Best HEI Companies for 2026
Quick Verdict
There's no single "best" HEI company. The best one for your situation depends on your credit score, how much cash you need, and when you plan to repay. Here's how the 5 providers we track compare:
- Most cash relative to home value: Hometap — up to 27% of your home's value, $600K ceiling
- Lowest credit score accepted: Point, Unlock, or Splitero — all accept 500+
- Longest term, no repayment for decades: Point or Unison — up to 30 years
- Only provider that allows manufactured homes: Hometap
- Only provider that permits LLC or trust ownership: Splitero
- Cheapest at settlement depends entirely on how long you hold it — check out our cost calculator
- Avoid a hard credit inquiry: Unison or Unlock — both use a soft pull only
Compare All 5 HEI & HEA Providers
Each card below shows the provider's own eligibility specs and our editorial "best for" call. Click through to the full review for pros, cons, and a worked cost example.
Best for: homeowners who want a 30-year agreement and have a credit score below 620.
Best for: homeowners who want a 10-year agreement and as much cash as possible.
Best for: homeowners who want a 30-year agreement with a renovation adjustment.
Best for: homeowners who want a 10-year agreement with partial paydown options.
Best for: homeowners who want a 10-30 year agreement and are concerned about ability to repay.
See What Each Provider Would Actually Cost You
Enter your home details once to see eligibility and an estimated cost from all 5 providers side by side, using your own numbers.
Compare Two Providers Head-to-Head
Deciding between two specific providers? Each guide below provides a detailed comparison.
Learn the Basics
Guides
- What Is an HEA?
- HEI Pros and Cons
- Is an HEI a Good Idea?
- HEI Rates
- Choosing a Term Length
- Renovation Adjustments
- HEI vs. HELOC
- HEI vs. Reverse Mortgage
Legitimacy & Trust
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best HEI company?
There's no single best HEI company — it depends on what you're solving for. Hometap gives access to the most cash relative to your home's value. Point and Unlock accept credit scores as low as 500. Point and Unison offer the longest, 30-year terms. Splitero is the only provider that permits LLC or trust ownership. Compare all 5 providers side by side, or use the cost calculator to see what each would actually cost you.
What's the difference between an HEI and an HEA?
HEI (home equity investment) and HEA (home equity agreement) are two names for the same product: a company gives you cash today in exchange for a share of your home's future value, with no monthly payments or interest rate. Different providers use different names for it — see What Is an HEA? for the full explanation.
Which HEI company has the lowest credit score requirement?
Point, Unlock, and Splitero all accept credit scores as low as 500, the most permissive of the 5 providers we track. Hometap requires 585+, and Unison requires 620+.
Is an HEI a good idea?
It depends on your situation, since an HEI gives up a share of future appreciation instead of charging interest. It can make sense if you don't qualify for or don't want a HELOC or second mortgage, but it's worth comparing the actual dollar cost against those alternatives first — see HEI vs. HELOC.