Buyers shopping for a mortgage prequalification often assume every service works the same way behind the scenes. It doesn’t. Some services can tell you what you qualify for using a soft pull, others require a full hard inquiry before they’ll issue a letter, and that difference matters more than most homebuyers realize when they’re still comparing lenders and don’t want their credit score dinged for shopping around. This list was built around real prequal accessibility, the credit-pull method each service actually uses, and how well each fits different buyer profiles, so you can match the right one to your loan type and your tolerance for a hard inquiry hitting your report.
Quick Comparison
- Free Prequals: best for credit-score-sensitive buyers; free to the borrower; the only service on this list that issues a prequal letter using a soft pull only, with no hard inquiry.
- Rocket: best for buyers who want a fully digital, nationally known lender; free prequalification; the one thing it does that others don’t is automate income and asset verification end-to-end at national scale.
- Veterans United: best for veterans and active-duty borrowers; free prequalification; the only service here built specifically around VA entitlement and Certificate of Eligibility documentation.
- Nfmlending: best for buyers who want down payment assistance guidance; free prequalification; stands out for branch-based loan officers paired with a wide menu of assistance programs.
- Movement: best for buyers who want speed; free prequalification; distinct for a mobile-first, app-driven workflow marketed around fast turnaround.
- Alcova: best for buyers in its regional footprint who want underwriting consistency; free prequalification; the only service on this list with fully in-house underwriting rather than outsourced processing.
What a Hard Credit Pull Actually Costs You
Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647. Most of the services on this list, and most of the mortgage industry generally, run a hard credit inquiry before they’ll give you a prequalification letter. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a hard inquiry can lower your credit score and stays on your credit report for up to two years. A drop of even 5 to 10 points doesn’t sound like much until it pushes you across a pricing tier a lender uses to set your rate.
Here’s what that looks like in dollars. Suppose you’re financing $400,000 at today’s typical rates. A tier shift from 6.5% to 6.625%, the kind of move a modest score drop can trigger, raises your monthly principal and interest payment from about $2,528.60 to about $2,561.50, a difference of roughly $32.90 a month. Multiplied across a 30-year term, that’s approximately $11,844 in additional interest over the life of the loan, all from a credit event that happened before you ever picked a lender. That’s the gap a soft pull mortgage prequalification is built to close: you get the number you need without gambling on a pricing tier.
The 2026 conforming loan limit is $806,500, or $1,249,125 in high-cost areas, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Where your loan amount lands relative to that limit affects which program fits, which is one more reason to get an accurate prequal before a hard inquiry is on the table.
1. Free Prequals
Free Prequals is a free online mortgage prequalification service built around a soft-pull-only process, so you can get a prequal letter without a hard inquiry hitting your credit report. It’s designed for buyers who want a real number to work with early in the search, before they’re ready to commit to a full application or risk any credit impact.
What sets it apart from every other service on this list is the credit-pull method itself. Free Prequals runs what it calls the NoTouch Credit Pull, a soft-pull-only process that gives you no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval instead of the hard-pull model the rest of the industry defaults to. You get a mortgage pre-approval without hard pull risk, and no credit impact mortgage pre-qual, full stop.
- Issues a prequal letter using a soft pull only, so your score isn’t touched during the process
- Puts you in direct contact with broker Duane Buziak instead of routing you through a call-center rotation
- Covers FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, and Jumbo prequalification paths under one roof
- Operates under state licensing in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Washington, D.C.
Setup is fast: you submit basic income, asset, and property information online, and Duane’s team handles the rest. As a broker rather than a direct lender, Duane works through a network of more than 500 wholesale lenders, which gives access to loan programs a single-source lender simply can’t match. That network is the integration layer here, not a software stack.
The real limitation is geography. Free Prequals is only licensed in five states, so buyers purchasing outside Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, or D.C. will need to look elsewhere, and buyers who want a large national brand name recognized everywhere may prefer a bigger lender’s name on their letter even at the cost of a hard pull.
Pricing is straightforward: it’s free to the borrower, with no cost to request or receive the prequalification letter.
Best for: Credit-score-sensitive buyers who want a real prequal letter without a hard inquiry.
2. Rocket
Rocket is a large national online mortgage lender built around a highly automated digital application and prequalification process. It’s designed for buyers who are comfortable doing everything through an app and want a recognizable national name attached to their loan.
Where Rocket stands out is scale and automation. Few services on this list can match its ability to pull income and asset data directly from bank and payroll connections and turn around a prequalification quickly without manual document chasing.
- Lets you complete the entire application and document upload digitally, without paper forms
- Automates income and asset verification by connecting directly to your bank and payroll accounts
- Gives you access to a large, nationwide loan officer network regardless of what state you’re buying in
- Provides a mobile app so you can track your application status in real time
Setup is self-service: you create an account, connect your financial accounts, and the system does much of the data-gathering automatically. Day to day, you’re interacting with the platform directly, with a loan officer stepping in as needed rather than driving the process.
The tradeoff is the credit-pull method. Rocket’s standard prequalification process uses a hard credit pull, which means the automation advantage comes with the same score-impact risk that applies across most of the industry. Buyers who’ve already had their credit pulled elsewhere, or who want to keep shopping multiple lenders without stacking inquiries, should weigh that before starting.
Prequalification itself is free; rates, fees, and closing costs vary by loan type and are disclosed during the application (see website for current terms).
Best for: Borrowers who want a nationally known digital lender and don’t mind a hard inquiry upfront.
3. Veterans United
Veterans United is a national VA loan specialist offering prequalification and full mortgage services tailored to military members, veterans, and their families. It exists specifically for the VA loan buyer, not as a general-purpose lender that happens to offer VA loans.
Where it specializes
Veterans United’s loan specialists are trained specifically in VA entitlement rules and eligibility questions, which matters for buyers navigating remaining entitlement after a prior VA loan, or those unfamiliar with how VA cash-out refinances work up to 100% LTV. That depth of VA-specific knowledge is the clear differentiator versus the more general lenders on this list.
- Staffs loan specialists trained specifically in VA entitlement and eligibility rules
- Handles Certificate of Eligibility documentation on the borrower’s behalf
- Provides educational resources built around military relocation and PCS timelines
- Maintains VA loan licensing across the country, not just select states
Where it falls short for some buyers
The prequalification process includes a hard credit pull, so borrowers who are still comparing options and want to avoid an inquiry on their report before choosing a lender will run into the same tradeoff seen elsewhere on this list. Non-VA loan programs are also more limited here than at a full-service lender, so buyers who don’t qualify for VA financing, or who want to compare VA against FHA or conventional options side by side, may need a second source.
Prequalification is free; VA loan terms, including funding fee and eligibility requirements, vary by borrower and are detailed on the site.
Best for: Veterans and active-duty borrowers who want VA-specific loan guidance.
4. Nfmlending
Nfmlending is a mortgage lender offering a range of loan programs, including down payment assistance options, through a network of local branches and loan officers rather than a centralized call center.
Its distinguishing feature is the combination of a wide down payment assistance menu with a branch-based structure, which appeals to buyers who want a local point of contact but also need help finding assistance programs beyond a standard conventional or FHA loan.
- Offers a wide menu of loan programs, including options built around down payment assistance
- Assigns you to a local branch and loan officer rather than a rotating call-center team
- Provides an online prequalification application for an initial read on borrowing power
- Covers multiple government and conventional loan paths under one company
Setup runs through whichever local branch serves your area, and day-to-day communication typically happens directly with an assigned loan officer rather than a shared support queue. That structure can be a plus for buyers who want continuity, but it also means the experience isn’t standardized: service quality, responsiveness, and program knowledge can vary from one branch or officer to the next.
The prequalification process relies on a hard credit pull, the same limitation shared by most of the lenders on this list aside from Free Prequals. Buyers who are early in their search and not yet ready to commit to a specific branch or officer may want to hold off until they’ve narrowed their options.
Prequalification is free; specific loan terms and assistance program eligibility vary by branch and are outlined during application.
Best for: Buyers wanting down payment assistance guidance from a local-feeling loan officer.
5. Movement
Speed is the pitch at Movement, a national mortgage lender that emphasizes fast prequalification turnaround through a mobile-first application process. It’s built for buyers who want to move quickly, particularly in competitive markets where an offer needs a prequal letter attached within days, not weeks.
- Lets you submit documents and track status entirely through a mobile app
- Markets faster turnaround times on prequal decisions than a typical branch-based process
- Offers multiple conventional and government-backed loan programs in one place
- Connects you to a nationwide loan officer network regardless of your location
Setup is app-driven from the start: you download the app, upload documents, and e-sign disclosures without much back-and-forth paperwork. Day to day, the app itself manages much of the status tracking, with a loan officer available for questions.
The catch is that Movement’s prequalification still runs on a hard credit pull, which partially offsets the speed advantage. A fast decision built on a hard inquiry means you’ve already accepted a potential score hit before you’ve compared it against a service that could have given you the same number without one. Buyers who value speed above all else may still choose Movement, but it’s worth knowing that tradeoff exists rather than assuming speed and credit safety come together automatically.
Prequalification is free; loan terms and pricing vary by program and are disclosed during the application.
Best for: Buyers who prioritize a fast, mobile-first application process.
6. Alcova
Alcova is a regional mortgage lender offering in-house underwriting alongside conventional and government-backed loan programs. It’s a fit for buyers in its service region who want underwriting handled directly by the same company issuing the loan, rather than outsourced to a third party.
In-house underwriting is the real differentiator here. Because Alcova doesn’t hand underwriting off to an outside processor, decisions can be more consistent and, in some cases, faster to finalize once the file moves past prequalification, since the same team controls both stages.
- Keeps underwriting in-house instead of outsourcing it to a third-party processor
- Offers a mix of conventional, FHA, and VA loan programs
- Staffs regional loan officer teams with local market familiarity
- Provides an online form to request prequalification
Setup starts with the online request form, and from there a regional loan officer typically takes over communication and document collection. That regional structure is also the main limitation: Alcova’s footprint is smaller than the national names on this list, so buyers purchasing outside its service area won’t have access to it at all.
As with most of the services here, prequalification involves a hard credit pull rather than a soft pull mortgage prequalification, so the same score-impact consideration applies. Buyers weighing Alcova against Free Prequals should factor in both the geographic fit and the credit-pull method before deciding.
Prequalification is free; loan terms vary by program and region and are detailed during the application process.
Best for: Buyers in Alcova’s regional service area who want an in-house underwriting team.
Side-by-Side: Credit Pull Method and Loan Coverage
| Service | Credit Pull Method | Loan Programs Covered | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Prequals (NoTouch Credit Pull) | Soft pull only, no score impact | FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, Jumbo | Credit-sensitive, early-stage buyers |
| Rocket | Hard pull | Conventional, FHA, VA, and others | Digital-first national buyers |
| Veterans United | Hard pull | VA-focused, limited non-VA options | Veterans and active-duty buyers |
| Nfmlending | Hard pull | Conventional, government, assistance programs | Buyers wanting local down payment help |
| Movement | Hard pull | Conventional and government-backed | Speed-focused mobile applicants |
| Alcova | Hard pull | Conventional, FHA, VA | Regional buyers wanting in-house underwriting |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a soft pull mortgage prequalification?
It’s a prequalification process that checks your credit using a method that doesn’t affect your credit score, unlike the hard inquiry most lenders use to issue a prequal letter.
Does prequalification always require a hard credit check?
No. Most national lenders default to a hard pull, but services like Free Prequals use a soft-pull-only process called the NoTouch Credit Pull specifically to avoid that impact.
How much can a hard inquiry lower my credit score?
According to the CFPB, a hard inquiry can lower your score, and even a modest drop can shift you into a higher rate tier, adding thousands of dollars in interest over a 30-year loan.
Is a prequalification letter the same as a preapproval?
No. Prequalification is an initial estimate based on stated information, while preapproval typically involves verified documentation and a deeper underwriting review.
Can I get prequalified with more than one service without hurting my credit?
Only if the services you use rely on a soft pull. Applying to multiple hard-pull services in a short window can result in multiple inquiries on your report.
Are VA loan prequalifications handled differently than conventional ones?
Yes. VA prequalification involves entitlement and Certificate of Eligibility review, and VA cash-out refinances allow financing up to 100% loan-to-value, compared with a maximum of 90% LTV on conventional cash-out.
What’s the 2026 conforming loan limit?
The FHFA-set conforming loan limit for 2026 is $806,500, rising to $1,249,125 in designated high-cost areas.
Is Free Prequals a legitimate mortgage broker?
Yes. Free Prequals is operated by Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, a broker with Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, NMLS #376205, licensed in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Washington, D.C.
Choosing Based on What You Can’t Afford to Risk
If you’re still shopping and want a number without any chance of a score dip, Free Prequals’ NoTouch Credit Pull is built for exactly that stage: no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval, no obligation, and no impact on the tiers a hard pull could push you into. Veterans and active-duty buyers who need entitlement expertise are better served by Veterans United, even with the hard-pull tradeoff, because VA-specific guidance is worth more than a soft pull in that case. Buyers who want speed and don’t mind a hard inquiry should look at Rocket or Movement, while those wanting a local loan officer and in-house underwriting fit better with Nfmlending or Alcova, depending on region.
Every choice here comes down to one question: is a hard inquiry acceptable at this stage of your search, or not yet? If the answer is not yet, get your free mortgage prequalification today and find out exactly what you can afford, with no obligation and no cost. You’ll work directly with award-winning Mortgage Maestro Duane Buziak, whose access to more than 500 wholesale lenders and recognized track record, including Virginia Broker of the Year honors and a top-100 national ranking from Scotsman Guide, can translate into real savings on your loan.