Loan Comparison Calculator
Got several loan offers? Enter the amount, rate, term and fees of two or three loans to see which has the lowest monthly payment, the lowest total cost and the lowest APR, side by side.
In years or months, as chosen above.
How to use the Loan Comparison Calculator
- Choose whether terms are in years or months.
- Enter Loan A and Loan B: amount, interest rate, term and upfront fees.
- Tick the third loan if you have another offer to compare.
- Press Compare to see which loan is cheapest overall and which has the lowest payment.
- Review the table and chart, and download the comparison as CSV.
How the loans are compared
Each loan's fixed monthly payment uses the standard amortization formula M = L × r ÷ (1 − (1 + r)−n), where L is the amount borrowed, r the monthly rate (annual rate ÷ 12) and n the number of monthly payments. From that:
- Total interest = M × n − L
- Total cost of borrowing = total interest + upfront fees
- APR (estimated) = the yearly rate at which the amount you actually receive (L − fees) equals the present value of all payments. It folds the fees into one comparable rate, similar to the APR on a US Truth in Lending disclosure.
The loan with the lowest total cost is cheapest overall, but a longer term may have a lower payment while costing more. Compare both before deciding.
Example: the default loans
| Loan | Payment | Interest | Interest + fees | APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 at 7.5% for 60 mo, fees $0 | $601.14 | $6,068.31 | $6,068.31 | 7.50% |
| $30,000 at 6.9% for 60 mo, fees $900 | $592.62 | $5,557.29 | $6,457.29 | 8.18% |
| $30,000 at 6.5% for 84 mo, fees $600 | $445.48 | $7,420.58 | $8,020.58 | 7.12% |
Loan B has a lower rate than Loan A but charges a fee; Loan C has the lowest rate but a longer term, so it costs the most interest despite the cheapest payment.
This comparison assumes fixed rates, on-time payments and fees paid upfront or deducted from the loan. Official APR disclosures may treat some fees differently.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare two loans?
Look at the total cost of borrowing (interest plus fees) and the APR, not just the interest rate or monthly payment. A loan with a lower payment over a longer term often costs more in total. This calculator shows all of these numbers side by side.
What is the difference between interest rate and APR?
The interest rate sets the payment. The APR also includes upfront fees, expressed as a yearly rate, so it reflects the true cost. A loan at 6.9% with a $900 fee on $30,000 over 5 years has an APR of about 8.2%.
Is a lower monthly payment always better?
No. A lower payment usually comes from a longer term, which means paying interest for more months. Choose the lowest total cost you can comfortably afford each month.
How are the fees handled?
Fees are treated as paid upfront or deducted from the loan proceeds. They are added to the total cost and used to estimate the APR: the rate at which the money you actually receive equals the present value of your payments.
Can I compare loans with different amounts?
Yes. The table also shows the cost per $1,000 borrowed, which makes loans of different sizes easier to compare.
Does this work for mortgages, car loans and personal loans?
Yes, for any fixed-rate loan with equal monthly payments. It does not model variable rates, interest-only periods or balloon payments.
Is my information private?
Yes. All calculations happen in your browser.