Rocket Mortgage vs loanDepot
Side-by-side on rates, fees, and fit — plus quick winners by scenario.
✓Editorially reviewedReviewed by Jordan Lee, CFP®, Senior mortgage analystUpdated April 1, 2026How we make moneyMethodologyAdvertiser disclosure
Best overall
🏆 Rocket Mortgage
Stronger digital flow and broader eligibility.
Best for refinance
🏆 loanDepot
loanDepot's mello smartloan often beats on refi APR.
Best for first-time buyers
🏆 Rocket Mortgage
Better educational tooling and FHA support.
Best for jumbo loans
🏆 loanDepot
loanDepot prices jumbos more aggressively.
Side-by-side
Rocket Mortgage vs loanDepot: full comparison
| Criteria | Rocket Mortgage | loanDepot |
|---|---|---|
| Min. credit score | 620 | 620 |
| Min. down payment | 3% ✓ | 5% |
| 30-yr fixed APR (740 credit) | 6.42% | 6.36% ✓ |
| Origination fee | 0.5–1.0% | 0.5–1.0% |
| FHA / VA loans | Yes | Yes |
| HELOC | No | Yes ✓ |
| Rate lock period | Up to 90 days ✓ | Up to 60 days |
| Avg. close time | 30–35 days ✓ | 33–40 days |
| Branch network | Online only | 200+ branches ✓ |
| BBB rating | A+ | A+ |
Rocket Mortgage is best for
First-time buyers, FHA borrowers, and anyone who values a smooth all-digital experience.
Read full Rocket Mortgage review →loanDepot is best for
Refinancers, jumbo buyers, and borrowers who want both online speed and a local branch.
Read full loanDepot review →Pros & cons
Rocket Mortgage
Pros
- ✓Industry-best digital flow
- ✓90-day rate lock
- ✓Strong FHA support
- ✓Same-day pre-approval
Cons
- ✕No HELOC
- ✕Rates not lowest
- ✕No branches
Pros & cons
loanDepot
Pros
- ✓Better refi pricing
- ✓HELOCs available
- ✓Local branches
- ✓Strong jumbo program
Cons
- ✕Slower close times
- ✕Mixed customer service reviews
- ✕Smaller down payment minimums
Choose by scenario
Which one should you pick?
I'm a first-time buyer with 700 credit
→ Rocket Mortgage
Better FHA path and clearer onboarding.
I'm refinancing with 760 credit
→ loanDepot
Tends to beat Rocket on refi APR by 0.05–0.10%.
I want a HELOC
→ loanDepot
Rocket doesn't offer HELOCs.
I want fastest close
→ Rocket Mortgage
Average 30–35 days vs 33–40 at loanDepot.
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Bottom line
For most readers, Rocket Mortgage is the safer default — but loanDepot wins for best for refinance.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
loanDepot tends to price ~0.05% lower for excellent-credit refinance. For purchase loans at 700 credit they're effectively tied.
How we research & score
- •Independently researched by the GeekPenny editorial team
- •Scored against published criteria — never pay-to-play
- •Verified pricing, fees, and terms with primary provider documentation
- •Reviewed for YMYL accuracy before publication
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