Compare personal loan types
Choose the repayment structure before the loan amount
Start with the account and repayment mechanics. Then compare actual costs, documents, provider identity and the consequences of a missed payment.
What do you need to understand?
Choose a repayment structure to explore the relevant loan option. This does not assess eligibility.
Side-by-side comparison
Reusable access, a payment schedule or a short deadline?
| Decision | Line of credit | Installment loan | Payday loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| How money is accessed | Separate draws within an available limit | A sum borrowed at the start | A short-term advance |
| Repayment structure | Account payments; a balance may remain | A schedule over an agreed period | Often one payment on the stated payday |
| The number to watch | Balance and available credit, not just the limit | Total repayment as well as the payment amount | The full amount due on the next deadline |
| Cost questions | Rate, draw fees, account fees, minimum-payment rule | Interest, deducted fees, payment count and early payoff | Finance charge, collection method and extra charges |
| A reason to pause | New draws keep replacing the principal you repay | A smaller payment stretches the debt far longer | Repayment would require another advance |
Published Zoom Cash descriptions
Three product descriptions with different jobs
Unsecured line of credit
$200–$1,000Available credit can be reused after principal repayments, subject to the account agreement.
Zoom Cash description published in 2019Understand draws & balances →Loan purposes
Find an option for the expense you need to cover
Installment loans
$2,501–$5,000The published options were 12, 18 or 24 months. Compare the payment with the full cost.
Zoom Cash description published in 2019Calculate monthly payments →Payday / cash advance
$50–$500The published description used a check and repayment on the next payday.
Zoom Cash description published in 2015Work out the amount due →The amounts above are source-dated product descriptions. Current availability, rates and fees need a current written offer.
Make the comparison fair
Compare the same cash need and the complete cost
| Comparison step | What to put side by side |
|---|---|
| Net cash received | Compare the amount actually available after deductions |
| Total repayment | Include interest, fees, required charges and any final lump sum |
| Payment frequency | Compare real due dates, not just similar-looking payment amounts |
| Term and repeat borrowing | A longer schedule or repeated draws can change the total obligation |
| Security and account access | Check collateral, debit authorization and account restrictions |
| Early payoff and missed payments | Use the written payoff, late-charge and help provisions |
Compare before you apply
Put two written loan offers side by side
Compare the net cash you receive and everything you repay. Use the same payment frequency and check the real schedule: a low average payment can hide a longer term or a final lump sum.
Look at what you receive
Compare the cash you actually receive after any deducted fees. The amount financed and the amount deposited can be different.
Look at everything you repay
Check the payment amount, number of payments, fees and total repayment. Compare both offers over the same period and watch for a final lump sum.
Review the written terms and choose a repayment schedule that fits your budget before accepting an offer.
Application questions
Bad credit, speed and online access are separate questions
Credit review
A product label does not tell you whether an inquiry is soft, hard or based on other reporting. Ask which checks happen at each stage.
Funding time
A decision is not a deposit. Verification, signing, lender release, the payment method and bank posting can affect the timeline.
Online or in person
A web form does not establish state availability. An address listing does not establish walk-in service. Confirm the actual route before sending documents or travelling.
Beyond loans
Separate financial services from borrowing
Check cashing, money transfers, money orders and bill payments are different services. Their receipts, charges and service providers need their own checks; they should not be treated as another loan type.
Review the service-by-service checklist →Sources and how to read these figures
Zoom Cash product figures retain the year of their source. They do not confirm a current offer. Consumer guidance explains the general product; the written agreement determines an actual transaction.