Debt repayment: snowball vs avalanche — which repays debt faster?

When tackling multiple debts, choosing the repayment method affects speed and interest. Compare snowball and avalanche with examples.

Snowball

Pay minimums on all debts and target the smallest balance first — quick wins keep motivation high.

Avalanche

Target the highest-interest debt first to minimise total interest paid — best for pure savings.

Which to choose

Use avalanche to save the most money; choose snowball if you need momentum. Try both in our payoff calculator.