Debt Consolidation vs Balance Transfer vs Keep Paying Calculator
Compare keeping your credit card debt, moving it to a 0% balance transfer, or rolling it into a consolidation loan — payment, payoff time, interest, and fees, side by side.
Compare the real cost of keeping your debt, transferring it, or rolling it into one loan.
See which option may save the most, lower your monthly pressure, or give you a safer path out of debt — before you make a move.
No credit check. No lender matching. Just side-by-side payoff math in plain English.
- Compare monthly payment, payoff time, interest, and fees
- See what happens if you don't finish before a 0% promo ends
- Understand which option may fit your situation best
What this calculator helps you compare
The true cost of staying with your current card debt
Whether a balance transfer really saves money after the fee
Whether a consolidation loan gives you a safer payoff plan
Step 1 of 3 — Your current debt
If you're combining more than one card, enter the total balance, average APR, and total monthly payment.
Side-by-side comparison
All three options use the inputs above. We never claim a single overall winner when the categories disagree.
Keep Paying | Balance Transfer Cheapest | Consolidation Loan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment | $350 | $400 | $413 |
| Payoff time | 4 yr 9 mo | 2 yr 10 mo | 3 yr |
| Debt-free date | Feb 2031 | Mar 2029 | May 2029 |
| Total interest | $7,728 | $867 | $2,526 |
| Total fees | $0 | $360 | $360 |
| Total cost | $19,728 | $13,227 | $14,886 |
| Balance left when promo ends | — | $5,160 | — |
| Payment needed to finish in promo | — | $687 | — |
Keep Paying
Balance Transfer
Consolidation Loan
Cost breakdown
- Interest
- Fees
What each option is best for
Keep paying
Best when your current payoff path is already reasonable, fees on other options erase the benefit, or you don't want to open a new account or loan.
Balance transfer
Best when you qualify for a strong promo offer, your debt is mostly credit card debt, and you can pay it off before the intro period ends.
Consolidation loan
Best when you want one fixed payment, your balance is too large to clear during a promo window, or you want a firm payoff date and simpler budgeting.
What could make an option less helpful
- If you still owe money after the promo ends, the regular APR may erase the early advantage.
- A consolidation loan can feel simpler, but fees and a longer term can still raise your total cost.
- If you move the debt but keep spending on the old cards, the math can break fast.
See how each option holds up if things don't go perfectly
Quick stress tests on the same inputs.
Pay $100 less per month
Applied to Keep Paying.
Promo ends with debt left
Remaining balance at post-promo APR.
Loan term 12 months longer
Lower payment, more interest.
What this means for you
- The cheapest option you entered is the balance transfer at about $13,227 total.
- To finish the balance transfer before the promo ends, you'd need about $687/mo — your current plan is $400/mo.
- Your lowest monthly payment is not your lowest total cost.
- These results assume you qualify for the terms you entered.
Here's the tradeoff
- Cheapest: Balance Transfer ($13,227 all-in)
- Fastest: Balance Transfer (2 yr 10 mo)
- Easiest payment: Keep Paying ($350/mo)
- Biggest risk: Balance left when the 0% promo ends.
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How this calculator works
Keep paying: we estimate payoff using your balance, APR, and monthly payment, applied month by month.
Balance transfer: we add the transfer fee to the balance, apply the intro APR during the promo months, then apply the regular APR to anything left over.
Consolidation loan: we use your loan APR, term, and origination fee to compute a fixed monthly payment and total cost. A custom-payment mode is available.
All three options are compared on payment, payoff time, total interest, and total fees. We don't model taxes, late fees, returned-payment fees, or changes in APR outside the values you enter.
This calculator gives estimates based on the rates, fees, and payments you enter. Actual approval, credit limits, transfer fees, origination fees, and APRs may vary. Use this as a planning tool, not a guarantee.
Balance transfer savings depend heavily on paying down the debt before the promo period ends. Loan offers and credit card offers vary by credit profile.
Important disclaimer
The projections, estimates, and recommendations shown by these tools are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.
Calculations are based on the information you provide and make simplified assumptions (for example, fixed APRs, no additional fees, and no new charges). Your actual payoff dates, interest costs, and terms may differ based on your lender's specific policies, variable rates, fees, and how you use your accounts.
Before acting on any payoff plan, balance transfer, or credit strategy, please consult a qualified financial professional or credit counselor. AnyCreditWelcome.com is not a lender, creditor, bank, or licensed financial advisor.