Klarna Review: Is It the Right ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Platform for You?

By Cynthia Bowman

August 20, 2022

GOBankingRates Score

4.8

SCORE

GOBankingRates Best Banks 2023 scores and rankings are objectively determined by our research/editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors that differ from category to category depending on what consumers want from varying products and banks.

Quick Take: It used to be that if you didn't have the funds to pay for something, like a piece of jewelry, you could put it on layaway. Every couple of weeks, you would bring the store money and they'd hold on to your item until you caught up to the sticker price and took it home. A few decades later, the customer's experience is significantly easier thanks to the concept of "buy now, pay later." Klarna taps into the desire to shop at all the trendy stores without feeling much or any burn in the wallet for at least a couple of weeks. The following review of Klarna's different features will walk you through how best to use the service.

• Fees
  4.9
• Qualification Requirements
  4.7
• Availability of Retailers
  4.8
• Loan Amount
  4.7

How did we calculate this?

Klarna Overview

Klarna is a digital shopping platform that allows for flexible payment terms. Users can shop in-store, in-app or online. There are a few payment plans available, so a user can select the one that best fits their needs and preferences, including the option to buy now and pay later.

If you choose the Pay in 4 option, the purchase will be split into four installments. For example, if you’re making a $100 purchase, you’ll pay the first installment of $25 at the time of purchase and the remaining three installments every two weeks. Pay in 30 Days gives users a full month to try items on at home, interest-free and pay for what they keep. Payment is not required at checkout.

Key Features

Here’s a look at some of the features that Klarna offers its users.

Fees

Klarna doesn’t charge any annual fee to use the service. Plus, the Pay in 4 and Pay in 30 Days options don’t charge any fees or finance charges either. As long as you make a payment on time every two weeks, you can avoid a late fee of $7 with the Pay in 4 option.

Qualification Requirements

To qualify for Klarna, you’ll need to sign up for the service. Downloading the app is the simplest way. Once you do, create an account. If you choose to use Klarna for a Pay in 4 purchase, a soft credit check that doesn’t affect your credit score will be performed before you get approved.

Availability of Retailers

Klarna’s availability is fairly widespread if you typically shop at major retailers. There are over 400 retail partners you can shop with online or in-store. They include major stores such as Nike, Sephora, Wayfair, Saks Fifth Avenue and Shein.

Loan Amount

Klarna doesn’t define a preset spending limit. Each purchase is analyzed on an individual basis for approval. For larger loans, Klarna Financing is available through its partnership with FDIC-insured WebBank. It comes with longer payment terms of up to 24 months, with payments due each month, but you’ll be assessed finance charges of up to 29.99% APR.

How Klarna Stands Out

Klarna has its own free-to-join loyalty program for frequent shoppers. For every dollar they spend with Klarna, users earn 1 point. Points add up and can be turned into rewards. Members have access to exclusive retail offerings, deals and special content. Unique experiences may be added to the mix soon.

For added security, users who know they’re going to shop with Klarna can create a one-time card. Each card has a unique identifier, just like a regular credit card would. One-time cards expire after 24 hours, and once used, they follow their own payment plans.

Comparable Buy Now, Pay Later Options

There are other buy now, pay later apps on the market. Here’s a look at a couple of alternatives you might consider.

Klarna vs. Zip

Unlike Klarna, which only works with participating retailers, Zip — formerly known as Quadpay — is accepted at any retailer that accepts Visa. However, convenience comes with a fee. You’ll need to pay a fee of $1 per installment payment.

Klarna vs. Afterpay

Klarna and Afterpay both work with a list of participating retailers, both online and in-store, and let users pay in four installments. However, unlike Afterpay, Klarna also offers additional payment options to choose from. Afterpay does not charge interest on its four-installment plan, but it does impose a late fee of up to $8 when applicable.

How To Sign Up for Klarna

To get started with Klarna, sign up for an account on the website or download the mobile app via the App Store or Google Play. Once your account is set up, simply elect to pay using Klarna at the participating retailer.

Who Klarna Is Best For

If you like to be on trend but are a work in progress when it comes to knowing what you can afford and sticking to a budget, Klarna can help. Get items to your home, evaluate what works with your wardrobe and current cash flow, and make decisions from there.

Or, for bigger purchases — for example, a parent purchasing a back-to-school wardrobe for multiple children or investing in new furnishings — Klarna’s buy now, pay later approach can provide a gentle way to meet the need of the moment with minimal stress.

Final Take

There are times when it’s convenient to split up a purchase, especially if your cash flow is tight. Klarna makes it low-cost and easy to do so, as long as you have somewhat decent credit. Each purchase up for consideration will be reviewed individually. And although a credit check is performed first, it’s a soft pull in most instances, which won’t affect your credit. 

Kelli Francis contributed to the reporting for this article.

Information is accurate as of Aug. 19, 2022.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.