Alternatives to Afterpay – 13 Best Payment Platform Options

Afterpay is a buy now pay later platform for businesses that want to offer flexible payment plans to their customers. Once someone makes an initial payment with Afterpay, they’ll be able to pay for the rest of the purchase through installments every two weeks. Afterpay splits each purchase’s cost into four equal payments, creating a flexible payment arrangement for your customers.

Although Afterpay may help you increase your conversion rate and is a more suitable payment method for online retailers, there are things to look out for. For example, Afterpay comes with late payment fees and doesn’t give you the option to choose when you pay for the purchase. Furthermore, there are minimal credit or debit card checks and spending limits that may apply. 

We did the research and found that there are 13 best alternatives to Afterpay that will help you increase your conversion rate and allow more payment options to customers. Some of these platforms may come with more discount opportunities, money management tools, or the chance to pick the timeline of how your customer will pay. 

Best Alternatives To Afterpay

A solid payment platform can be crucial whether you’re starting a big business like a catering company or something smaller such as a dog walking business. By using one of the platforms below to accept payments, you’ll be able to expand globally, manage your finances in one application, and draw in more customers. So whether you’re looking to transfer money internationally, a cost interest-free program, or offer contactless payments in your store, the platforms below are worth looking into. 

1. Paypal Credit

PayPal Credit is a more widely used alternative to Afterpay that enables businesses and individual users to send and receive payments. This leading payment platform, compared to Afterpay, offers better usage coverage on a broader range of website categories, including Lifestyle, Technology, and more. It is also used by major retailers, like Wal-Mart, eBay, etc.

PayPal Credit is a revolving credit line that allows users to buy products without immediately paying the purchase price. The platform lets them hold off paying for items for up to six months and they don’t have to pay interest. This makes it one of the best alternatives with flexible payment options.

However, unlike Afterpay, PayPal requires credit approval to join the platform. You will provide your date of birth, income after taxes, the last digit of your social security number, and agree to the terms and conditions. If approved, you will get notified within minutes. This platform is best suited to individuals than businesses.

2. FuturePay

If you like online shopping but don’t have money in your bank account to fund it, try this platform. FuturePay is a payment processing platform that lets customers pay later on for items they have just bought. So a customer checks out and chooses to pay later as FuturePay does not require a credit card.

FuturePay does not have any hidden fees and doesn’t conduct credit checks like PayPal Credit but you have to stick to the monthly credit limit. If you have a cash flow problem, you can pay the balance with as little as $25 monthly until you pay in full.

If you want to skip installment payments and pay in full, you can. FuturePay also lets you skip a month’s payment. However, for $50 you move to a new month and the platform charge interest of $1.50. The best thing about this platform is that there is no fixed period to pay. You chose how and when.

However, unlike Afterpay which gives four interest-free installments, FuturePay is not as popular. This is because it is primarily for businesses looking to offer more flexible payment options.

3. Venmo

People who like to shop online instead of in physical stores, use Venmo. It is a mobile app and payment processing platform that lets users request, send and receive payments. Unlike Afterpay, this payment gateway offers better usability on Amazon, PayPal support, and instant transfers.

4. TransferWise

TransferWise is one of the biggest payment platforms. It is a web-based transfer service that supports over 750 currencies. If you want to transfer money internationally, TransferWise is a great payment platform.

With TransferWise, you can create a multi-currency account and get notifications on your phone when you receive new payments. You can also transfer money from your bank account. The platform charges no hidden costs has debit card options, and you pay reasonable transaction fees.

While Afterpay focuses on letting users buy now and pay later, TransferWise allows users to transfer money internationally. As a result, TransferWise is better suited for individuals than large companies. 

5. Sezzle

Sezzle, like the above-mentioned services, is a payment platform that lets online shoppers buy now and pay later from an online store. You pay installments, making four interest-free payments over six weeks. If you want to offer more payment solutions to your customers, Sezzle is a great platform to look into. 

While Afterpay requires a 25% upfront payment, Sezzle does not always require an upfront payment. Finally, the four payments plan gives customers a longer period to pay in full.

6. Affirm

If you’re looking for a buy now, pay later option for larger purchases, Affirm is an excellent platform. With Affirm, e-commerce platforms give customers the opportunity to buy now and spread the payment for 3, 6, or 12 months. You can schedule monthly installments for up to 18 months.

The best part is that the platform charges zero interest on large or medium-sized purchases. Affirm has an attractive website and offers an easy checkout process. For example, after making purchases from supported retailers, choose the Affirm option when checking out.

Next, you will undergo an approval process. During the application process, Affirm conducts a soft check of your credit history. But this review does not show up on your credit report or affect your credit score.

Unlike Afterpay, Affirm lets you choose between three options for the payment schedule. Therefore, if you want more flexible Afterpay alternatives, Affirm is a great choice. 

7. ViaBill

ViaBill is a payment platform that targets businesses that gives customers a buy now and pay later through interest-free installments. If your customer chooses to buy and make scheduled payments, ViaBill allows them to pay it off through monthly fees.

The payment terms are flexible and it is a great option for those living in the United States and Denmark. It allows buyers to pay for items in four installments, with the first payment having a $300 limit (25% upfront fee). However, instead of paying monthly, ViaBill charges upcoming payments on the last banking day of each money.

This gives the platform users enough time to save money for the remaining balance. Like Afterpay, ViaBill does not charge hidden or interest fees. Also, since it allows automated payments, it deducts the money using the registered payment method. So, there is no room for late payments or late fees.

If you run an online shop or Shopify store, ViaBill is the best platform.

8. Stripe

Stripe is a popular payment technology made specifically for online businesses. Whether you’re a small business or a large company, using Stripe as your payment platform will help you receive money, manage your finances, and give customers more payment options.

Unlike Afterpay, Stripe offers instant transfers, Google Pay support, Apple Pay support, and international transaction policies. 

9. Square

If you want to start offering contactless payments, Square is the perfect payment platform. With Square, you can accept every expense from your customers, transfer money fast, and avoid refund fees. 

If you’re searching for an Afterpay alternative that has more discounts, brand recognition, and instant transfer opportunities, Square is the perfect pick. 

10. Braintree

With Braintree, you can reach more buyers by offering more payment solutions. Braintree is an online payment platform that lets you accept Venmo, credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and more digital wallets all at once.

While Afterpay is a great payment platform for lifestyle and e-commerce businesses, Braintree is suited for any industry, especially companies looking to expand globally. 

11. Clover

If you need a credit card processor for your small business, Clover is the perfect platform. Clover is a POS system and credit card processor that lets you build a customized point of sale system. 

Unlike Afterpay, Clover offers both free and paid plans. However, while Afterpay is an excellent platform for large businesses, Clover is best suited for smaller companies. 

12. Apple Pay

Apple Pay is a popular digital wallet service that lets you make contactless payments in offline stores and online. If you want to make cashless payments or stop using your physical credit/debit card, Apple Pay is the perfect platform for you and your customers.

While Afterpay is a buy now pay later platform, Apple Pay is a digital wallet that helps the authorized holder make contactless purchases. As a result, Apple Pay is best suited for individuals, while Afterpay is best suited for businesses that want to offer more payment options to their customers. 

13. Skrill

Skrill is a digital wallet and money transfer service. With Skrill, you can accept secure, instant payments from your customers. Unlike Afterpay, Skrill lets your customers pay in full right away. Skrill also lets you open an account for free. So if you’re looking for an e-wallet application, Skrill is the perfect platform for you. 

Final Conclusions: Afterpay Alternatives

The Afterpay alternatives above offer various features that will help you deliver more payment solutions and draw more customers. By using the platforms above, you may be able to track customers’ payments, let them pay periodically, and attract more customers overall. 

Do you need more alternative choices? Read our articles on best alternatives to Mint App and best alternatives to Quicken.