Buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps like Afterpay allow consumers to get the products they need without having to pay in full for them. Since the cost of living is pretty high nowadays, it’s not surprising that these apps have become so popular.
Buy now, pay later is a form of short-form financing that enables you to make a purchase and pay for it at a future date – typically in installments.
BNPL is also called a “point of sale installment loan,” and that’s essentially what it is.
Usually, you pay for your first installment right away, but you pay off the rest in installments over time.
Many BNPL plans don’t charge interest and are often easier to get approved for than traditional lines of credit. Also, they don’t generally affect your credit score. Although, late payments or failing to pay can have a negative impact on your credit score.
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What is AfterPay?
Afterpay is a popular option for consumers who are looking for this type of financing.
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Afterpay is a buy now, pay later service that allows you to split the cost of purchases into installments, which you pay off over time.
You can use Afterpay at thousands of retailers worldwide – both in-store and in-app. You just shop as usual, and then choose Afterpay as your payment method at checkout.
With Afterpay, you can pay for your purchase in four, interest-free payments over six weeks. Make the first payment up front and the rest over time. There are no fees when you pay on time.
Afterpay is well rated by consumers. It has 3.9 stars on the Google Play store and 4.9 stars on the App Store.
Best AfterPay Alternatives
Afterpay isn’t the only app of its kind out there. If you are looking for apps like Afterpay, give these companies a try.
1. Klarna
Financial services company Klarna is another super popular BNPL company, much like Afterpay. With Klarna, you can split the cost of your purchases into installments. It also allows you to compare prices and you can use it to find deals on millions of products.
And with so many stores that accept Klarna, it can be a useful app to have on your phone.
Here’s what you need to know about Klarna:
- Installments and repayment period: Klarna has three different repayment options:
- Pay in 4 interest-free payments: Pay in four interest-free payments, which are paid automatically every two weeks.
- Pay in up to 30 days: Pay in up to 30 days after placing your order. No upfront payment is required.
- Pay over time: Spread the cost over smaller monthly payments. You can pay for your purchase in up to 24 monthly installments.
- Interest: None for the Pay in 4 and Pay in up to 30 days plans. Interest of up to 33.99% APR may be charged on Pay over time plans.
- Fees: Klarna may charge late fees. This fee can be up to $7.
2. Zip
Anyone wanting an alternative to Afterpay should check out Zip (former QuadPay). With Zip, you can buy now and pay later at millions of stores online and in-store.
Here’s what you need to know about Zip:
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- Repayments: Split your order into four or eight installments. Payments are due every two weeks
- Interest: None
- Fees: You’re charged a finance charge, or installment fee, per installment. It can be up to $7.50 per order. Fees apply if your installment payment is late. Initial late fees are around $7.
3. Sezzle
Sezzle is a financial technology company that allows you to buy now and pay later. The company offers a few different installment plans, so you can pay for your purchases over a time period that suits you.
Here’s what you need to know about Sezzle:
- Repayments: Sezzle has a few payment plans available, including:
- Pay in 4: Pay in four installment payments over six weeks.
- Pay in 2: Pay 50% at the time of purchase, then 50% two weeks later.
- Pay Monthly: On larger purchases, you can split the cost between three to 48 months – subject to approval.
- Interest: None for the Pay in 4 and Pay in 2 plans. Interest may apply on the Pay Monthly plan.
- Fees: Late fees may apply if you don’t pay your installments on time. Late fees of up to $15 may apply. The fee is capped at 35% of the order amount.
4. Affirm
Affirm is a buy now, pay later company. With it, you can pay for your purchases over time from a variety of brands. The company was founded in 2012 by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin and is now one of the largest buy now, pay later lenders in the U.S.
Here’s what you need to know about Afterpay:
- Repayments: Pay in 4 installments paid every two weeks or in monthly installments, over 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and up to 60 months.
- Interest: None with the Pay in 4 option. 0 to 36% APR with the Monthly Installments option.
- Fees: None
5. PayPal
Everyone’s heard of PayPal and many of us use it to send and receive money and to pay for purchases. What you may not know about PayPal though is that it actually offers BNPL financing.
Here’s what you need to know about PayPal’s BNPL financing:
- Repayments: PayPal has two options:
- Pay in 4: Split your purchase into four, bi-weekly payments. So, make four payments over 6 weeks.
- Pay Monthly: Get 6, 12, or 24-month payment plans with $0 down.
- Interest: None for the Pay in 4 option. Interest is charged on the Pay Monthly plan as it’s an interest-bearing installment loan with a fixed APR ranging from 9.99% to 34.99%. Lower APRs may be offered as a promotion from time to time.
- Fees: None
6. Flex Pay (Formerly Uplift)
Flex Pay, which used to be known as Uplift, is another good alternative to Afterpay.
The company offers installment loans. So, you repay the loan you get from Flex Pay over time with a set number of scheduled payments. It allows you to spread the cost of your purchase over fixed monthly payments.
Here’s what you need to know about Flex Pay:
- Repayments: Payments are due monthly.
- Interest: Some plans charge interest and others are interest-free.
- Fees: None
7. Bread Financial
Bread Financial is a financial services company that allows consumers to buy now and pay later through a Bread Pay Installment Loan.
With a Bread Pay Installment Loan, you can make online or in-store purchases with participating retailers and pay for them in installments that fit your budget.
Here’s what you need to know about Bread Pay Installment Loans from Bread Financial:
- Repayments: Repayment terms range from 3 to 48 months. Payments are due monthly.
- Interest: Rates range from 0.00% to 29.99% APR, depending on your credit qualifications.
- Fees: None
8. Perpay
Perpay is a good alternative to Afterpay. With it, you can shop, build credit, and pay over time with your paycheck.
Here’s what you need to know about Perpay:
- Repayments: Automatically pay for your order over time with a small amount from each paycheck. Perpay payments are due each time you receive your paycheck. So, for example, if you get paid monthly, your payments will be due then, or if you get paid bi-weekly, that’s when you’ll need to pay.
- Interest: None
- Fees: None
9. Splitit
Splitit is a company that offers installment, buy now, pay later services for businesses. Shoppers can use Splitit to pay for their purchases over time in installments.
When you get to the checkout with a merchant that offers Spilitit, you’ll see the option to split the cost of your purchase into installments.
At checkout, Splitit’s system will contact your credit card provider to determine whether they’ll approve your purchase. If they do, Splitit will then authorize up to the full amount of your purchase on your card.
This isn’t a charge, but rather a temporary hold as a guarantee to the Merchant that you are able to pay for your purchase. Splitit says that this is a required part of paying in installments as there are no loans, credit checks, or additional fees from Splitit.
Here’s what you need to know about Splitit:
- Repayments: When you get your plan, the first installment is charged immediately. Future installments are paid monthly. You’re automatically charged each month on the anniversary of your first payment.
- Interest: None
- Fees: Although Spilit will not charge you any additional interest or fees, even if you pay late, there may be charges from your credit card provider, so you should always check.
Closing Thoughts
While Afterpay is a good option if you’re seeking buy now, pay later financing, it’s certainly not your only option.
As you can see from our list of apps like Afterpay, there are plenty of companies out there that allow you to pay for your purchases in installments. This can be really useful when you’re on a budget. So, give these Afterpay alternatives a try.
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