What is a U.S. payday-loan comparison calculator ?
A U.S. payday-loan comparison calculator is a simple tool that lets someone plug in a loan amount, fees, and repayment date (usually the next payday) to see the true cost before borrowing.
The payday-loan comparison calculator instead of showing only a flat dollar fee, it converts that fee into an estimated APR, the total repayment due, and the effective cost per $100 borrowed. The calculator can also model bi-weekly vs. weekly pay cycles and show how even small fee differences change the total you’ll repay.
Because payday rules vary widely by state, the calculator should detect or let you choose your state of residence and then reflect typical fee caps, maximum loan sizes, cooling-off periods, and rollover limits where applicable.
To compare lenders side-by-side, the tool accepts multiple offers—e.g., “$375 due in 14 days with a $55 fee” vs. “$375 due in 14 days with a $45 fee”—and outputs a comparison highlighting cheapest total cost, lowest APR, and lowest late-fee risk (based on the lender’s disclosed policies).
Because payday loans carry high risk, the calculator should surface safer alternatives when available—credit-union small-dollar loans, employer paycheck advances with no interest, installment loans with longer terms, hardship programs, or payment plans with existing creditors.