Klarna vs Afterpay: Which BNPL is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of the two most popular Buy Now Pay Later services in America.
Klarna and Afterpay are the two biggest Buy Now Pay Later services in the US. Both offer interest-free installment payments, but they have important differences. Here's our expert comparison.
💡 Quick Summary
Klarna offers more payment options and 500K+ stores. Afterpay is simpler with stricter spending controls. Both are 0% interest with similar late fees.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Klarna | Afterpay |
|---|---|---|
| Partner Stores | 500,000+ | 100,000+ |
| Pay in 4 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pay in 30 Days | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Monthly Financing | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Virtual Card | ✓ Ghost Card | ✓ Afterpay Card |
| Interest Rate | 0% (Pay in 4) | 0% |
| Late Fee | Up to $7 | Up to $8 |
| Credit Check | Soft (Pay in 4) | Soft |
| Min Age | 18 | 18 |
| App Rating | 4.7★ | 4.9★ |
When to Choose Klarna
- You want more payment flexibility (Pay in 30, financing)
- You shop at stores only on Klarna
- You want higher spending limits
- You need longer financing for big purchases
When to Choose Afterpay
- You prefer simpler pay-in-4 only
- You want built-in spending controls
- You're new to BNPL and want simplicity
- You shop at Afterpay-exclusive stores
Our Verdict
Klarna wins for flexibility and store selection. Afterpay wins for simplicity and responsible spending features. Both are excellent choices - pick based on where you shop and how you prefer to pay.