{"id":659,"date":"2024-04-19T15:00:55","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T15:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/?p=659"},"modified":"2024-05-27T09:08:22","modified_gmt":"2024-05-27T09:08:22","slug":"short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/","title":{"rendered":"Short term loans vs Line of Credit \u2013 which is better?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever encountered a financial outlay for which you weren\u2019t prepared, you\u2019ll know how stressful it is. Of course, these large payments tend to land far away from payday, which is why we sometimes need a cash boost to bridge the gap. Searching for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>payday loan<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/loans\/short-term-loans\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/loans\/short-term-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>short term loan<\/strong><\/a> or line of credit can be overwhelming. With a wide variety of products available on the market, it\u2019s often hard to decipher which one is right for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A short term loan or line of credit is a commitment, so you\u2019ll want to know the ins and outs before you sign on the dotted line. Here at Drafty, we like to keep things simple, which is why our blog will equip you with all the information that you need (minus the waffle).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll find the similarities, differences, requirements and implications of a line-of-credit loan and a short term loan \u2013 supporting you to make the right decision for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#what_is_a_line_of_credit\" >What is a line of credit?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#what_is_a_short_term_loan\" >What is a short term loan?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#similarities_between_a_line_of_credit_and_a_short_term_loan\" >Similarities between a line of credit and a short term loan<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#both_are_short_term_lending_options\" >Both are short term lending options<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#both_funds_are_transferred_to_your_bank\" >Both funds are transferred to your bank<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#both_can_help_your_credit_score_%e2%80%93_if_you_meet_your_repayments\" >Both can help your credit score \u2013 if you meet your repayments<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#differences_between_a_line_of_credit_and_a_short_term_loan\" >Differences between a line of credit and a short term loan<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#a_line_of_credit_allows_you_to_borrow_more\" >A line of credit allows you to borrow more<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#a_line_of_credit_has_a_spending_cap\" >A line of credit has a spending cap<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/short-term-loans-vs-line-of-credit\/#interest_rates\" >Interest rates<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_is_a_line_of_credit\"><\/span><strong>What is a line of credit?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put, a line of credit is an alternative to loans, overdrafts and credit cards. They\u2019re a flexible, easy-to-use pot of cash into which you can dip whenever you like. Unlike a short term loan for bad credit, if you\u2019re not using your credit line, you don\u2019t pay a thing \u2013 and you only pay interest on what you use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here at Drafty, we know a few things about a line of credit agreement and our simplified process is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If approved, you can borrow up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/loans\/3000-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/loans\/3000-loans\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>\u00a33000<\/strong><\/a> and cash is sent to your bank in 90 seconds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As long as you repay the minimum amount each month, you can choose for how long you want to keep your credit line open.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you don&#8217;t draw any of the money from you\u2019re approved credit limit, you don&#8217;t pay anything.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can repay a little extra at any time and you\u2019ll save on interest. Plus, you can draw within your credit limit anytime without needing to reapply as long as you keep up with your repayments \u2013 Representative 96.2% APR (variable).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Credit lines like Drafty offer a fresh perspective, helping you to boost your finances while staying in control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_is_a_short_term_loan\"><\/span><strong>What is a short term loan?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Short term <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/loans\/personal-loans\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/loans\/personal-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>personal loans<\/strong><\/a> are fairly self-explanatory. You borrow money from a short term loan direct lender and arrange your repayments accordingly. The agreed amount that you borrow gets paid into your bank account ready for you to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the name suggests, short term loans are available for a small amount of time. However, as the borrowing period is limited, repayment costs can be high. Also, if you struggle to pay back your money due to unforeseen circumstances, you could find late fees added to your repayments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a quick loan and are confident that you\u2019ll pay back the money despite added fees, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/loans\/guaranteed-loans\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/loans\/guaranteed-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>guaranteed short term loan<\/strong><\/a> might be a viable option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"similarities_between_a_line_of_credit_and_a_short_term_loan\"><\/span><strong>Similarities between a line of credit and a short term loan<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"both_are_short_term_lending_options\"><\/span><strong>Both are short term lending options<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A line-of-credit agreement and a short term loan are both designed to cover temporary financial outlays \u2013 an alternative to a payday loan. Both lending options offer money quickly, helping to tide you over when you need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you encounter a broken boiler or need a new car tire, both options are viable ways to boost your cash flow in the short term. However, a line-of-credit may offer a longer lending period if that\u2019s what suits your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interest rates are variable depending on your choice, lending period and company. It\u2019s worth noting that \u2013 more often than not \u2013 the shorter the borrowing period, the higher the interest rate. That\u2019s why it\u2019s worth exploring your options before you jump in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"both_funds_are_transferred_to_your_bank\"><\/span><strong>Both funds are transferred to your bank<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Both short term financial loans and credit lines work by transferring money into your bank account quite quickly. Once you\u2019ve answered any specific questions and agreed to the terms and conditions, you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"both_can_help_your_credit_score_%e2%80%93_if_you_meet_your_repayments\"><\/span><strong>Both can help your credit score \u2013 if you meet your repayments<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you use your line of credit or short term loan responsibly by meeting your repayments, you could <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/ways-to-build-your-credit-rating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>boost your credit score<\/strong><\/a>. Future lenders might see it as financially responsible if you pay the money back on time and you don\u2019t take out credit too frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"differences_between_a_line_of_credit_and_a_short_term_loan\"><\/span><strong>Differences between a line of credit and a short term loan<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"a_line_of_credit_allows_you_to_borrow_more\"><\/span><strong>A line of credit allows you to borrow more<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As the name suggests, a short term loan is designed to cover unexpected costs over a short period. However, where a short term loan has a rigid repayment scheme, a line of credit still offers money in the near future, just with added flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drawing off our own experience, a Drafty line of credit lets you use and reuse your credit whenever you need as long as your account is open with us and you have kept up with your repayments. See? Flexible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"a_line_of_credit_has_a_spending_cap\"><\/span><strong>A line of credit has a spending cap<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A spending cap helps to advocate for responsible lending. For example, \u00a0Drafty, a short term loan alternative limits borrowing to up to \u00a33000, helping you to stay in control of your finances \u2013 Representative 96.2% APR (variable).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"interest_rates\"><\/span><strong>Interest rates<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no two ways about it: direct short term loan interest rates can be sky-high. Often, this is due to borrowing more in a lesser amount of time, equalling more risk in the eyes of a lender. Interest rates for a line of credit are often much lower. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/compare-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Take a look at how we compare loans<\/strong><\/a> to see for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to find out how a Drafty line of credit can help to boost your cash flow? Check out our \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/about\/aboutus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>About Us<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong> We are not providing financial advice, these are just tips for informational purposes. Also, we are not affiliated to any of the external parties, these links are provided for reference only.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve ever encountered a financial outlay for which you weren\u2019t prepared, you\u2019ll know how stressful it is. Of course, these large payments tend to land far away from payday, which is why we sometimes need a cash boost to bridge the gap. Searching for a payday loan, short term loan or line of credit [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":763,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-659","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-research"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=659"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1167,"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/659\/revisions\/1167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drafty.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}