Buy now, pay later (BNPL) has become a popular way to shop without paying the full purchase price upfront. Whether you’re buying clothes, furniture, electronics, or household essentials, many retailers offer payment plans that let you split your purchase into smaller installments.
But what if you’re worried about your credit score? The good news is that some buy now, pay later services allow you to shop without a hard credit check, meaning applying for certain payment plans won’t negatively affect your credit score.
Many popular stores accept BNPL services such as Klarna, Afterpay, PayPal, and Affirm. However, the credit-check policies depend on the payment provider and the type of financing you select.
Below are 15 stores where shoppers may be able to use buy now, pay later options without a hard credit inquiry.
What Is Buy Now Pay Later?
Buy now, pay later is a financing option that allows customers to purchase items immediately and pay for them over time.
One of the most common arrangements is called Pay in 4. Instead of paying the entire purchase price at checkout, you make four payments, usually spread over six weeks.
For example, if you purchase $200 worth of merchandise:
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| At checkout | $50 |
| Two weeks later | $50 |
| Four weeks later | $50 |
| Six weeks later | $50 |
| Total | $200 |
Many Pay in 4 plans are interest-free when payments are made on time. However, some providers charge late fees, and longer-term financing plans may charge interest.
Does Buy Now Pay Later Require a Credit Check?
Not necessarily. Some BNPL providers use a soft credit inquiry to determine eligibility, while others may evaluate your payment history and other financial information.
Here’s the difference:
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Soft credit check: Does not affect your credit score.
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Hard credit check: May temporarily lower your credit score and appears on your credit report.
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No credit check: The provider does not request a traditional credit inquiry, although it may use other methods to evaluate your eligibility.
It’s important to understand that no hard credit check does not mean guaranteed approval. BNPL providers can still decline applications based on eligibility requirements, payment history, outstanding balances, or other factors.
Also, some providers offer both short-term installment plans and longer-term loans. The short-term option may use only a soft inquiry, while another financing product from the same company may require a hard inquiry.
15 Buy Now Pay Later Stores With No Hard Credit Check
The following retailers offer, or have offered, BNPL options through providers whose eligible short-term plans may avoid hard credit inquiries. Availability can vary by customer, purchase, location, and checkout method.
1. Walmart
Walmart is one of the largest retailers offering buy now, pay later financing. Shoppers can purchase eligible electronics, furniture, home goods, and other merchandise using participating financing providers.
Walmart offers Affirm financing on qualifying purchases. Depending on the current checkout options, shoppers may also be able to use eligible BNPL virtual cards.
Affirm generally uses a soft credit inquiry to check eligibility, but certain products or circumstances may involve a hard inquiry. Be sure to review the terms before accepting an offer.
Best for: Electronics, furniture, appliances, and household essentials.
2. Target
Target shoppers can use eligible installment-payment services for purchases such as clothing, home decor, beauty products, and baby essentials.
Target has supported providers including Affirm, Afterpay, and PayPal Pay Later, although the available options can vary.
Afterpay’s standard Pay in 4 service generally does not require a hard credit check. Eligible PayPal Pay in 4 plans also use a soft credit check rather than a hard inquiry.
Best for: Clothing, beauty products, toys, and home decor.
3. Amazon
Amazon offers installment financing on qualifying purchases through available payment programs.
Affirm has been one of Amazon’s financing partners, allowing eligible customers to divide purchases into installments.
While Affirm typically uses a soft inquiry when evaluating applications, the exact credit-check policy depends on the financing product.
Amazon’s payment options may differ by item, customer, and checkout eligibility.
Best for: Electronics, home products, kitchen appliances, and everyday purchases.
4. Best Buy
If you’re shopping for electronics, Best Buy is another retailer worth checking for installment-payment options.
Best Buy has offered financing through providers such as Zip and other payment programs, depending on the checkout method and purchase.
Zip’s standard Pay in 4 application generally uses a soft credit check, although eligibility and applicable fees vary.
Best for: Computers, televisions, gaming equipment, and electronics.
5. Macy’s
Macy’s has offered Klarna as a buy now, pay later option for eligible purchases.
Klarna’s Pay in 4 service generally uses a soft credit check rather than a hard inquiry. Customers can divide qualifying purchases into four smaller payments.
Longer-term financing products may have different credit requirements.
Best for: Clothing, handbags, shoes, beauty products, and home goods.
6. Sephora
Sephora offers installment payment options for eligible beauty purchases, including makeup, skincare, fragrance, and hair products.
Sephora has supported Klarna and Afterpay, both of which offer short-term payment plans that use soft credit checks.
This can be helpful when purchasing higher-priced beauty products, but compare prices and look for sales before financing nonessential items.
Best for: Makeup, skincare, fragrance, and beauty tools.
7. Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty is another popular destination for shoppers looking to spread out the cost of beauty purchases.
Ulta has offered Afterpay for eligible purchases. Afterpay’s standard installment service uses a soft credit check that does not affect your credit score.
Shoppers can divide qualifying purchases into installments rather than paying the full amount at checkout.
Best for: Cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and salon-quality products.
8. Nike
Nike shoppers may be able to use Klarna or other eligible installment-payment methods to purchase athletic shoes, clothing, and accessories.
Klarna’s Pay in 4 plan generally uses a soft credit inquiry, allowing eligible customers to split purchases into four payments without a hard credit check.
Check the payment methods displayed at checkout, since options can vary.
Best for: Sneakers, workout clothing, and athletic accessories.
9. Adidas
Adidas offers shoppers access to flexible payment options through Klarna.
Klarna’s standard Pay in 4 option allows approved shoppers to divide purchases into four installments. The company states that its Pay in 4 credit check is soft and does not affect your credit score.
This can make it easier to plan payments for athletic shoes, sportswear, and other purchases.
Best for: Athletic footwear, sportswear, and accessories.
10. H&M
H&M has offered Klarna installment payments for eligible purchases.
Shoppers can browse affordable clothing, seasonal styles, accessories, and home items while checking whether a Pay in 4 option is available.
Although the payment plan may not require a hard credit check, sticking to a clothing budget is still important.
Best for: Budget-friendly fashion, children’s clothing, and accessories.
11. SHEIN
SHEIN has supported buy now, pay later providers such as Afterpay and Klarna.
Eligible shoppers may be able to divide purchases into installments using a short-term plan that does not require a hard credit inquiry.
Because SHEIN often sells lower-priced merchandise, it’s easy to add more items to your cart than you originally intended. Remember that splitting the payment doesn’t reduce the total purchase price.
Best for: Affordable clothing, accessories, and seasonal fashion.
12. Wayfair
Wayfair offers financing and installment-payment options for qualifying furniture and home purchases.
Shoppers may find options through providers such as Affirm, Klarna, or other financing partners, depending on eligibility and the current checkout experience.
Furniture purchases can be expensive, so pay close attention to the APR, payment schedule, and total cost before selecting a financing plan.
Best for: Furniture, mattresses, rugs, and home decor.
13. Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace for handmade products, personalized gifts, vintage merchandise, and unique home decor.
Etsy has offered Klarna payment options for eligible orders.
Klarna Pay in 4 can allow qualifying shoppers to spread out payments without a hard credit check. Availability may depend on the order and checkout requirements.
Best for: Personalized gifts, handmade items, and vintage finds.
14. Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus offers luxury fashion, designer accessories, beauty products, and home goods.
The retailer is listed among Klarna’s participating stores, with flexible payment options for eligible purchases. Klarna generally performs a soft credit check for Pay in 4.
Although installment payments may make an expensive purchase feel more manageable, luxury purchases are best made when the full cost comfortably fits your budget.
Best for: Designer clothing, handbags, beauty, and luxury gifts.
15. Ashley Furniture
Ashley Furniture is another retailer to consider when shopping for furniture using installment payments.
Klarna lists Ashley as a participating retailer and describes soft credit checks for eligible Pay in 4 purchases.
Depending on the item and checkout options, shoppers may also encounter longer-term financing arrangements. Always confirm whether the particular offer involves a hard inquiry, interest charges, or additional fees.
Best for: Sofas, beds, dining furniture, and home furnishings.
Best Buy Now Pay Later Apps Without a Hard Credit Check
If your favorite store doesn’t offer BNPL directly at checkout, you may still have options through participating payment apps or eligible virtual cards.
| BNPL provider | Short-term option | Credit-check information |
|---|---|---|
| Klarna | Pay in 4 | Soft credit check |
| Afterpay | Pay in 4 | Soft credit check |
| PayPal | Pay in 4 | Soft credit check may be required |
| Affirm | Pay in 4 | Eligibility check; verify product-specific terms |
| Zip | Pay in 4 | Generally a soft credit check; verify current terms |
Klarna, Afterpay, and PayPal Credit explicitly describe soft credit checks for their standard short-term installment products.
PayPal’s Pay in 4 is available for eligible purchases from $10 to $2,000 and does not charge interest or late fees. Availability depends on approval, merchant, and state.
For Affirm, Zip, and any longer-term financing option, read the exact loan disclosures rather than assuming every product has the same credit-check policy.
Can You Use Buy Now Pay Later With Bad Credit?
Yes, it may be possible to qualify for certain BNPL plans with poor credit or limited credit history.
Some providers consider more than your traditional credit score, including your payment history with the service, outstanding installments, and other eligibility information.
However, approval is never guaranteed.
If you’re having trouble getting approved, consider starting with a smaller, necessary purchase that fits your budget, paying off existing BNPL balances, and avoiding multiple simultaneous payment plans.
Does Buy Now Pay Later Build Credit?
Not always.
Many short-term BNPL plans do not report positive payment activity to the major credit bureaus. That means making every installment on time may not help build your traditional credit score.
However, reporting practices vary by provider and financing product. Missed payments, collection accounts, or other negative activity may affect your credit, even if the original application did not require a hard inquiry.
If your main goal is to build credit, consider a secured credit card or a reputable credit-builder loan instead.
Pros and Cons of Buy Now Pay Later
Advantages
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Smaller payments instead of one large upfront expense
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Many short-term plans offer 0% interest
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Some plans avoid hard credit inquiries
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Quick application and approval process
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Can help manage the timing of planned purchases
Disadvantages
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Easy to overspend when payments seem small
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Multiple installment plans can become difficult to track
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Some providers charge late fees or other fees
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Longer-term financing may include high interest rates
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Missing payments can create financial and credit problems
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Approval is not guaranteed
Tips for Using BNPL Without Getting Into Debt
Buy now, pay later can be useful, but it works best when used carefully.
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Only finance purchases you can afford. Make sure you have enough money available to cover every scheduled installment.
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Choose interest-free plans when possible. Avoid paying more than the original purchase price.
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Track all your payment dates. Multiple installment plans can quickly overlap.
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Read the terms before accepting. Check the APR, fees, credit inquiry policy, and consequences of missed payments.
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Compare prices before buying. Just because a retailer offers installment payments doesn’t mean it has the best deal.
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Avoid using BNPL for unnecessary impulse purchases. Smaller payments can make expensive purchases seem more affordable than they really are.
Frequently Asked Questions
What buy now pay later app doesn’t do a hard credit check?
Klarna Pay in 4, Afterpay Pay in 4, and PayPal Pay in 4 are examples of services that generally use soft credit inquiries instead of hard inquiries for their standard short-term plans.
Can I get approved for BNPL with a 500 credit score?
Possibly. Some BNPL providers consider additional factors beyond your credit score. However, no provider guarantees approval at a particular score.
Is there a buy now pay later option with no credit check at all?
Some payment arrangements may not require a traditional credit bureau inquiry, but many mainstream BNPL providers use soft credit checks. Always distinguish between no credit check and no hard credit check.
Does applying for Klarna hurt your credit?
Klarna states that its Pay in 4 application uses a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score.
Can I use buy now pay later without a credit card?
Yes. Some providers accept eligible debit cards or linked bank accounts. Payment method requirements vary by service.
Are buy now pay later loans interest-free?
Some are. Many Pay in 4 plans charge no interest when payments are made according to the agreement. Longer-term plans may charge interest, and some providers have additional fees.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of stores offering buy now, pay later options that may not require a hard credit check. From Walmart and Target to Macy’s, Adidas, and Ashley Furniture, shoppers have more flexibility than ever when choosing how to pay.
The key is understanding which financing product you’re applying for. A soft credit check won’t hurt your credit score, but the payment obligation is still real.
Before making a purchase, compare prices, review the financing terms, and make sure every installment fits your budget.
If you’re interested in more flexible shopping options, check out our other SavingK guides to instant credit catalogs and money-saving shopping tips.
