Line of Credit vs. Credit Card: What’s the Difference? - NerdWallet Canada (2024)

Both a credit card and a line of credit let you borrow money to a pre-set limit. And you may be charged interest depending on how quickly you repay what you borrow. A line of credit may offer a higher credit limit and lower interest rate. But credit cards earn rewards and can be used for in-person and online purchases.

How does a line of credit work?

A line of credit is a type of revolving credit, similar to a credit card. You can use however much money you need (up to the pre-set limit) and only pay interest on what you borrow. There is no deadline to pay back your line of credit, which means you can pay it off as quickly or slowly as you like, as long as you make minimum monthly payments.

Lines of credit are offered by financial institutions and may be subject to administrative fees. Once your line of credit has been approved with a specified limit, you can access the money by:

• Writing a cheque from your line of credit.
• Withdrawing cash from an ATM.
• Using the account to pay off a bill.
• Transferring money from the line of credit to your chequing account via online, mobile or phone banking.
  

Every month you will get a statement indicating how much you’ve borrowed and the minimum payment due.

Interest rates on lines of credit are often variable, which means your rate will change over time. Your credit score may also factor into the interest rate you pay. People with higher credit scores may be offered lower rates, as they are seen as more likely to pay back the debt.

» MORE: Line of Credit: What It Is and How To Use It

Line of credit vs. credit card

Credit cards and lines of credit work in similar ways, but have several key differences. Before you choose one over the other, consider convenience, how quickly you can pay off your debt, and how much money you need to borrow.

When to use a line of credit vs. a credit card

You don’t have to choose one over the other — you can have a line of credit and a credit card. But one of these lending products might be better suited to certain situations and transactions.

Lines of credit are best for large purchases

Credit limits for lines of credit typically start at $5,000 and may reach into the six figures, depending on your credit history and lender. Interest rates for lines of credit tend to be lower, too — at least compared to those offered by credit cards. This combination of a high credit limit and lower interest rate makes a line of credit practical for big transactions and unexpected purchases.

A line of credit may be useful when:

• You need a higher credit limit.
• You plan to take longer than a month to pay back a large balance.

Credit cards are ideal for everyday spending and earning rewards

Credit cards can be used for in-person and online transactions and may earn rewards. This makes credit cards a convenient choice for everyday spending. But credit cards tend to charge higher interest rates than lines of credit, which means you may pay more interest on borrowed funds if you don’t pay your balance in full monthly.

A credit card may come in handy if:

• You only need access to a limited amount of money.
• You can pay off your balance every month, or at least make more than the minimum payment.
• You want to take advantage of any points or rewards programs.

Line of credit: pros and cons

Pros

• Often have lower interest rates than credit cards or personal loans.
• Allow you to apply once, then have access to the money whenever you need it.
• Can be used for whatever you want.
• Can help you avoid other fees, such as overdraft fees in your chequing account.

Cons

• Interest rates vary and can be changed by the lender at any time.
• Easy access to money could encourage overspending and lead to financial trouble.
• Can take a long time to pay off if you’re only making minimum payments.

Credit card: pros and cons

Pros

• May earn rewards.
• May offer insurance coverage.
• Can be used for in-person and online transactions.

Cons

• Fees are common.
• Typically have higher interest rates than lines of credit.