RateGenius vs AUTOPAY
Choose RateGenius if you want a clear soft-then-hard credit check process and a large lender network for a standard refinance. Choose AUTOPAY if you want cash-out refinancing or a lease buyout and like seeing published loan amounts and terms. Both sites carry a copyright line for The Savings Group, Inc.
RateGenius
Best overall
AUTOPAY
Best for cash-out and lease buyoutRateGenius vs AUTOPAY at a glance
| RateGenius | AUTOPAY | |
|---|---|---|
| Company type | Refinance platform (not a lender) | Financing platform with lender network |
| Credit check to see offers | Soft to prequalify; hard when you apply | Not stated on the pages we reviewed |
| Lender network | More than 150 lenders, per its site | Credit unions and financing institutions |
| Loan types | Refinance; check its site for other loan types | Refinance, cash-out, purchase, lease buyout |
| Published amounts and terms | Not published | Published on its FAQ |
| Our editorial score | 9.1 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 |
Which should you choose?
Pick RateGenius if you want to know exactly when your credit will be checked and want access to a large lender network.
Pick AUTOPAY if you want to take cash out of your car or buy out your lease.
How they differ
RateGenius and AUTOPAY are both refinance platforms that pass your application to partner lenders rather than lending themselves. Both sites carry a copyright line for The Savings Group, Inc., so they appear to belong to the same group. That does not make them identical: their pages describe different strengths, and you can compare an offer from each.
Credit checks
RateGenius has the clearer explanation. Its credit check FAQ says it uses a soft inquiry to prequalify you and for prescreened mail offers, and a hard inquiry when you submit an application online or by phone. It also notes that some lenders may check your credit afterward. The AUTOPAY pages we reviewed do not say which type of check it uses, though its FAQ notes that inquiries for one type of financing within a two-week period are reported as one. Ask AUTOPAY before you share your details if this matters to you.
Loan options
AUTOPAY lists standard refinancing, cash-out refinancing, purchase loans and lease buyouts, and its FAQ publishes loan amount and term ranges for qualified applicants. RateGenius focuses on refinancing and says it works with more than 150 lenders. If you want to take equity out of your car, AUTOPAY's cash-out option is the more direct route, but borrowing more against the car raises what you owe and the risk of owing more than it is worth.
Cost and add-ons
Neither company publishes a fee schedule on the pages we reviewed, and both offer optional service contracts and GAP. Ask for an itemized list of fees and add-ons, and remember that adding products to your loan increases the amount you finance and the interest you pay.
The bottom line
Start with RateGenius if you want a soft-pull prequalification and the widest lender reach for a straightforward refinance. Consider AUTOPAY if you need cash out or a lease buyout. Because both appear to be part of the same group, also compare with an unrelated company, such as RefiJet or myAutoloan, to be sure you are seeing a range of offers.
RateGenius vs AUTOPAY FAQ
Are RateGenius and AUTOPAY the same company?
Both sites carry a copyright line for The Savings Group, Inc., so they appear to be part of the same group. They describe different products and processes, so compare their offers separately.
Which uses a soft credit check?
RateGenius's credit check FAQ says it uses a soft inquiry to prequalify you and a hard inquiry when you apply. The AUTOPAY pages we reviewed do not say, so ask before you apply.