Compare the avalanche and snowball debt payoff methods. See exactly when you will be debt-free and how much interest you save with each strategy. Free debt payoff calculator — no signup required.
| Avalanche | Snowball | |
|---|---|---|
| Payoff Time | 3y 9mo | 3y 9mo |
| Total Interest | $2,703.83 | $2,703.83 |
| Interest Saved vs Snowball | $0.00 | — |
The avalanche method targets your highest-interest debt first. Mathematically, this saves the most money in total interest paid and gets you debt-free faster. If you have a credit card at 20% and a student loan at 6%, the avalanche method attacks the credit card first while paying minimums on everything else.
The snowball method targets your smallest balance first, regardless of interest rate. It creates psychological wins faster — you eliminate debts completely sooner, which builds momentum. Research shows snowball adherents often pay off more debt overall because the motivation keeps them going.