Kiva - Lend for Good Reviews

by Hahsbsnshd

Kiva is brilliant for the creators. They get you to “invest” in small businesses and then collect around 30% interest charges. What does this mean for you? They put the risk in your pocket disguised as doing good for others. They do not pay you any interest whatsoever. If the loan is defaulted you lose the money and they don’t. It’s a win win for them. No financial risk and can collect interest on your money while you receive absolutely nothing but a “good feeling for doing it”.

by Ksully86

I signed up around 10 years ago and did a few loans also signed up for the auto withdraw to add funds slowly over time. I forgot about the account and now in need of my funds. They will only return my funds that have been used for lending, all my unused/unlent funds they are keeping unless I lend it. DO NOT give this app your cash, find somewhere else to donate. I first off never agreed to lend funds when I signed up years ago, they have way too much fine print now.

Now they have even added some sneaky tactics about auto donations to this app as well as things like keeping deactivated accounts funds?? These should be a red flag to any investors/donators, the Organization is clearly have some problems and basically resorting to stealing.

They will reply here that there are ways to turn off some of these new I’ll call them scams like the auto donate function. I tried disable it but the website won’t save the option(I tried multiple times)…something’s fishy.

Again dont give them your money!

by Jennaluna

It’s rare that I use the website of a company *instead* of Kiva . But this is one of those times. The website has amazing search functions that have improved so much over the years, but Kiva basically has no search or filter features. So it’s back to the site I go. It’s a bit of a disappointment. That being said, this app is one of my favorite organizations - I’ve been donating through this app for over 11 years and it just brings me so much joy!

by JeffHolton

this app finally has an app! And that’s good. It’s a good start. But right now it seems like it’s only a listing to drum up more investments. Which is also good.

I’d like to see progress on my loan returns tho. I can find them, but there’s no menu, so it takes some scrolling. Would be nice to have an interface that mimics the navigation capabilities of the browser experience.

by NateTheFreight

The design of Kiva is to do good and help everyone around the world that’s financially infirm or incapable. Putting up a certain demographic, and putting in more effort towards that ONE demographic shows that this is more a political platform than it is a humanitarian. Humanitarian help, has no skin color, creed, etc. It also doesn’t see those, it’s for the common good amongst all. There are many that don’t have the opportunities like the US that are already in place. My money will help the farmer in Nigeria, the student in Palestine, and the store owner in Jordan. Hot button topics have no place in helping in a humanitarian way. I hope to receive emails promoting to help everyone asking for help in Kiva .

by SandraLeeCrisp

I would like to see a link to my team.

Also the ability to see a loans ending soon sort for loans already identified for support by others in my team so I can help them first.

Even on the website which is much better, I can only find open loans by team. Would like to be able to get the additional sort by those ending soon.

by Buddhastyle

The developer responded to my original review which I am thankful for. I’ve updated my rating by a star because there is a way to search the way I want to. If I could do half stars I’d say it was 3.5 rather than 3 stars because it is close to 4.

The issue is the disconnect between the website and Kiva . My saved search on the web should be available in Kiva without having to recreate it. I also want to customize different searches and SAVE them for later use.

I would like to see the payback status and some other parity with the website come into the mobile experience.

I’m curious to see how notifications are managed (e.g. will I get loan payment updates? Will I get too many notifications etc).

All in all it is a step forward towards this app’s future. I can’t wait to see the next update.

Original review———
I loan to specific areas of the world. I use a saved search (web version) to manage that. It filters results the way I WANT to loan. I can’t find that anywhere in Kiva . Instead I am presented with a wall of YOUR loan categorizations, not MINE.

I love the idea of an app vs website, but I can’t use this in its current form. (A) Give me control of how I loan and (B) the ability to see loan payback status, history etc (C) ability to filter by risk rating

by Max13829

Keva’s ideology is sound and I love the concept, but the execution is kind of obsolete at best. The problem is whoever created this idea is absolutely scamming people lending money.

First off, most of these small loans will not be paid off for 2-3 years, which makes truly no sense along with the risk of losing your money altogether along with not disclosing the interest rate for your loans along with the additional charge called “donation to Keva” when you try to give a loan to someone. If you lend someone 100$, you “donate” 15 to Keva which makes no sense because isn’t the whole point of these loans is that we are pretty much donating money to people in need. You may make a few dollars after a few years but in reality you won’t be making much money unless you’re donating larger amounts of money.

You got a great idea, a great concept, just execute it better! The apps design is simple and effective, but you must be more thorough to customers.

Thanks!

by Elementsix

The website has gotten better and better, allowing good sorting of loans to find just what you want. Unfortunately almost none of that sorting is available on Kiva . Overall Kiva provides very small amount of the info and it almost becomes misleading. For example, I can see which payments are coming due but there is no indication to the ones that are in arrears or not being paid.

Finding new loans is limited to going into each area of loans as set up by this app and scrolling indefinitely. They don’t seem to be in any order either. Very hard to use well.

Love the concept and the website. Not Kiva .

by Hit That Doenut!!!

I love the new app! I have been lending to this app for almost 10 years. I cannot think of a better organization to provide donations to. On the full website, I love clicking the option, “lend to a new country you haven’t supported yet” — I wish Kiva had the same option. That is the only downside I can find with using Kiva !

by CheeverHI

Stop ‘Liking’ things and put your money where your values are. If you can’t loan (not donate, mind you) $25 to an aspiring entrepreneur then you don’t really care about providing opportunity to those who the capitalist system has deemed unworthy of credit. Help them to make it happen, for them and their communities. Do it now.

by BPJ1947

this app is so important. It is an easy way to help people help themselves around the world. I especially like helping single mothers since I was one with three small girls many years ago. I remember how hard it was to make ends meet. I was able to start a small sewing business and I try to help other moms get ahead while being there for their kids.

by Megan Lovestotravel

I’ve just started using Kiva and so far so good but I have used this app for 12 years now to lend to various people and groups and I can’t say enough good things about it. Such a terrific organization and a wonderful way to help people help themselves.

by Jaltham

What a phenomenally easy way to bring people together and make a big difference with a small amount of money! This is better than charity - it’s moving money around to create real value - where it’s NEEDED most! (How radical....) This is the perfect time to find easy ways to share what we’ve got. Great app, good info presented well - so quick and easy to do. Nicely done Keva.

by Odf13579

I’m new to this app, but I wanted to slowly build up a basket of money that can help people get access to capital so that they can build better lives. It’s a long road to go, but these loans will make a big difference in the long tail.

by Mickey82363

So excited that this app has an app now!! I love this app because I get to chose where my money goes. I feel like I am truly supporting people and giving them the power to make their lives better. I also love that I get to re-lend it once it’s repaid so it continues to do good. This has become my #1 birthday/holiday gift for people and they love it!

by Jennifer-in NC

I love being able to help people and Kiva gives me access to people in need all over the world and tells me a little about them to help me choose; I can’t give to everyone who needs it so I try to find ways to help the most. I love that this makes it possible.

by Dustinhedrick.com

I have been investing with this app since their very early days. And they are my favorite micro-lending program I have ever known. I have been on the other end in countries where folks are applying for these loans and there are so many amazing stories that come from loans that help someone starting with a $25 investment. I love Kiva and this group!

by Nmiracle

I love this app - such a simple and powerful idea and such an easy way to make a difference in the world. And now Kiva!! This is terrific - very well designed and easy to use. It shows me my loans in real-time and allows me to track all the loans I made. It’s always a little complicated to remember to re-loan funds on the website, but super easy through Kiva. What a great idea!!!!!

by Antweezie

If you’re feeling like you’re blessed and grateful or the opposite & that the world is too sad— lend through this extraordinary organization. I guarantee you will instantly feel better & you will have accomplished something great. How many Apps can do this?! A galaxy of stars review from me. ✨

by JLiven

I don’t know about other countries but when you try to find a micro business through this app in Tajikistan, Humo is its main partner. All of Himo’s loans are given at 40% annual interest rate. To me that is not very charitable. It is oppressive. For this reason I choose not to give through this app anymore.

by Genghis

Updated rating and added a star due to helpful reply from developer...
Needs to be more like the website so I can filter by lots of things, like loan length.

by Aaron4535

Incredible stories, fantastic impact. One of the best non-profits out there.

by Hsaboia

Instead of charity, make a this app loan. You choose whom to help, and once they repay you, you can help someone else!

by A.R Duboce

This is a great app and it makes lending even easier.

by Fjdchdc

I love knowing exactly who my funds are supporting. So easy and fun to lend and relend over and over again!

by ProblemsTrading

I like to make my money work for me, and I love doing good things. Thank you for giving me an app that lets me do both. I love it!

by Oliballve

I’ve been a this app lender for years and I’m SO excited about Kiva! Can’t wait to make another loan and help someone around the world fulfill their dream 😁🥰🌏💚

by Abcdianep

I’ve been a this app lender for a while, but love the option of doing it via Kiva so I can get notified of all repayments I have to relend as soon as they come in.

by Thuan.n

Kiva makes it so easy to make a difference in someone’s life. I love how you can read stories of people around the world, and then choose whom to lend to.

by Mbcc2

I have been a this app lender for many years. I love this new app, which makes it easy to make a loan or check my portfolio from anywhere!

by Leitmotif

Also it’s the first app I’ve used which supports Sign In with Apple for privacy. Nice! One thing I can’t figure out is how to setup a monthly lending program in Kiva . Please add this and make it easy to find.

by C0mbat W0mbat

I’ve been a this app lender since 2012 and I’m glad that Kiva mirrors the this app.org website in its simple, efficient, and intuitive user experience.