📦 Best Buy Now, Pay Later Services in the USA (For Shopify Stores)

Summary:

This article covers the top "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) services available for Shopify stores in the USA. It compares major providers like Shop Pay Installments, Affirm, Afterpay, Sezzle, Klarna, PayPal Pay in 3, and Zip, highlighting their unique features, integration ease, fees, and benefits. Ideal for store owners looking to increase average order value, attract more customers, and reduce cart abandonment, this guide also emphasizes responsible use and best practices to help customers make informed financial decisions.

Why offer BNPL on your Shopify store?

- 📈 Increase Average Order Value — Customers can afford larger carts when payments are split over time.

- ✅ Lower Cart Abandonment — Offering installment options reduces hesitation at checkout.

- 🎯 Attract New Customer Segments — Appeals to those without or wary of traditional credit cards.

However, be aware of rising concerns around consumer debt and spending habits

1. Shop Pay Installments (Powered by Affirm)

What it is:
Shopify’s native BNPL Shop Pay, powered by Affirm, lets customers split purchases into interest-free payments—4 over 6 weeks or monthly plans up to 24 months.

Why it’s great:

- Full integration with Shopify and Shop Pay

- Zero late fees, transparent terms

- Boosts AOV by up to 50% and reduces abandoned carts by ~28% 

- Merchant benefit: funds deposited in full upfront

Considerations:

- US‑only (Canada rollout underway)

- Processing fees slightly higher than external BNPL options

Integration steps:

1. Go to Settings → Payments in Shopify Admin

2. Locate Shop Pay Installments, click Manage

3. Follow prompts to enable Affirm-powered BNPL 

4. Add messaging banners and installment previews to product pages

5. Thoroughly test checkout flow

2. Affirm

What it is:
Affirm Is A leading independent BNPL provider in the U.S., founded in 2012. As of early 2025, Affirm boasts ~22 million users and $28B in annual payments 

Why it rocks:

- Flexible installment options (monthly and bi-weekly)

- No hidden fees

- Trusted brand with wide acceptance

Considerations:

- Interest may apply depending on plan

- Merchant fees involved

Integration:
Ideal via Shop Pay Installments. You can also install Affirm’s custom payment button with some dev input.

3. Afterpay

What it is:
Afterpay is An Australian-born BNPL giant (owned by Block, Inc.) with 24M users and $27B in transactions globally 

Why it stands out:

- 4-installment, interest-free model

- Strong brand recognition

- Seamless Shopify app and marketplace visibility

Considerations:

- Imposes merchant fees (~6–8%)

- Lower purchase caps may exist for high-priced items

Integration:
Simple Shopify app install; enables BNPL banner and checkout button.

4. Sezzle

What it is:
Sezzle Is A U.S.-based BNPL provider with ~3M users; features flexible payment rescheduling and dynamic underwriting 

Why it’s beneficial:

- Supports rescheduling payments

- May allow higher limits for good customers

- No impact on credit score for payments

Considerations:

- Requires external integration—not as seamless as Shopify’s native tools 

- Merchant fee: ~6.1% + $0.30 per order

Integration:
Add via Sezzle Shopify app or through custom code.

5. Klarna

What it is:
Klarna Is A European BNPL titan expanding heavily in the U.S.—offers installment, pay-in-4, and monthly payment options 

Why it shines:

- Flexible payment plans and physical card option

- Strong marketing and consumer awareness

- Integration plugin ready for Shopify

Considerations:

- Merchant fees in the mid‑single digits

- Interest or late fees may apply

Integration:
Use the verified Klarna Shopify app to embed pay-later options in checkout.

6. PayPal Pay in 3 / PayPal Credit

What it is:
PayPal's BNPL offering lets customers split purchases into 3 monthly payments or use revolving PayPal Credit 

Why choose it:

- No merchant fees beyond standard PayPal rates

- Leverages PayPal’s huge customer network

- Straightforward PayPal Checkout integration

Considerations:

- Strict cart eligibility rules

- Potential interest via revolving credit

Integration:
Enable the Pay in 3 option through your PayPal merchant settings.

7. Zip

What it is & Benefits:
Zip Is An emerging BNPL provider offering 4-installment plans at Best Buy and other retailers. Similar merchant fees as Afterpay/Sezzle.

Integration:
Requires Shopify app or custom integration.

✅ Integration Recommendations for Shopify

1. Start with Shop Pay Installments — easiest to enable with maximum integration quality.

2. Add Afterpay or Klarna — high recognition and easy app install.

3. Consider Sezzle or Zip for users who seek payment flexibility.

4. Enable PayPal’s BNPL if you’re already using PayPal Checkout.

🧠 Consumer Caution & Best Practices

- Many users use BNPL for essentials (e.g., groceries), not just discretionary goods.

- Risks of overspending: BNPL can mask true costs and encourage impulse buying.

- Financial literacy matters: Promote clear messaging on terms, late fees, and responsibly managing purchases.

📋 Setup Checklist

- Activate Shop Pay Installments via Settings → Payments

- Install other BNPL apps (Afterpay, Klarna, etc.)

- Add banners/widgets showing installment amounts

- Test checkout flow end-to-end

- Monitor performance: track AOV, abandonment rate, repeat customer behavior

Offering BNPL options like Shop Pay Installments, Afterpay, and Klarna can significantly enhance your Shopify store's checkout flexibility and conversion rates. Just be sure to balance convenience with consumer mindfulness.