📊 Complete BNPL Comparison Chart 2025
| Feature | Klarna | Affirm | Afterpay | Sezzle | Zip | PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.5/5 ⭐ | 4.5/5 ⭐ | 4.2/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 | 4.6/5 ⭐ |
| Best For | Most versatile | Credit building | Cash App users | All 3 bureaus | Shop anywhere | Most trusted |
| Pay in 4 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Monthly Plans | ✅ Yes | ✅ Up to 60mo | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ PayPal Credit |
| Late Fee | $7 | $0 ✓ | $10 | $10 | $7 | $0 ✓ |
| Builds Credit | ❌ No | ✅ FREE | ❌ No | ✅ $12.99/mo | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Credit Check | Soft | Soft/Hard | Soft | Soft | Soft | Soft/Hard |
| Merchants | 800K+ | 300K+ | 348K+ | 47K+ | Virtual card | Millions |
| Max Amount | ~$10K | $25,000 | ~$2K | ~$2.5K | ~$1.5K | $10K+ |
| Virtual Card | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Special Feature | 3 payment options | $0 fees + credit | Cash App | All 3 bureaus | Highest approval | Most trusted |
| Review | Klarna → | Affirm → | Afterpay → | Sezzle → | Zip → | PayPal → |
💰 BNPL Late Fees Comparison
Late fees can add up fast. Here's how each BNPL app handles missed payments:
🏆 Winner: Affirm & PayPal
Only Affirm and PayPal Pay Later have $0 late fees. If avoiding late fees is your priority, choose one of these.
📈 BNPL Credit Building Comparison
Want BNPL to help build your credit score? Here are your options:
| BNPL App | Builds Credit? | Cost | Reports To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affirm | ✅ Yes | FREE | Experian |
| Sezzle Up | ✅ Yes | $12.99/month | All 3 bureaus |
| Klarna | ❌ No | — | — |
| Afterpay | ❌ No | — | — |
| Zip | ❌ No | — | — |
| PayPal | ❌ No | — | — |
🔓 Best BNPL for Bad Credit
Have a low credit score? These BNPL apps have the highest approval rates:
| App | Approval Rate | Credit Check | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denefits | 100% | None | Healthcare (last resort) |
| Sunbit | 85% | Soft | Auto repair, dental, optical |
| Zip (Quadpay) | High | Soft | General shopping |
| Sezzle | Medium-High | Soft | Gaming, fashion |
🏥 Healthcare Financing Comparison
Need financing for dental, medical, or vet care? Here's how healthcare BNPL options compare:
| Provider | Best For | Approval | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| CareCredit | Pets, Dental | ~70% | Largest network (275K) |
| Cherry | Cosmetic, Dental | ~80% | No deferred interest |
| Sunbit | Auto, Dental, Optical | 85% | Auto repair financing |
| Denefits | All healthcare | 100% | No credit check |
⚠️ CareCredit Deferred Interest Warning
CareCredit has deferred interest—if you don't pay in full by promo end, you owe ALL back interest. Cherry has no deferred interest trap.
🏆 Our Top BNPL Picks by Category
🥇 Best Overall: PayPal Pay Later
$0 late fees, most trusted brand, works at millions of merchants. If you have a PayPal account, it's the easiest choice.
Read PayPal Review →🥈 Best for Credit Building: Affirm
Only BNPL that builds credit for FREE. Plus $0 late fees and up to $25,000 financing.
Read Affirm Review →🥉 Most Versatile: Klarna
3 payment options, 800,000+ stores, great app with price drop alerts. $7 late fee is reasonable.
Read Klarna Review →🔓 Best for Bad Credit: Zip
Highest approval rates for low credit scores. Virtual card works at any store.
Read Zip Review →📱 Best for Cash App Users: Afterpay
Fully integrated with Cash App. Great for fashion and beauty shopping.
Read Afterpay Review →❓ BNPL Comparison FAQ
Only Affirm and PayPal Pay Later have $0 late fees. Klarna charges $7, Zip charges $7, Afterpay and Sezzle charge $10.
Affirm reports to Experian for FREE. Sezzle Up reports to all 3 bureaus for $12.99/month. Other BNPL apps don't build credit.
PayPal has the most (millions). Klarna has 800,000+. Afterpay 348,000+. Affirm 300,000+.
Zip (Quadpay) has high approval for general shopping. Sunbit (85% approval) for auto/dental. Denefits (100% approval) for healthcare.