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Afterpay alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll buy now, pay later apps

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Afterpay: only works at participating retailers or through the in-app card, and missed payments bring late fees and can pause your account. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Afterpay, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Klarna currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Klarna logoKlarnaFree—NoWeb, iOS, Android5 of 568.8
2Affirm logoAffirmFree—NoWeb, iOS, Android +15 of 561.8
3PayPal logoPayPalFree plan + paid—NoWeb, iOS, Android8 of 854.4
4Zilch logoZilchFree plan + paid£2.99/month (Extra)NoiOS, Android5 of 542.3
5Tamara logoTamaraFree—NoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 442.3
6LaLazyPayFree—NoAndroid, iOS, Web5 of 540.0
  1. Klarna logo

    1. KlarnaTop pick

    Best for: Shoppers who want several payment options, including pay in 30 days, at a very wide range of stores

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Afterpay

    Accepted at more stores worldwide, adding pay in 30 days and longer monthly plans to the same pay-in-4 option.

    Pros

    • Pay in 4 is interest-free when you pay on time
    • Several options: pay in full, in 30 days, in 4 or monthly
    • Available in many countries and at many retailers
    • Cashback offers in the app

    Cons

    • Late fees apply if a payment can't be collected
    • Monthly financing can carry APRs of up to about 36% in the US
    • Pay in 4 is not offered everywhere in the US, such as Hawaii
    Visit Klarna Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Klarna a good Afterpay alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Pay in 4
    4 interest-free payments
    Checked Nov 8, 2026klarna.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment schedule
    Every 2 weeks
    Checked Nov 8, 2026klarna.com(opens source in a new tab)
    US late fee
    Up to $7
    Checked Nov 8, 2026klarna.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Credit check
    Soft check for Pay in 4
    Checked Nov 8, 2026klarna.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly plans
    3–24 months
    Checked Nov 8, 2026klarna.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Affirm logo

    2. Affirm

    Best for: US shoppers financing larger purchases who want fixed monthly payments and no late fees

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Afterpay

    Longer monthly instalment plans for bigger purchases, not just four payments.

    Pros

    • No late fees or hidden fees from Affirm
    • Monthly plans for big purchases, not just pay in 4
    • Total interest is shown before you accept a plan
    • Works through Apple Pay, Google Pay and its own debit card

    Cons

    • Monthly plans can carry APRs up to 36% depending on credit
    • Plan options vary by merchant and purchase size
    • A down payment may be required on some purchases
    Visit Affirm Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Affirm a good Afterpay alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Pay in 4
    0% APR
    Checked Nov 8, 2026affirm.com(opens source in a new tab)
    APR range
    0–36%
    Checked Nov 8, 2026affirm.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly plans
    3, 6, 12 months and longer
    Checked Nov 8, 2026affirm.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Fees
    No fees from Affirm
    Checked Nov 8, 2026affirm.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Browser extension
    Google Chrome
    Checked Nov 8, 2026affirm.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. PayPal logo

    3. PayPal

    Best for: People who pay online often or send money to friends across iPhone and Android

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    54.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Afterpay

    Pay in 4 is built into PayPal checkout, so it works at many stores that don't offer Afterpay.

    Pros

    • Accepted at a very large number of online stores
    • Works on any phone and in the browser
    • Purchase Protection on eligible purchases

    Cons

    • Fees on some transfers, currency conversion and receiving payments
    • Not a full tap-to-pay phone wallet in most countries
    • Features like Pay Later and crypto vary by country
    Visit PayPal Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is PayPal a good Afterpay alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Account cost
    Free to open
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paypal.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, Android
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paypal.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Buy now, pay later
    Pay in 4, Pay Monthly (US)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paypal.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Buyer protection
    Purchase Protection
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paypal.com(opens source in a new tab)
    PayPal Checkout fee
    3.49% + fixed fee (US)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paypal.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Card payments fee
    2.99% + fixed fee (US)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paypal.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Fixed fee
    $0.49 per US dollar transaction
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paypal.com(opens source in a new tab)
    International fee
    Extra 1.50% on international commercial payments
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paypal.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Zilch logo

    4. Zilch

    Best for: UK shoppers who want pay-later options and cashback at any store that takes Mastercard

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Afterpay

    For UK shoppers: spread purchases at almost any store that takes Mastercard.

    Pros

    • Works wherever Mastercard is accepted, not just at partner retailers
    • Cashback rewards when paying in full
    • Choice of six-week or three-month repayment per purchase
    • Free Standard plan

    Cons

    • Fees may apply outside partner stores
    • Better rewards sit behind paid monthly plans
    • UK only
    • Easy access to credit at any shop can encourage overspending
    Visit Zilch Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zilch a good Afterpay alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Founded
    2018
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zilch.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Customers
    Nearly 6 million
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zilch.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Standard
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zilch.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid plans from
    £2.99/month (Extra)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zilch.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Credit limit
    £50 to £4,500
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zilch.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Tamara logo

    5. Tamara

    Best for: Saudi and UAE shoppers who want Sharia-compliant instalments without late-fee risk

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Afterpay

    Interest-free instalments with no late fees for shoppers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

    Pros

    • No late fees on missed payments
    • Sharia compliant, overseen by its own Sharia committee
    • Long plans of up to 24 months for big purchases
    • Works online and in physical stores

    Cons

    • Only available in a handful of Gulf countries
    • Repeated late payments can suspend your account and hurt your credit score
    • Cashback perks need the paid Smart subscription
    Visit Tamara Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Tamara a good Afterpay alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Late fees
    None
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tamara.co(opens source in a new tab)
    Longest plan
    Up to 24 months
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tamara.co(opens source in a new tab)
    Where it works
    Saudi Arabia and the UAE, online and in-store
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tamara.co(opens source in a new tab)
    Regulator
    Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026tamara.co(opens source in a new tab)
  6. La

    6. LazyPay

    Best for: Indian shoppers who want short pay-later credit at checkout or a small, fast personal loan

    FreeAndroid, iOS, Web

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Afterpay

    The pay-later option Indian shoppers can use, since Afterpay isn't offered in India.

    Pros

    • One PayLater limit works across many partner merchants
    • Instant personal loans with flexible EMI tenures
    • Widely available at checkouts that use PayU

    Cons

    • Personal loan interest can run as high as 32% a year
    • A processing fee is charged on loan amounts withdrawn
    • Only available to Indian residents
    Visit LazyPay Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is LazyPay a good Afterpay alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    PayLater repayment
    Within 15 days
    Checked Nov 7, 2026lazypay.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Maximum XpressLoan
    Up to Rs 5 lakh
    Checked Nov 7, 2026lazypay.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Loan interest rate
    15% to 32%
    Checked Nov 7, 2026lazypay.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Processing fee
    2% of amount withdrawn
    Checked Nov 7, 2026lazypay.in(opens source in a new tab)
    EMI tenure
    3 to 24 months
    Checked Nov 7, 2026lazypay.in(opens source in a new tab)

The best Afterpay alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Klarna logo

Best Afterpay alternative for most people

Klarna

Accepted at more stores worldwide, adding pay in 30 days and longer monthly plans to the same pay-in-4 option.

Affirm logo

Best Afterpay alternative for a free option

Affirm

Longer monthly instalment plans for bigger purchases, not just four payments.

PayPal logo

Best Afterpay alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

PayPal

Pay in 4 is built into PayPal checkout, so it works at many stores that don't offer Afterpay.

Zilch logo

Best Afterpay alternative for iPhone and Android

Zilch

For UK shoppers: spread purchases at almost any store that takes Mastercard.

Tamara logo

Best Afterpay alternative for working in the browser

Tamara

Interest-free instalments with no late fees for shoppers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Afterpay alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Afterpay?

Klarna ranks first right now. Accepted at more stores worldwide, adding pay in 30 days and longer monthly plans to the same pay-in-4 option. Affirm and PayPal follow it in our ranking.

Afterpay vs Klarna: what's the difference?

Both Afterpay and Klarna are free to use. Both run on Web, iOS and Android.

Is Afterpay free?

Afterpay is free to use.

Is there a free alternative to Afterpay?

Yes. Klarna (free), Affirm (free), PayPal (free plan + paid) and Zilch (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Afterpay?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Afterpay?

The complaints we hear most: only works at participating retailers or through the in-app card; missed payments bring late fees and can pause your account; longer monthly plans carry a finance fee and are not available to everyone.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Afterpay, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.