MaxLend review: loans, costs, and what to know
MaxLend is owned by the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. It lends $100 to $3,750 over up to 9 months, at published APRs of 471% to 841%, the highest range in our comparison.
Scored with our published rubric. Scores reflect value to borrowers; every tribal loan scores low on cost.
- Owner
- Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes), North Dakota
- Product
- Installment
- Loan amount
- $100–$3,750
- APR
- 471%–841%
- Term
- Up to 9 months
- Status
- Open and accepting applications
Facts checked October 12, 2026 against the lender's published information and independent reviews. We have not received compensation tied to this review's conclusions.
What a MaxLend loan can cost
| Rate | 6 months | 9 months |
|---|---|---|
| 471% APR | $455/mo · $1,729 interest | $414/mo · $2,722 interest |
| 650% APR | $585/mo · $2,512 interest | $553/mo · $3,976 interest |
| 841% APR | $731/mo · $3,386 interest | $707/mo · $5,361 interest |
Illustrative cost of borrowing $1,000 with equal monthly payments. Your agreement may use biweekly payments and different totals.
How MaxLend works
You apply online with your income and bank details. If approved, funds can arrive as soon as the next business day, and you repay in scheduled installments over up to nine months. MaxLend does not charge a prepayment penalty, and borrowers can add extra amounts to scheduled payments to pay down principal faster.
The cost in plain terms
At 471% to 841% APR, even short MaxLend loans are expensive. Independent reviewers have documented examples where borrowers repaid several times their original loan. The shorter the term and the sooner you pay extra, the less you pay.
Who cannot borrow
MaxLend does not lend to active-duty service members, their spouses, or their dependents. Federal law, the Military Lending Act, caps the cost of most consumer loans to these borrowers at 36%, which tribal pricing far exceeds. MaxLend also serves only some states, reported at about 34.
Who it may suit
Very few borrowers. If you qualify for any other loan, including another lender in our comparison, it is likely to cost less. If you do borrow from MaxLend, plan to repay well before the scheduled end.
What works
- Loans up to $3,750
- No prepayment penalty
- Extra payments go to principal
What to watch
- Highest published APR range in our comparison, 471% to 841%
- Short terms mean large payments
- Not available to active-duty military families
- Available in only some states
Alternatives to MaxLend
Compare MaxLend against the other lenders whose terms we could verify, and check cheaper options first. A federal credit union Payday Alternative Loan is capped at 28% APR; $1,000 over 6 months at that rate costs about $83 in interest.
| Lender | Loan amount | APR | Term | Product | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Green Loans | $200–$4,500 | About 199%–699% | 6–26 months | Installment | Lends in about 26 states; first-time limits are lower. Settled with Minnesota's Attorney General in September 2026 over rates near 700%. |
| Big Picture Loans | $200–$3,500 | About 250%–789% | 4–18 months | Installment | Published APR figures vary widely by source, loan size, and term. |
| Spotloan | $300–$800 | Up to 490% | Up to 10 months | Installment | Smallest maximum loan on this list. Some sources report a credit check at application. |
| MaxLend | $100–$3,750 | 471%–841% | Up to 9 months | Installment | Highest published APR range on this list. Does not lend to active-duty service members. |
| Uprova | $300–$5,000 | From 34.5% to over 700% | 9–36 months | Installment | Two products: a personal loan near 35% APR for stronger applicants and a tribal installment loan that can exceed 700% APR. |
| Mobiloans | $500–$3,000 limit | 73.7%–405% | Revolving | Line of credit | Charges a cash advance fee per $20 drawn plus a fixed finance charge each billing cycle. |
Figures are lender-published or reported by independent reviewers, checked October 12, 2026. Lenders change terms often, so confirm the APR and total cost in your loan agreement before you sign.
See all alternatives to tribal loans or the full tribal lender comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. It is wholly owned by the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, a federally recognized tribe. Its loans are among the most expensive in tribal lending.
MaxLend's published range is 471% to 841% APR, depending on fees and loan length.
No. MaxLend does not lend to active-duty service members or their spouses and dependents.
Yes, without a prepayment penalty. You can pay the full balance or add extra to any scheduled payment.
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