Debt snowball vs avalanche spreadsheet: see your debt-free date, then get there faster
Type each debt's balance, APR and minimum payment, set the extra you can pay each month, and Debtfell shows your debt-free date, total interest and interest saved for the snowball method, the avalanche method and minimums only, side by side. It lists the order and the month each debt is paid off, rolls freed-up payments into the next debt automatically, and has a tracker to log what you actually paid. In the worked example, $300 extra a month clears 6 debts in 27 months instead of 59 and saves $3,592 in interest versus minimums only (avalanche).
Worked example in the file: 6 debts, $300 extra a month, avalanche order
| Debt | Balance | APR | Paid off (avalanche) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store card | $640 | 26.99% | Dec 2026 |
| Credit card A | $2,850 | 22.49% | Aug 2027 |
| Credit card B | $5,300 | 18.99% | May 2028 |
| Personal loan | $4,100 | 11.49% | Aug 2028 |
| Car loan | $9,400 | 6.79% | Jan 2029 |
Source: The made-up worked example that ships in the Debtfell example file (built by products/debtfell/src/workbook.py, listed in products/debtfell/store/listing.json); the sixth debt is on the Debts tab.
Debtfell vs the alternatives
Published prices, each checked on the date shown; prices change, so confirm on each site.
| Product | Price | Free | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debtfell Debt Payoff Planner | $9 once | free preview PDF | live |
| Vertex42 Debt Reduction Calculator | basic free (10 creditors); Extended $9.95; Pro $39.95 | free basic version, personal use | 2026-10-10 |
| Debt Payoff Tracker Spreadsheet (HBA Sheets, Gumroad) | $8.99 | 2026-10-10 | |
| Debt Payoff Tracker, 4 strategies (Serenatas Store, Gumroad) | $9.99 | 2026-10-10 | |
| Tiller (spreadsheet budgeting service) | $99/year | 30-day free trial | 2026-10-10 |
Why teams pick Debtfell
- Snowball, avalanche and minimums-only are computed side by side, so you see the trade-off in dollars and months instead of guessing.
- Up to 15 debts with full 30-year month-by-month schedules; freed-up payments roll into the next debt automatically.
- Works in Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice with no macros; every file is recalculated and checked before release.
- One-time $9; no account, no bank login, your numbers stay in your own file.
How it works
- On the Debts tab, type each debt's balance, APR and minimum payment (up to 15).
- On the Dashboard, set your extra monthly payment and start month, then pick Snowball or Avalanche.
- Read your debt-free date, total interest and the month each debt is paid off; log real payments on the Tracker each month.
FAQ
Snowball or avalanche: which is better?
Avalanche (highest APR first) always costs the least interest. Snowball (smallest balance first) clears whole debts sooner, which keeps many people going. Debtfell shows both with your real numbers so you can see exactly what the difference costs.
Why not a free debt calculator such as Vertex42's?
Vertex42's free version is a good calculator for up to 10 creditors; its extended version is $9.95. Debtfell is $9 for up to 15 debts with snowball, avalanche and minimums-only side by side, 30-year schedules and a tracker for your actual payments.
Why not Tiller?
Tiller ($99/year) links your bank accounts to a spreadsheet and is built for ongoing budgeting. If you only need a payoff plan, Debtfell is a one-time $9 file with no bank connection.
Does it work in Google Sheets?
Yes. Upload the .xlsx to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets. No macros or add-ons.
Why can my statement differ slightly?
Lenders calculate interest daily; the planner uses balance x APR / 12 each month, so real statements can differ by a few dollars.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is a planning calculator; check terms with your lenders.