ISA vs loan cost comparison
Should you dip into your ISA savings or take out a loan? Enter the numbers and see which option costs less over your timeframe.
Lower cost over your period
Using your ISA
saves you £0 compared to borrowing over 3 years
ISA cost (foregone growth)
£0
£0
Loan cost (total interest)
£0
£0
Difference
£0
£0
ISA growth foregone
Loan interest paid
Loan interest paid
1 year
—
—
—
3 years
—
—
—
5 years
—
—
—
Emergency buffer after ISA withdrawal
£0
ISA balance remaining after withdrawal
0 months
Emergency cover remaining (vs expenses)
—
Buffer assessment
ISA allowance opportunity cost
£0
Cost of losing tax-free wrapper over 10 years (illustrative)
£0
Lost tax-free growth per year at current ISA rate
The hybrid path — three ways to use your ISA and a loan together
Full ISA
£0
Use all from ISA
£0 remaining in ISA
Hybrid (buffer preserved)
£0
£0 ISA + £0 loan
3 months buffer kept
Full loan
£0
ISA untouched
£0 remains in ISA
Illustrative only. ISA cost is calculated as the foregone compound growth on the withdrawn amount over the comparison period. Loan cost is total interest paid on a standard repayment loan. The ISA annual allowance is currently £20,000 (subject to change). Allowance opportunity cost assumes the withdrawn amount would otherwise remain in the ISA wrapper for 10 years. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances. This tool does not constitute financial advice.