There are key differences between payday loans and installment loans, especially when it comes to annual percentage rates (APRs), loan terms and loan amounts. Overall, an installment loan has lower APRs, longer loan terms and larger loan amounts than a payday loan. Show
Understanding installment loansAn installment loan is a specific amount of money you borrow and pay back in installments with interest over a period of time. Technically, loans such as mortgages and car loans are installment loans, but in the comparison below, the “installment loan” we are referring to is a personal loan offered by alternative lenders to borrowers with bad credit. Traditional lenders like banks and credit unions also offer installment loans, but since their loans are for borrowers with good credit, we will not compare them with payday loans here. Payday loan vs installment loan featuresLoan amount $100 to $1,500$500 to $15,000Loan termBy your next payday, up to 62 days6 months to 5 yearsAnnual percentage rate more info buttonOver 300% (borrowing fee is $15 to $25 for every $100 borrowed)18% to 47%Turnaround timeWithin a few hoursWithin 24 to 48 hoursEligibility requirementsFlexible – accepts bad credit and non-employment incomeLess flexible – has credit score and income requirementsPayday loan vs installment loan: $700 exampleLet’s say a borrower in Ontario is debating between a $700 payday loan and $700 installment loan. Here’s how the cost can break down. Loan amount $700$700Borrowing cost$15 per $100 borrowed = $105 (497.73% APR)46.93% APRLoan term11 days6 monthsPayment amountOne full payment of $805$133.15 monthly for 6 months (98.88 in total interest)Total loan cost$805$798.88If you’re looking at the dollar amounts, the installment loan is nearly as expensive as the payday loan. The key difference here is the loan term. An installment loan allows you to spread out your payments over several months. But watch out for longer loan terms, because if the loan term becomes too long, you may end up paying more in interest than a payday loan. ⚠️ Warning: Be cautious with payday loansPayday loans are expensive. If you're experiencing financial hardship call Credit Counselling Canada for free financial counselling (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm at +1 866-398-5999). Consider payday loan alternatives:
Compare payday loansMaximum borrowing costs per provinceAlways refer to your contract for exact repayment amounts and costs as they may vary from our results.ProvinceMaximum allowable cost of borrowingAlberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario & Prince Edward Island$15 per $100 borrowedManitoba, Saskatchewan & Nova Scotia$17 per $100 borrowedNewfoundland and Labrador$21 per $100 borrowedNorthwest Territories, Nunavut & the YukonUp to $60 per $100 borrowedQuebecLimit of 35% annual interest rate (AIR)Compare installment loansHow to choose between a payday loan and installment loanBoth are high-interest loans. Generally, a payday loan should only be a last resort because of its extremely high interest rates and short repayment terms. When making a decision, ask yourself the following questions:
What do I need to apply for a payday loan vs installment loan?Payday loans
Before taking out a payday loan, become familiar with the payday loan regulations of your province. Installment loans
Bottom linePayday loans and installment loans from alternative lenders are both high-cost loans that are accessible to borrowers who don’t qualify for traditional loans from banks and credit unions. Before taking out a payday loan or installment loan, compare your options, understand the true cost of the loan and have a concrete plan to repay it. Frequently asked questions
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