Line up loan offers by what actually matters
Enter two or three offers and compare them by APR, total of payments, fees and term, so the headline rate can't hide a longer or costlier loan.
How this worksheet works
Enter two or three offers side by side — the amount, APR, term, any fee, and the monthly payment. The worksheet lines them up, works out the total of payments for each, and flags the one with the lowest total cost, so a low headline rate can’t quietly win on a longer term or a bigger fee.
Why total cost leads
The cheapest monthly payment and the cheapest loan are often not the same offer. The worksheet sorts on what you’ll actually repay in dollars, then shows the payment alongside it as a budget check.
Comparing fairly
APR only compares cleanly when the amount and term match. When they don’t, lean on the total of payments and the amount you’d receive. The worksheet keeps all of these visible at once.
What it can’t tell you
- Whether an offer is real or the lender is reputable — run anything that feels off through the lender check first.
- Charges not entered, such as optional insurance or add-ons.
- Soft details that still matter: funding speed, prepayment terms, and customer service.