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Payday vs Installment Loan Calculator

This calculator funds the same amount two ways and shows what each really costs. It reports the total repaid and the APR under a payday advance and under an installment loan, then states the difference in total cost.

By the Paydayloaning Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

Advertising disclosure: Paydayloaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.

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How this calculator works

Both options put the same amount in your hands, but they price it very differently. The payday side charges a flat fee per $100 over a short term. The installment side charges an annual rate spread across fixed monthly payments.

The calculator converts each into a total repaid and an APR so the two can be compared on equal terms. The payday APR annualises the flat fee over the term, while the installment APR is the annual rate you enter. Compare the total repaid and the APR, not the size of the payment, because a smaller payment over a longer term can cost more.

Enter the terms you were actually offered. Rates and fees vary by state, lender, and credit profile, so your numbers are the ones that matter.

Advertising disclosure: Paydayloaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the calculator compare total cost and not just the payment?
A payday advance is one large payment due quickly, while an installment loan is a series of smaller monthly payments. The total repaid over the life of each loan is the only fair comparison, since a low payment can still hide a high total.
How is each APR worked out?
The payday APR annualises the flat fee across the days in the term. The installment APR is the annual rate you enter. The FTC notes a $15 fee per $100 on a two-week loan is about 391% APR, which shows how steep a short-term fee becomes over a year.
Can the payday advance ever be cheaper?
If the term is very short and the amount is small, the flat fee can total less than the interest on an installment loan. The calculator says so directly when that happens, rather than assuming one option always wins.
What term should I use for the installment side?
Use the term from a real offer or one you want to test, and pair it with the rate you were quoted. Installment terms usually run several months, which spreads the cost but can add total interest.

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Advertising disclosure: we may receive a referral fee. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants.

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