🏆 Quick Verdict: Klarna vs Affirm
- Choose Affirm if: You want $0 late fees & free credit building
- Choose Klarna if: You want most merchants & payment options
📊 Klarna vs Affirm: Side-by-Side
| Feature | Klarna | Affirm | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Tie |
| Late Fee | $7 | $0 | Affirm |
| Builds Credit | No | Yes (FREE) | Affirm |
| Merchants | 800,000+ | 300,000+ | Klarna |
| Payment Options | 3 | 2 | Klarna |
| Max Amount | ~$10K | $25,000 | Affirm |
| Credit Check | Soft only | Soft/Hard | Klarna |
| Virtual Card | Yes | Yes | Tie |
💰 Late Fees: Affirm Wins
Affirm has $0 late fees — one of only 2 BNPL apps (with PayPal) with zero fees. Klarna charges $7 per missed payment.
Verdict: If avoiding late fees matters, Affirm is the clear winner.
📈 Credit Building: Affirm Wins
Affirm reports to Experian for FREE. Klarna doesn't build credit at all.
| Feature | Klarna | Affirm |
|---|---|---|
| Reports to Bureaus | No | Experian |
| Cost | N/A | FREE |
🛍️ Merchants: Klarna Wins
Klarna has 800,000+ stores vs Affirm's 300,000+. Both have virtual cards for shopping anywhere.