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Loan Comparison

The Loan Comparison Calculator lets you evaluate multiple loan offers side by side. Enter the principal, interest rate, and term for each option to compare monthly payments, total interest paid, and total cost of borrowing. Stop guessing which offer is better — see the numbers clearly so you can choose the loan that minimizes your lifetime cost or maximizes your monthly cash flow.

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Finance

About the Loan Comparison Calculator

The Loan Comparison Calculator lets you evaluate multiple loan offers side by side. Enter the principal, interest rate, and term for each option to compare monthly payments, total interest paid, and total cost of borrowing. Stop guessing which offer is better — see the numbers clearly so you can choose the loan that minimizes your lifetime cost or maximizes your monthly cash flow.

How to use it

  1. Enter loan details (amount, rate, term) for your first offer.
  2. Add a second loan option with different parameters.
  3. Compare monthly payments, total interest, and total repayment.
  4. Choose the option that best fits your budget and cost goals.

Formula & methodology

For each loan: Monthly payment = P * [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1]. Total cost = monthly payment * n. Interest savings = Total cost(A) - Total cost(B). Break-even on higher monthly payment: interest savings / payment difference = months to recoup.

Common use cases

  • Comparing bank offer vs credit union vs online lender
  • Evaluating same rate but different term lengths
  • Deciding whether to pay points to lower interest rate
  • Comparing fixed vs variable rate loans
  • Presenting multiple financing scenarios to a financial advisor

Frequently asked questions

Not necessarily. A lower monthly payment usually means a longer term. Longer terms mean more total interest paid — sometimes dramatically more. Choose the lowest payment only if cash flow is the binding constraint. If you can afford a higher payment, the loan with least total interest is almost always the better financial decision.
The interest rate is the base cost of borrowing. APR includes the interest rate plus fees (origination fees, closing costs, points) expressed as an annual percentage. APR is the true cost of the loan and is what you should compare between offers. A loan with a lower interest rate but high fees can have a higher APR than one with a slightly higher rate and no fees.

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