In the last few years, buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps have exploded in popularity, with companies like Affirm leading the way. In fact, according to EMARKETER, the number of BNPL users is expected to exceed 100 million in 2027. However, Affirm isn’t the only option out there. Whether you’re looking for interest-free payments, flexible payment plans, or tools to track your spending habits, competitors like Sezzle, Klarna, and Afterpay offer similar features—each with their own strengths, drawbacks, and fees to watch out for.
Here’s a closer look at three popular apps similar to Affirm, and what you should know before you choose one.
Key Takeaways
- Affirm Isn’t Your Only BNPL Option: Sezzle, Klarna, and Afterpay all offer competitive ways to split purchases into manageable installments.
- Short-Term Plans Are Often Interest-Free: Most providers let you make four interest-free payments as long as you stay on schedule.
- Long-Term Financing Comes with Interest: Affirm, Klarna, Sezzle, and Afterpay’s Pay Monthly all charge interest rates on extended plans.
- Credit Checks are Usually Soft: Signing up won’t hurt your credit, but some monthly installment plans require a credit check.
- Fees Vary by Provider: Afterpay caps late fees, Klarna charges modest ones, and Sezzle may include small fees for reschedules or virtual cards.
Sezzle: Flexible Installments with Credit-Building Potential
Sezzle is a U.S. and Canada-based BNPL provider that splits purchases into interest-free installments or longer-term financing. Its most popular option is the Pay in 4 plan, which divides purchases into four interest-free payments over six weeks. For shorter commitments, there’s also Pay in 2, while Pay Monthly allows extended financing for 3–48 months (with an APR that can climb as high as 34.99%).
Sezzle stands out in its credit-building feature, Sezzle Up, which reports your on-time payments to the major credit bureaus. This makes it a good choice if you want a BNPL app that doubles as a financial tool. It also offers a virtual card you can use anywhere Visa is accepted.
The downsides? Late payment fees can reach up to $15, and other small charges (failed payment, reschedule, service fees) can add up if you’re not careful. Sezzle also starts users with a low spending limit, which only grows over time with responsible use.
✅ Best for students and young borrowers who want interest-free flexibility and the chance to build credit responsibly.
Klarna: Multiple Plans and Membership Perks
Klarna is one of the biggest global BNPL providers, offering more variety in payment plans than most competitors. Customers can choose from:
- Pay in 4: Four biweekly interest-free installments
- Pay in 30: Pay the full balance in 30 days, no fees if on time
- Pay Over Time: Monthly financing with interest, more like a personal loan
Klarna integrates smoothly with Apple Pay and also issues a Debit Flex Card, expanding where you can use it. Another standout is its membership tiers: for a small monthly fee, you can unlock perks like cashback rewards, waived service fees, and even interest-bearing balances (up to 3.22% APY).
The drawbacks are mostly around limits and restrictions. Klarna uses automated algorithms to set your spending limit, which isn’t always clear or predictable. And while late fees for Pay in 4 are capped at $7, missed payments can still hurt your credit report or lead to collections.
✅ Best for shoppers who want maximum flexibility, store perks, and the option to earn rewards on their spending.
Afterpay: Simple and Widely Accepted
Afterpay makes it easy to split purchases into smaller chunks without paying interest or upfront fees. Its signature Pay in 4 plan divides your purchase into four installments, with the first due at checkout and the rest spread out every two weeks. Payments are free as long as you stay on schedule, and Afterpay helps by sending reminders before each due date. If you do fall behind, late fees are capped at $8 per installment, with the total never exceeding 25% of your order value.
For bigger purchases, Afterpay also offers Pay Monthly, an installment loan designed for orders over $400. Depending on eligibility, you can spread payments across 6 to 24 months, with interest charged daily on the remaining balance. There are no late fees or origination fees with Pay Monthly, but your APR is personalized based on factors like your credit profile and past payment history. A soft credit check is required to determine eligibility, though this won’t impact your credit score.
Afterpay doesn’t currently report to credit bureaus in the U.S., so on-time payments won’t help build your credit history. Still, it remains a convenient, widely accepted option both online and in-store (via the Afterpay Card with Apple Pay or Google Pay). With automatic approvals, reminders, and predictable late fee caps, it’s one of the most straightforward BNPL payment apps available.
✅ Best for everyday shoppers who want a simple, predictable way to split purchases without worrying about hidden fees.
Sezzle vs Klarna vs Afterpay Comparison
| Feature | Sezzle | Klarna | Afterpay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest-Free Plans | Pay in 2, Pay in 4 | Pay in 4, Pay in 30 | Pay in 4 |
| Long-Term Financing | 3–48 months (with APR) | Monthly financing (with APR) | 6–24 months (with APR) |
| Late Fees | Up to $15, plus other small fees | Up to $7 (Pay in 4) | $8 per missed payment with a 25% cap |
| Credit Rating Impact | Sezzle Up reports on-time payments | Soft pulls; missed payments can hurt | Soft check; impact depends on your country |
| Spending Limit | Low at first, grows with use | “Purchase power” algorithm-based | Depends on rating and history |
| Unique Perks | Virtual Visa, credit building | Cashback, Apple Pay, membership perks | Wide retailer acceptance, simplicity |
Final Thoughts: Which App Is Best?
- Pick Sezzle if you want a BNPL app with flexible short-term options and the ability to build your credit history.
- Pick Klarna if you value variety, store perks, and credit card rewards (it’s similar here).
- Pick Afterpay if you want a straightforward, widely accepted BNPL app with predictable fee caps.
BNPL apps can make it easier to manage monthly payments and avoid using cash advance apps or high-interest credit cards, but they can also encourage overspending. Watch for missed payments, hidden excuses to have you pay fees, and how these services may affect your credit report. Used wisely, they’re a convenient alternative to Affirm—but only if you stay in control of your budget.
FAQs
There are multiple apps like Affirm, including Sezzle, Afterpay, and Klarna, which allow you to use payment options that utilize installment payments, so you don’t have to pay in full upfront.
Many of the providers on this list are relatively easy to get approved for, though Sezzle and Klarna are probably the easiest of the bunch.
Of the pay-in-4 loan apps, many allow you to split payments for just about any kind of online purchase. However, Sezzle is one provider with in-store functionality, alongside Klarna and Zip.
A score of 640 or higher gives you the best odds, though some with lower scores have been approved, while others with higher scores have been rejected. For a higher acceptance chance, ensure you pay your bills on time and monitor your bank account closely.
Don’t worry about a dinged score after a provider runs your credit through something like Credit Karma. Providers like Sezzle and Klarna only do a soft credit check. Afterpay may not require a credit check at all to get started.
