Head-to-head money comparisons
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Side-by-side comparisons of the UK money decisions that come up most often: ISA types, mortgages, car finance, pensions, credit, debt solutions and savings products. The trade-offs explained, not best-buy tables.
- Personal loan vs PCP car finance
Personal loan vs PCP car finance — which is cheaper for a car?
A personal loan buys the car outright so you own it from day one and can sell it any time; PCP usually has lower monthly payments but you only own the car if you pay the final balloon payment.
- Cash ISA vs Stocks & Shares ISA
Cash ISA vs Stocks & Shares ISA — which UK ISA is right for you?
A Cash ISA holds cash and pays interest tax-free. A Stocks & Shares ISA holds investments — returns can be higher over the long run but the value can fall as well as rise.
- Lifetime ISA vs Help to Buy ISA
Lifetime ISA vs Help to Buy ISA — which first-home account wins?
Help to Buy ISAs closed to new applicants on 30 November 2019 but existing accounts still pay a 25% bonus up to £3,000. Lifetime ISAs are open to anyone aged 18–39 and pay a 25% bonus up to £1,000 a year until age 50.
- Fixed-rate mortgage vs Tracker mortgage
Fixed-rate vs tracker mortgage — which UK mortgage type fits you?
A fixed-rate mortgage locks your interest rate for a set period — usually 2, 5 or 10 years. A tracker mortgage moves up and down with the Bank of England Bank Rate plus a set margin.
- PCP vs HP or leasing
PCP vs HP vs car leasing — which car finance is cheapest?
PCP is a finance agreement with an optional 'balloon' payment to own the car at the end. HP is a loan secured on the car — you own it at the end. Personal leasing is long-term rental — you never own the car.
- SIPP vs Workplace pension
SIPP vs workplace pension — which is the better UK pension?
A workplace pension gets you extra money in the form of employer contributions. A SIPP gives you more investment choice and platform flexibility. Most people benefit from using both.
- Credit card vs Personal loan
Credit card vs personal loan — which is cheaper for borrowing in the UK?
A 0% purchase or balance-transfer credit card can be the cheapest way to borrow if you'll clear the balance before the 0% period ends. A personal loan is usually cheaper for larger amounts repaid over 2–7 years at a fixed rate.
- Debt Management Plan vs Individual Voluntary Arrangement
DMP vs IVA — which UK debt solution should you choose?
A DMP is an informal arrangement to pay an affordable monthly amount to all your creditors via a free debt charity. An IVA is a formal, legally binding agreement to pay an agreed amount over (usually) five years, after which remaining qualifying debt is written off.
- Premium Bonds vs Easy-access savings
Premium Bonds vs easy-access savings — which is the better UK home for cash?
Premium Bonds pay no interest — instead you're entered in a monthly prize draw, with a prize-fund rate that's a guide to typical return but isn't guaranteed. An easy-access savings account pays a fixed or variable rate of interest you can rely on.
- Cash ISA vs Ordinary savings account
Cash ISA vs ordinary savings account — which is better in 2026/27?
A Cash ISA pays interest tax-free up to the £20,000 annual allowance. An ordinary savings account is taxable, but the first £1,000 of interest (£500 for higher-rate, £0 for additional-rate) is covered by the Personal Savings Allowance.
- Lifetime ISA vs SIPP
Lifetime ISA vs SIPP — which is better for retirement saving?
A Lifetime ISA gives a 25% government bonus on up to £4,000 a year and is tax-free on withdrawal from age 60. A SIPP gives tax relief at your marginal rate, but withdrawals (other than the 25% tax-free lump sum) are taxed as income.
- Workplace pension vs Personal pension
Workplace pension vs personal pension — what's the difference?
A workplace pension comes with an employer contribution (usually 3% minimum) and is set up by your employer under auto-enrolment. A personal pension is one you arrange yourself — no employer match, but full control over the provider and investments.
- Defined benefit (DB) vs Defined contribution (DC)
Defined benefit vs defined contribution pensions — what's the difference?
A defined benefit (DB) pension pays a guaranteed income based on your salary and service. A defined contribution (DC) pension builds a pot you invest yourself, and you choose how to take income at retirement.
- Interest-only mortgage vs Repayment mortgage
Interest-only vs repayment mortgage — what's the difference?
On a repayment mortgage your monthly payment covers interest and chips away at the capital, so the loan is cleared at the end. On interest-only you only pay the interest each month — the full capital is still owed at the end of the term.
- Two-year fix vs Five-year fix
Two-year fix vs five-year fix mortgage — which is right for you?
A two-year fix gives short-term payment certainty and lets you remortgage sooner — useful if you expect rates to fall. A five-year fix locks in your rate for longer, with bigger early repayment charges if you leave early.
- Offset mortgage vs Standard mortgage
Offset mortgage vs standard mortgage — how do they compare?
An offset mortgage links a savings account to your mortgage and only charges interest on the difference. A standard mortgage charges interest on the full loan balance regardless of any savings you hold elsewhere.
- Shared Ownership vs Help to Buy (legacy)
Shared Ownership vs Help to Buy — which UK housing scheme works for you?
Shared Ownership lets you buy a share of a home (usually 25%–75%) and pay rent on the rest. Help to Buy was a government equity loan that contributed up to 20% (40% in London) of the purchase price — now closed to new applicants in England.
- Buy-to-let mortgage vs Residential mortgage
Buy-to-let vs residential mortgage — what's the difference?
A residential mortgage is for a home you live in; affordability is based on income. A buy-to-let mortgage is for a property you rent out; affordability is based on rental coverage and is mostly unregulated by the FCA.
- Balance transfer card vs Money transfer card
Balance transfer card vs money transfer card — what's the difference?
A balance transfer card moves debt from another credit card to a new 0% card. A money transfer card sends cash from a credit card into your bank account at 0% — useful for clearing an overdraft or a non-card debt.
- Arranged overdraft vs Credit card
Arranged overdraft vs credit card — which is cheaper for short-term borrowing?
An arranged overdraft is a credit limit on your current account, charged a single annual rate (often 35–40% EAR) and applied daily. A credit card has a credit limit and charges interest only if you don't clear the balance in full each month.
- Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) vs Bankruptcy
IVA vs bankruptcy — how do these UK debt solutions compare?
An IVA is a formal, court-approved agreement to repay an agreed proportion of your debts over (typically) five to six years. Bankruptcy is a court order that writes off most unsecured debts, usually within 12 months, but with bigger consequences for assets and employment.
- Contents insurance vs Buildings insurance
Contents vs buildings insurance — what does each cover?
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home — walls, roof, floors and permanent fixtures. Contents insurance covers the things inside that you'd take with you if you moved.
- Critical illness cover vs Income protection
Critical illness vs income protection — what's the difference?
Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum if you're diagnosed with one of the specific illnesses listed in the policy. Income protection pays a monthly tax-free income if illness or injury stops you working, until you can work again (or up to a set age).
- Term life insurance vs Whole-of-life insurance
Term life vs whole-of-life insurance — which type of UK life cover do you need?
Term life insurance pays out only if you die within a set period (e.g. 25 years). Whole-of-life insurance lasts as long as you keep paying premiums and is guaranteed to pay out eventually — premiums are correspondingly higher.
- Limited company vs Sole trader
Limited company vs sole trader — which is right for your UK business?
A sole trader is the simplest form of self-employment — you and the business are legally the same. A limited company is a separate legal entity, with its own tax, accounts and Companies House filings, but with limited personal liability.
- State Pension vs Pension Credit
State Pension vs Pension Credit — what's the difference?
The State Pension is a contributory benefit based on your National Insurance record. Pension Credit is a means-tested top-up for people over State Pension age on a low income — it can also unlock Housing Benefit, free TV licence (75+), Council Tax help and Cold Weather Payments.