Debt consolidation
Worth it only if the new APR is lower and the old balances stay paid off.
Personal Loans
Unsecured loans compared on APR, term and fees, so a low monthly payment cannot hide a higher total cost.
Why this is hard to compare
The problem
A longer term lowers the payment and usually raises the total cost, and origination fees often come out of the amount you receive. APR over the same term is the fair comparison, so it is the number we lead with.
What is on the table
Major purchase
A fixed schedule and a known end date, unlike a credit card.
Unexpected expense
Speed has a price. Compare the fast offer with a slower one first.
Credit building
On-time payments help. Applying to many lenders at once does not.
Side by side
Same loan, different term
| Term | Monthly payment | Total interest | Reads as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 months | Highest | Lowest | Expensive per month, cheapest overall |
| 36 months | Middle | Middle | The common default |
| 60 months | Lowest | Highest | Cheapest per month, most expensive overall |
Illustrative only -- not an offer or a quote.
Ready to see the numbers?
Free to compare, and it never touches your credit score.