Differences Between Personal Loans and Lines of Credit

If you’ve just learned the basics of a personal loan, you may be wondering how it differs from a line of credit. Both options extend you the basic ability to add funds in an immediate sense, but there are a few big differences. At Loans for Less, we have all the best signature loans and personal loans available for your needs. These are generally perfect for one-time purchases or emergencies, where lines of credit can be better for ongoing purchases with an extended need for credit. Let’s look at a few of the other basic details here.

Disbursement Type

When you receive a personal loan, the entire sum of the loan is released to you in a single lump payment. This differs from a personal line of credit, which is reusable. Once you’ve been approved for a line of credit, you can continue accessing it into the future. Both areas can have major benefits depending on your situation.

Amounts

The minimum for most persona loans is $3,000, where it’s $5,000 for most lines of credit. Maximums can generally stretch larger for lines of credit, but this is mostly because of how far it can extend into the future. The max you can borrow in a personal loan situation will depend on factors like credit score.

Interest Rates

With a personal loan, you can often choose between fixed or variable interest rates – an important factor for many people. With lines of credit, only variable rates are allowed.

Secured or Unsecured

Secured loans are those backed by collateral, meaning they allow a higher borrowing amount and lower interest rates. Unsecured loans have faster approval processes, but borrowing amounts can be lower and rates will be higher. Both personal loans and lines of credit can be either secured or unsecured.

Repayment Options

With a personal loan, you can choose between weekly, bi-weekly and monthly payment formats. You’ll pay a combination of principal and interest. With lines of credit, you only pay interest on the amount you use – not the entire line of credit. However, every cent you borrow must be repaid by the end of the term, or you face harsh penalties. To learn more about personal loans, speak to the brokers at Loans for Less today.