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Comparisons

Head-to-head articles aligned with side-by-side tabs in the calculator. Reproduce each example, then adjust for your own loan amount and rate assumptions.

Canadian mortgage types

Comparison

Variable rate mortgage in Canada: VRM vs ARM and trigger rate risk

On a $450,000 loan at prime minus 0.75%, VRM payoff stretches to 548 months (45.7 yr) after rate rises while ARM payments jump $317/mo at the first step.

Updated May 31, 2026

Canadian payment paths

Comparison

Fixed vs variable rate mortgage in Canada: what to compare first

Understand how fixed and variable rates behave at renewal, and what to model side-by-side before you lock in.

Updated Mar 1, 2026

Comparison

Biweekly vs monthly mortgage payments in Canada

A $440k Canadian mortgage at 5.4% over 25 years: accelerated bi-weekly trims about $61k interest vs monthly.

Updated Apr 9, 2026

US payment paths

Comparison

Biweekly vs monthly mortgage payments in the US

On $400k at 6.75% over 30 years, a manual $216/mo prepay (the US equivalent of accelerated bi-weekly) saves $126k interest and ends the loan 6 years sooner.

Updated Apr 20, 2026

Comparison

15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage: Which Saves You More?

A $400,000 loan at 6.50% costs $227,197 total interest on a 15-year term versus $510,178 on 30 years, but the monthly payment is $956 higher. Here is how to decide which term fits your budget.

Updated May 12, 2026

US fixed vs adjustable

Comparison

5/1 ARM vs 30-year fixed (US): the 5-year break-even math

On $360k US: a 5/1 ARM at 5.90% saves $200/mo over a 30-year fixed at 6.75%, but the advantage reverses 53 months after the first adjustment if rates reset to 7.90%.

Updated Apr 20, 2026

Comparison

30-year fixed vs 7/1 ARM (US): 30-year lifetime interest

On a $420k US loan, 30-year fixed at 6.85% costs about $94k more interest than a 7/1 ARM at 6.10% if the ARM path matches our modeled resets.

Updated Apr 20, 2026

Loan types and shopping

Comparison

FHA vs conventional loans: what our calculator can show side by side

FHA vs conventional on a $350k home: nearly identical starting payments, but FHA MIP adds $39,840 more over 30 years because it never cancels on under-10%-down loans.

Updated Mar 20, 2026

Comparison

How to compare mortgage offers side by side

Same $380k balance: 15-year at 6.25% saves about $301k interest vs 30-year at 6.75%, but costs $793 more per month.

Updated Apr 9, 2026

Comparison

VA loan vs conventional (zero down): funding fee vs PMI

On a $380k home: VA at 0% down runs $2,453/mo with $8,170 funding fee rolled in; conventional at 5% down runs $2,492/mo but needs $19,000 cash at closing.

Updated Apr 20, 2026

US loan programs

Comparison

USDA vs FHA loan: which zero-down option costs less and who qualifies

On $300k at 6.50%: USDA needs $0 down vs FHA's $10,500. Monthly costs differ by $7; over 30 years the programs are a $224 wash - cash at closing is the decision.

Updated May 29, 2026

Community Q&A (Reddit)

ComparisonFrom Reddit

Why paying 20% down and a 5% one-time payment is better than 25% down - Reddit scenario

On a $500k US home at 6%: 20% down plus 5% of price as a one-time payment on the first bill trims modeled lifetime interest by about $77k vs 25% at close, with trade-offs. From r/Mortgages.

Updated Apr 22, 2026

ComparisonFrom Reddit

Bi-weekly vs principal prepay: Reddit US modeled

$400,000 loan at 6.75% modeled: accelerated bi-weekly trims about $1,306 lifetime interest versus $216/mo principal adds; both beat baseline monthly by over $126,000.

Updated Apr 30, 2026

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