In a finance lease or car lease, the lender purchases and asset, such as a car, and allows you to use the asset against a monthly payment (and possibly a deposit).
You are often given the option to purchase the asset at the end of the lease term but you are under no obligation to do so. Signing a finance lease gives you the benefit of use of the asset, equipment or car for low monthly payments and no initial payment.
You can choose the term of your lease, choose whether or not to purchase the asset at the end of the lease and you have no responsibility for disposing of the asset once the lease term is over should you choose to return it.