Top Buy Now, Pay Later Apps of 2025

What Is Buy Now, Pay Later?

In short, BNPL apps provide short-term financing for purchases. Buy now, pay later apps, including Affirm, allow consumers to purchase items with a partial payment at checkout followed by bi-weekly or monthly payments until the item is paid in full. Provided users make their payments on time, there are usually few fees involved, aside from some providers that charge a small service fee for some purchases.

Many BNPL providers also offer a monthly payment option, which generally doesn’t require making a down payment at the time of purchase but does involve paying interest rates on each purchase.

For most uses of BNPL apps, provider companies will only perform a soft credit inquiry. While this allows some users with less-than-stellar credit scores, it also means that most of them won’t help build your credit history. That said, a small handful of companies will report your positive installment payment history to credit bureaus on request.

How BNPL Works

Consumers can access buy now, pay later apps on their mobile phone or desktop. Most providers allow you to shop online or in-store. BNPL services typically have a partnership with select retailers where customers can shop using just the app.

Simply take your mobile phone with you shopping and input information about your purchase at the checkout. Shopping online can involve simply choosing the menu item for your provider or requesting that the retailer accept the BNPL service.

BNPL app providers generally also allow you to download a virtual card. You can use the virtual card while shopping online or in-store at a retailer that isn’t in the BNPL’s network. However, service and other small fees often apply in these situations. Providers typically allow you to incorporate your virtual card into your Google Pay, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets.

For most transactions, you’ll make a payment to the app at checkout, which usually equals 25% of your total purchase price plus any additional service fees. Your next payment will be due two weeks later, and subsequent payments will happen every two weeks until you’ve paid for the item. Monthly payment options are also usually available. In either case, you simply pay the app using a credit card, debit card, or bank account.

Who Buy Now, Pay Laters Apps Are Best for?

Buy now, pay later apps can work well for nearly any consumer looking for a simple way to finance purchases over time. While using a BNPL service essentially amounts to taking out a small loan, most buying situations and memberships don’t require a hard inquiry on your credit report, with some exceptions.

Buy now, pay later apps work similar to how credit cards work, minus the compounding interest and hard credit check requirement.

Is Buy Now, Pay Later Worth It?

Using BNPL can be worth it for many reasons. First, you’ll have the ability to pay over time without worrying about interest payments, Second, you’ll have a record of your purchases in the app at all times, which can simplify tasks when using your budgeting app. Finally, with most BNPL apps, you’ll have a longer-term payment option for use with larger purchases.

However, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions for the BNPL provider you choose. Service, transaction, late payment, and payment rescheduling fees can add up quickly, depending on how you use the service.

How to Qualify for BNPL

While buy now, pay later providers will only make a hard pull on your credit report if you choose a long-term financing option, you’ll still need to provide your personal and financial information to the company for approval for a soft inquiry. Other basic requirements for most BNPL apps include the following items.

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a U.S. address
• Have a U.S phone number
• Have a valid U.S. debit or credit card or bank account
• Have the ability to receive mobile texts

What is the best buy now, pay later app?

Sezzle takes the top spot in our research based on our evaluation criteria. The app provides two short-term payment options and a long-term option, which offers a potentially low interest rate. We found that Sezzle meets the needs of most BNPL consumers better than its competition.

However, everyone’s needs are different, especially when it comes to money and making payments. Check out all of the options on our list before determining which is best for you. You can also check out our review of the best personal loan providers for larger purchases or debt consolidation solutions.

Sezzle

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Sezzle: 9.5

Review

Sezzle tops our list by providing the most useful services to the most consumers, based on our rating criteria. The company earns an average of 4.2 stars from Trustpilot reviewers, with 85% of the listings awarding five stars. Our favorite feature about Sezzle is that, unlike most BNPL providers, the company will report your positive payment history to credit bureaus on request.

About

Sezzle offers three payment options, including its Pay in 4 and Pay in 2, which include no interest rates or other fees for many purchases. A small transaction fee, however, will apply for some purchases at some vendors.

Sezzle offers up to a $15,000 spending limit without requiring a hard pull on your credit report. Customers who wish to pay monthly will need to have a formal credit inquiry to obtain approval for the Pay Monthly plan. However, if approved, those with excellent credit scores can enjoy a potentially low interest rate on their purchase.

Features and Benefits

• Three payment plans available
• Avoid interest payments with 2 of the 3 plans
• $15,000 maximum spending limit, based on several factors
• No hard credit check needed to apply for use
• Long-term borrowing is available
• Interest rates as low as 5.99% with excellent credit
• Multiple rewards tiers for making on-time payments
• Paid memberships with benefits are available
• Limited free payment rescheduling
• Highly rated among consumers and experts

Why We Chose

We chose Sezzle partially for its unique Pay in 2 plan, which requires a 50% down payment and just a single payment two weeks later. The option can work well for consumers making small purchases with the app. While fees apply to some purchases, we found them to be in line with what most other providers offer.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Interest-free borrowing for most payment plans
• Can choose to have your payment history reported to credit bureaus
• Several payment methods are available
• Long-term, monthly-payment borrowing available

Cons

• Multiple fees require awareness to avoid
• Convenience and origination fees often apply to purchases
• Smaller network of member retailers than other BNPL platforms

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Klarna

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Klarna: 9.3

Review

Klarna is available in 11 countries worldwide. You’ll need the app specific to the country you’re shopping in, but it’s nice to have the option. The company earns 4.1 stars on Trustpilot, averaging from over 350,000 reviewers. We like that Klarna offers four payment options, three of which have no interest payments.

About

Among Klarna’s four payment options, its Pay in 30 Days option provides consumers the ability to pay nothing upfront and simply pay for their purchase sometime in the next month or so. Klarna sets no spending limits for consumers and doesn’t charge any service fees for paying your balance with a credit card.

Features and Benefits

• Four payment plans are available
• Use online or in stores
• Avoid interest payments with 3 of the 4 plans
• No set spending limits
• Soft credit inquiry only for most uses
• 24-month term borrowing is available
• Lower maximum interest rate than most competitors at 33.99%
• Most fees only apply to making late payments
• A paid membership with benefits is available
• No fees when making payments to Klarna with a credit card

Why We Chose

Klarna’s unique Pay in Full option intrigued our researchers. After reviewing the plan, it stood out among the competition. Besides all the other attributes that make Klarna a competitor, its additional payment option, the Pay in Full selection, allows consumers to use the app to make purchases without any further payments.

Why would they do that? Despite not making payments, Klarna allows this use so customers can still take advantage of the deals and discounts the company offers for certain purchases.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Interest-free payments available
• Available in several countries
• Earn cash-back rewards for purchases
• Highly rated app

Cons

• Pre-paid credit cards not accepted for payments
• Unavailable in New Mexico and Hawaii
• Payment rescheduling isn’t available

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Afterpay

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Afterpay: 9.0

Review

Afterpay earns a whopping 4.7 stars on Trustpilot, with 92% of reviews reflecting 5-star reports. While the company only offers two payment options, you’ll never have to deal with a transaction or service fee to make a purchase at in-network retailers. However, the company’s long-term borrowing option is a little limited, with just six and 12-month terms available.

About

Afterpay’s unique features include no service or transaction fees, an available autopay function, a variable spending limit that can increase with consistent on-time payments, and the ability to reschedule up to three payments per year without paying a penalty. Afterpay also offers a paid membership to eliminate service fees associated with shopping at out-of-network vendors.

Features and Benefits

• Pay in 4 and monthly payment options available
• Pay no upfront transaction fees
• Use online or in stores
• Reschedule up to three payments per year by one week
• No interest on Pay in 4 plan
• Spending limit can increase over time
• Soft credit inquiries only, will not affect your credit score
• 6 to 12-month term borrowing is available
• $8 late payment fees up to a maximum of 25% of purchase
• A paid membership with benefits is available by invitation
• Autopay is available

Why We Chose

Afterpay makes our list because of its incredibly high customer review scores. While the company may not provide as many payment options as other BNPL apps, and its network is somewhat limited in comparison, its customers are generally happy with the service it provides.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• BBB accredited
• No hard credit checks, even for long-term financing
• Limited payment rescheduling is available
• Highly rated company and app

Cons

• Low initial spending limit of $600
• High interest rate of 35.99% possible with long-term financing option
• Monthly payment option not available in all states

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Zip

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Zip: 8.9

Review

Zip makes our list despite its somewhat lower review scores compared to its nearest competitors. Trustpilot reviewers rate it in the high 3-star range. However, there are also fewer reviews to average than most. That said, Zip offers unique benefits not found with other providers, which bump its score up a bit.

About

Unique features provided by Zip include one free payment rescheduling each month, a physical card that works similar to a debit card, increasing spending power with consistent on-time payments, and its stand-out Pay in 8 option that extends interest-free borrowing beyond what most providers offer.

Features and Benefits

• Two payment plans are available
• Physical Zip card available for in-store shopping
• Spending power can increase over time
• One free payment reschedule per month
• Additional payment reschedules cost $2
• Use anywhere Visa is accepted
• Use online or in-store
• Soft credit inquiry only

Why We Chose

Even though Zip doesn’t rate as highly as some of its competitors, its unique and useful features stand out in our evaluation. While you’ll need to make a minimum purchase of $35 to use the app at all, having the option to pay for longer without facing interest ranked well in our research.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Choice of Pay in 4 or Pay in 8
• Zip physical card available
• One free payment reschedule per month

Cons

• Charges installment fees
• No monthly payment option
• Installment fees vary by product purchased and price

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PayPal Pay Later

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for PayPal: 8.7

Review

PayPal is another BNPL provider that falls a bit short in customer review scores. However, the company provides a long list of useful financial tools including and beyond its buy now, pay later purchasing options. While its Pay in 4 payment option is pretty standard, customers who choose PayPal’s long-term financing can enjoy numerous term-length options, including 3, 6, 12, or 24 months.

About

PayPal offers multiple financial tools for various customers. It’s buy now, pay later plan features no fees, including for making late payments. However, both the Pay in 4 selection and the Pay Monthly option are only available for online purchases.

Features and Benefits

• Pay in 4 and monthly payment options available
• Pay no fees ever other than interest on long-term borrowing
• Use for online shopping only
• Pay no interest in Pay in 4 plan
• Spending minimums and maximums apply
• Soft credit inquiries only, will not affect your credit score
• 3, 6, 12, and 24-month term borrowing is available
• No late fees

Why We Chose

PayPal makes our list after much deliberation. There are several BNPL providers that offer more payment options and the ability to shop in-store as well as online. However, the company impressed us and our rating criteria with its multiple payment term length options, which can extend up to two years for a single purchase.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easily accessible if you have a PayPal account
• No fees, no late fees
• Excellent purchase protection
• Widely accepted

Cons

• For online purchases only
• Use limitations in some states
• No grace period or payment rescheduling available
• Cannot use a credit card for monthly payment plan option

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