9 Top Apps Like Zilch: Best BNPL Apps [2024]

The introduction of Buy Now, Pay Later services has drastically changed the financial landscape, and apps like Zilch have changed the way one can buy an expensive thing.  

These innovative financial services let you make purchases now and spread the cost over a series of manageable installments, interest-free.

Besides Zilch, several other BNPL platforms work in the same way. So, to make your work easier, we have curated a list of the best platforms like Zilch that you can use.

Klarna

Klarna is one of the best buy now, pay later services that offers online payment solutions for both customers as well as merchants. It lets you make purchases now and pay in installments later without any interest.

• Availability: UK, Australia, US, New Zealand, Canada, and a few other European countries.
• Expected limit: Although there is no pre-set spending limit, it can be around $350 to 1000.
• Credit Check: Soft credit check
• Late fee: Varies by region

How to Sign up?

Download the app and sign up for an account by providing a few details like your billing address, phone number, name, and date of birth. Then, add a payment method, such as a credit card, debit card, or bank account.

Next, Klarna will evaluate your creditworthiness for some payment options like Pay in 4 or Pay Later. Once you’ve signed up, explore your favorite store directly within the app

Laybuy

Founded in 2017, Laybuy is a BNPL service that lets you split your purchases into six weekly interest-free payments. It is partnered with thousands of sellers, providing customers with flexible payment options.

• Availability: New Zealand, UK, US, and Australia
• Expected limit: Depends on the results of your soft credit check.
• Credit Check: Soft credit check
• Late fee: £6 after 24 hours and the maximum late fee is £24

How to Sign up?

Sign up by creating a personal account and filling in your personal information, including email address, phone number, name, date of birth, and residential address.

Next, a verification code will be sent to your phone number. Once completed, you’ll get an initial spending limit which you can use by selecting Laybuy as a payment method during checkout.  

Clearpay

Known as Afterpay in different regions, Clearpay operates mainly in the United Kingdom, offering customers to split their purchases into four equal, interest-free installments over a period of six weeks. It is designed to provide you with financial flexibility while enhancing sales for retailers.

• Availability: United Kingdom
• Expected limit: Based on different factors, but typically around £1000.
• Credit Check: Soft credit check
• Late fee:  £6. If still the payment is not done within 7 days, an additional late fee of £6 is added.

How to Sign up?

Download the app, sign up, and provide your details, such as phone number, residential address, full name, date of birth, email address, and debit or credit card details.

Then, Clearpay will send a verification code to your phone, which is required to confirm your details. Once done, start shopping and use Clearpay to make purchases.

Payl8r

Payl8r is another UK-based app like Zilch that lets you make purchases and split the cost over a period of time, typically from 1 to 12 months – either interest-free or with interest. If you are looking for manageable payments on goods and services, Payl8r is a popular option.

• Availability: United Kingdom
• Expected limit: Can range from £50 to several thousand pounds, based on the results of your credit checks.
• Credit Check: Soft credit check
• Late fee: If you cannot repay within the 28-day grace period, the late can be up to £30

How to Sign up?

Get started by filling up your personal information along with income and monthly expenses. You’ll then need to link your UK bank account for your installments.

Next, select the repayment plan that works best for you and choose Payl8r as a payment method during the checkout.

PayPal

PayPal is a widely used online payment platform that lets individuals and businesses send and receive money and manage their transactions securely. It lets you pay via PayPal’s Pay in 3 and PayPal Credit, making a BNPL option for UK residents.

• Availability: Over 200 countries including the United Kingdom.
• Expected limit: £250 to £1500, which can go higher based on your profile.
• Credit Check: Soft credit check
• Late fee: No late fee

How to Sign up?

Get started with PayPal by shopping at a merchant that accepts Paypal as a payment method and offers the Pay in 3 option. If you are eligible and the purchase amount is between £30 and £2000, the Pay in 3 option will appear.

Once approved, the payment should be done at the time of checkout and the rest is automatically deducted from your linked payment method.

DivideBuy

With DivideBuy, you can shop at a variety of participating retailers, make purchases, and pay for them over time through monthly installments, making larger purchases more manageable.

• Availability: UK and US
• Expected limit: £100 to £5000
• Credit Check: Soft credit check
• Late fee: Doesn’t charge a late fee

How to Sign up?

After you visit the DivideBuy website, enter your details and browse through a list of sellers. Then, during the time of making a purchase, select DivideBuy as your payment method, and spread the cost of your purchase easily in monthly installments between 3 to 60 months.  

Curve Flex

Curve Flex is another popular payment solution in the UK, primarily known for its all-in-one card that combines multiple cards into one. By using this, you can split your purchases made with your Curve card into easy installments.

• Availability: UK
• Expected limit: Typically ranging from £500 to £5000.
• Credit Check: Soft credit check
• Late fee: Although there isn’t a late fee, a missed or late payment will impact your credit score.

How to Sign up?

Once you download the app and create an account, you can begin the Flex application process where you’ll need to provide a few personal details.

Next, choose a payment plan, which varies from 3 to 12 months, and submit the application. Curve Flex will perform a credit check based on the plan and amount and approve you.

Splitit

For those seeking budget-friendly payment options, Spiltit is a BNPL service that lets you spread your purchases into installments. It doesn’t require any additional credit or financing and doesn’t charge any interest.  

• Availability: US, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe, and a few other countries.
• Expected limit: Based on the available credit on your Visa or Mastercard credit card. But typically, it’s around £1000 to £5000.
• Credit Check: No credit check

Late fee: $10

How to Sign up?

Get started by shopping at a store that offers Splitit as a payment option, which you can choose during the checkout. Then enter your debit or credit card details and choose the installment plan.

Now the first installment will be charged to your credit card, and the total purchase amount will be held deducted automatically every month.

Novuna

Lastly, we have Novuna which allows you to divide your purchases into interest-free payments, letting you manage your expenses. Besides, it has also expanded its offerings to make shopping more accessible and flexible for you.

• Availability: Primarily in the UK
• Expected limit: £250 to £5000
• Credit Check: Soft credit check
• Late fee: Percentage of the amount that is overdue.  

How to Sign up?

To use Novuna, visit the website or a partner retailer and create an account by providing your details, such as email address, date of birth, full name, and address.

Then Novuna will evaluate your application by performing a credit check. Once approved, you can choose a payment plan, usually available for up to 120 months. Generally, your first installment is due at the time of purchase and the rest are deducted automatically on your chosen schedule.

Final Words

All the services mentioned in this article on apps like Zilch, provide you the flexibility to make immediate purchases while splitting the cost over time, interest-free. You are not charged anything as long as you make repayments on time.

However, it’s necessary to approach these platforms with caution. Nonetheless, Zilch alternatives can be valuable tools for managing everyday expenses at a rapidly increasing retail price. Remember responsible usage is key!

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