Snowball vs. Avalanche vs. Consolidation
There are three mainstream ways to pay off a set of debts: snowball (smallest balance first), avalanche (highest rate first), and consolidation (one new loan replaces them all). Snowball and avalanche use the same money in a different order, so they differ only in interest and in which debt clears first. Consolidation changes the rate and term, so it can beat both or lose to both depending on the loan you can get.
This page runs all three on your debts and shows them in one table: monthly payment, debt-free date, interest, fees and total cost, with the cheapest highlighted. Enter a real loan quote to see whether it beats your current debts at the same payment; the break-even APR tells you the rate the loan would need.
Results
Cheapest of the three
Consolidation loan at 11.5%
Total cost $3,052, debt-free October 2029.
| Plan | Monthly payment | Debt-free | Months | Interest | Fees | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowball | $570 | May 2029 | 32 | $4,518 | $0.00 | $4,518 |
| Avalanche | $570 | May 2029 | 32 | $4,182 | $0.00 | $4,182 |
| Consolidation loan at 11.5% | $465 | Oct 2029 | 37 | $2,641 | $411 | $3,052 |
Your debts total $13,700. A 11.5% loan with a 3% fee cuts total cost by $2,900 than paying the highest-rate debt first with the same $465 a month.
Consolidation only works if the old cards stay at zero. Running them back up means paying both.
Enable JavaScript to edit the numbers above and see your own plan, charts, and month-by-month schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Which strategy pays off debt fastest?
At the same monthly outlay, snowball and avalanche finish within a month or two of each other, with avalanche never later. A consolidation loan finishes on its term, which can be faster or slower depending on the term you choose. Speed is mostly set by how much you pay each month, not by which order you use.
Which strategy costs the least?
Avalanche always beats snowball on interest. Consolidation beats both only when the loan APR plus fee is clearly below your weighted average rate; on the example debts a 36-month loan under about 19% wins, while one above that loses. The table highlights the cheapest for your numbers.
Can I combine consolidation with snowball or avalanche?
Yes, and it is common: consolidate the high-rate cards into one loan, then run the loan and any remaining debts through avalanche with your extra payment. The main calculator handles that: enter the new loan as one debt with its rate and payment, alongside anything you did not consolidate.
Why does the consolidation column show a fee?
Most personal loans charge an origination fee of 1% to 8%, deducted from the proceeds or added to the balance. It is a real cost and belongs in the total. Enter 0% if your quote has no fee. Balance transfers have a similar fee, which the balance transfer calculator handles separately.
What monthly payment does the comparison use?
Snowball and avalanche use your minimums plus the extra you entered. Consolidation uses the loan's amortized payment for the term you chose, and the loan versus avalanche comparison in the narration equalizes the two by giving the avalanche the same monthly amount, so the comparison isolates the rate effect.