Make the comparison like for like
Start with the amount that actually reaches your account. Then compare the same repayment period and number of instalments. A smaller monthly payment on a longer loan can still mean more money repaid overall.
If one offer includes a fee in the loan balance and the other charges it separately, check both the cash you receive and the complete payment schedule. Do not compare only the headline amount or rate.
Write down the details
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Money paid to you | A financed or deducted fee can change usable cash. |
| Every repayment and date | Shows the commitment on each payday. |
| Interest rate and period | Monthly and annual percentages are not directly interchangeable. |
| Once-off and recurring fees | Small recurring fees add up over the term. |
| Insurance and taxes | Check whether they are compulsory and included. |
| Total repayment | Allows an overall cost comparison. |
| Early settlement and late-payment terms | Explains what can happen if the plan changes. |
Check a discount against the same price
A benefit should be measured against the ordinary price of the same product, amount and term. A regulatory limit is not a voluntary discount. With Lendeka Together, the interest and service fees stay the same and the initiation fee falls by R30 when eligible.
The same R1 500 loan over one full month, at the same 3% monthly interest rate.
Without Together
R1 635.00Total to repay
Initiation fee: R60.00
With Together
R1 605.00Total to repay
Initiation fee: R30.00
R30.00 less to repay. No other fee increases.
Applies after at least one Lendeka loan has been fully repaid within the previous 24 months. A new application and affordability assessment are required. The reduction is capped at the initiation fee and cannot be paid in cash. Full programme rules.
The lowest cost still needs to fit
A cheaper offer can still be unaffordable. Check the payment dates against income and essentials. Consider what happens if income is late or a regular bill rises. Declining an offer is better than relying on another loan to make its repayments.
Keep the quotations
Save both written offers, including their validity dates. Ask about unclear figures before accepting. Do not rely on a screenshot of an advertisement as proof of the terms of your own agreement.
Read Lendeka’s price breakdown and use the budget planner to check the repayment against your own spending.
First compare terms within the same product
Our R1 500 term comparison shows how a longer term changes the total without changing the loan amount. Use the quotation checklist for the actual offers you receive.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked on 28 October 2026. This page explains general information; your agreement and applicable law govern your loan.