Best Buy Now, Pay Later Apps with No Credit Check of September 2024
Whether it’s Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) apps, or personal loans, a poor credit score can make it difficult to access credit. However, with competition and alternative data allowing modern lenders to look beyond simple credit metrics, you can obtain reliable financing without paying a high annual percentage rate (APR).
So some Buy Now, Pay Later companies are more lenient than others. And we found that if you have a credit card, you’re almost guaranteed approval. However, every lender won’t accept every applicant. But you have a better chance when you Buy Now, Pay Later with one of the companies below.
Why Should You Trust ElitePersonalFinance?
With accuracy and accountability in mind, we pride ourselves on presenting the latest information from the most trusted sources. And our goal is to help you find the best products available in the marketplace. Moreover, we hope that our study will make it easier to determine if Buy Now, Pay Later apps are suitable for you.
To complete our study, we analyzed the most popular Buy Now, Pay Later apps to determine which lenders offer instant approval or no credit check. We consider a service attractive if the terms are transparent with minimal fees. Moreover, the BNPL app must be easy to use, and customer service should be available to answer any questions.
Don’t Let Bad Credit Get You Down
It may feel like affordable financing is out of reach if you have bad credit. And when Americans feel like they’re out of options, they often settle for less attractive loans. Thus, while Buy Now, Pay Later financing may seem like a great deal, there are plenty of pitfalls.
For example, BNPL companies can manipulate you into overspending. As a result, buying more items usually worsens a bad situation.
Second, 0% APRs aren’t much help since Buy Now, Pay Later companies have short repayment terms. For example, six weeks usually isn’t enough time to get all of your finances in order.
Third, some Buy Now, Pay Later companies charge late payment fees. And not only can these charges add up, but if they transfer your loan to a debt collector, it can further impair your credit score.
Fourth, Buy Now, Pay Later loans don’t include extra cash. As a result, if you need money to cover short-term bills or to hold you over until your next paycheck, BNPL financing won’t help.
Finally, and most importantly, some Buy Now, Pay Later borrowers use payday loans to pay off their BNPL debts. Please avoid this worst-case scenario, as payday loans’ 400% APRs can leave you drowning in debt.
The bottom line?
A personal loan offers more value due to the higher loan proceeds and more flexible terms. In addition, while you have to pay interest on your loan, there are plenty of affordable options for borrowers with bad credit. For context, bad credit personal loans have APRs as low as 15%.
Of course, it’s your decision. But if you want to learn more, our marketplace can help you find a bad credit loan that may be more suitable.
Best Buy Now, Pay Later Apps with No Credit Check of September 2024
If you like Buy Now, Pay Later financing, consider one of the options below. Since they don’t conduct credit checks, your chances of approval increase materially. Moreover, if you already have a credit card, companies like American Express, Amazon, HSN, and QVC should offer instant access.
| Institution: | Loan Amount: | APR: | Terms: | Min. Credit Score: | Instant Approval: | Money Down: | Fees: | Best For: | Credit Check: |
| Affirm | Up to $17,500 | 0% – 30% | 1 – 48 months | 0 | No | No | No | Clothing, Electronics, Furniture | No |
| Klarna | Varies | 0% – 24.99% | 1 – 36 months | 0 | No | No | No | Clothing, Makeup, Home Décor | No |
| Splitit | Varies | 0% | 3 – 24 months | 0 | No | No | No | Fashion, Furniture, Sports | No |
| Afterpay | Varies | 0% | 1.5 months | 0 | No | Up to 25% | Late payment fee of up to $8 or 25% of purchase | Clothing, Cosmetics, Baby | No |
| American Express | $100+ | 0% | 3 – 24 months | 700 | Yes | No | Up to 1.33% of the purchase | All Items | No |
| Amazon | $50+ | 0% | 4 – 24 months | 0 | Yes | 4% – 25% | No | Qualifying Items | No |
| Best Buy | $149.99 – $4,000 | 0% if repaid in 90 days | 3- 12 months | 0 | No | Typically $59 | $59 in some states | Electronics, Appliances | No |
| Zebit | $1,000 – $2,500 | 0% | 6 months | 0 | No | 25% | 18% fee on gift cards | Electronics, Fashion, Furniture | No |
| HSN | Varies | 0% | 2- 5 months | 0 | Yes | First payment + shipping + taxes | No | All Items | No |
| QVC | Varies | 0% | 5 months | 0 | Yes | First payment + shipping + taxes | No | All Items | No |
Bad Credit or No Credit: Don’t Settle For Less
While it may feel like you won’t get a second chance to repair your credit, the lending landscape has changed materially in recent years. As a result, gone are the days when payday loans are your only option.
For context, we’ve analyzed our fair share of personal, payday, credit card, auto, and Buy Now, Pay Later loans. And whether you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit, we found that personal loans make the most sense for most borrowers. Due to their low APRs and flexible terms, personal loans can help streamline your finances without overwhelming you with interest charges. Moreover, you can apply without commitment, and there is no impact on your credit score. As a result, please browse our marketplace before settling for a bad credit loan that’s second best.
On the flip side, if you’re only after a single item, the Buy Now, Pay Later lenders below make shopping a breeze.
Affirm
 | |
| Loan Amount: | Up to $17,500 |
| APR: | 0% – 30% |
| Terms: | 1 – 48 months |
| Min. Credit Score: | 0 |
| Instant Approval: | No |
| Money Down: | No |
| Fees: | No |
| Best For: | Clothing, Electronics, Furniture |
| Credit Check: | No |
| Learn More | |
When you choose Affirm Pay in 4, you make four interest-free payments every two weeks. However, there are no interest charges, and applying won’t impact your credit score. As a result, Affirm is a great option if you want to Buy Now, Pay Later with no credit check.
For context, Affirm’s BNPL loans can reach upwards of $17,500, and most purchases will incur APRs of 10% to 30%. However, interest charges only apply to Affirm’s installment loans, which you repay over three, six, or 12 months increments. Moreover, these loans result in a credit check, and you won’t receive instant approval. Likewise, they may be out of reach if you have bad credit.
However, Affirm Pay in 4 doesn’t incur fees, so you don’t have to worry about prepayment or late payment charges. In addition, you can forget about annual fees, and there is no cost to open or close your account.
Similarly, Pay in 4 won’t hurt your credit score, and there is no minimum credit score requirement. Furthermore, the BNPL company partners with several great merchants — including Target, Walmart, Samsung, Lowe’s, Neiman Marcus, and Adidas.
Pros:
- There is no minimum credit score requirement to use Affirm Pay in 4.
Cons:
- Not all applicants are approved.
Who is the Buy Now, Pay Later app best suited for?
- If your credit score is less than stellar, Affirm may be more willing to give you an opportunity than other lenders.
The impact of COVID-19:
Affirm’s hardship program enabled users to stop purchases and defer payments. To learn more about the options available, you can call Affirm at 1-855-423-3729 or fill out the contact form through Affirm’s help center.
Klarna
 | |
| Loan Amount: | Varies |
| APR: | 0% – 24.99% |
| Terms: | 1 – 36 months |
| Min. Credit Score: | 0 |
| Instant Approval: | No |
| Money Down: | No |
| Fees: | No |
| Best For: | Clothing, Makeup, Home Decor |
| Credit Check: | No |
| Learn More | |
Like Affirm, Klarna is another prudent BNPL option. For example, its Pay in 4 method won’t affect your credit score, and there is no minimum credit score requirement to use the service. In addition, the BNPL site will pay you $5 to make your first Shop Now, Pay Later purchase.
However, Klarna may reject some transactions, so it doesn’t offer instant approval. Moreover, new users will face the tightest restrictions. For context, the policies are standard for most lenders, as they want to build a relationship before extending too much credit. However, once they get to know you, your spending limit and terms should move in a positive direction.
Also, Klarna differs from Affirm because it doesn’t specify a maximum spending limit. Instead, Klarna’s algorithm determines your unique balance, and you’ll see the amount when you log into your account. However, there is a $10 minimum for all transactions.
Overall, Klarna is an excellent option to Buy Now, Pay Later with no credit check. Moreover, the site allows users to shop at great merchants like Nike, Sephora, Wayfair, and Harley-Davidson. In addition, MLBShop.com and NHLShop.com accept Klarna. Thus, you’ll be ready when game time arrives.
Pros:
- If you want a BNPL service that won’t get hung up on your credit score, Klarna Pay in 4 should be on your radar.
Cons:
- Not all applicants are approved.
Who is the Buy Now, Pay Later app best suited for?
- Klarna is great if you frequently shop at partner stores and want to spread your payments out over time.
The impact of COVID-19:
For members whose jobs were lost or suffered financial hardship during the outbreak, Klarna offered payment holidays. Moreover, while the Shop Now, Pay Later app’s ‘snooze’ feature offers no-fee and no-interest 10-day payment delays, pandemic-specific options were also available. To learn more, you can call Klarna at 1-844-552-7621 or use the app/website’s chat function.
Splitit
 | |
| Loan Amount: | Varies |
| APR: | 0% |
| Terms: | 3 – 24 months |
| Min. Credit Score: | 0 |
| Instant Approval: | No |
| Money Down: | No |
| Fees: | No |
| Best For: | Fashion, Furniture, Sports |
| Credit Check: | No |
| Learn More | |
Splitit’s merchant list is attractive. For example, James Allen, GlassesUSA, Echelon Fitness, and REST partner with the firm. Thus, whether you’re into fashion, jewelry, sports, or home decor, there is something for everyone on Splitit’s platform, and you can Buy Now, Pay Later with no credit check.
Moreover, if you already own a credit card, Splitit is a great BNPL app. It works like this: Splitit places a hold on your credit card for the outstanding purchase amount. And as you make your payments, Splitit will decrease the hold until you repay the entire balance. However, there are no fees, no interest, and using the service won’t impact your credit score. Also, pairing your credit card with Splitit’s afterpay service allows you to pay and still earn credit card rewards. As a result, if you’re accustomed to earning cash-back, hotel, or airline rewards, you don’t have to sacrifice these perks when you Buy Now, Pay Later with Splitit.
However, since Splitit works exclusively with credit cards, the BNPL company accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and UnionPay. But American Express and Capital One credit cards are not on Splitit’s partner list. In addition, debit cards are not functional, and Splitit doesn’t offer instant approval.
Pros:
- Splitit BNPL lets you shop with no fees, no interest charges, and no credit check.
Cons:
- You can’t use Splitit without a credit card.
Who is the Buy Now, Pay Later app best suited for?
- If you already have a credit card, Splitit makes shopping easy, and approval is a breeze.
The impact of COVID-19:
While Splitit doesn’t list any COVID-19 policies, you can inquire about its hardship policies. For example, you can call the company at 1-844-775-4848 or email support@splitit.com.
Afterpay
 | |
| Loan Amount: | Varies |
| APR: | 0% |
| Terms: | 1.5 months |
| Min. Credit Score: | 0 |
| Instant Approval: | No |
| Money Down: | Up to 25% |
| Fees: | Late payment fee of up to $8 or 25% of purchase |
| Best For: | Clothing, Cosmetics, Baby |
| Credit Check: | No |
| Learn More | |
As another best-in-class Buy Now, Pay Later site with no credit check, there is plenty to like about Afterpay. For example, the loan company partners with great brands like Ray-Ban, Shiseido, and Aldo, so your shopping needs are covered from head to toe. Likewise, Afterpay is a great Buy Now, Pay Later option for children’s clothing, as the site has a wide selection of fashion-forward merchants. Also, if you plan on doing some in-store shopping, you can add Afterpay’s virtual card to your digital wallet — like Apple Pay or Google Pay — and quickly process the transaction. Moreover, you have six weeks to pay off your balance, and there are no interest charges.
However, Afterpay’s downsides include a requirement to put 25% of money down. For context, most Shop Now, Pay Later companies require upfront payment. However, the exact amount varies across platforms. Also, Afterpay’s late payment fee ranges from up to $8 to 25% of your total purchase. But the charges can differ depending on the laws in your state. In addition, the BNPL company doesn’t report to credit bureaus, so your credit score won’t get dinged if you miss a payment.
Pros:
- Afterpay lets you Buy Now, Pay Later with no credit check and no interest charges.
Cons:
- Afterpay requires 25% money down.
- You may incur late payment fees.
Who is the Buy Now, Pay Later app best suited for?
- If you’re sure that you can avoid late payments, Afterpay is one of the best BNPL sites out there.
The impact of COVID-19:
Afterpay’s hardship program provided a financial lifeline for members struggling throughout COVID-19. The Buy Now, Pay Later company partnered with A Common Thread and Baby2Baby to support fashion businesses and children affected by the outbreak. Likewise, Afterpay’s top-up program allowed users to donate $1 to charitable organizations with each purchase, and the company’s more than $200,000 in corporate disbursements provided extra funds for COVID-19 relief. To find out how Afterpay can help you, the BNPL company recommends that you submit a request through its help center.
American Express
 | |
| Loan Amount: | $100+ |
| APR: | 0% |
| Terms: | 3 – 24 months |
| Min. Credit Score: | 700 |
| Instant Approval: | Yes |
| Money Down: | No |
| Fees: | Up to 1.33% of the purchase |
| Best For: | All Items |
| Credit Check: | No |
| Learn More | |
If you already bank with American Express, you may not realize that the credit card company has its own BNPL service. Dubbed “Plan It,” American Express lets you Buy Now, Pay Later with no credit check. It works like this: for transactions of $100 or more and terms from three to 24 months, you can create up to 10 monthly installment plans that don’t incur any interest. Moreover, the only downside is that a fixed monthly fee of up to 1.33% applies to each order.
However, if you’re already a card member, the fee is much lower than carrying a balance on your credit card and paying the APR. Furthermore, unlike other Buy Now, Pay Later sites, you don’t have to create a separate account, and you can shop wherever American Express is accepted. Also, Plan It doesn’t work with items that incur foreign transaction fees. However, outside of that, you can use Plan It almost anywhere. Thus, it’s as close to instant approval as you’re going to find.
On top of that, Plan It’s perks are similar to Splitit’s afterpay service. For example, by using your credit card to facilitate the BNPL transaction, you keep earning your cash-back, hotel, or airline rewards. As a result, it’s an excellent option for consumers affiliated with American Express.
Pros:
- You can skip the credit check and pay no interest with American Express’ Buy Now, Pay Later program.
Cons:
- You can’t use Plan It without a credit card.
- Buy Now, Pay Later purchases at American Express incur a fixed monthly fee.
Who is the Buy Now, Pay Later site best suited for?