Klarna is a popular buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform offering flexible repayment options for small or large purchases. Klarna works with most online merchants and also offers exclusive deals and rewards to help you save money.
While there's a lot to like about Klarna, other buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps may offer benefits Klarna doesn't.
The following BNPL apps are solid alternatives to Klarna and offer 0% interest and Pay in 4 plans at many online stores. You can get instant approval on extended repayment plans for both online and in-store purchases.
We've listed the following BNPL options alphabetically, and we recommend that you check out each one to find the best interest repayment terms for when you cannot pay in four biweekly payments.
| App | Best for | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
 | Best overall | Learn more |
 | Best for in app offers | Learn more |
 | Best for Apple users | Learn more |
 | Best for Paypal users | Learn more |
 | Best for payment options | Learn more |
 | Best for credit card rewards | Learn more |
 | Best for travel purchases | Learn more |
Affirm
Affirm is one of the most popular alternatives to Klarna. At checkout, you can choose your payment schedule and see exactly what each payment arrangement will cost you. Pay in 4 arrangements are free of interest and fees, while monthly payment arrangments are charged interest.
Where available, you can select Affirm as your payment method. If the store doesn't automatically support Affirm, you can request a virtual card number and use it like a regular credit card. There is also a mobile app and Google Chrome extension that will let you compare sales and merchant discounts.
Another unique feature is Affirm Savings, a high-yield savings account with up to $250,000 in FDIC coverage from Cross River Bank (FDIC cert# 58410). There are no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements.
You can read our Affirm review to learn more.
👉 Learn more about Affirm
Afterpay
Afterpay has three payment options: pay in 4, 6 monthly installments, and 12 monthly installments. Pay in 4 is free, while the monthly installments charge interest. It also has exclusive in-app offers for merchants like Columbia, Nike, Macy’s, and Under Armour.
You can also get a virtual card to add to your mobile wallet, which allows you to use Afterpay even when shopping in person. When shopping online you can select Afterpay as your payment option.
Afterpay performs a soft credit check to determine a shopper’s buying potential. If you need more time to pay, you can opt for a six or 12-month plan that charges interest. The monthly payment options are available on purchases over $400.
👉 Learn more about Afterpay
Apple Pay Later
If you shop online through an iPhone or iPad, Apple Pay Later offers interest-free financing for purchases between $75 and $1,000. But unlike the other BNPL apps on our list, the only payment option is four equal payments over six weeks.
You can activate this feature by paying with Apple Pay and comparing payment options if you’re not ready to pay in full. It’s possible to have multiple loans at a time, with the app listing the upcoming due dates in calendar and list formats.
Apply Pay Later is the most convenient BNPL option if you already use Apple Pay. However, you'll need to look elsewhere for a monthly payment plan over a longer term. Just know that interest charges and late fees may apply with these alternatives.
If you’re loyal to the Apple ecosystem, you may also consider the Apple high-yield savings account that earns competitive interest rates and is FDIC-insured up to $250,000. You must have an iPhone and an Apple Card credit card to apply.
👉 Learn more about Apple Pay Later
PayPal Pay in 4
PayPal Pay in 4 lets you make four interest-free payments biweekly for purchases between $50 and $1,500. There is also an option to pay monthly; however, you will be charged interest. You can choose between six, 12, and 24-month payment plans on purchases between $199 and $10,000.
PayPal has become a versatile digital wallet with the “Pay with PayPal” button available at many online merchants. It lets you pay with funds from a linked checking account or credit card. Whether you pay over time or pay now, you are eligible for purchase protection, which may provide peace of mind to long-time customers.
In addition to flexible repayment options, PayPal lets you earn shopping rewards online or in the app. And by using the PayPal Honey shopping rewards platform, you can also apply promo codes at checkout for instant savings.
👉 Learn more about PayPal in 4
Sezzle
As mentioned, most buy now, pay later apps only offer interest-free financing with the Pay in 4 six-week payment plan. That's not the case with Sezzle. In addition to Pay in 4, it provides a Pay in 2 plan that splits the purchase between two weeks for those who prefer an accelerated pay-off option.
If you need more time to pay, you can spread your payments between 3 and 48 months, however you will pay interest. You can compare payment plans online and in the Sezzle app.
There is no charge for Sezzle's Pay in 4 plan. However, if you prefer to pay in monthly installments, you'll need to sign up for a $3 monthly paid subscription. The premium plan includes other perks, like shopping rewards, exclusive discounts, and the ability to reschedule one payment per order.
Sezzle's paid subscription may not be worth it for many users, but if you sign up and choose to pay in monthly installments, Sezzle does report your payments to the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). Shoppers who need to rebuild their credit history may appreciate this feature, as it can be more flexible than getting a secured credit card while producing similar results.
You can also add the Sezzle Virtual Card to your Apple or Google Wallet for in-store purchases.
Splitit
Splitit lets you split your credit card purchases into equal installments. You can use your existing Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, or UnionPay credit cards and still enroll in equal payment plans without interest or extra fees.
Since you use your existing credit card to make the purchases, you'll get all the rewards and protections your card offers, along with the benefits of a pay-over-time plan. Plus, your purchasing power depends on your available credit limit.
All payment options will be in monthly installments; there is no biweekly option. You can choose how many payments you want to make, and you must have the credit available on your card.
While there are no additional fees to use Splitit, but your credit card’s rates and fees may still apply if you don’t pay the monthly installment in full.
👉 Learn more about Splitit
Uplift
Uplift is one of the best buy now, pay later apps for travel purchases. Uplift partners with several airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, cruise companies, online travel agencies, and third-party booking sites. To use Uplift, you'll have to shop on their partner's websites and select Uplift as your payment method.
At checkout, you'll choose the payment plan that works best for you. Interest rates range from 0% to 36% with fixed monthly payments, which could result in high interest charges.
While you will pay interest on most travel purchases, you can avoid the hard credit checks required by personal loans. For transparency, Canadian residents must undergo a hard inquiry when accepting a credit offer, but Uplift only requires a soft check to determine a borrower’s eligibility.
👉 Learn more about Uplift
A Note About Responsible BNPL Usage
Just like with any financing option, such as personal loans and credit cards, BNPL apps can be risky.
For starters, having access to flexible financing may prompt some shoppers to make impulse purchases. Also, you need to make sure that you can afford to make the installment payments. If you can't, it can leave you in a cash crunch or facing high interest charges on a balance that you're unable to pay off.
As such, you want to make sure you manage your BNPL payments responsibly. That means not borrowing more than you can reasonably afford and making your installment payments on time so that you don't end up owing high amounts in interest.
If you use BNPL plans frequently, it may be smart to try out Cushion, which is an app that can automatically organize and monitor your BNPL payments (as well as other bills if you subscribe to the premium plan). You can then make your payments using a virtual Cushion card that connects directly to your bank account. Cushion can also help you build your credit, as it reports your payments each month to Experian.
Bottom Line
Buy now, pay later loans like Klarna are growing in popularity as they help shoppers make their purchases today without having to worry about paying upfront or facing high-interest charges.
However, that doesn't mean that BNPL apps are a wise decision. Ultimately, we don't recommend BNPL apps for many shoppers unless you have a specific plan to pay off the balance in full within the Pay in 4 period. Or, you have the cash available in another location and are simply using the BNPL app for convenience purposes.
Cushion disclaimer: Many factors are involved in your credit score, making the experience and result unique for each individual. Cushion does not guarantee and cannot predict that your credit score will improve by a specific amount, percentage, or at all within a specific period of time or by using Cushion. Credit building is one of several premium features included in Cushion’s paid subscription.
