Revolving Credit vs Installment Loans: The Differences

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What Is Revolving Credit?
What Is Installment Credit?
Revolving vs Installment: The Pros
Revolving Credit Pros
Entire credit limit can be accessed numerous times as long as balance is repaid: The entire amount of the credit limit can be received multiple times as long as it is paid off. Only pay interest on the amount of credit that is used: With revolving credit, borrowers only pay interest on the amount they use. Low monthly payments: Because revolving credit doesn’t require a set repayment schedule, the monthly payments are lower. No interest if balance is paid in full month to month: Credit card companies only charge interest if the balance isn’t paid in full every month. Revolving credit is unsecured: Borrowers don’t have to secure the credit line with any collateral such as a house or car.
Installment Credit Pros
Fast disbursement: It’s possible to receive the credit the same business day. Lower interest rates: Many installment loans come with lower interest rates than revolving credit products. More money: It’s easier to get more money with an installment loan than it is a revolving credit line. So if you're remodeling your bedroom, for instance, an installment loan could be helpful. One lump sum: Borrowers get access to the entire loan amount all at once. Fixed amount of payments: Installment credit comes with a set number of payments, so payments don’t go on indefinitely.
Revolving vs Installment: The Cons
Revolving Credit Cons
Missed payments often result in higher interest rates: Credit card companies are known to raise rates if a borrower is late on payments. Credit cards sometimes come with numerous fees: Each company has its own fees and the amount it will charge its borrowers. Common fees include: Late payment fee Annual fee Foreign transaction fee Over the limit fee Returned payment fee Balance transfer fee Interest
Credit cards typically come with higher interest rates than installment credit:Most loans come with lower interest rates than credit cards.
Installment Credit Cons
Some lenders charge a prepayment fee for paying off a loan early: The amount of the fee varies on the lender and the remaining loan amount; however, many lenders don’t charge a prepayment fee. Less flexibility on monthly payments: Installment credit requires full monthly payment to avoid fees. Borrowers aren’t given payment amount options as they are with credit cards. Installment credit often comes with origination fees: The amount of the fee depends on the loan amount and the lender.
Examples of Revolving vs Installment Loans
Personal Loan Business Loan Home Loan/ Mortgage Auto Loan Student Loan Boat Loan
Credit Cards Personal Lines of Credit Business Lines of Credit Home Equity Lines of Credit
Revolving vs Installment: Which Type of Debt Makes a Bigger Impact on Your Credit Score?
Are Personal Loans Installment or Revolving Credit?
Borrowers receive the entire loan amount at the same time There are a fixed amount of payments until the loan is paid in full The full loan amount is only available once — borrowers would need to apply for another loan to receive the same amount of cash again
Applying for an Installment Loan
State or government-issued ID Paystubs Bank statements and tax returns Employer contact information Proof of address
The Takeaway
Frequently Asked Questions
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About the Author
Lauren Ward is a personal finance expert with nearly a decade of experience writing online content. Her work has appeared on websites such as MSN, Time, and Bankrate. Lauren writes on a variety of personal finance topics for SoFi, including credit and banking.
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