Best Buy Now, Pay Later Sites & Apps

Q: Can buy now, pay later apps help build credit?

While some BNPL sites can help you build your credit score , many may not. This will depend on whether the BNPL company reports your payments to the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. If they do not, your BNPL app probably will not help you build credit. If this is an important factor in your decision, consider a credit card or personal loan.

Written by Amanda Push

Jessica Sain-Baird, Editor at LendingTree

Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird

Expert Verified

Apps and websites with payment plans

Best for…	APR	Fees
Big purchases		None
Responsible spending
A wide selection of retailers
Purchase protection		No sign-up or late fees
Rewards for on-time payments
Paying bills	0%

Best for: Big purchases –

Best for: Responsible spending –

Best for: Wide selection of retailers –

Best for: Purchase protection –

Best for: Rewards for on-time payments –

Best for: Paying bills –

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What is BNPL?
How do buy now, pay later apps work?
How to choose which buy now, pay later app is best for you
BNPL vs. credit card
How we chose the best buy now, pay later sites and apps
Frequently asked questions

What is BNPL?

What is buy now, pay later? BNPL financing options can make it easier for some consumers to afford their purchases by breaking them into smaller chunks that are repaid over a short term. You can find BNPL options at just about any online retailer — anywhere from Target to Amazon.

Traditional BNPL plans are paid over a total of six weeks, with the first payment owed up front. There is typically no interest charged on these types of plans. Lenders also tend not to perform credit checks with these plans.

How do buy now, pay later apps work?

In some cases, if you want to make a purchase but cannot afford to pay the entire balance upfront, some retailers offer buy now, pay later options that allow you to break up your payments, offering you more time to pay.

Here are a few common forms of BNPL you might encounter:

Pay in 4
This is the most common form of BNPL services. Your payments will be split into four installments across six weeks, and you’ll need to make a payment every two weeks until the item is paid off. Typically, this type of BNPL comes with no interest or fees, though it’s important to check the fine print before signing up to be sure.
Pay in 30 Days
With this type of BNPL financing, you can purchase an item and see it in person without paying for it up front. If you decide to keep the item, you’ll have to pay it off within 30 days. is one BNPL site that offers this service.
Monthly installments
Some BNPL companies, such as , offer monthly installments as a way for consumers to afford large purchases. This type of plan works similarly to an unsecured loan, and you’ll most likely have to pay interest.

How to choose which buy now, pay later app is best for you

Like personal loans and credit cards, BNPL apps are not one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s important to take into consideration details such as interest rates, fees and spending limits.

Here are a few factors that may weigh into your decision:

Interest: While interest typically doesn’t apply to Pay in 4 BNPL plans, it never hurts to check the terms of the company you’re considering. If you’re using a monthly installment plan, be sure to compare the interest rates offered if you have the option to check with multiple BNPL companies.
Fees: While companies like and do not charge fees, some BNPL companies charge convenience or, more commonly, late payment fees. However, if you find yourself in a tight spot and unable to make a payment, some BNPL sites allow you to reschedule your next payment.
Terms: While most BNPL sites operate with a Pay in 4 payment plan, there are other terms you can consider, such as Pay in 30 days and monthly installments. If you’re looking to make a larger purchase, BNPL apps such as and may be a good choice. Pay in 4 and Pay in 30 days plans may be a better fit for smaller purchases.
Amounts: Many BNPL sites have maximum spending amounts for users. For instance, , while some . The BNPL app that’s best for you may depend on whether you plan on making a small or large purchase.
Credit check: Most BNPL sites run a soft credit check when you apply. This won’t impact your credit. Others may run a hard credit check if you want monthly financing instead of Pay in 4. If you have bad credit, it may be best to use BNPL apps that don’t require hard credit checks. If you have a low credit score, some BNPL companies may cap your spending and gradually raise it over time as you demonstrate financial dependability.
Availability: The BNPL site you use may depend on the retailer you’re using. For instance, you can use with hundreds of thousands of retailers and brands. Not all apps have that many partners. Also, if you want to use BNPL in-store, make sure the site you’re applying with offers an in-store option.

If you find that a BNPL site will not work for you, consider a buy now, pay later alternative.

BNPL vs. credit card

In some instances, you’ll have to weigh whether using your credit card may be a better option than using a BNPL service. Here are a few instances to consider.

Find out whether you’ll have to pay interest

One of the largest differences between BNPL apps and credit cards is that with a credit card, you may have to pay interest, but a BNPL Pay in 4 plan typically doesn’t charge interest. However, if you’re able to pay off your credit card balance before your monthly payment is due, you can avoid interest. Additionally, a 0% intro APR credit card may be a better option for large purchases, if you’re sure you can repay the balance before the promotional period ends.

Assess any fees

Depending on the type of credit card or BNPL service you use, you may have to pay a fee. Check for any potential fees that could make your purchase even more expensive.

Consider where you’re shopping

Some retailers do not offer BNPL services, so you’ll have to use another form of payment, such as your credit card. Be sure to check with your favorite BNPL apps to see which retailers they partner with.

Decide how you want to build credit

Some BNPL companies do not report your payments to the credit bureaus, so your credit score may not benefit from your responsible repayment. If you’re looking to improve your credit, it may be best to use and pay off your credit card.

How we chose the best buy now, pay later sites and apps

By offering a detailed and objective account of each BNPL lender’s rates and terms, LendingTree’s goal is to provide you with all the information you need to make a financially sound decision specific to your situation. For consumers looking for BNPL apps and sites, we chose lenders that offer borrowers the option to split up their payments.

Buy now, pay later apps and sites were chosen based on the following criteria:

Transparent interest rates, fees and repayment terms
Flexible loan amounts
Low or no fees

Frequently asked questions

The best BNPL apps depend on the features you’re looking for. For instance, if you’re looking for a BNPL service that doesn’t charge fees, you may want to consider or . Other factors to consider include loan terms, interest and amounts.

While some BNPL sites can help you build your credit score, many may not. This will depend on whether the BNPL company reports your payments to the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. If they do not, your BNPL app probably will not help you build credit. If this is an important factor in your decision, consider a credit card or personal loan.

The credit score needed to qualify for a BNPL app will depend on the lender. Most BNPL companies perform a soft credit inquiry during the initial application process. Unfortunately, many BNPL sites are not clear about their specific credit qualifications.