See whether a consolidation loan or a 0% balance transfer actually beats paying down what you owe — real interest, fees, and payoff date, side by side.
| Name | Balance | APR % | Min payment | 0% intro? | Remove |
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Consolidating means replacing several debts with one — either a fixed-term consolidation loan or a 0% balance transfer. It only helps if the new deal costs you less overall, and that's easy to get wrong: a longer loan term can lower your monthly payment while raising the total interest you pay. A lower payment is not the same thing as a cheaper debt.
So compare the two numbers that actually matter — the monthly payment you can afford and the total cost of borrowing (interest plus any origination or transfer fee) — not just the headline rate. The comparison above does exactly that, and the break-even APR table shows the highest rate at which a loan of each term still beats simply keeping your current debts. Above that rate, consolidating costs you money.
For a full worked example, read Does debt consolidation save money? — and remember every figure here is estimated in your browser from the terms you enter, so it's only as accurate as the real offer you're quoted.
No — it depends on the new APR, fees, and term; a longer term can lower the payment while raising total interest. This tool shows the real total cost so you can see which wins. See how the trade-off works for a full worked example.
Below the break-even APR shown for your chosen term — above it, you'd pay more than just keeping your current debts.
As a single balance with your 0% intro period, then the go-to APR, plus the transfer fee — paid at the same monthly budget you'd otherwise put toward your debts.
No — everything runs in your browser; nothing is sent to a server. See the Privacy page for the full detail.
No — it's an educational estimate; real offers depend on your credit and lender terms.
A real three-way comparison — keep your cards, take a consolidation loan, or do a 0% balance transfer — showing exactly when consolidating saves money, when it doesn't, and the break-even APR that decides it.
GuideA head-to-head on $12,000 of debt: a fixed-payment consolidation loan versus a 0% balance transfer — which costs less, and why the cheaper option isn't always the right one.
GuideHow a 0% balance transfer really works — the transfer fee, the interest-free window, and the go-to APR cliff — worked on a $6,000 balance, including what happens if you don't finish in time.
GuideWhat a debt management plan (DMP) through a credit counseling agency actually is, how it differs from a DIY payoff, what it costs, and who each option really suits.
Want to compare the debt snowball and avalanche strategies instead? Try the free payoff calculator.