Loan Comparison Calculator

Compare monthly payment, total interest, and total cost for two fixed-rate loans.

Results will appear here.

Planning estimate only, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify assumptions and current rules before making decisions.

This tool runs completely in your browser. No data is transmitted, stored, or logged.

Transparent methodology

How this calculator works

Reviewed July 2026

Formula

Monthly payment = P × r ÷ (1 − (1 + r)^−n), where P is principal, r is the monthly rate, and n is the number of payments. Fees are added to total cost.

Worked example

Compare two $30,000 loans by entering each term, APR, and upfront fees. The lower rate is not always the lower-cost option when terms and fees differ.

Frequently asked questions

Why can the lower payment cost more overall?

A longer term can reduce the monthly payment while creating more interest payments.

Are origination fees included?

Enter known lender fees in the fee fields. Financing a fee instead of paying it upfront can change the result.

Should I choose solely by total cost?

No. Cash flow, prepayment rules, collateral, risk, and loan features can also matter.

Privacy: Inputs and results stay in this browser. Any future sponsored recommendation or advertisement will be clearly labeled and kept separate from the calculation.