line at closing

Metric / Feature	Earnest Navient / Earnest ★ 4.8 / 5.0	Figure HELOC Figure Technology Solutions ★ 4.8 / 5.0
Verified 2026 Financials & Terms
Regular APR / Rates	4.99% - 9.99%	7.55% - 14.75% Fixed APR
Credit / Eligibility	Good to Excellent (680+)	Good to Excellent (680+ FICO)
Loan / Limit Amount	$5,000 - $500,000	$15,000 - $400,000
Term Lengths	5 to 20 Years (Customizable)	5, 10, 15, or 30 Years
Origination / Transfer Fee	$0	0.0% - 4.99%
Core Features & Ecosystem Perks
Included Benefits	Precision Pricing (Custom Terms) Skip a Payment once a year 9-Month Grace Period No Origination Fees	5-Minute Online Approval Fixed-Rate on Every Draw No In-Person Appraisal Needed 0.25% Autopay Discount Up to 85% Combined LTV
Editorial Pros & Cons
Where It Wins (Pros)	The slider tool lets you match your exact budget to your repayment timeline Skip-a-payment feature is a massive safety net Usually offers the lowest refinancing rates for high-income earners	Fastest HELOC funding in the industry (as few as 5 business days) Fixed interest rate protects you against Federal Reserve rate volatility Fully digital workflow with online automated notarization and valuation Higher borrowing limits up to $400,000
Fine-Print Drawbacks (Cons)	Not available in Nevada Strict underwriting requires solid income and history	Requires 100% initial draw of the approved credit line at closing Origination fee can reach up to 4.99% on lower credit profiles Minimum 680 credit score excludes borrowers with fair credit

In-Depth Breakdown: Earnest vs Figure HELOC

1. How Earnest Works

Earnest is a fintech lender that completely revolutionized student loan refinancing. Instead of offering rigid 5, 10, or 15-year terms, Earnest lets you pick your exact monthly payment using a slider, which mathematically generates your custom term (e.g., 7 years and 3 months).

2. How Figure HELOC Works

Figure is a leader in modern consumer home equity lending. By leveraging automated desktop valuation models (AVMs), Figure allows homeowners to apply online in 5 minutes, get an instant decision, and access their home equity in as few as 5 business days without an in-person appraiser walking through their home. Every draw is locked into a fixed interest rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I choose Earnest or Figure HELOC?

Choose Earnest if you prioritize The slider tool lets you match your exact budget to your repayment timeline. Choose Figure HELOC if you want Fastest HELOC funding in the industry (as few as 5 business days).

What is the biggest catch with Earnest vs Figure HELOC?

With Earnest, the main limitation to keep in mind is: Not available in Nevada. With Figure HELOC, the primary trade-off is: Requires 100% initial draw of the approved credit line at closing.