A HELOC is a credit line that typically has a variable APR, and a HELoan is a term loan that typically comes with a fixed APR. HELOCs and HELoans are secured by your house, which allows borrowers to access larger sums of money at lower rates. A home equity loan is a bit like a second mortgage: it’s a one-time loan that you’ll start repaying immediately through fixed monthly payments. On the other hand, a home equity line of credit lets you borrow when you need to instead of all at once. Ultimately, a home equity loan is more rigidly structured while a HELOC is more flexible.