Free Debt Payoff Calculator — Avalanche vs Snowball

Enter each of your debts with its balance, APR, and minimum payment, add the extra amount you can pay each month, and see the two classic payoff strategies compared side by side: how long each takes, how much total interest each costs, and the exact order your debts get eliminated. Free, no sign-up, and every calculation runs in your browser — nothing is stored.

Avalanche vs. Snowball: what's the difference?

Debt Avalanche pays minimums on everything and sends every extra dollar at the debt with the highest interest rate first. Mathematically, this always minimizes total interest paid.

Debt Snowball pays minimums on everything and sends every extra dollar at the smallest balance first. You pay off entire debts sooner, which creates early wins and momentum — at the cost of usually paying somewhat more interest overall.

Which method should you choose?

Choose Avalanche if you're mathematically motivated and can stay disciplined even when wins feel far away. Choose Snowball if you need momentum — paying off a small debt early gives you a psychological win that keeps you going. Behavior beats math if the math makes you quit.

How the simulation works

The calculator applies monthly interest to each debt (APR divided by 12), pays every minimum, then directs your extra payment at the target debt for the chosen method. When a debt is paid off, its freed-up minimum payment rolls into the extra payment — the "snowball effect" both methods share. The result is a realistic month-by-month projection, not a rough estimate.

Making the plan stick

A payoff plan only works if you can see your progress. Violet Codex includes a Formal Debt Manager that tracks balances, amortization schedules, and payoff projections — updated every time you make a payment, stored encrypted on your own computer. One-time $67 license, no subscriptions.

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