View all sources . BNPL users also tend to hold larger amounts of other unsecured debts, like credit cards, than non-BNPL users. Though the CFPB doesn’t draw direct conclusions from this report, it suggests that BNPL users may be particularly financially vulnerable and should exercise caution around these apps. Pros and cons of buy now, pay later appsConsider these pros and cons when deciding whether to use BNPL for your next purchase. Pros No-interest financing. No hard credit check. Convenient payment option. Cons May encourage overspending. Not a reliable way to build credit. May charge fees. Customer service issues. ProsNo interest: Most BNPL apps charge zero interest for their pay-in-four loans. That means if you make all payments on time, you use the service for free. It’s rare to be able to finance a purchase, especially a bigger ticket item like a computer, at zero interest.No hard credit check: Unlike applying for a credit card or loan, BNPL apps won’t usually conduct a hard credit pull, which can temporarily lower your score. Also, if you’re worried about a low credit score, you may have an easier time getting approved by a BNPL app than a traditional lender.Simple, convenient and fast financing option: BNPL apps pride themselves on the simplicity and ease of their payment plans. Often integrated directly into the checkout process, applications are short and approval decisions are instantaneous, so you can opt into a BNPL payment plan within minutes.ConsCould encourage overspending: BNPL plans can make it feel like you’re spending less than you are. For example, if your budget for a purchase is $100 and you opt into a pay-in-four plan, you’ll only pay $25 upfront. For some shoppers, it may be tempting to go back and fill up their cart with more items.Likely won’t be able to build credit: Most BNPL companies don't report on-time payments to the three main credit bureaus, so you won’t be able to build credit by using these plans. However, they may send past-due accounts to collections, which can hurt your credit score.Fees: Though some BNPL apps won’t charge any fees, many do — especially if you miss a payment. Fees for late or rescheduled payments can range from $2 to $15, represent a significant percentage of the total and increase the cost of your purchase.Customer service issues: Some BNPL users may have trouble settling disputes. For example, if you buy an item you need to return, you must deal directly with the store, even though your loan is through the BNPL lender. This can delay your refund.Compare buy now, pay later appsThe best BNPL apps charge no interest for pay-in-four, have minimal fees and can be used at most major retailers. As part of our editorial process, we collected hundreds of data points for six large BNPL apps. In the table below, see the overall star rating for each app, as well as key information about interest, terms and fees. Interest Terms Fees NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors we consider to be consumer-friendly, including impact to credit score, rates and fees, customer experience and responsible lending practices. on NerdWallet's secure website 0% for pay-in-four. 0%-36% for monthly financing. Pay in four installments, due every two weeks. Pay monthly, with terms of three to 60 months. No fees. NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors we consider to be consumer-friendly, including impact to credit score, rates and fees, customer experience and responsible lending practices. on NerdWallet's secure website 0% for pay-in-four. 0%-35.99% for monthly financing. Pay in four installments, due every two weeks. Pay monthly, with terms of six or 12 months, for online purchases over $400. Late fee: Up to $8. NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors we consider to be consumer-friendly, including impact to credit score, rates and fees, customer experience and responsible lending practices. on NerdWallet's secure website 0% for pay-in-four. 0% for pay in full in 30 days. 0%-33.99% for monthly financing. Pay in four installments, due every two weeks. Pay in full in 30 days. Pay monthly, with terms of six to 24 months, for purchases of $150 or more. Late fee: Up to $7. May charge a service fee when you use a one-time card at a nonpartner retailer. NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors we consider to be consumer-friendly, including impact to credit score, rates and fees, customer experience and responsible lending practices. on NerdWallet's secure website 0% for pay-in-four. 9.99%-35.99% for monthly financing. Pay in four installments, due every two weeks. Pay monthly, with terms of three, six, 12 or 24 months, for online purchases of $49 or more. No fees. NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors we consider to be consumer-friendly, including impact to credit score, rates and fees, customer experience and responsible lending practices. on NerdWallet's secure website 0% for pay-in-four. 0% for pay-in-two. 0%-34.99% for monthly financing. Pay in four installments, due every two weeks. Pay in two installments, due two weeks apart. Pay monthly, with terms of three to 48 months, for online purchases of $150 or more. Late fee: Up to $15. Convenience fee: Up to $2.50. Failed payment fee: Up to $5. Payment rescheduling fee: First is free, then up to $7.50. Service fee: Up to $5.99. NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors we consider to be consumer-friendly, including impact to credit score, rates and fees, customer experience and responsible lending practices. on NerdWallet's secure website 0% for pay-in-four. 0% for pay-in-eight. Pay in four installments, due every two weeks. Pay in eight installments, due every two weeks. Installment fee: $0 to $116. Late fee: $7. Payment rescheduling fee: First is free, then $2. Frequently asked questions about BNPLWhat are buy now, pay later methods?Buy now, pay later methods help you complete a purchase immediately, but pay for it at a later time, usually over a series of installments. You download a BNPL app to your phone, select a BNPL payment plan at checkout or opt-in to a pay-later option from your credit card. What is the best buy now pay later app?Some of the largest BNPL apps include Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal, Sezzle and Zip. The best BNPL app offers no-interest loans with zero fees. Which buy now, pay later app doesn't check credit?All buy now, pay later apps check your credit with a soft pull, which won’t hurt your credit score. Even if you have bad credit, you can still be approved, since BNPL providers consider additional factors, like the cost of your purchase and any prior history with the company. How does buy now, pay later make money?Buy now, pay later providers make money in a few ways. One is by charging the merchant (aka the retailer you’re buying from) a fee each time the provider helps facilitate a transaction. Another is by collecting interest and fees directly from customers who take out a BNPL loan. Article sources Article sources , “Buy now, pay later,” or BNPL, is a type of installment loan. It divides your purchase into multiple equal payments, with the first payment due at checkout. The remaining payments are, With the 30-day rule, you wait 30 days before making a major purchase to be sure you really want or need it. This technique of waiting can help you delay gratification, feel more in control of your finances, and potentially avoid overspending on impulse buys..