Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Planner
Compare paying off your debts smallest-first (snowball) or highest-interest-first (avalanche): when you'd be debt-free, the interest each costs, and the order each debt is cleared.
About this tool
Both methods pay the minimum on every debt each month and put every spare pound on one target debt. When that debt is cleared, its minimum payment joins the extra and rolls on to the next, so the payments snowball. Avalanche targets the highest interest rate first, which always costs the least interest. Snowball targets the smallest balance first, so you clear whole debts sooner, which many people find keeps them going. The difference is often smaller than you'd expect, and the method you stick with is the one that works.
The planner keeps your total monthly payment the same throughout and adds interest monthly from the APR, so treat the dates as estimates; promotional 0% periods, fees and changing minimums will move them. If a minimum payment doesn't cover the interest, you'll get a warning. Struggling to keep up? Free, confidential debt advice is available from StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice. Your debts are saved on this device only.