How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Pay in 4 plans from Klarna, Afterpay, Sezzle, Zip, and PayPal split a purchase into four interest-free payments over about six weeks.
- Affirm and Shop Pay Installments cover larger purchases better, with monthly plans that can run up to 24 months.
- Splitit is the odd one out: it splits charges on a credit card you already own instead of opening a new line of credit.
- None of these apps is free money. A missed payment can bring late fees, account limits, or interest on longer plans, so the cheapest plan is the one you finish on time.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Klarna | All-around shopping app | Free to use | Yes |
 Afterpay | Fashion and retail checkout | Free to use | Yes |
 Affirm | Larger purchases | Free to use | Yes |
 Sezzle | Rewards and credit building | Free to use | Yes |
 Zip | Pay anywhere with a virtual card | Free to use | Yes |
 PayPal Pay Later | Existing PayPal users | Free to use | Yes |
 Splitit | Cardholders who want no new loan | Free to use | Yes |
 Shop Pay Installments | Shopify store checkout | Free to use | Yes |
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The best buy now pay later apps
Starting priceFree to use
Free planYes
Klarna has grown past a checkout button into a full money app, and that breadth is its main draw. Shoppers can pay in full, split a purchase into four interest-free payments, or stretch it over months with financing issued through WebBank. The app also tracks spending, surfaces cashback offers, and holds a personal account balance, so payment plans sit next to everyday money management rather than in a separate corner.
The Klarna Card extends the service past partner stores. It works anywhere Visa is accepted, which means the pay-later choice is available at merchants that never added Klarna at checkout. The catch is that monthly financing carries interest based on credit, and the rate is not shown until approval. Short Pay in 4 plans stay interest-free, but longer plans need a careful read of the terms before confirming.
What we like- Pay in 4 plus monthly financing
- Works in stores through the Klarna Card
- Cashback and spending tracking in one app
Watch out for- Monthly financing interest varies by credit
- Some purchases are excluded from buyer protection
Starting priceFree to use
Free planYes
Afterpay keeps the model simple, and that simplicity is why it stays popular with retail shoppers. Most purchases split into four interest-free payments, with the first due at checkout and the rest every two weeks. The app also lists partner brands and deals, so it doubles as a shopping directory for people who already plan to pay this way.
Longer plans of 6, 12, or 24 months exist at selected partner brands, but the standard experience is the short plan. Afterpay says it caps late payments and sends reminders to help users get back on track, which softens the penalty side. New users should still expect modest spending limits at first, since limits grow with a record of on-time payments.
What we like- Simple four-payment plan
- In-store availability at thousands of brands
- Payment reminders and capped late fees
Watch out for- Shorter plans only at most stores
- Spending limits start low for new users
Starting priceFree to use
Free planYes
Affirm is the strongest pick when the purchase is too large for a six-week plan. Its Pay in 4 option is interest-free, and its monthly plans stretch across several terms with rates from 0 to 36 percent APR based on credit and an eligibility check. Affirm states plainly that it charges no late fees, which removes one common source of surprise cost.
The trade-off sits in the monthly rate. A shopper with weaker credit can face a high APR, and the total cost of a long plan can exceed the sticker price by a wide margin. Affirm shows the full payment schedule before checkout, so the right move is to compare the monthly total against the cash price and walk away if the gap looks too wide.
What we like- No late fees ever
- Pay in 4 at 0 percent APR
- Monthly plans up to 24 months for big-ticket items
Watch out for- Monthly plans can carry APR up to 36 percent
- A down payment may be required
Starting priceFree to use
Free planYes
Sezzle aims at younger shoppers who want more than a split payment. Its standard Pay in 4 plan works like the rest, and a Pay in 5 option adds one more installment for extra room. The Sezzle Up opt-in reports on-time payments, which can help build a credit history for people with thin files, and the rewards program turns everyday spending into points for gift cards.
The app also works anywhere Visa is accepted through its virtual card, covering stores that never partnered with Sezzle directly. The weaker side is that some of the more interesting features, including higher limits and premium perks, sit in paid tiers. Shoppers who only want the free split plan still get the core value without paying.
What we like- Pay in 4 and Pay in 5 options
- Sezzle Up reports on-time payments to build credit history
- Rewards points redeemable for gift cards
Watch out for- Some features sit behind paid tiers
- Virtual card acceptance depends on the merchant
#5Zip
Best for: Pay anywhere with a virtual card4.6/5 on
G2 (139 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zip.co
Starting priceFree to use
Free planYes
Zip solves the acceptance problem in a direct way. Instead of waiting for a store to add Zip at checkout, shoppers create a virtual card inside the Zip app and pay with it at nearly any online merchant. A physical Zip Card covers in-store purchases the same way, and the app lets users manage payment dates with more control than a fixed schedule.
That flexibility is the selling point, but it comes with a thinner shopping directory and less hand-holding than apps built around partner brands. Plan terms can also vary by purchase, so the installment count and any fees should be checked at the moment of payment rather than assumed from a previous order.
What we like- Virtual card works at almost any online store
- Physical Zip Card for in-store use
- App controls payment dates
Watch out for- Smaller partner directory than rivals
- Plan terms vary by purchase
Starting priceFree to use
Free planYes
PayPal Pay Later is the easiest option for anyone who already checks out with PayPal. Pay in 4 splits purchases from 10 dollars to 2,000 dollars into four interest-free payments with no late fees, and a soft credit check for Pay in 4 does not affect the credit score. Pay Monthly covers purchases from 49 dollars to 10,000 dollars across 3, 6, 12, or 24 months with no down payment.
The main limits are the Pay in 4 ceiling and the variable interest on Pay Monthly plans. A 2,000 dollar cap rules out larger purchases for the short plan, and monthly interest depends on credit. For shoppers already inside the PayPal wallet, though, the lack of a new app or account makes this the lowest-friction choice on the list.
What we like- Pay in 4 with no late fees
- Pay Monthly up to 24 months
- Works at millions of stores where PayPal is accepted
Watch out for- Pay Monthly interest varies by credit
- Pay in 4 limited to purchases from 10 dollars to 2,000 dollars
Starting priceFree to use
Free planYes
Splitit works differently from every other app here. It does not lend money or open a new account. It takes a purchase and charges the shopper's own credit card in installments, so the buyer keeps earning card rewards and keeps the card's purchase protection. There is no application and no credit check, because no new credit is issued.
The catch is that the shopper needs enough available credit on that card to cover the full purchase, since the card issuer still authorizes the total. Merchant coverage is also narrower than the big BNPL brands. For cardholders with solid limits who want installments without another lender in the picture, the model is hard to beat.
What we like- Uses your existing credit card
- No new application or credit check
- Card rewards and purchase protection stay active
Watch out for- Requires available credit on your card
- Fewer merchants offer it at checkout
Starting priceFree to use
Free planYes
Shop Pay Installments lives inside Shopify's checkout, which is both its strength and its boundary. Shoppers at participating stores can split a purchase into interest-free payments or monthly installments up to 24 months, with rates from 0 to 36 percent APR through Affirm's lending partners. Returning shoppers also get one-tap checkout and order tracking through the Shop app.
The obvious limit is coverage: it only appears where a store uses Shop Pay. Shoppers who buy mostly from independent Shopify stores will see it often, while those who shop at large non-Shopify retailers will not. Within its territory, though, it is one of the smoothest pay-later experiences available.
What we like- Interest-free payments plus monthly plans up to 24 months
- One-tap checkout for returning shoppers
- Order tracking in the Shop app
Watch out for- Only available at stores using Shop Pay
- Monthly rates from 0 to 36 percent APR
How we chose
We started from each vendor's own homepage and payment pages, then compared plan structures, purchase limits, fees, and credit reporting claims across the eight apps. We favored apps with broad US availability, clear published terms, and a free short-term plan, and we checked that each listed website loads and belongs to the company named. Where a homepage showed only thin content, we noted it rather than filling gaps with guesses. This is not financial advice, and loan terms change, so the plan shown at checkout is the one that counts.
What to check before you split a payment
The plan length matters more than the brand. A four-payment plan over six weeks is a budgeting tool. A 24-month plan with interest is a loan, and the total paid can run well past the price tag. Read the schedule before confirming, and add up the payments rather than trusting the monthly figure alone.
Credit impact is the second check. Some short plans use only a soft check, while longer financing may report to credit bureaus. Missed payments can also limit future approvals inside the same app, even when no late fee applies. Set autopay or calendar reminders for every installment, and keep the total of open plans below what one paycheck can absorb.
Returns deserve a quick look too. When an item goes back, the plan should shrink or cancel, but timing varies by app and merchant. Keep the order confirmation until the refund lands, and confirm the plan balance changed before spending the refunded amount elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is buy now pay later free?
Short Pay in 4 plans are usually interest-free when every payment lands on time. Longer monthly plans often carry interest, and some apps charge late fees, so the cost depends on the plan length and your payment record.
Does using a BNPL app affect my credit score?
It can, in both directions. Short plans may use only a soft check, while longer financing and some reporting programs can appear on credit reports. On-time payments may help where reporting is offered, and missed payments can hurt.
What happens if I miss a payment?
The result varies by app. Some charge a capped late fee, some pause new purchases, and some report the miss. Check the app's terms before the first purchase, and contact support early if a payment date will slip.
Can I use BNPL in physical stores?
Yes, with limits. Afterpay, Zip, and Klarna offer in-store options through their apps or cards, and PayPal Pay Later works in stores where PayPal is accepted. Coverage depends on the merchant.
Which BNPL app is best for large purchases?
Affirm and Shop Pay Installments handle large purchases best, with monthly plans up to 24 months. Compare the total of all payments against the cash price before choosing a long plan.
Do I need good credit to use these apps?
Short Pay in 4 plans are generally easier to qualify for than monthly financing, which weighs credit more heavily. Splitit needs no new credit check at all, since it uses a card you already hold.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.klarna.com/us/
- https://www.afterpay.com/en-US
- https://www.affirm.com/
- https://sezzle.com/
- https://zip.co/us
- https://www.paypal.com/us/digital-wallet/ways-to-pay/buy-now-pay-later
- https://www.splitit.com/
- https://www.shopify.com/shop-pay
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.