Loan Comparison Tool

Enter the details of multiple loan offers and see a side-by-side comparison of monthly payments, total interest, total cost with fees, and cost per $1,000 borrowed. See which loan wins by different criteria and get guidance on choosing the right option for your situation.

100% FreeNo SignupInstant Results

Enter the details of each loan offer to see which one costs less overall. You can compare 2 or 3 options side by side.

All results update in real time as you adjust inputs.

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Quick Verdict

Lowest Total Cost

Loan B

$127,795

Lowest Payment

Loan A

$2,100/mo

Fastest Payoff

Loan B

3 years

Loan B saves you $216 over Loan A

in total cost including fees

$216

Side-by-Side Comparison

Loan ALoan B
Loan Amount$100,000$100,000
Interest Rate9.5%15%
Term5 yr3 yr
Monthly Payment$2,100$3,467
Total Interest$26,011$24,795
Total Fees$2,000$3,000
Total Cost$128,011$127,795
Cost per $1,000$280$278
Effective APR10.4%17.2%

★ = best in category

Cost Breakdown Chart
Loan A$128,011
Principal: $100,000Interest: $26,011Fees: $2,000
Loan B$127,795
Principal: $100,000Interest: $24,795Fees: $3,000
Principal Interest Fees
Cumulative Payments Over Time
MonthLoan ALoan B
Month 1$2,100$3,467
Month 6$12,601$20,799
Year 1$25,202$41,598
Year 2$50,404$83,197
Year 3$75,607$124,795
Year 4$100,809Paid off
Year 5$126,011Paid off
Which Loan Should You Choose?

The “best” loan depends on your priorities:

  • Need the lowest monthly payment? Loan A at $2,100/mo. Good if cash flow is tight or you need more working capital each month.
  • Want to minimize total cost? Loan B at $127,795 total. Better if you can handle higher payments and want to save overall.

Beyond the numbers, also consider:

  • How fast each lender can fund your loan
  • Whether there are prepayment penalties
  • The lender's reputation and customer service
  • Collateral requirements and personal guarantee terms
  • Whether the loan terms are flexible if your business needs change

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How to Compare Business Loan Offers

A lower interest rate does not always mean a cheaper loan. Term length, fees, and payment structure all affect what you actually pay. Two offers with the same rate can have dramatically different total costs if one has a 3% origination fee and the other has none. This tool runs the math on up to three offers so you can compare them on equal footing.

Total Cost vs. Monthly Payment

The loan with the lowest monthly payment often costs the most in total. Longer terms mean more months of interest, which adds up. A 5-year term loan at 10% costs significantly more in total interest than the same loan over 3 years, even though the monthly payment is lower. The right choice depends on whether you need to optimize for cash flow or total savings. If monthly payment matters most, our loan affordability calculator can help you find your budget ceiling.

Fees Change the Equation

Origination fees typically range from 1% to 5% of the loan amount and are either deducted from your proceeds or added to your balance. A $100,000 loan with a 3% origination fee means you either receive $97,000 or owe $103,000. Either way, it raises your effective borrowing cost. Always include fees when comparing offers. The effective APR shown in this calculator accounts for fees so you can see the true annual cost. Use our factor rate to APR converter if any of your offers use factor rates instead of interest rates.

When the Cheapest Loan Is Not the Best Choice

Cost is important, but it is not everything. A slightly more expensive loan with lower monthly payments may be worth it if it preserves working capital your business needs. Speed matters too: an online lender charging more might fund in days while a bank takes weeks. And flexibility counts. A line of credit may cost more in interest but gives you revolving access a term loan does not. Not sure which loan type fits? Try our loan finder quiz to get a recommendation based on your situation, or talk to a funding specialist to compare real offers.

How It Works

1

Enter Your Loan Offers

Add up to 3 loans with the amount, interest rate, term, and any fees. Name each one to keep track.

2

Compare Side by Side

See monthly payments, total interest, total cost, and cost per $1,000 borrowed for each option.

3

Pick the Right Fit

Use the winner badges and cost breakdown to decide which loan matches your priorities, whether that is lowest cost, lowest payment, or fastest payoff.

What You Get

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Monthly payment, total interest, fees, total cost, and cost per $1,000 for every loan in one table.

Winner Badges

Instant badges showing which loan wins by total cost, monthly payment, and fastest payoff.

Savings Callout

See exactly how much you save by choosing the cheapest option over the next closest offer.

Visual Cost Breakdown

Stacked bar chart showing principal, interest, and fees for each loan at a glance.

Cumulative Payment Timeline

See how much you will have paid at each milestone and when each loan is fully paid off.

Decision Guidance

Practical advice on choosing between lowest cost and lowest payment based on your business situation.

Loan Comparison Tool: Frequently Asked Questions

A lower rate on a longer term can result in more total interest than a higher rate on a shorter term. For example, 9% over 10 years costs far more in interest than 15% over 3 years on the same amount, even though the rate is lower. Total cost depends on both rate and term. This calculator shows total cost for each loan so you can see the full picture. Use our loan payment calculator to explore different rate and term combinations.

Include every upfront charge: origination fees (typically 1% to 5% of the loan amount), closing costs, documentation fees, and any other charges deducted from your proceeds or added to your balance. These fees increase your total cost and effective APR. A loan with a lower rate but 3% origination fee may actually cost more than one with a slightly higher rate and no fees. Enter all known fees in this calculator to see the true cost difference.

Cost per $1,000 borrowed equals your total financing cost (total interest plus all fees) divided by the number of thousands in your loan amount. This metric normalizes the comparison when loan amounts differ. For example, if Loan A costs $28,000 in interest and fees on a $100,000 loan, that is $280 per $1,000 borrowed. If Loan B costs $12,000 on $50,000, that is $240 per $1,000. Loan B is cheaper on a per-dollar basis even though Loan A has lower absolute cost.

Not necessarily. The cheapest loan may have higher monthly payments that strain your cash flow. A slightly more expensive loan with lower payments might be the better choice if it keeps your business running smoothly. Speed also matters: an online lender at a higher rate may fund in days while a bank takes weeks. Consider total cost, monthly payment, funding speed, and flexibility when making your decision. Our DSCR calculator can help you evaluate whether you can comfortably handle the payments.

Yes. You can compare any combination of term loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, or other fixed-payment financing. Enter the amount, rate, and term for each offer. The calculator assumes standard amortization (equal monthly payments), which works for most term loan and SBA products. For revolving credit or variable-rate products, use our line of credit calculator instead.

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