Best Buy Now, Pay Later Sites & Apps in 2024

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
Privacy Secured  |  Advertising Disclosures
 

Apps and websites with payment plans

Written by Amanda Push | Edited by Katie Lowery and Emilia Benton | Updated November 17, 2023
How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
BNPL appBest for…APRRepayment termsFees
Affirm BNPL logoLong-term financing
  • 0% for Pay in Four
  • 0.00% - 36.00% for monthly financing
1 to 48 monthsNone
Afterpay BNPL logoZero interest
  • 0% for Pay in Four
  • 0.00% - 35.99% for monthly financing
  • Six weeks for Pay in Four
  • 6 or 12 months for monthly financing
Up to $8 (cannot exceed 25% of purchase) late fee
Klarna BNPL logoVariety of payment plans
  • 0% for Pay in Four and Pay in 30
  • 7.99% - 29.99% for monthly financing
  • 30 days for Pay in 30
  • Six weeks for Pay in Four
  • 6 to 24 months for monthly financing
Up to $7 per missed installment late fee
PayPal logoNo late fees
  • 0% for Pay in Four
  • 9.99% - 35.99% for monthly financing
  • Six weeks for Pay in Four
  • Six, 12 or 24 months for monthly financing
No sign-up or late fees
Sezzle BNPL logoRescheduling payments
  • 0% for Pay in Four
  • 5.99% - 34.99% for monthly financing
  • Six weeks for Pay in Four
  • 3 to 48 months for monthly financing
  • Up to $15 reactivation fee
  • Up to $7.50 reschedule fee
  • Up to $5 convenience fee
Zip BNPL logoNo credit checks0%Six weeks
  • $1 convenience fee
  • $5 - $10 late fee

Affirm: Best for long-term financing

APR
  • 0% for Pay in Four
  • 0.00% - 36.00% for monthly financing
Terms1 to 48 months
FeeNone
ProsCons

 Can make purchases up to $17,500

 Zero interest applied on the Pay in 4 plan

 No late fees

 May have to pay interest

 Only two payment options

 May have to submit to a credit check

Afterpay: Best for zero interest

APR
  • 0% for Pay in Four
  • 0.00% - 35.99% for monthly financing
Terms
  • Six weeks for Pay in Four
  • 6 or 12 months for monthly financing
FeeUp to $8 (cannot exceed 25% of purchase) late fee
ProsCons

 No interest on Pay in Four plans

 Lower credit limits may help prevent overspending

 Ability to change payment due date

 Charges late fees

 Interest can be as high as 35.99%

 Purchases have to be approved by Afterpay

Klarna: Best for variety of payment plans

APR
  • 0% for Pay in Four and Pay in 30
  • 7.99% - 29.99% for monthly financing
Terms
  • 30 days for Pay in 30
  • Six weeks for Pay in Four
  • 6 to 24 months for monthly financing
FeeUp to $7 per missed installment late fee
ProsCons

 No interest on Pay in 4 and Pay in 30 Days plans

 Flexible payment plans

 Can be used in person

 Charges late fees

 Klarna must approve purchases

 May be charged up to 33.99% on monthly financing plan

PayPal Pay in 4: Best for no late fees

APR
  • 0% for Pay in Four
  • 9.99% - 35.99% for monthly financing
Terms
  • Six weeks for Pay in Four
  • Six, 12 or 24 months for monthly financing
FeeNo sign-up or late fees
ProsCons

 Zero late fees

 Borrowers won’t have to pay interest on Pay in Four plans

 Pay in Four plans won’t impact your credit score

 Charges up to 35.99% interest

 Not available in all 50 states

 Low borrowing amount

Sezzle: Best for rescheduling payments

APR
  • 0% for Pay in Four
  • 5.99% - 34.99% for monthly financing
Terms
  • Six weeks for Pay in Four
  • 3 to 48 months for monthly financing
Fee
  • Up to $15 reactivation fee
  • Up to $7.50 reschedule fee
  • Up to $5 convenience fee
ProsCons

 Allows you to reschedule payments

 Does not charge interest to Pay in Four plans

 Pay in Four plan does not impact your credit score

 Charges fees to reschedule payments

 Interest can go up to 34.99% for monthly financing

Zip: Best for no credit checks

APR0%
TermsSix weeks
Fee
  • $1 convenience fee
  • $5 - $10 late fee
ProsCons

 Does not impact your credit score

 Allows you to change your payment due date

 Offers physical cards

 Charges a $1 convenience fee per installment

 Only offers one payment plan

 Charges late fee of $5 - $10

What is BNPL?

Wondering what is buy now, pay later (BNPL)? 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 upfront. 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 buy now, pay later services. With this form of BNPL, your payments will be split up into four installments across six weeks. 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 upfront. If you decide to keep the item, you’ll have to pay it off within 30 days. Klarna is one BNPL site that offers this service.
  • Monthly installments: Some BNPL companies, such as Affirm, 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 Affirm and Paypal 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 Affirm and Klarna 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, PayPal Pay in 4 caps spending at $1,500 while some Affirm users can spend up to $17,500. The BNPL app that’s best for you may depend on whether you plan on making a small or large purchase.
  • Credit check: While some BNPL companies perform a soft credit check when you open an account, some sites, such as Zip, don’t require a credit check at all. If you have bad credit, it may be best to use BNPL apps that don’t require 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, Nordstrom Rack uses Afterpay, but if you shop at Target, you’ll have to use Affirm.

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. For instance, Zip charges users $1 per payment installment, $4 total.
  • 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 buy now, pay later 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 Affirm or PayPal. 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. Some BNPL companies, such as Zip, don’t look at your credit score at all, while some may perform a soft credit inquiry during the initial application process. Unfortunately, many BNPL sites are not clear about their specific credit qualifications.