Best Buy Now, Pay Later Apps

 

Comparing the best buy now pay later apps

A closer look at the top BNPL apps and sites

Affirm

APR: 0% to 36%

Fees: None

Purchase limit: $17,500

Amount due at purchase: Pay in full or split on orders over $50 (including discounts, shipping, taxes)

Payment schedule:

• Shop Pay Installments (purchase is split into four, bi-weekly payments)
• Monthly payments

Apple Store rating: 4.9/5

Google Play rating: 4.8/5

Our verdict: If you’re using a BNPL app, Affirm can be a great option with no fees, no or simple interest, and easy repayment terms. With Affirm, you can make four interest-free payments every two weeks with no interest or fees and no impact on your credit score. Or, choose monthly installments (three, six, or 12 months). Use Affirm during online checkout or request a one-time-use virtual card and you can shop online or in-store.

Purchases between $50 and $17,500 are eligible, and APR depends on the store, your purchase, and your repayment plan. When you make a purchase, you know exactly what you’re paying and when the payments will be done. With the mobile app, you can get special deals and discounts, discover new brands, and get prequalified with just a few taps. And, you can shop and make payments directly in the app.

Sezzle

APR: 0% to 34.99%

Fees:

• Failed payment fees: $10 (depending on state)
• Reschedule fee: $5 (depending on state)

Purchase limit: $2,500

Amount due at purchase: 25% (counts as first installment payment)

Payment schedule:

• 4 installments over 6 weeks (0% interest)
• Monthly (3 to 48 months)

Apple Store rating: 4.9/5

Google Play rating: 4.7/5

Our verdict: While a 25% down payment is required for purchases, you can then break the remaining payments up to three additional payments every two weeks for 0% interest. There is only one type of payment plan (other than monthly), but there are more than 47,000 active merchants on the platform and users can shop online and in person. One major bonus with Sezzle is that you can reschedule your payments up to three times.

Afterpay

 

APR: 0% – 35.99%

Fees:

• Up to $8; the aggregate sum of late fees up to 25% of the order value at the time of purchase

Purchase limit: Depends on how long you’ve been a customer, payment history, and creditworthiness.

Amount due at purchase: Dependent on plan

Payment schedule:

• 6 months
• 12 months
• 4 interest-free payments

Apple Store rating: 4.9/5

Google Play rating: 3.9/5

Our verdict: When using Afterpay, simply shop select stores online (or at a store that accepts Afterpay), pick Pay Monthly at checkout, choose your payment plan (and see interest rates up front) and then make monthly payments over six or 12 months or four interest-free payments. There are no late fees and no origination fees if you make payments on time, but you may be charged up to $8 if the payment isn’t received within 10 days of the due date (the aggregate sum of late fees associated with a particular order could reach 25% of the order value at the time of the purchase). Interest accrues daily based on the outstanding principal balance.

Afterpay has no minimum and the amount of credit you can access depends on how long you’ve been a customer, your payment history, and your creditworthiness (typically starts at $600.)

PayPal

APR: 0% – 29.99%

Fees:

• No late fees when you choose Pay in 4 or Pay Monthly

Purchase limit:

• Pay in 4: $1,500
• Pay Monthly: $10,000

Amount due at purchase:

• Pay in 4: 25% of payment
• Pay Monthly: $0

Payment schedule:

• 4 bi-weekly payments (0% interest)
• 6 months
• 12 months
• 24 months

Apple Store rating: 4.4/5

Google Play rating: 4.2/5

Our verdict: With PayPal, you can split purchases between $30 and $1,500 into four interest-free, bi-weekly payments without worrying about late fees. Or, you can set up payment plans over six, twelve, or 24 months with $0 down and no sign-up or late fees (with interest 9.99% to 29.99%), and you’ll receive your approval decision within seconds. You may be automatically enrolled in autopay, use a debit or credit card or confirmed bank account for payment (depending on the repayment plan) and purchase protection is included.

If you’re wanting to make a small purchase, the Pay in 4 plan can be a good option. However, larger purchases can accrue interest at a much higher rate. That said, no late fees and the fact that activity isn’t reported to the credit bureaus set PayPal apart from other BNPL providers.

Klarna

APR: 0% – 29.99%

Fees:

• None (if payments made on time)
• Late fee up to $7 charged if payment is unpaid after 10 days (or 25% of the installment, depending on which is less)

Purchase limit: Not disclosed (depends on payment history and outstanding balance)

Amount due at purchase:

Pay in 4: 25%

Payment schedule:

• Pay in 4 (4 payments every 2 weeks)
• Pay in 30 days
• Monthly financing

Apple Store rating: 4.8/5

Google Play rating: 4.5/5

Our verdict: Klarna has one of the most flexible payment plans available with BNPL apps, which makes this a good option for many customers. During checkout, create a virtual card in the Klarna app and use that number to complete the purchase. You can then either pay off your purchase in four equal payments (first due immediately and the rest paid every 3 weeks), pay the balance off within 30 days (with 0% interest), or use up to 24-month financing for larger purchases.

With the Pay in 30 days option, you’ll receive a digital invoice due in 30 days. If you’re happy with the order, you pay your final balance. Simply return what you don’t want and you won’t have to pay for it.

The monthly financing (up to 24 months) is offered in partnership with WebBank with interest rates up to 24.99%.

Plus, Klarna has a rewards club that you can join for free and earn points on your shopping (excluding Klarna Card purchases). Earn 1 point for every $1 spent with Klarna and turn those points into rewards from popular brands. The mobile app also offers price comparison tools, price drop notifications, auto-tracking, and more.

Zip

APR: 0%

Fees:

• $6 installment fee

Purchase limit: Varies by retailer

Amount due at purchase: 25%

Payment schedule: 4 interest-free, bi-weekly payments

Apple Store rating: 4.9/5

Google Play rating: 4.6/5

Our verdict: Zip, previously Quadpay, lets buyers break purchases down into four equal payments over a six-week time frame. There’s only one payment plan available, but it doesn’t charge interest and doesn’t impact your credit score. Shop thousands of retailers online, and with a digital card, you can also pay later in a physical store (wherever major credit cards are accepted).

There are late fees and installment fees up to $6 depending on your purchase size. However, if a payment is one day late or you have a delayed paycheck, Zip may be willing to move your payment due date.

If you’re planning a larger purchase, Zip may not be the best option, but it may work well for smaller purchases and does provide more flexibility with the ability to shop online and in stores.

How to choose the best buy now, pay later app

There are several BNPL apps to choose from, each with both pros and cons. Some retailers only partner with one BNPL app, so the easiest way to choose is to pick the one that works with your favorite retailers.

If you have multiple options, other things to consider include:

• Your credit score. Some BNPL apps check your credit score and base your APR and purchase limit on your creditworthiness. Additionally, some report your activity to the credit bureaus while others don’t. If you don’t have a great credit score, it may make sense to choose a BNPL app that doesn’t check or impact your score.

If you want the activity to be reported to the credit bureaus, choose one that does this.

• Availability. Choose one that’s accepted at the stores you shop at. This will ensure you can use the BNPL program on large purchases. This will also help prevent you from opening multiple accounts and managing several different payment plans.

Keep in mind that some BNPL apps are only accepted online while others give the option to shop both online and in stores.

• The credit limit.These vary from company to company and depend on other factors like the size of your purchase, your creditworthiness, your history and payment history with the BNPL provider, and more. Make sure you qualify for the credit limit you need to complete your purchase.

• Fees and interest. Know the fees for using the service, including installment fees and late fees, as well as interest charged on your payments (if any).

• Payment plan options. Most BNPL apps have a variety of ‘pay in 4,’ meaning you pay off the purchase in four payments over a six-week period. However, some apps also offer additional options such as paying in 30 days, 6 months, 12 months, or even 24 months. Depending on the size of your purchase and financial situation, you may need to choose a program that offers more options.

When should you use a BNPL app?

You may choose to use a BNPL app when:

• You want to pay for a purchase over time.
• You want the option to pay off a purchase over time without being charged interest.
• You want to build credit without getting a secured credit card.
• You want to make/finance purchases without impacting your credit.
• There are few or no fees.
• The retailer you’re shopping at accepts BNPL services.

Learn More: Survey Reveals BNPL Shoppers are Redefining Bargain Hunting and Have No Store Loyalty

The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective app’s website before proceeding.

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