Sometimes you might need to make a purchase you didn’t plan for but might not have the funds to pay for directly. That's where buy now, pay later apps can help you out. From a broken appliance that needs to be instantly replaced to a last-minute trip, paying for things upfront isn’t always ideal. 

These apps offer a much more flexible way to shop, spreading the cost of purchases over a longer period of time to take some of the financial pressure off. Users can split costs into smaller chunks over an agreed period of time to help better manage their finances and make payments, big or small, much more manageable. 

Not all apps are created equal; each serves a slightly different purpose with different features. With so many options to choose from, which one is the right one for you? 

#1 Gerald - Best BNPL App Overall + Cash Advances

A lot of people are raving about Gerald, and just a quick glance at this app shows you why. It offers the full buy now, pay later capabilities that you’re looking for - plus some additional cool features. This app’s BNPL feature allows you to cover all or part of a purchase with no need for credit checks, hidden fees, or interest charges. It then ties the repayments back into your bank account by looking at your next paycheck. When that arrives, you make a repayment, and there’s very little to worry about.

That being said, many customers enjoy Gerald because it goes one step further and can actually provide cash advances through the app. This will give you a lump sum of money that's transferred directly to your bank account, giving you additional funds to cover an unexpected bill or a larger purchase. The transfer happens immediately, and you simply repay the advance over time without any crazy high interest rates.

Oh, and if that's not enough, the Gerald app will also offer rewards from games and surveys in the app, so you can access even more cash in your spare time!

#2 Affirm - Best For Big Purchases

Making a larger purchase, maybe a sofa or a big holiday? Then you might want to try out Affirm. Affirm’s BNPL app seems to be more set up to be more beneficial to those who are spending big amounts on single purchases. Larger spends tend to need more than just a simple 4-step payment plan. Either you might want to split the repayments into more chunks and/or pay over a longer period of time. Affirm offers that. Rather than just having a Pay in 4 option, they offer customers varying installment financing with differing terms.

This is a particularly strong option for those making big purchases. Think things like electronics, travel or furniture. With longer repayment terms, it makes larger purchases much more manageable. What we really liked is that, even before you’ve decided which repayment plan to go for, you get shown a clear schedule for all the payments, making it super transparent and easy for you to plan your finances ahead. They can even offer 0% APR on some eligible purchases, making bigger spends even easier to afford and manage.

Do bear in mind, however, that not all of their plans are interest-free and that approval for financing and the available terms are customer dependent meaning it is possible to not get favorable terms or even be turned down. Also worth mentioning is that even though the longer repayment periods are great and can be helpful, they might lead to more impulsive purchases as it makes it easier for shoppers to justify, so spend wisely.

#3 Klarna - Most Widespread Availability

Klarna has got to be one of the most well-known, well-loved BNPL platforms that buyers rave about. It's everywhere. Accepted by over 800,000 vendors, making it one of the most widespread apps, you'll be hard-pressed to find a store that doesn’t accept it. Most people know Klarna for financing online purchases, but did you know you can use it in-person too? In the app, you can generate a one-time-use digital card for the amount you want to spend and add it to your phone's wallet; then you pay with that, like a contactless bank card.

Another reason people like Klarna is thanks to its payment flexibility. Within its app, users have a range of different options when it comes to repayments. Instead of being locked into one BNPL format, users can choose the usual pay in 4, pay later or can even spread the cost over a longer period of time, if eligible. Great if you can get accepted, but longer repayment plans can lead to additional interest payments, and availability depends on whether you can get accepted in the first place.

#4 Sezzle - Most Flexible Repayments

What makes Sezzle different from other finance platforms and apps is flexibility. It offers customers far more control over their repayment schedules through various features designed to give them more say. They don't just offer a standard 4-step installment plan like some others; they offer users the ability to pay in 2 or 4 installments and pay monthly, with varying options for how long.

For those wanting more options when it comes to repayments, it's a no-brainer. Their simple payment structure makes it simple to use and understand when you need to pay next. They also have a strong focus on budgeting, with a financial education platform built in for users to use and learn from.

The only downsides we can see are that some of these cool features and extra flexibility may come at some additional costs, as well as going through some eligibility checks to see if you can access all the features. It's also not as widely accepted as more commonly used competitor sites, meaning it might not be a good option for everyone.

Buy now, pay later platforms offer users a convenient way to spread the costs of needed (and wanted) life purchases. Each platform offers something a little different, so whether you want to prioritize the best rates, the most flexibility or longer plans, you’ll be able to find the right app for all your needs. Our personal favorite is Gerald, simply because it has a unique in-app system and you can use it for same-day cash advances.