Top 9 Apps Like Afterpay
Over the past few years, the buy now, pay later industry has taken the financing world by storm. Many consumers are familiar with Afterpay, an app that allows customers to purchase products online or in-store and make four interest-free repayments. However, multiple other apps provide similar services.
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Buy Now, Pay Later Apps Like Afterpay
Afterpay is a convenient option, but it’s not quite right for everyone. Is there something else like Afterpay? Here’s a list of the nine most popular options.
Sezzle
Zip
Splitit
PayPal Credit
Klarna
Perpay
Affirm
ViaBill
Zebit
1. Sezzle
Spending Power: Varies, minimum $35
Sezzle is an app that allows consumers to shop at more than 47,000 stores online, including Target, DoorDash and Ulta, using buy now, pay later financing. Some retailers allow for in-store purchases, too. Once consumers place an order, they receive options for funding, some of which are interest-free.
Sezzle uses several factors to determine spending limits, including the customer’s order history and the vendor they are purchasing from. The minimum a customer can spend using Sezzle is $35.
2. Zip
Spending Power: Varies
Zip is an app that allows you to make in-store and app purchases at retailers that accept Visa. Purchasers agree to make four installment payments over six weeks. Unlike other buy now, pay later apps, Zip does charge interest for its services. Consumers who make late payments will incur a fee.
Zip sets its purchasing limits by the customer’s repayment history and length of time using Zip. You don’t have a line of credit with Zip — each purchase is considered individually.
3. Splitit
Spending Power: Depends on your credit card limit
Splitit puts a different spin on buy now, pay later financing by allowing consumers to use their credit cards to pay for purchases over time. Once a consumer buys something, Splitit places a hold on the account for the purchase amount. As the buyer makes their installment payments, Splitit reauthorizes the hold for the reduced amount. There are no interest or fees for using Splitit, but the credit card provider’s terms and conditions will apply.
A customer’s credit line depends on their available credit with their credit card provider.
4. PayPal Credit
Spending Power: Varies, minimum $250
PayPal, the well-known provider of payment transfer services, ventured into buy now, pay later with Paypal Credit. Consumers who apply for PayPal Credit can purchase items anywhere that accepts PayPal payments. There is no interest on purchases if the balance is paid off within six months.
If approved for PayPal Credit, consumers will receive a minimum credit line of $250.
5. Klarna
Spending Power: Varies
Klarna allows shoppers to purchase items from its partners, including well-known brands such as Macy’s, Sephora and Lululemon, and thousands of other retailers. Buyers who make a purchase repay their balance over four interest-free payments.
Klarna establishes customer credit limits based on their current financial circumstances and bill payment history.
6. Perpay
Spending Power: Varies
Perpay is a buy now, pay later option that’s great for making expensive purchases, such as smartphones or computers. Perpay is helpful for individuals who want to improve their credit score by making timely payments, since it reports all repayments to the credit reporting bureaus.
There is no credit check, and the service assigns a limit based on your income information.
7. Affirm
Spending Power: Varies
Affirm is similar to Afterpay in that it offers varying payment plans, some of which are interest-free. Consumers must receive pre-approval before they shop, which doesn’t impact their credit score. Many major merchants accept Affirm, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Theory.
Credit limits will vary depending on the consumer’s history of repaying their bills.
8. ViaBill
Spending Power: Maximum $300
ViaBill is a genuine buy now, pay later service that is entirely interest-free when consumers make four installment payments. Approval takes only a few seconds, and individuals can select the products they want from ViaBill’s partner merchants. ViaBill is accepted by many retailers, including Amazon, Walmart and Lowes.
Consumers can borrow a maximum of $300 with ViaBill, unless the opt for the ViaBill+ plan, which offers a credit limit between $300 and $1,500 and more flexible repayment plans but costs $5.99 per month.
9. Zebit
Spending Power: Maximum $1,500
Zebit is available to all U.S. customers who receive approval after undergoing a soft credit check. Zebit allows consumers to purchase products through its specialty e-commerce store, which includes a wide range of electronics, home goods and store gift cards. Consumers have up to six months to repay the amount spent in the Zebit store with no interest charges.
Upon approval, consumers receive a maximum credit limit of $1,500.
About Buy Now, Pay Later
Consumers who buy now and pay later typically undergo a soft credit check before gaining approval to purchase a product or service. They agree to make several repayments over a short period, generally over a few weeks or months. Buy now, pay later companies don’t charge interest or fees for their services, but late payments result in an additional charge.
Although buy now, pay later can be a tempting option, it comes with risks — the ability to put off payment until later can lead to overspending and, if you’re not careful, extra fees. Always read the fine print and consider the reality of your finances before you opt to use a buy now, pay later app like Afterpay.
Final Take
Consumers who need additional time to pay for their purchases will find the buy now, pay later option attractive, especially if they can make their repayments within the interest-free window. However, consumers should be wary of late payments, which can result in additional fees and high interest charges.
FAQ
What app lets you buy now, pay later?
Affirm, Sezzle, Zip and Klarna, along with many others, offer you the option to buy now and pay later. The various apps offer different spending limits, fees, shopping options and terms, so make sure you check out more than one before you sign up.
What are four payment apps?
PayPal Credit, ViaBill, PerPay and Splitit all offer you the option to make payments on your purchases rather than paying the full amount upfront.
What apps I can use to pay installments?
Zebit, Afterpay and many others offer installment plans to pay off your purchases, though the amount you'll be able to spend and terms of repayment vary considerably.
Information is accurate as of Jan. 30, 2023, and is subject to change.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Top 9 Apps Like Afterpay
