Alternatives · 2026
Alternatives to Afterpay
Buy-now-pay-later checkout for ecommerce stores.
1 hand-curated alternative from MintedSaaS's directory. See the Afterpay listing →
Afterpay is a buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) service that lets customers split online purchases into four interest-free installments. The company operates primarily in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and the UK, and has become one of the largest BNPL providers by transaction volume. It targets ecommerce retailers who want to reduce cart abandonment by offering flexible payment options at checkout. Afterpay takes the financial risk of default and charges retailers a commission on each transaction.
Retailers typically integrate Afterpay as a checkout option when they stock products priced between $20 and $2,000, where installment plans tend to convert well. Fashion, electronics, home goods, and beauty brands have been early adopters. The service works best for businesses with moderate to high transaction frequency, since Afterpay's fee structure (33% commission in many regions) makes it viable mainly at scale. Afterpay competes directly with Klarna and other BNPL platforms that offer similar checkout integrations and appeal to cost-conscious shoppers who prefer not to carry credit-card debt.
What we offer that competes
What to look for
- Whether the provider charges a flat fee, a percentage of order value, or a tiered structure based on volume.
- Whether approval decisions happen synchronously at checkout or require asynchronous verification after the customer submits their details.
- Whether the provider offers webhooks or an API to retrieve real-time order and payment status for reconciliation.
- Whether you can customize the BNPL badge, payment schedule messaging, or checkout copy to match your brand.
- Whether the provider handles customer support (chargebacks, disputes, payment reschedules) or whether you're responsible.
- Whether the service is available in all your target markets and supports the payment methods your customers prefer (debit cards, local methods, etc.).
FAQ
What are the best alternatives to Afterpay?
Klarna is the main alternative; it offers similar BNPL checkout functionality, accepts both debit and credit cards, and operates in more countries than Afterpay. Both charge retailers a commission per transaction and appeal to the same customer base.
Are there free BNPL options for ecommerce stores?
No; BNPL providers are funded by retailer fees, not consumer subscription. Every major BNPL service charges merchants a percentage of the transaction value.
Which BNPL features matter most for reducing cart abandonment?
Fast approval (instant or within seconds), a low minimum order value, and transparent fee disclosure to the merchant. Visible checkout badges also help signal payment flexibility to shoppers before they see the full cost.
Are there free alternatives to Afterpay for payment splitting?
PayPal and some Stripe partners offer installment plans with different fee structures, but they're not free and typically require consumer creditworthiness checks. Genuine BNPL alternatives like Klarna also charge merchant fees.
What platforms do Afterpay alternatives support?
Klarna integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and custom sites via API. Most BNPL services now offer mobile-first checkout, though integration depth varies by platform.
How do I know if a BNPL provider will convert my customers?
Test with a small commission tier first, track conversion lift in your analytics, and compare it against your cart abandonment rate. A BNPL option typically works if 3–5% of your customers are BNPL-ready.
What happens if a customer defaults on a BNPL payment?
The BNPL provider (Afterpay, Klarna, etc.) bears the credit risk; you're paid upfront by the provider. The provider then pursues collection or writes off the bad debt.
Do BNPL providers report payment history to credit bureaus?
Klarna reports to credit bureaus in some markets; Afterpay does not. Check the provider's policy in your jurisdiction before recommending it to payment-conscious customers.