Free tool · side-by-side

Compare up to 3 loans, head to head.

Edit any field on any card — the cheapest total-cost loan is highlighted automatically. Includes upfront fees, ongoing annual fees, and full-term interest, not just headline rate.

What headline rate misses

Two loans at the same advertised rate can differ by $5–15K over 30 years once application fees, annual fees, and redraw/offset costs land. The comparison rate fixes some of that — but not all (it assumes a fixed term you may not hold). When in doubt, compute total cost across YOUR realistic holding period.

Why headline rate isn't enough

Two loans at the same rate aren't always equal.

Lender A and Lender B can both quote 6.10% — but a $600 application fee on A versus a $395 annual fee on B means a $5,000–$15,000 difference over 30 years. The lower headline rate doesn't always win.

Australian lenders are required to publish a "comparison rate" alongside their headline rate — a standardised number that includes most fees over a 25-year, $150,000 loan. It's a useful first filter, but it doesn't reflect YOUR specific loan size or term. For your actual situation, run the full lifetime cost calculation.

What to compare

Beyond the rate

How we calculate

Total cost over the term

Our calculator computes the full lifetime cost of each loan = principal + total interest + upfront fees + (annual fees × term). The cheapest total wins. We highlight that loan and show the dollar saving vs the most expensive option in your comparison.

This is a more accurate comparison than the published "comparison rate" because it uses YOUR loan size and term — not the standardised $150k/25y benchmark.

Common questions

Frequently asked

Should I focus on lowest rate or lowest fees?
For loans under $300k, fees dominate — the lifetime fee impact often outweighs a small rate difference. For loans over $700k, the rate matters more. For $400-600k loans (the most common Australian range), they're roughly equivalent — run the calculation.
What about cashback offers?
Some lenders offer $2,000–$6,000 cashback to switch loans. Treat this as a one-off discount in year 1 — subtract it from upfront fees in the comparison. Don't switch ONLY for cashback; the long-term loan cost matters more.
How often should I review my loan?
Every 2-3 years, or when fixed-rate periods expire. Australian banks rely on customer inertia — your existing rate is often higher than what they'd offer a new customer. A 15-minute broker call can reveal whether a refinance saves you meaningful money.
Disclaimer: Our loan comparison calculator uses lifetime cost as the comparison metric. It assumes you hold each loan for the full term — many borrowers refinance within 5-7 years, which can change the calculus. For complex scenarios involving multiple loan splits, fixed/variable mixes, or specialty products, work with a licensed mortgage broker. This is not credit advice.