What kind of credit should I use?

Credit can be a convenient way of buying something now and paying later. But with so many types to choose from, which is right for you?

We look at four common types of credit below, and explain how they work and what they’re designed for.

A credit card is a form of ‘revolving credit’, which means you can keep reusing and repaying it (as long as you stay within the limit).

Most credit cards let you be flexible about how much you repay each month, although you’ll need to meet the minimum payment.

You’re usually charged interest on the amount you owe. Racking up card debt can get expensive, so it’s best to clear your balance every month if possible.

Credit cards often have high interest rates, but some offer an interest-free period. Some people use these to spread the cost of a big purchase over several months or years.

It’s a good idea to pay it off before the promo ends and your rate goes up.

You may want to shop around before picking a card, as there’s a huge variety available.

Suitable for: Small, short-term borrowing (but maybe longer if you can find an interest-free deal)

An arranged overdraft lets you borrow money via your current account. It’s another type of revolving credit, and is best suited for small, short-term borrowing. So, if your car suddenly breaks down or the roof springs a leak, an overdraft could tide you over until next payday.

One common advantage overdrafts have over credit cards is that you can use them to get cash, without being charged more than usual for the withdrawal.

Using an overdraft usually costs interest and/or fees. We charge an EAR of 19%, 29% or 39% (variable) for Monzo overdrafts.

With Monzo, as a representative example, if you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 for 30 days, with 19% EAR/APR (variable), it would cost you £17.28. Your exact rate will depend on your credit score, and you can see what rate you’re on in your Monzo app.

Your rate will depend on your credit score, and we’ll always tell you the exact rate you’ll pay, and what that means in pounds, before you borrow from us. Read more about Monzo overdrafts here.

Importantly, an arranged overdraft is different from an unplanned overdraft. This happens if you spend more than what’s in your account without the lender’s permission, or go over the agreed limit.

Suitable for: Small, short-term borrowing

A loan is a lump sum that you repay over several months or years, plus any interest or fees. Loans are commonly used for large, one-off expenses, like home improvements or a wedding.

They’re different from credit cards and overdrafts in a few ways. For example, you can typically borrow bigger amounts at lower rates with a loan, but you can't reuse the funds once they've been repaid. Loans tend to give you less flexibility, as your payments will normally be the same each month.

Loans generally fall into two categories: secured and unsecured.

With a secured loan, you normally use your house or car as 'collateral’. If worse comes to worst and you can't repay the loan, the lender may use the collateral to recover their money.

Unsecured loans (also called ‘personal loans’) don’t require collateral, but you may need a healthy credit score to get one.

Suitable for: Large, long-term borrowing

Hire purchase is a common option when you’re looking to buy a car, although it can be available for things like furniture too.

It’s a bit different to other forms of credit, and the clue is in the name. Essentially, you hire the car while making regular payments towards its cost and any interest. You aren’t actually the owner until you’ve paid in full.

Conditional sale is similar to hire purchase, except that you’re required to buy the car outright at the end of the agreement. Hire purchase gives you the choice to do this by paying an ‘option to buy’ fee.

In both cases, you’ll put down a non-refundable deposit at the start of the agreement.

Suitable for: Big, one-off purchases (especially if you can’t get a loan, but have enough for a deposit)

Not sure any of these options are for you? Check out Monzo Flex to spread the cost of pretty much anything. You can use Flex online or in-store, and just like a credit card you get section 75 protection for eligible purchases with your virtual card. Choose whether to spread your payments over 3 instalments interest free, or take more time with up to 24 monthly payments at 29% APR Representative (variable). It's easy to keep track of your repayments in the Monzo app.