Summarize this article with:
Affirm changed how people pay for things online. But it’s not the only option anymore, and honestly, it’s not always the best one either.
The buy now pay later market now has over 360 million users globally. Services like Klarna, Afterpay, Sezzle, and PayPal Pay Later all compete for the same checkout button. Each handles interest rates, credit checks, and repayment terms differently.
That matters more than most people realize. Picking the wrong installment payment app can mean unexpected fees, a hit to your FICO score, or spending limits that don’t match what you actually need.
This guide breaks down the best apps like Affirm worth considering right now. You’ll get a clear look at how each one works, what they charge, and where they fall short, so you can pick the right flexible payment plan without the guesswork.
Apps Like Affirm
Klarna
What It Is
Klarna is a Swedish buy now pay later company that connects over 150 million users with more than 700,000 merchants worldwide. It started back in 2005 in Stockholm and has since grown into one of the biggest competitors in the BNPL space.
The app works for both online and in-store purchases. You can shop through the Klarna app directly or select Klarna at checkout on partner websites.
How Payments Work
Klarna gives you several ways to split your payments:
- Pay in 4 splits your purchase into four equal installments every two weeks, with 25% due at checkout
- Pay in 30 gives you a full month to pay without interest
- Monthly financing stretches payments from 6 to 36 months for bigger purchases
Autopay kicks in automatically. You can make early payments without penalty, but you can’t turn off autopay during a Pay in 4 plan.
Interest and Fees
Pay in 4 and Pay in 30 are interest-free. Monthly financing plans carry APRs from 0% to 35.99%, depending on your credit and the repayment term.
Miss a payment on Pay in 4? That’s a late fee of up to $7 per missed installment. The total late fees will never go above 25% of the original order value. Klarna also pauses your account until you catch up.
Credit Check Policy
Klarna runs a soft credit check for Pay in 4 and Pay in 30 plans, so your FICO score stays unaffected. Monthly financing may trigger a hard pull, though. Worth knowing before you commit to a longer repayment term.
Spending Limits
Klarna doesn’t publicly list a maximum spending limit. Your approval depends on factors like credit history, account standing, and the specific merchant. New users typically start with lower limits that grow over time with on-time payments.
Where You Can Use It
Available across the U.S. (except New Mexico and Hawaii), plus multiple countries in Europe, Asia, and Oceania. You can create a one-time virtual Visa card in the app to use Klarna at any store that accepts Visa, even if that store doesn’t officially partner with Klarna.
Best For
Shoppers who want flexible payment plans with a built-in shopping experience. Klarna’s app includes price drop alerts, in-app deals, and cashback offers.
Downsides
High APR on longer financing terms can sneak up on you. The subscription tiers (Klarna Member at $3.49/month or Klarna Plus at $7.99/month) add costs most casual users won’t need. And if you fall behind on payments, the account freeze can be frustrating.
Afterpay
What It Is
Afterpay is an Australian-born installment payment app that’s become a household name in the BNPL market. Block, Inc. (formerly Square) acquired it, which tightened its integration with apps like Square and Cash App.
By late 2022, Afterpay had 16 million active users and partnerships with over 122,000 sellers. It’s especially popular among younger shoppers in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle retail.
How Payments Work
Afterpay keeps it simple. Every purchase gets split into four equal payments over six weeks. The first payment is due at checkout, and the remaining three are automatically charged every two weeks to your linked debit or credit card.
There’s also a Pay Monthly option for larger purchases, which involves a credit check and potentially longer repayment periods.
Interest and Fees
No interest on the standard Pay in 4 plan. That’s the whole point.
Late fees are capped, though. They’ll never exceed 25% of the original order value or $68, whichever is less. For orders under $40, it’s a one-time fee of up to 25% of the total. Your account gets paused immediately after a missed payment.
There’s a premium subscription called Afterpay Plus at $9.99/month that lets you use Afterpay almost anywhere.
Credit Check Policy
Afterpay typically performs a soft credit check at sign-up. No hard inquiry, no credit score impact. Pay Monthly orders are different and may require a standard credit check.
Spending Limits
New users start around $500 to $600. The maximum per transaction is $1,500, and you can hold up to $2,000 in outstanding balance at any time.
Limits go up gradually with consistent on-time payments. Late or declined payments will lower them. You can’t manually request an increase.
Where You Can Use It
Available online and in-store at thousands of retailers across the U.S., Australia, UK, Canada, and New Zealand. The in-store experience works through the Afterpay app with tap-to-pay functionality.
Best For
Budget-conscious shoppers who want a straightforward, interest-free way to split smaller purchases. If you’re looking at alternatives to Poshmark or apps like Depop for fashion finds, Afterpay pairs well with those kinds of purchases.
Downsides
The spending limit is low compared to other BNPL services. You can’t manually increase it, which feels limiting. And if you miss payments, the account freeze plus lower limit combo is a double hit. Some users have also reported finance fees (up to 36% APR) on certain transactions in specific states.
PayPal Pay Later
What It Is
PayPal doesn’t need an introduction. But its buy now pay later feature is something many people overlook. Since PayPal is accepted at millions of online merchants globally, you get BNPL access almost everywhere without downloading a separate app.
PayPal’s BNPL total payment volume is on track to hit nearly $20 billion in 2025, with monthly active accounts growing over 20% year over year.
How Payments Work
Two options here:
- Pay in 4 for purchases between $30 and $1,500, split into four interest-free payments over six weeks
- Pay Monthly for purchases between $199 and $10,000, with 6, 12, or 24-month repayment terms
Autopay works with debit cards, credit cards, or confirmed bank accounts. You can also use your PayPal balance, but autopay isn’t available for that method.
Interest and Fees
Pay in 4 charges zero interest and zero late fees. That’s a big differentiator.
Pay Monthly plans carry APRs from 9.99% to 35.99%. Miss a payment, and PayPal adds the missed amount to your next installment. They can also report missed payments to credit bureaus and charge a late fee of about $41.
Credit Check Policy
PayPal uses what it calls “vast consumer data” rather than traditional credit checks for Pay in 4. Usually no hard pull involved. Pay Monthly plans will likely require a more thorough credit review.
Spending Limits
Pay in 4 covers $30 to $1,500. Pay Monthly goes up to $10,000. That’s a pretty wide range compared to most point of sale lending options.
Where You Can Use It
Anywhere PayPal is accepted, which is over a million merchants. That includes major retailers like Amazon, Target, Home Depot, and countless smaller stores. If you already use apps like Cash App for daily payments, PayPal’s BNPL feature gives you extra flexibility at checkout.
Best For
People who already have a PayPal account and don’t want yet another payment app. The zero late fees on Pay in 4 is a genuine advantage over most competitors.
Downsides
The Pay Monthly APR can climb high. And since it’s tied to your PayPal account, any issues with your existing account (disputes, holds) could complicate your BNPL experience. The fee structure for longer-term plans isn’t always crystal clear upfront.
Zip (Formerly Quadpay)
What It Is
Zip rebranded from Quadpay and operates as a flexible payment plan provider across the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. The app lets you split purchases into installments and shop virtually anywhere using a virtual Visa card.
How Payments Work
The standard plan splits your purchase into four payments over six weeks. First payment due at checkout, the rest charged biweekly.
Zip also offers Zip Pay (short-term, $350 to $2,000), Zip Money (credit line, $1,000 to $5,000), and Zip Plus (digital card, up to $8,000) depending on your region and eligibility.
Interest and Fees
A $6 installment fee applies at the start of each Pay in 4 order. Interest begins immediately on some plans. Late fees are around $7 per missed payment.
That upfront fee makes Zip more expensive than competitors like Afterpay or Sezzle alternatives for small purchases.
Credit Check Policy
Zip runs a soft credit check for its Pay in 4 product. Your credit score won’t take a hit during the approval process. Larger credit line products may involve a hard pull.
Spending Limits
Pay in 4 works for most everyday purchases. The higher-tier products like Zip Money and Zip Plus push limits up to $5,000 or $8,000, which gives more room for bigger buys.
Where You Can Use It
The virtual Visa card works anywhere Visa is accepted, including in-store through Apple Pay and Google Pay. That’s farmer’s markets, gas stations, grocery stores. Pretty much everywhere.
Best For
Shoppers who want to use BNPL at stores that don’t officially partner with any pay later service. The virtual card is the real selling point here.
Downsides
The $6 fee per order adds up fast if you use it frequently. Interest starts immediately on longer plans, which can catch people off guard. The fee structure feels less transparent than some of the other installment payment apps on this list.
Sezzle
What It Is
Sezzle is a Minneapolis-based BNPL platform that focuses on interest-free installments. It’s gained traction among younger consumers who want transparency and simplicity in their payment schedules.
The app scores a 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, which is hard to ignore.
How Payments Work
Two interest-free options:
- Two payments over two weeks
- Four payments over six weeks (the most popular)
Your first payment (25% to 50% of the total) is due at checkout. The rest gets charged automatically. Sezzle also offers personal loans with terms up to 48 months for people who need more time, though those come with interest.
Interest and Fees
The short-term plans are free. No interest, no hidden charges.
Service fees can range from $0 to $7.49 depending on purchase size. There’s a convenience fee for using a debit or credit card after the first payment. You can avoid it by switching to a bank account.
Longer-term financing plans carry APRs up to 34.99%.
Credit Check Policy
No hard credit check for the standard Pay in 4 plan. Sezzle doesn’t require a minimum credit score. Approval depends on identity verification and available funds, making it accessible to people with limited credit history.
Spending Limits
Purchases range from $150 up to $15,000. New users start with lower limits. Consistent on-time payments help push that number up over time.
Where You Can Use It
Over 40,000 partner brands, plus a virtual card (via Sezzle Anywhere) that works anywhere Visa is accepted. The premium subscription ($12.99/month) unlocks access to bigger brands and priority customer support.
Best For
Younger shoppers who want a clean, no-interest checkout experience. The rescheduling feature is genuinely helpful when life gets in the way. If you’re looking for credit-building tools alongside your payment plan, the Sezzle Up program reports to all three major credit bureaus.
Downsides
Top brands are locked behind the premium subscription. Payment history doesn’t get reported to credit bureaus unless you opt into Sezzle Up specifically. And the qualifying details are vague, so you may get a surprisingly low limit on your first order.
Splitit
What It Is
Splitit takes a completely different approach. Instead of creating a new loan, it uses your existing credit card to split purchases into monthly installments. No new credit line, no separate application. Just your card, divided up.
How Payments Work
Splitit places a hold on your credit card for the full purchase amount, then charges you in monthly installments (3 to 24 months). Each payment reduces the hold. You keep earning your regular credit card rewards and points on the purchase.
Took me a while to understand why this matters, but it’s actually clever. You’re not taking on new debt. You’re just spreading existing card charges over time.
Interest and Fees
Splitit charges zero interest and zero fees to consumers. You only pay whatever your credit card provider charges as usual. No late fees from Splitit’s side either.
Credit Check Policy
None. No credit check, no application, no new account. Approval is instant based on your available credit card limit. That’s it.
Spending Limits
Your spending limit is whatever available credit you have on your card. There’s no separate cap from Splitit.
Where You Can Use It
Works at participating merchants who’ve integrated Splitit into their checkout. It accepts Visa and Mastercard. The catch is that it only works where merchants have added the Splitit option, so availability is more limited than virtual card-based services.
Best For
Credit card holders who want to break up payments without taking on new debt, opening new accounts, or dealing with credit checks. You also keep earning card rewards, which is a nice bonus most BNPL apps can’t match.
Downsides
You need a credit card with enough available balance. No card, no Splitit. The merchant network is smaller than Klarna or Afterpay. And if your card’s regular interest rate is high, you’ll still pay that to your card issuer unless you pay off the balance each month.
Perpay
What It Is
Perpay is built for people with limited or poor credit who still want access to popular products. It works differently from typical BNPL apps because it uses employment verification and paycheck deductions instead of credit scores to determine eligibility.
How Payments Work
You shop from Perpay’s own marketplace (brands like Apple, Samsung, Nike), and payments get deducted directly from your paycheck through direct deposit. Standard plans run about 12 monthly installments. Your items ship after you complete payment or meet a threshold.
Interest and Fees
No interest on purchases. There’s a Perpay+ subscription at $3/month that adds credit-building features. No late fees either, since payments are automatically pulled from your paycheck.
Credit Check Policy
No credit check at all. Perpay evaluates your income and employment status instead. This makes it one of the most accessible options for people who’ve been turned down elsewhere.
Perpay reports payments to credit bureaus, so consistent use can actually help build your credit score over time.
Spending Limits
Starts low for new users. Limits increase as you make on-time payments and build history on the platform.
Where You Can Use It
Only within Perpay’s own marketplace. You can’t use it at random stores or online retailers. That’s the biggest limitation.
Best For
People with thin credit files or low scores who want to buy brand-name products and build credit simultaneously. If traditional cash advance apps don’t cover what you need, Perpay offers a different path.
Downsides
You’re stuck shopping from Perpay’s catalog. No external retailers. You also need to be a W-2 employee with direct deposit set up. Freelancers and gig workers are out of luck. And items don’t always ship right away, which can be frustrating.
Uplift
What It Is
Uplift specializes in travel financing. It partners with over 100 global travel brands, airlines, and booking platforms to let you pay for trips in monthly installments. Think flights, hotels, vacation packages, and cruises.
How Payments Work
You’ll find Uplift as a payment option at checkout on partnered travel sites like United Airlines, Southwest, Kayak, and various resort chains. Choose your repayment term (typically 3 to 24 months), and Uplift breaks the total into fixed monthly payments.
Some plans come with 0% APR. Others carry interest depending on the merchant and your creditworthiness.
Interest and Fees
APRs range from 0% to 36%, depending on the booking and your credit profile. No hidden fees, no prepayment penalties. What you see at checkout is what you pay.
Credit Check Policy
Uplift performs a soft credit check during the approval process. It won’t affect your credit score. Approval decisions happen in seconds at checkout.
Spending Limits
Financing available for purchases from $100 up to $15,000. That covers everything from a weekend getaway to a major international trip.
Where You Can Use It
Only through Uplift’s partnered travel brands and booking platforms. You can’t use it for general retail shopping. This is a niche tool, and it knows it.
Best For
Travelers who want to book now and pay over time without putting a $3,000 vacation on a high-interest credit card. If you’re comparing payment options alongside apps like Possible Finance for short-term cash needs, Uplift handles the travel side of things well.
Downsides
Travel only. No general shopping. APR can climb high for people with lower credit scores. And customer service has gotten mixed reviews when it comes to refunds and cancellations. Your mileage may vary.
Sunbit
What It Is
Sunbit targets a specific niche: essential services. We’re talking auto repair shops, dental offices, veterinary clinics, and optical centers. It’s designed to help people pay for necessary expenses they can’t cover upfront.
The approval rate is reportedly around 90%, which is higher than most consumer lending platforms.
How Payments Work
Select Sunbit at a participating service provider’s checkout. Pick a plan (typically 3, 6, or 12 months, with dental going up to 72 months). Payments are fixed monthly installments.
The process works in-store, online, or on mobile devices.
Interest and Fees
Some plans offer 0% APR. Others carry interest based on your credit and the service type. Sunbit does not charge hidden fees, late fees, origination fees, or penalty APRs. That’s unusual in this space.
Credit Check Policy
Sunbit runs a soft credit check. No impact on your score. The high approval rate means most applicants get through, even with below-average credit.
Spending Limits
Depends on the service provider and your approval amount. Limits vary by merchant category. Auto repair and dental tend to have higher ceilings than optical.
Where You Can Use It
Only at participating service providers. You won’t find Sunbit at clothing stores or online retailers. It’s specifically for healthcare, auto, and similar service-based businesses.
Best For
People facing unexpected bills for car repairs, dental work, or vet visits. If the alternative is putting $800 in brake repairs on a credit card at 22% interest, Sunbit’s 0% plans are a much better deal.
Downsides
Limited to service providers. The app experience has been called clunky by some users. And because it’s tied to specific merchants, you can’t take your Sunbit approval and use it elsewhere. If you need broader fintech app coverage, this isn’t it.
Katapult
What It Is
Katapult uses a lease-to-own model instead of traditional installment loans. It’s designed for shoppers with poor or no credit history who can’t qualify for standard BNPL services. Think furniture, electronics, appliances, and similar big-ticket items.
How Payments Work
Katapult doesn’t split a purchase into four equal payments like most BNPL services. Instead, you lease the item and make regular payments until you’ve paid off the total cost. Early buyout options are available if you want to own the item sooner.
The lease term is typically 18 months. You can also choose to return the item if you change your mind.
Interest and Fees
This is where it gets tricky. Because it’s a lease, the total cost of ownership can be significantly higher than the retail price if you pay over the full 18-month term. There’s no traditional APR, but the effective cost of leasing makes it more expensive than interest-free BNPL options.
Early buyout within 90 days usually gets you the item at or near retail price.
Credit Check Policy
No hard credit check. Katapult uses alternative data for approval decisions, making it accessible to people with credit scores that wouldn’t qualify for Affirm, Klarna, or similar services.
Spending Limits
Varies by merchant and your approval amount. Generally suited for purchases in the $200 to $5,000 range.
Where You Can Use It
At participating online retailers, mostly in the furniture, electronics, and home goods categories. Katapult integrates at checkout on partner sites.
Best For
People with bad credit or no credit history who need to buy essential items like a mattress, a laptop, or a washing machine. If you’ve been declined by other installment payment apps, Katapult is one of the few options left.
Downsides
Expensive if you don’t buy out early. The lease model means you could pay 50% or more above retail price over 18 months. Limited merchant selection. And it’s not really comparable to interest-free BNPL services, despite often being grouped with them. Definitely read the full terms before committing.
FAQ on Apps Like Affirm
What are buy now pay later apps?
BNPL apps let you split purchases into smaller installment payments over time. Instead of paying the full price at checkout, you make biweekly or monthly payments. Most offer interest-free short-term plans if you pay on time.
Do apps like Affirm check your credit score?
Most run a soft credit check that won’t affect your FICO score. Klarna, Afterpay, Sezzle, and Zip all use soft inquiries for standard plans. Longer monthly financing through Affirm or Klarna may trigger a hard pull.
Which Affirm alternative has zero late fees?
PayPal Pay in 4 charges no late fees at all. Affirm itself also never charges late fees. Splitit has zero fees on the consumer side. Most other BNPL services like Afterpay and Klarna do charge penalties for missed payments.
Can I use BNPL apps in physical stores?
Yes. Klarna, Zip, and Sezzle offer virtual card options through Apple Pay or Google Pay that work anywhere Visa is accepted. Afterpay also supports in-store tap-to-pay at participating retailers.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Late fees typically range from $7 to $41 depending on the provider. Your account gets paused until you catch up. Repeated missed payments can lower your spending limits and may get reported to credit bureaus like Experian or TransUnion.
Which app works best for people with bad credit?
Katapult uses a lease-to-own model with no hard credit check. Perpay approves based on employment and income instead of credit scores. Both are solid options when traditional installment payment apps decline you.
Are there buy now pay later apps for travel?
Uplift specializes in travel financing with partnerships across airlines, hotels, and booking platforms. Plans range from 3 to 24 months with APRs starting at 0%. PayPal Pay Monthly also works for travel purchases up to $10,000.
Do BNPL payments affect my credit score?
It depends on the app. Affirm reports loan data to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Sezzle Up reports to all three bureaus. Klarna and Afterpay currently don’t send most payment data to credit agencies for score consideration.
What are the spending limits on apps like Affirm?
Limits vary widely. Afterpay caps at $1,500 per transaction. Affirm approves up to $20,000 for qualified buyers. Sezzle goes up to $15,000. New users on most platforms start between $200 and $600, with limits increasing over time.
Can I use multiple BNPL apps at the same time?
Yes, nothing stops you from having accounts on Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm simultaneously. But track your payment schedules carefully. Juggling multiple biweekly payments across different apps can lead to missed deadlines and stacked fees fast.
Conclusion
Not every apps like Affirm alternative will fit your situation. Some people need zero-interest short-term plans. Others need higher spending limits or approval without a traditional credit score requirement.
Klarna and Afterpay handle everyday retail well. Splitit works if you already carry a Visa or Mastercard with available balance. Perpay and Katapult serve shoppers that other consumer credit apps reject.
For travel, Uplift covers what general BNPL services don’t. Sunbit fills a gap for auto repair and dental bills that most payment plan providers ignore completely.
The right choice comes down to what you’re buying, where you’re shopping, and how long you need to pay it off. Compare the repayment terms, check whether a soft or hard credit pull applies, and read the late fee policy before you commit.
Pick the tool that matches your actual spending habits. Not the one with the flashiest app.
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