A home equity loan provides a lump sum with fixed payments and interest, usually over 5 to 20 years, and is often used for major home repairs or debt consolidation. In contrast, a traditional HELOC offers a flexible credit line for ongoing expenses, allowing you to borrow as needed over a set period. Figure's HELOC gives you the full amount upfront with a fixed interest rate, but like a traditional HELOC, you can borrow again once part of the principal is repaid.