Installment Loan or Overdraft: What's the Difference? Which Is Better?

The answer to this question is going to be different from person to person. Generally speaking, if someone is looking for a small loan, an overdraft may be a better option for them, while an installment loan may be better for someone who needs a large sum of money at once. So, which one is better? An overdraft or loan?

What Is an Overdraft?

An overdraft is a form of a short-term loan allowing an individual to borrow money through their bank account. This is only up to a certain limit, and there is no real set repayment date. Though some overdrafts will be interest-free, most are not, and an individual will be charged interest on whatever amount is borrowed at a variable interest rate. 

Overdrafts should usually only be looked at as a form of short-term credit and not an extension of your funds. 

What Is an Arranged Overdraft?

An arranged overdraft is a pre-agreed upon limit that allows an individual to spend more than they have in their account at that time. This safety net can be used to cover unexpected bills or emergency costs. 

Some banks offer an arranged overdraft free of charge, while others apply charges. 

What Is an Unarranged Overdraft? 

An unarranged overdraft is when someone spends more than they have in their current account and has not created a pre-agreed limit with their bank. 

As of April 2020, banks must apply one interest rate to all overdrafts, whether arranged or unarranged, and they must remain consistent. 

How Is an Overdraft Beneficial?

Overdraft borrowing limits are lower than loans, which makes them great for short-term borrowing. When an individual needs a small amount of money for a short period, an overdraft is a much better option than getting a loan. 

What Is the Usual Overdraft Limit?

The limits will depend on many factors, such as the bank account someone has. While some banks offer an overdraft facility, some do not. However, even if a bank does offer it, it is at the bank’s discretion whether they offer it to someone.

When applying for an overdraft, someone’s creditworthiness will be taken into consideration by the bank, as well as their age, earnings, and credit rating. If the bank decides they are an okay fit, they will be offered an overdraft.

Pros of an Overdraft 

There are a couple of pros to overdrafts, such as the following:

• Money is withdrawn from the account within a couple of hours or within one day of setting up an overdraft account.
• Individuals can take as much money as they need within the bank's limits, paying it back over whatever time they can. This can be days or weeks, or even months.
• No interest accumulates on money an individual has not withdrawn from the limit. This means that there will not be any additional charges.

Cons of an Overdraft

• High-interest rates make borrowing costly.
• Low borrowing limits
• Bank has the ability to reduce the limit or cancel your overdraft at any moment.
• It can be easy to become stuck in your overdraft for long periods of time.

What To Consider Before Applying for an Overdraft

There is a lot to consider before applying for this type of loan, including how often you are going to use it. If you are someone who overspends a lot, you may end up stuck in a never-ending cycle of an overdraft, unable to get yourself out of it. If that happens, you could end up getting it revoked by your bank.  

What Is an Installment Loan?

An installment loan is an agreement that a loan will be repaid over time with a set number of scheduled payments. This is normally month to month, with the payment date on the same day. The term of this loan may be a few months, or it could be as long as 30 years.

An installment loan of any kind may be the most beneficial for you; depending on the amount, they can be used for a wide range of things.

How Is a Loan Beneficial?

Loans are great for people who need a larger amount of money than an overdraft will allow them. For example, if someone is looking to fund home improvements or even looking to buy a new car, they would look into getting a loan! 

Installment loans offered by Simple Fast Loans allow people to borrow anywhere between $200 to $3,000 and sometimes even more. 

Pros of a Loan

Some pros to an installment loan include:

• Quickly approved. Many people will see the money in their bank accounts within 24 hours of approval.
• Fixed monthly payments make it easier for people to budget for repayments.
• Can borrow a much larger sum of money than you can with an overdraft
• Individuals can usually choose their repayment term, which can be over years to make it more manageable.
• Unlike a car loan, an installment loan can be used for anything an individual needs it for.

Cons of a Loan

• If you miss a repayment, your credit score may be negatively affected since the payments are less flexible than an overdraft. This could be an issue if someone has an income that varies monthly.

What To Consider Before Applying for a Loan

Before applying for a loan, you should consider the repayment timeline and monthly payment amounts. See how much a bank is willing to lend you and use an installment loan calculator to determine if you will be able to afford the monthly payments in the term.

Sometimes, it will be better for certain people to concentrate on building their savings for a large purchase instead of taking out a loan

How Do You Apply for a Loan?

Applying for an installment loan is fairly quick and easy. Overdrafts can be applied for by contacting your bank, and installment loans can be applied for, much like a credit card, through the lender’s website.

Typically, lenders will go through a couple of checks before approving an amount for a loan, such as checking someone’s credit score, income, and an assessment on how well the person will pay the loan back. When approved, the loan will be ready soon after.