Updated October 17, 2026 · BorrowCue Editorial Team
5in5 vs Smava
5in5 vs Smava: the differences
| Compare |  5in5 |  Smava |
|---|---|---|
| Arrangement fee | One-off fee deducted from payout | 0 EUR |
| Credit check | Hard | Soft prequal |
| Funding time | Same day up to 1 business day | Within a few working days; with digital account check and video ident some banks disburse the same day |
| Lender type | Direct lender | Marketplace |
| Free early repayment | YesHas it | No |
| APR | Not confirmed | -0.4% to 19.9% |
| Loan amount | Not confirmed | €1,000 to €120,000 |
| Term | Not confirmed | 6 to 120 months |
| Representative example | Not confirmed | Ratenkredit: EUR 50,000 net loan, 60 months, 8.70% effective annual rate, 60 monthly instalments of EUR 1,022.73, total EUR 61,363.57, Vereinigte Volksbank Raiffeisenbank eG |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Fixed |
| Eligibility | Not confirmed | At least 18 years old, main residence in Germany, current account at a German bank, regular income, sufficient creditworthiness |
| Loan types | Not confirmed | Personal, Car, Debt consolidation, Business |
| Credit needed | Not confirmed | Fair |
| Use cases | Not confirmed | Home improvement |
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Key differences
- 5in5 scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.9.
- Free early repayment: only 5in5.
Our verdict on each
5in5
5in5 focuses only on entrepreneurs instead of serving the wider borrowing market. It offers small entrepreneurial credit and direct supplier invoice handling for starting and experienced self employed people who prefer a fully online and clear orderly arrangement in a secure environment.
Smava
Smava suits German borrowers who want one comparison across personal, car, consolidation and business loans, plus home finance, without paying a setup fee. It scores 6 overall, with -0.4% to 19.9% on loans and 3.2% on home finance, but early repayment is not free.
Score breakdown
| Area | 5in5 | Smava |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Higher | 9.1 |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 9.1Amounts of €1,000 to €120,000, rates of -0.4% to 19.9%, no origination fee of 0 EUR and same day funding. |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 8.5 |
Licences and countries
| Country | 5in5 | Smava |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | 5in5 | Smava |
|---|---|---|
| Personal loans | 21 of 1920 | 130 of 1920 |
Where these facts come from
5in5
- 5in5.nl: 6 facts, checked September 29, 2026
Smava
- smava.de: 20 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | 5in5 | Smava |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Fixed rate |
| Features | Not confirmed | Same day funding |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | smava GmbH (HRB 97913, Amtsgericht Charlottenburg) |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Germany |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2007 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Mortgages
| Fact | 5in5 | Smava |
|---|---|---|
| Initial rate | Not confirmed | 3.2% |
| APRC | Not confirmed | 3.2% |
| Fixed period | Not confirmed | 10 years |
| Maximum loan to value | Not confirmed | 110% |
| Product fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Purpose | Not confirmed | Purchase, Remortgage |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | 5in5 | Smava | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | Not confirmed | -0.4% to 19.9%lowest quarter | 8.95 |
| Loan amount | Not confirmed | €1,000 to €120,000highest quarter | €40,000 |
| Term | Not confirmed | 6 to 120 monthshighest quarter | 60 |
Median across 1164 listed lenders.
Pros and cons
5in5
Pros
- Designed specifically for entrepreneurs including starting self employed people
- Fully online arrangement with digital signing inside a secure environment
- Choice assistance lets you select a desired amount for entrepreneurial use
Cons
- Available only online with no alternative for arranging matters in person
- Serves only entrepreneurs so private borrowers find no suitable service here
- Invoice handling sends payment to suppliers rather than placing it with you
Smava
Pros
- Loan amounts run €1,000 to €120,000 with terms of 6 to 120
- Loan types cover personal, car and debt consolidation in one comparison
- A soft prequalification credit check (soft prequal) means you can check rates before a full application
Cons
- Free early repayment: no, so paying a loan off early carries a cost
- Credit needed is fair, and eligibility also requires a German bank account and regular income
- A marketplace, so the rate you get depends on which partner bank responds and the final offer comes from them
Who each suits
5in5
Who it suits
- Starting self employed people seeking extra room to act
- Experienced self employed people facing unforeseen expenses
- Entrepreneurs who prefer fully online arrangements
Who should look elsewhere
- Private borrowers seeking personal funds
- People preferring in person arrangements
Smava
Who it suits
- Adults in Germany with a current account at a German bank and regular income
- Anyone consolidating debts, funding a car or improving a home who wants to compare offers rather than one lender
- Borrowers who want a fixed rate over 6 to 120 on a personal loan
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want to repay a loan early at no cost
- Borrowers without regular income or a German current account
- Anyone needing a variable-rate loan, since the model is fixed rate
Current offers
Smava
Current offer
Bonus
500 EUR Amazon.de voucher on taking out a loan: 500 EUR Amazon.de voucher
Loan of at least EUR 30,000 concluded via the 'Zum Kreditvergleich mit Gutschein' button only; voucher sent by email after the 14-day withdrawal period has passed; restrictions apply per amazon.de/gc-legal
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Cheaper-goes-does-not-exist guarantee: One-off compensation of the difference if a comparable domestic bank offer is cheaper
Applies to loans brokered via smava; amount follows the offers received in the smava credit comparison, stated without hidden conditions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | 5in5 | Smava |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | No | Yes |
Questions about each
5in5
What does 5in5 offer?+
5in5 offers small entrepreneurial credit that supports independent entrepreneurial activity. It also provides invoice handling under the name 1in4 where supplier invoices receive direct settlement. Every arrangement runs online inside a secure environment with digital signing.
Who is 5in5 intended for?+
5in5 centres on entrepreneurs including starting and experienced self employed people. Borrowers choose an own desired amount that matches the situation of the enterprise. The service remains focused on entrepreneurial needs rather than private borrowing.
Smava
What does Smava charge for setting up a loan?+
There is no origination fee on the personal loan: the arrangement fee is 0 EUR, and the product fee is €0. What you pay instead is interest on the borrowed amount, which is priced at -0.4% to 19.9% for your own profile.
How much can I borrow and over what term?+
Loan amounts run €1,000 to €120,000, and terms run 6 to 120. The rate model is fixed, so the figure you are offered is set at the start and does not drift with market moves.