Compare 3 month short term loans

If you've found yourself faced with unexpected costs, you might be considering a 3 month payday/short term loan. Use our guide to compare rates from a range of lenders, estimate the overall costs and learn more about how these loans work.

Even if you’ve dedicated hours meticulously planning your finances, life can still throw something at you that you hadn’t bargained on – maybe you need to repair a broken down vehicle or replace a dead laptop. If you’ve found yourself in this sort of situation, a short term loan is one way to bridge the gap.

Unlike traditional “payday” loans which last up to a month, these loans are repaid over 3 months. That means smaller, more manageable repayments, but more interest overall.

3 month short term loans are a fast but very expensive way to borrow, with interest rates significantly higher than most other forms of credit. Before taking out a short term loan you should first consider alternatives such as those outlined at MoneyHelper. If you do opt for a 2 month short term loan, online applications are simple and quick, and if your application is accepted, many providers can have funds transferred to you in a matter of hours or even minutes.

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk.

Please note: High-cost short-term credit is unsuitable for sustained borrowing over long periods and would be expensive as a means of longer-term borrowing.

Table: promoted deals, sorted by total payable
How much do you need to borrow?


How long do you need to borrow for?


1 - 5 of 5
Product UKFSL Available Amounts Monthly repayment Total payable Link
£50 to £3,000
Go to site
View details
Representative Example: Assumed credit limit: £1200. Representative 96.2% APR (variable). Annual interest rate 69.4% (variable).
£300 to £1,500
Go to site
View details
Representative example: Borrow £300 for 3 months - Interest payable £154.38 - Total amount payable: £454.38 in 3 instalments - 3 payments of £151.46 - Representative 1303.10% APR - Interest rate 292% per annum (fixed). Repayment periods are 3 months to 6 months, Additional options may be available to you as a repeat customer. Total Maximum APR 1625.60%
£100 to £1,000
Check eligibility
View details
Representative Example: If you borrow £500 over 6 weeks at a Representative rate of 497% APR and an annual interest rate of 23.1% (fixed), you would pay 1 payment of £615.50. The total charge for credit will be £115.50 and the total amount payable will be £615.50.
£200 to £1,500
Go to site
View details
Representative Example: Borrow £400 for 4 months: 3 monthly repayments of £156.09 followed by a final repayment of £156.07. Total repayment £624.34. Interest rate p.a. (fixed) 288.35%. Representative APR 1,267.9%.
£50 to £1,500
Go to site
View details
Representative example: Borrow £200 for 6 months at a rate of 292% p.a. (fixed). Representative 1,333% APR and total payable £386.61 in 6 monthly payments of £64.44.
loading
Please note: You should always refer to your loan agreement for exact repayment amounts as they may vary from our results.

Is high-cost, short-term borrowing a good idea?

Payday/short term loans are an expensive method of borrowing and are not a good idea for borrowing over longer periods, or for sustained borrowing. They may not solve your money problems.

Before applying for a payday or short term loan you should always consider other options. Is the expenditure that you’re planning absolutely essential? If possible you should defer your purchases as this will save you money in the long run. If you need the money to pay for a bill, it’s always worth speaking to your provider to see if you can organise a payment plan or defer your payment. Read more about alternatives to payday loans at MoneyHelper.

What you need to know about 3 month payday loans

3 month loans are a high interest form of borrowing designed to help you overcome a temporary, unexpected shortage in cash.

Typically you will be expected to make 3 monthly repayments, however some lenders give the option to pay back your loan weekly or fortnightly. If you get paid weekly or fortnightly, this could come in handy. Normally the instalments are equal, give or take a penny, but some lenders (such as QuickQuid), in the first and second months only charge you the interest that has accrued, and then in the third month charge interest plus capital (the amount borrowed). That can be handy if you need a little time to get back on your feet, but it will cost you more in interest over all.

You should only take out a 3 month short term loan if you’re certain you’ll be able to meet the repayments. Failure to do could lead to your credit score being damaged and it becoming harder to secure credit in the future.

Key features of a 3 month short term loan

  • Small loan amounts. Although some lenders state that they offer short term loans of up to £1000 or more, don’t expect to be approved for this if you’re a new customer – lenders will want to start small.
  • High interest rates. Interest rates on 3 month short term loans are usually significantly higher than on credit provided by banks. Rates are legally capped at 0.8% – on a 3 month loan of £200, paid off in monthly instalments that’s around £101 in interest overall.
  • Regular repayments. Normally you’ll pay back a 3 month loan in 3 more-or-less equal instalments – the first being one month after taking out the loan. Many lenders offer borrowers the facility to repay fortnightly or even weekly.
  • Early repayment. Although when you sign up to a 3 month short term loan you will agree set repayment dates with your lender, it is usually possible to pay all or part of your loan back early. This is generally a great idea, if you can manage it. By paying off your loan early you could cut down how much you pay in interest. Make sure you check the early repayment terms set by the lender before taking out your loan.
  • Paid back by CPA. Typically when you take out a short term loan your repayments will be taken using a Continuous Payment Authority (CPA). Many lenders give you the option to pay by direct debit or manual bank transfers instead.

Benefits and drawbacks

  • Spread repayments.
    Unlike a traditional “payday” loan, a short term instalment loan can allow you to spread repayment over 3 months. That means 3 smaller repayments, rather than one larger repayment. However because you’re borrowing for longer than you might with a payday loan, you’ll pay more in interest overall.
  • Quick turnaround time.
    It’s now possible thanks to improved technology and competition between lenders to have a 3 month short term loan in your bank account the same day you apply. As well as giving quick decisions on your loan, many lenders can transfer your funds in a matter of hours or even minutes.
  • Easier approval.
    Whilst you must meet certain requirements to secure a 3 month short term loan, many lenders are more willing to provide finance to those with poor credit than banks might be. Many lenders now base their decisions primarily on affordability rather than credit history, meaning that you could secure a loan despite having a bad credit history.
  • High interest rates.
    3 month short term loans typically come with higher interest rates than you would normally see with other forms of credit. Interest rates are legally capped at 0.8%, but many lenders choose to price their loans at or just below this figure, making short term loans a very expensive option.
  • Not a long term solution.
    Short term loans are just that – for the short term. They are designed to cover an unexpected shortfall. Don’t expect them to cover or solve longer term financial difficulties. For help and advice on dealing with longer-term financial difficulties a good place to start is the government’s MoneyHelper service.
  • Disreputable lenders.
    Be aware that not all lenders advertising online are legitimate. Before taking out a loan ensure you have thoroughly researched the lender and made sure they are approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Taking a loan from a lender that isn’t approved puts you at great financial risk.

Eligibility requirements

Requirements will vary by lender, but expect to be required to meet the following criteria:

  • Be aged 18 or over.
  • Be a UK resident.
  • Hold a bank account.
  • Have an email address and mobile number.
  • Have some form of regular income.

What is a Continuous Payment Authority (CPA)?

A CPA is a recurring payment in which you give a company permission to withdraw money from your account on a regular basis.

CPA’s differ from direct debits because they give the company being paid the ability to withdraw money from your account whenever they wish, and to take payments of different amounts without consulting you. Most payday loan companies will use CPA to collect your repayments, however you can cancel this by either consulting with your provider or your bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
Chris Lilly's headshot
Written by

Head of publishing

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio

Chris's expertise
Chris has written 602 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Loans & credit cards
  • Building credit
  • Financial health

More guides on Finder

  • Payday loans guides & resources

    Browse our collection of payday loan guides, designed to answer all of your short term loan questions and help you find the right payday loan.

  • What is a continuous payment authority?

    What’s the difference between a continuous payment authority, a direct debit and a standing order?

  • QuidMarket short term loans review

    QuidMarket offers an instant decision on loans of up to (or for returning customers) and once approved, you can expect the money in your account on the same day. QuidMarket will consider you for a loan even if you have a bad credit history. Find out how other lenders compare.

  • Payday loans and prepaid cards

    If you need to borrow cash quickly and tend to use a prepaid card for regular spending, you may be looking to get a payday loan transferred to your prepaid card.

  • The Money Platform short term loans review

    The Money Platform is a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform that matches investors with borrowers and provides loans of up to . But at it’s core, is it just another short term lender?

  • Anico Finance short term loans review

    Anico Finance is an online lender providing personalised, transparent, short-term loans of – to help cover and spread the cost of an unexpected financial shortfall. Read the full review and compare its rates and eligibility criteria with a range of lenders.

  • Compare 1 month loans

    If you’re thinking about applying for a one month payday loan, use our guide to learn more about short term borrowing and compare rates from a range of UK lenders. Fast and simple repayment calculation and comparison of available amounts and eligibility requirements.

  • Sunny loans review

    Sunny is an online platform providing clear and transparent short term loans of between – for when unforeseen circumstances pop up. Find out how their lending options compare.

  • 1 week loans

    A 1 week payday loan can give you the cash you need until your next paycheck. Learn how it works, what to watch out for, and compare lenders.

  • The best UK payday loans of 2024

    A payday loan gives you the money you need quickly, even if you have bad credit or low income. But which one is best for your situation?

Go to site