Loan Types
A catalog of alternative loan products — installment loans, lines of credit, secured loans, HELOCs, peer-to-peer, BNPL, payday-replacement, merchant cash advance, and more.
Loan TypesSecured vs Unsecured Loans: A Complete ComparisonSecured loans require collateral and offer lower rates; unsecured loans rely on creditworthiness alone. Learn the trade-offs, real costs, and when to use each.Loan TypesHome Equity Loans Explained: How Second Mortgages Work in 2026Home equity loans let you borrow a lump sum against your property's value at a fixed rate. Learn how second mortgages work, typical terms, and when to choose a ...Loan TypesHELOC vs Home Equity Loan: Which One Fits Your Financial NeedsUnderstand the critical differences between HELOCs and home equity loans—rate structure, payment flexibility, and when each option makes sense for your situatio...Loan TypesPeer-to-Peer Loans: How They Work in 2026Peer-to-peer loans connect borrowers directly with investors through online platforms. Learn how P2P lending works, what you'll pay, and which lenders to consid...Loan TypesBuy Now, Pay Later as a Loan Product: How BNPL Really WorksBuy Now, Pay Later plans from Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay let you split purchases into installments. Here's how BNPL works, what it costs, and when it makes se...Loan TypesPayday Loan Alternatives That Won't Trap You in a Debt CyclePayday loans charge 400% APR or more. Discover safer alternatives: PAL loans from credit unions, cash advances, installment loans, and employer programs.Loan TypesTitle Loans Explained — and Why to Avoid ThemTitle loans use your car as collateral for fast cash—but triple-digit APRs and repossession risk make them a debt trap. Learn how they work and what to do inste...Loan TypesPawn Shop Loans vs Personal Loans: Which Is Right for Your Cash Emergency?Pawn shop loans offer same-day cash without credit checks, but APRs can hit 200%+. Personal loans check credit yet cost a fraction. Here's how to choose.Loan TypesCash Advance Loans and Their True CostCash advance loans carry APRs of 25–400%+ and fees that start accruing immediately. Understand how they work, what you'll pay, and better options.Loan TypesLine of Credit vs Installment Loan: Which Should You Choose?Confused by lines of credit versus term loans? Learn how each works, what they cost, and which fits your cash-flow needs—backed by real examples.
Other Topics
Getting Started
New to borrowing? Start here with the essentials.
Personal Loans
Unsecured personal loan guides, rates, and lender picks
Lenders & Tools
Lender reviews, marketplaces, and comparison tools
Applying & Approval
Credit score, DTI, prequal, and getting approved
Refinancing & Consolidation
Refinance loans, consolidate debt, and lower your rate
Repayment Strategy
Pay loans off faster and protect your credit
Niche Guides
Loans for specific situations — business, auto, student, medical