Two different approaches to buy now, pay later. Which one fits your needs?
| Feature | Sezzle | Affirm |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Terms | 4 payments / 6 weeks only | 3-60 months |
| Interest Rate | 0% | 0-36% APR |
| Credit Check | Soft check only | Soft or Hard check |
| Late Fee | Up to $10 | $0 (No late fees) |
| Credit Building | ||
| Max Loan Amount | Based on limit (lower) | Up to $17,500 |
| Best For | Small purchases | Large purchases |
| Our Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
Completely different approaches. Sezzle is strictly a "Pay in 4" service with 6-week terms. Affirm is more like a personal loan with terms from 3 to 60 months — designed for larger purchases like furniture, electronics, or travel.
Sezzle wins for guaranteed 0% interest. Affirm offers 0% at some retailers, but most purchases have APR ranging from 0-36% depending on your creditworthiness and the merchant.
Affirm wins here — they never charge late fees. Sezzle charges up to $10 per missed payment. However, missing Affirm payments still hurts your credit score.
Affirm wins for big purchases. Affirm can finance purchases up to $17,500 with longer repayment terms. Sezzle is better suited for smaller, everyday purchases.
Sezzle is gentler. Sezzle only does soft credit checks. Affirm may do a hard credit pull for larger loans, which can temporarily lower your credit score.
You want guaranteed 0% interest, make smaller purchases, and want no hard credit checks.
You need to finance larger purchases, prefer no late fees, and don't mind potential interest charges.
These services target different needs. Use Sezzle for everyday shopping under $500. Use Affirm for big-ticket items like electronics, furniture, or travel where you need longer to pay.