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Loan payment or compound growth: which calculator?

Choose between modelling money you repay, money that grows, and the return on an investment you already made.

All three calculators involve a rate and time, but they model different directions of money. A loan payment is a fixed outflow that pays down a balance, compound interest is a balance that grows, and ROI compares what you put in with what you got out.

Use the loan calculator for fixed repayments

The loan tool estimates the monthly payment, total paid and interest cost for a fixed-rate loan. Use it to compare terms or check affordability, remembering that variable rates, fees and early repayments are outside the model.

Use compound interest for growth over time

The compound calculator projects a balance with annual, quarterly or monthly compounding. Use it for savings and deposits where the balance grows; the compounding frequency changes the result, so match it to the account terms.

Use ROI to judge an investment after the fact

ROI compares net gain with cost, including side amounts you add. Use it to evaluate a completed or proposed project rather than to project a savings balance, because it does not model time or compounding.

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Frequently asked questions about loan versus savings

Does the loan calculator include fees and insurance?

No. It models principal, rate and term. Add recurring fees to the payment manually or treat them as a separate cost line.

Why does compounding frequency change the result?

More frequent compounding adds interest to the balance sooner, so the same nominal annual rate produces a slightly higher effective return.

Can ROI be negative?

Yes. If the final value and side amounts are below the total cost, the result is a negative return, which the calculator reports rather than hiding.

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