Buy Now Pay Later Companies in Australia: provider comparisons, how to sign up and tips to manage a BNPL account

Logos of buy now pay later providers in Australia

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) has become a popular payment method for Australians in recent years. In fact, recent Mozo research suggests that a large chunk of Aussie BNPL users (42%) already have at least one account that they've been using for three or more years.

There are multiple BNPL providers available in Australia. If used responsibly, BNPL can be a helpful budgeting tool, but like any new money-related innovation, it’s important to understand all of the ins and outs before you sign up.

What is BNPL?

Buy Now Pay Later services allow users to purchase a product or service at a shop or online, and pay it back in interest free instalments. Buy Now Pay Later services allow users to purchase a product or service at a shop or online, and pay it back in interest free instalments.

Interestingly, this concept isn’t new. You might recall traditional ‘lay-by’ services, in which you pay for goods in two or three instalments, and do not receive the goods until the full price has been paid.

The difference between Buy-now-pay-later and lay-by is that customers who use BNPL services receive their items instantly and they make instalment repayments to the BNPL service provider, not the store that the goods are purchased from.

How does Buy Now Pay Later work?

When you sign up to a BNPL company and are approved, you can either link your debit or credit card to your account. From there, you will be allocated an account limit, a fixed repayment schedule for future purchases and have access to the app where you can manage and make your repayments. 

To use it at the checkout, all you need to do is select Buy Now Pay Later as your payment method. If you are shopping online, you may be redirected to your BNPL’s website to complete your purchase. And if you’re choosing to use it in-store, you may need to make your purchase via a purchase code on the company’s app. 

With nearly every major banking institution having its own BNPL service now, many options for checkout simply require you to enter the number of a virtual card. In the case of PayPal Pay in 4, you will checkout as normal with PayPal and then opt for a Pay in 4 contract over your standard PayPal payment.

Regardless of the BNPL provider you choose, your repayments are then automatically deducted from your nominated bank account or card to a pre-determined schedule. Many BNPL companies also give you the option to make your repayments earlier.

BNPL-guide-01

Buy Now Pay Later providers in Australia

Buy Now, Pay Later providers in Australia

Mozo may receive payment if you click to the website of one of the products below. Mozo does not compare the entire market.
Important disclosures
Zip
  • Flexible to match your spending needs - Zip Pay for amounts between $350 - $1,000, Zip Plus for amounts between $2,000 - $4,000, and Zip Money for amounts $1,000 - $5,000
  • Flexible repayment plans offered
  • $9.95 monthly account fee (waived if you pay your balance in full each month)
Find out more

BNPL giant Zip* has more than 2 million customers across Australia and New Zealand and is available to use across thousands of retailers both in-store and online.

Its Zip Pay option is available for purchases from $350 to $1,000, the new Zip Plus option is for purchases between $2,000 to $4,000, and Zip Money is available for those spending between $1,000 - $5,000 for regular customers.

Zip Pay is interest free and has no establishment fee. Zip Plus is interest free on balances under $1,500 at the end of each month, otherwise a 12.95% p.a. interest rate applies. Meanwhile, Zip Money has a one off establishment fee for new customers, which depends on the amount you spend through the BNPL service. The Zip Money account also charges interest at a variable rate of 25.9% p.a. after an initial 3 months interest free period (this may be extended by the retailer).

For both services, you'll be able to choose between weekly, fortnightly and monthly payment options. Repayments start at $10/week for Zip Pay, $20/week for Zip Plus, and $10/week or 3% of your balance owing (whichever is greater) for Zip Money. 

Customers that pay their closing balance in full each month will have the $9.95 monthly fee waived.

Zip offers easy in-store and online payments anywhere that Visa is accepted, added to your Apple Pay or Google Pay account.

Afterpay
  • Maximum account limit of $600
  • No interest. Four equal fortnightly payments.
  • Minimum $10 late fee
Find out more

Afterpay is one of, if not the biggest Buy Now, Pay Later services in Australia, allowing users to make purchases at thousands of stores online and offline nationally. Afterpay customers can split up a single purchase into four interest-free fortnightly instalments. An easy-to-use app allows customers to pay in store or online, manage their orders, get repayment notifications and stay up-to-date on retailers available via the platform. Afterpay took out an award in the 2023 Mozo People's Choice Awards for Buy Now Pay Later, with a for Best Range of Retailers. You can also get discounts on various travel and experiences if you book with Afterpay. At the moment, you can get $30 off if you refer a friend.

PayPal Pay in 4
  • Pay in 4 equal interest-free instalments
  • No sign-up fee, late fees, or ongoing fees
  • Available at millions of merchants - anywhere paypal can be used
Find out more

The BNPL service lets customers make online purchases in four interest-free instalments paid off fortnightly. Not only is Pay in 4 backed by PayPal (meaning you get the same security and buyer protection as you would with PayPal), but the service is available for use with millions of different merchants online and globally. On top of this, there is no sign-up fee, nor ongoing or late fees for existing users of PayPal. Plus, this BNPL service even took out a 2022 Mozo Experts Choice Buy Now Pay Later Award in the Small Purchases category*, as well as 2023 Mozo People's Choice Buy Now Pay Later Awards for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction, Best Value for Money, and Most Recommended.

Klarna
  • 'One-time card' maximum of $1000
  • Rewards club and price drop tracking
Find out more

Klarna originated in Sweden in 2005 and was introduced to Aussie shoppers through the help of CommBank in 2020. A standout feature of Klarna is that customers can pay through the app at any store, via its ‘one-time card’ feature. Purchases split into 4 payments, paid every two weeks. The app also gives you access to exclusive deals and earn rewards plus price tracking means there could be times you don’t have to pay full price.

Payright
  • Make purchases up to $20,000
  • Terms of up to 36 months interest free
  • Fortnightly or monthly instalment options
Find out more

Payright is a BNPL loan option which allows you to turn one big payment of up to $20,000 into smaller interest free installments. Because of this, Payright will conduct a credit check to ensure your repayment capacity. You can choose between fortnightly or monthly installments with a payback term of up to 36 months. There are some fees to consider so depending on the size of the purchase you might have to pay account establishment fee (maximum $89.95). There is also a $3.50 monthly account and a $2.95 payment processing fee which is added to each payment. Any establishment, repeat payment, or processing fees are capped at $200 in the first 12 months of your plan or $125 in any subsequent 12 month period.

Brighte
  • Up to $45,000 for homeowners
  • Fortnightly repayments from 6 - 60 months
Find out more

A 0% interest payment plan available to Australian homeowners for home improvement projects like solar or battery installation, or kitchen and bathroom renos. Brighte has no early repayment or payout fees. Homeowners can borrow up to $45,000. Included in your fortnightly repayments is a $2.15 per week account keeping fee and a late fee of $4.99 if you miss a payment but this is capped at $49.90 a year.

More Buy Now Pay Later options:

  • Humm: The Big Things account can go up to $30,000 over 3 to 72 months. Some fees to consider such as an $8 monthly fee when purchases are spread out over 10 or more payments and a $6 late payment fee. The Big Things account also has an account establishment fee which ranges from $30-$110, or a $29 repeat purchase fee applies if you've used Humm before. 
  • LayBuy: Not to be confused with the old school lay-by, with BNPL LayBuy you can own what you want now and split up the payments across six weeks, interest-free. There’s a $10 late fee if a scheduled payment is declined. Shop online or in-store.
  • Pay It Later: Shop like normal at your usual store and at the checkout select pay it later then set up an account and make your first payment. Pay purchases off in four instalments and similar to other BNPL platforms if you miss a payment a $10 late fee applies.

BNPL credit cards with 0% purchase rates

Credit cards with 0% interest instalment plans

Similar to the way that buy now pay later providers allow you to pay off purchases in instalments, a number of banks and financial institutions in Australia offer credit cards with 0% interest instalment options. Instead, most of these will require you to make a monthly payment, paying back your purchases gradually in the same way you would with a BNPL plan.

Here’s a look at some of these:

Mozo may receive payment if you click to the website of one of the products below. Mozo does not compare the entire market.
Important disclosures
NAB StraightUp Card
  • 0% interest on purchases
  • Max credit limit $3000
Find out more

What you need to know: With the Straight Up card from NAB you can make purchases wherever Visa is accepted and you won’t pay any interest. There are three credit limits ($1000, $2000 and $3000) and each one comes with a fixed monthly fee ($10, $15 and $20) and minimum monthly repayment. If your balance is $0 during the whole statement period the monthly fee will be waived. There are no foreign transaction fees giving you freedom to shop internationally fee free and no late payment fees. You can apply online and get a response within 60 seconds.

American Express Low Rate Credit Card
  • Plan IT Instalment option
  • Up to 55 days interest free
  • No annual fee
Find out more

What you need to know: Taking 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Awards^ for best Low Rate Credit Card and best No Annual Fee Credit Card, with the AMEX Low Rate card, you’ll get up to 55 days interest free if you pay your balance off in full each month. The standard purchase rate is a low 10.99% and cardholders have the option to use Plan it, which gives you the flexibility to pay off your balance in monthly instalments with 0% p.a. interest at a fixed monthly fee. There is a $30 late payment fee to consider and a 3% foreign exchange margin. You’ll need to be over 18 years of age to be eligible.

humm90 Mastercard
  • Up to 110 day interest free on your spending
  • Additional 9, 12 or 15 month installment plan option for purchases over $250
  • No foreign transaction fees on overseas purchases
Find out more

What you need to know: The humm90 card has several ways that you can skip interest payments. Firstly, if you pay off your balance in full each month you’ll get up to 110 days interest free on eligible purchases. Plus for eligible purchases over $250 there is the option to convert these to an interest free instalment plan over 9, 12 or 15 months, but you will pay a fee which is a percentage of the purchase amount. Be sure to set up automatic repayments with this card because if you fail to make the required repayments for any option, the outstanding balance will revert to the purchase rate, which is currently 25.80%. Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees on overseas purchases, and complimentary insurances such as price and purchase protection. The annual fee is $99.

Pros and Cons of Buy Now Pay Later

BNPL sounds like a handy payment method to have in your back pocket, but you might be wondering if there’s more to this service than meets the eye. As with any financial service, it's important to be aware of all of the pros and cons of Buy Now Pay Later.

Possibly the biggest pro of Buy Now, Pay Later is that unlike a credit card, you won’t incur any interest for your purchases. It’s also pretty easy to sign up and be approved for, as most platforms don’t require a credit check when you sign up, making it widely accessible for Australians over the age of 18.

It can be easy to manage as well, with many BNPLs featuring a smartphone app where users can manage their repayments, view upcoming repayments and purchase items. Some BNPLs, including Klarna and Afterpay, also reward users with discounts and coupons to various retailers or exclusive sale events.

But like any kind of credit or have now, pay later option, there is the potential to get yourself into debt or financial difficulty. It’s also worth mentioning that if you miss an instalment payment, most providers will charge you a late payment fee. The amount will depend on the BNPL provider but is usually $7-$10 on top of your instalment.

When you sign up for a BNPL account, you will need to link a bank or credit card account for payments. This means that it is important that you keep on top of the instalment dates and always have money in your account to make your payments. If not, you could be hit with a late payment fee by the BNPL provider as well as a potential overdrawn account fee from your bank.

BNPL-guide-02

Which is the best BNPL?





Which is the best Buy Now Pay Later company in Australia?

This is up to you to decide, as the ‘best’ option for you will depend on how you intend to use your BNPL account.

In saying that, Mozo's expert judges weighed up 32 buy now pay later services to find the best options as part of the Mozo Experts Choice Awards. They determined the winners in terms of fees, flexibility and availability, across three different categories: Small Purchases, Major Purchases & Credit Card Payment Plan.

Here's which BNPL providers came out on top:

Small Purchases:Citi's Spot
NAB Buy Now Pay Later
Major Purchases:humm 'Big Things'
Credit Card Payment Plan:Bankwest

We also feel that it's important to ask everyday Aussies about their experiences and preferences when it comes to a service like Buy Now Pay Later. The Mozo People's Choice Awards are an annual survey of Australians to find out which brands and products come out on top. In 2023, Mozo asked 2,660 Aussies for their thoughts on Buy Now Pay Later providers to find out which were the popular picks.

Of 25 brands surveyed, these were the ones that stood out:

Outstanding Customer SatisfactionPayPal Pay in 4
Range of RetailersAfterpay
Value for MoneyPayPal Pay in 4
Most RecommendedPayPal Pay in 4

When choosing which provider suits you, it’s important to ask yourself things like whether you’ll be using Buy Now Pay Later for online shopping or larger purchases only. This is because some BNPL companies can charge fees based on the size of your purchase or may ask you to pay an ongoing monthly service fee.

You might also want to select a BNPL option based on their instalment schedule because it can guarantee you’ll make your repayments on time. For instance, fortnightly instalments might suit you best if you receive your pay check every two weeks.

If you’d like to find out which Buy Now Pay Later company could be the best pick for you, check out our handy BNPL breakdown.

How do I choose the best Buy Now Pay Later company?

To answer this question, you will need to ask yourself how you intend to use it. Are you only looking to use it once or twice a month? Will it be used for smaller or larger purchases? Are you comfortable with weekly or fortnightly payments? What kind of account limit do you need?

No BNPL company is the same, so it’s up to you to do your research and compare your options to find the service that’s right for you. For inspiration, you might want to start with our Mozo Expert's Choice Awards and Mozo People's Choice Awards - and to do your own research into the options available.


Which Buy Now Pay Later is the best for online shopping?

Since BNPL is a digital product, it’s hard to find a service that doesn’t mesh well with online shopping. One thing to keep in mind though, is that online retailers may not accept all BNPL services, so be sure to make sure your BNPL payment will be accepted before you checkout.

Which BNPL is best for expensive items?

One of the great things about having a range of BNPL companies in Australia is that there is an option for every kind of shopper. If you are planning to use BNPL for larger types of spending, here are three companies to look at:

Humm:

  • Account limit of between $2,000 to $30,000 (for Big Things)
  • Number of instalments depends on the size of the purchase 
  • $8 monthly fee for purchases that require more than ten instalments

Openpay:

  • Maximum account limit of $3,000 
  • Weekly or fortnightly instalments 
  • Establishment fee may be charged based on the size of your purchase

Payright:

  • Maximum account limit of $10,000 
  • Establishment or service fee may be charged (depending on purchase size) 
  • Credit check performed before purchases are made

Which Buy Now Pay Later is the best for electronics?

Generally, BNPL companies have a store directory available on their website that displays every retailer that accepts the service as a payment method. These lists allow you to filter through categories, like fashion, beauty and even electronics, allowing you to determine the BNPL that may be best suited for your spending needs.

For instance, some of the electronic retailers that accept Afterpay include:

  • Kogan
  • Bing Lee
  • Big W 
  • Godfreys

Must-have information about Buy Now Pay Later

How are Aussies using Buy Now, Pay Later?

There are many ways to use BNPL, whether you opt for online or in-store. According to Mozo's research, customers are primarily using these types of platforms to buy things like clothing and shoes, making up 28% of BNPL purchases. Although fewer than the number of people in headline categories, a portion of the population uses BNPL to pay for more critical services, like bills or utilities (6%) and medical expenses (3%).

For more of the latest stats and BNPL trends check out Mozo's 2022 Buy Now Pay Later Report.

Does Buy Now Pay Later impact your credit score?

Typically? No. But it can if things get out of hand.

Additionally, some BNPLs have the right to report any negative actions on your account, such as missed payments to credit agencies, which can leave a mark on your credit history.

There is growing regulation in the Buy Now Pay Later space, and money spent on BNPL should be treated as borrowed money until it has been paid off - missed and late payments can have a lasting influence on your future borrowing power.

Can I use Buy Now Pay Later services anywhere?

Buy Now, Pay Later is widely available in Australia and can be used either in store or online, however it’s worth noting that not all retailers accept BNPL as a form of payment. And for the retailers that do, they might not allow all BNPL platforms to be used. For instance, at online store The Iconic, only Afterpay is permitted.

Because Afterpay is one of the largest BNPL companies, it is an accepted payment method at almost all online and in-store retailers.

Most stores will have the BNPL options listed at either the online checkout or at the register.

However, some BNPL companies, like Klarna and Zip Pay, have the infrastructure that gives customers the ability to shop at any store.

What kinds of fees and charges could I have to pay with Buy Now, Pay Later?

This will depend on the type of BNPL service you sign up for. While you won’t be charged interest some of the most common fees include:

  • Monthly fees: Many BNPL services who cater to larger size purchases may charge a monthly account fee, which can range from $8 - $10 a month. 
    Late payment fees: 
    This is a fee you will be charged if you miss a payment. It’s important to keep in mind that some BNPL services can charge more than one late payment fee if you continue to default on a payment. 
    Establishment fees:
     In some cases, you could be charged a one-off establishment fee to set up your account. 
    Service fees:
     For bigger types of spending, you may be subjected to pay a service fee, which is the cost to set up your purchase.

If you choose to link your credit card to your account and miss your monthly repayment, you could start to accrue interest on your BNPL spending. And if this becomes an unfortunate habit on your behalf, it could negatively impact your credit score.

What information do I need to provide to set up a BNPL account?

Every Buy Now, Pay Later platform will have their own requirements when a customer wants to set up an account, but we’ve jotted down the most common information you might be asked to provide:

  • Proof you are over the age of 18 through a valid form of ID
  • The details of your debit or credit card you want to link your account with 
  • Your email address or phone number 
  • Your billing information and address

A BNPL provider may also conduct a credit check. If you have a bad credit score and a record of not making payments, you may be rejected for a BNPL account or given a smaller credit limit to start with. It is possible to improve your credit score, so don't get dejected!

Can I trust Buy Now, Pay Later?

In January 2020, BNPL platforms were called upon to sign a ‘Code of Conduct’ issued by the Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA), which would come into effect March 2021.

Inside the code are the minimum standards BNPL firms must practice as well as other guidelines around late payment fees, age restrictions and how to manage customers experiencing financial hardship.

However, ASIC says that as BNPL services continue to grow, more legislation will need to be introduced. As of October 2021, BNPL companies must comply with the regulator’s ‘design and distribution obligations’, which involves regularly assessing whether their products are a good fit for a customer.

In June 2022, New financial services minister Stephen Jones has confirmed that the government plans to bring in regulators to the BNPL market.

Is Buy Now Pay Later safe?

Like any new digital payment method that hits the market, there are often concerns around security. Let’s start with what personal information is collected.

Buy Now Pay Later companies like Afterpay, Zip and Humm collect things like:

  • Your contact information: might mean your name, residential or business address, phone number or email address. 
    Your personal information: may include your date of birth, drivers license and other identifying information. 
    Your financial information: might consist of your bank account, credit or debit card details, current income and financial status.

To keep your personal details safe and secure, BNPL companies conduct frequent software security checks. Many also protect their customers through a two-factor authentication measure, which means two different passwords are required to access the account.

BNPL tips

Tips for using BNPL responsibly

Although the idea of never having to pay interest might sound like a shopper’s dream, Buy Now, Pay Later users still need to use the service responsibly. To help keep spending under control while using BNPL, we’ve jotted down four, quick tips.

  • Only use one platform: While Aussies may be spoilt for choice when it comes to BNPL, it’s best to only use one platform. Juggling multiple payments for different platforms can be tricky to keep up with and may see you spend beyond your means.
  • Opt for a service with minimal fees: Many shoppers choose to use BNPL to save on costs, like interest. In this case, try to opt for a platform that charges minimal or zero fees for having an account. 
  • Set reminders for upcoming payments: Although some BNPL platforms do send payment reminders to customers, it’s still worth setting up your own reminders to ensure you are not charged a late payment fee. You can do this on your phone or marking it in your calendar. 
  • Be realistic about your repayment capacity: If you are planning on having multiple BNPL purchases on your account, just be sure you have enough wiggle room in your budget to do so.

What happens if I get into financial trouble?

Financial hardship can happen to anyone and it’s important to know what to do if you get into financial trouble managing your BNPL account.

Most BNPL platforms will have a financial hardship program, so your first step should be to get in touch with them as soon as you realise that you will not be able to make a payment. They might be able to help you to sort out a temporary solution based on your circumstance. Some options could include pausing or rescheduling repayments for an agreed time or waiving fees.

However, if your financial problems go beyond just managing your BNPL account and you’d like more assistance around managing money, a financial counsellor can give you free, confidential advice about how you can get things back on track. More information on free financial counselling can be found at MoneySmart .

If you're interested on the numbers around Buy Now Pay Later, you might want to check out our Buy Now Pay Later report page for further information.

Afterpay FAQ

What is Afterpay?

Afterpay is one of the biggest Buy Now Pay Later companies in Australia and was launched in 2014. According to Afterpay’s most recent half-year financial results, as of February 2020, the company has over 3 million active users in Australia alone.

How does Afterpay make money?

Just in case you weren’t aware, Afterpay does not charge its customers any ongoing or application fees to use the service. Instead, the BNPL generates profit in two ways: the fees it charges participating retailers and the late payment fees it charges customers.

More specifically, an ASIC BNPL market update report revealed that 80% of Afterpay’s revenue during the 2018/19 financial year came from merchant fees, while the remaining 20% was from late payment fees.

Zip Pay and Zip Money FAQ

Is Zip Pay safe?

Yes, Zip and its products are subject to many laws and regulations, like the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), which protects individuals’ privacy and regulates Australian organisations with an annual turnover of more than $3 million.

In terms of protecting your personal information stores within the app, like other BNPL companies, Zip Pay conducts regular security maintenance checks within the app or on its website to make sure that its security is performing correctly.

Is Zip Pay free?

No, Zip Pay is not free to use; however, it is the more budget-friendly alternative to Zip Money. Although Zip Pay never charges interest for purchases, customers are charged a $9.95 monthly account fee (and is subject to change). But if you manage to keep your balance cleared, the fee is waived.

What are Zip's terms and conditions?

According to Zip's website, their terms are as follows:

Zip Pay: Minimum monthly repayments are required. A monthly account fee of $9.95 applies. This fee is waived each month you pay your statement closing balance, in full, by the due date. Available to approved applicants only. T&Cs apply. Zip Money: Available to approved applicants only. Minimum monthly repayments are required. Paying only the minimum monthly repayment amount will generally not repay out the purchase within the interest free period. Any balance outstanding at the expiry of the interest free period will be charged at the standard variable rate, 25.9% per annum. A $9.95 monthly account fee applies. A one-off establishment fee may apply for new customers. Terms & Conditions apply and are available on application. See your contract for further details. Credit provided by ZipMoney Payments Pty Ltd (ABN 58 164 440 993, Australian Credit Licence Number 441878). T&Cs apply.


^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Buy Now Pay Later Awards

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