Splitit vs Affirm: A buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) service lets you make a purchase and pay for it later in installments.
Usually, you need to pay a small amount up front, and the rest is repaid in weekly or fortnightly installments, based on your service agreement.
It may be easier to manage BNPL services when making large purchases than credit cards because they offer interest-free repayments.
Although BNPL services can be beneficial, they do come with some risks unless you understand the terms and take steps to repay them in a timely manner.
Both Splitit and Affirm are two popular buy now, pay later services that allow you to buy items and pay for them later without having a credit card.
The two services differ in terms of the fees you may have to pay, credit limits, and eligibility requirements.
To make large purchases easier to handle, you may want to compare different buy now, pay later services. In this article, we will compare Splitit and Affirm to help you decide which one is better.
Take a look at the features of two of the top Buy Now, Pay Later services and see how it all works.
Splitit vs Affirm Comparison
Splitit vs Affirm: Overview
Splitit
Rather than charging your card the full purchase price at the time of purchase, Splitit merchants charge you a portion of the price every month until the purchase is paid in full.
Splitit provides merchants with a convenient monthly payment option that is instantly approved. As a partner of many leading retailers, Splitit has a global presence worldwide.
Affirm
Affirm is another platform similar to Splitit. It is integrated into online retailers’ websites, allowing consumers to split up large purchases over time.
It has more than 7 million customers in the U.S. and has over 29,000 merchant partners. There are three main types of repayment plans on Affirm— 3, 6- and 12-month plans based on your purchase amount.
One month after the completion of your purchase, your first monthly payment is due, and all subsequent payments are due on the same day every month. You can buy up to the credit limit on your account or the limit set by the merchant.
Splitit vs Affirm: Features
Splitit
- There is no application process.
- No commission on any payment
- Payments and orders are synced so you will remain informed and up to date.
- It is possible to choose the number of installments you want to pay back for your purchase.
- Installments can be split over several cards if the balance on one card isn’t high enough.
- Installments are debited directly from your credit card or debit card.
- Easy integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, etc.
Affirm
- Purchase and pay on a flexible financing plan from your favorite retailer
- Your credit score will not be affected by checking your eligibility
- Take advantage of exclusive offers and a zero percent annual percentage rate
- Access your account and process payments with ease using the mobile app
- You can find a list of partners from which you can connect directly to each seller’s website.
- Create a high-interest savings account that requires no minimum deposit or fees.
Splitit vs Affirm: Eligibility
Splitit
To use Splitit, you do not need to apply. Select it as a payment option at one of the partnered merchants.
Affirm
There is no minimum credit score requirement for Affirm, although it will run a soft credit check. In addition, it considers your prior Affirm payments, your account duration, and interest rates offered by the merchant.
It is important to keep in mind that you must be 18 years old and have a credit card that is eligible to use both services. Furthermore, your card must have enough credit to cover the full purchase amount.
Splitit vs Affirm: Pros & Cons
Splitit
Pros | Cons |
No interest, hidden, or late fees | Only credit card holders are eligible. |
Works with many popular retailers. | Visa or Mastercard is the only card that works |
You can earn rewards with all monthly installments on your credit card. | Your credit score will not be improved by Splitit. |
Flexible repayment terms (3 and 24 installments) | It places a hold on the full balance on your credit card making the service inaccessible to consumers who have low credit scores |
Affirm
Pros | Cons |
Borrowers will not be charged an upfront fee | Can affect credit score |
Zero-interest loans | Affirm does not give credit bureaus information regarding on-time payments |
Paying back early incurs no fees | There may be higher interest rates compared to credit cards |
There is no fee | A limited number of retailers |
Splitit vs Affirm: How do they work?
How does Affirm work?
Affirm is an online payment method that anyone can choose from if it is available in the online store. The application process is simple and upon approval, the checkout process is straightforward.
Affirm divides an order’s total into four equal payments and charges a customer’s credit card every two weeks.
As soon as the customer has placed their order and used Affirm to pay, Affirm will pay the total amount to the online store or service that you’ve chosen. Afterward, the customer repays Affirm the amount owed in easy installments.
How does Splitit work?
Much like Affirm, Splitit is another payment solution that allows customers to make a purchase right away, and then pay back Splitit over a period of time.
Unlike Affirm, which has a 4-week payment schedule, Splitit allows the customer to select the number of monthly payments on an individual basis and budget.
Splitit ensures your purchase, holding your credit card until the total has been paid. You are not making a payment here, this is just a pre-approval that lets you pay in installments, before collecting any interest.
All you have to do is pay when it’s due, and Splitit updates the hold by every month. Splitit generates revenue by charging the merchant or retailer a fee for each transaction.
Splitit vs Affirm: How to Apply
How to apply for Splitit?
Due to the fact that Splitit works with your existing credit limit, you don’t need to apply. If you wish to use Splitit, you can go to one of its retailers and choose Splitit during the checkout process.
How to apply for Affirm?
During checkout, there is an option to pay overtime on your purchase. It’s fast and easy to apply and most of the time it will be approved in minutes. After that just pay a small upfront amount, and the rest will be paid in installments over a period of weeks or months.
Splitit vs Affirm: Interest and Fees
Splitit
Splitit does not charge fees or interest to the buyer. It does not require an upfront fee or a yearly fee to use and there are no additional fees or hidden costs. However, you should understand that fees and interest may still be charged by your credit card.
By paying your credit card bill on time, you can minimize the risk. Your credit score may suffer if you miss a payment or the interest rate may go up.
Affirm
Affirm does not charge late fees, processing fees, service fees, or other hidden fees. There are even several retailers on Affirm’s website, including Casper, Rings, Mirror, and Dyson, offering interest rates as low as 0%.
The interest rate on other purchases varies from 10% to 30%, depending on your credit history and on the merchant.
Splitit vs Affirm: Customer Service
Splitit
To contact Affirm’s customer support, send an email to help@affirm.com or cares@affirm.com or by calling (855) 427-3729. You can also visit their help center.
Affirm
In case you need assistance with Splitit, you can contact their customer support via support@splitit.com or dial 1-844-775-4848. You can also visit this page to make a live chat with their executive or fill out a page to submit an email request.
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Affirm vs Splitit: Which one is better?
As you can see, both Splitit and Affirm have their pros and cons. When you’re considering BNPL, make sure you review your budget and plan to make payments in a timely manner in order to avoid late payment fees or any other fees associated with it.
Splitit is a new, innovative approach to installment payments. It does not charge late fees, or interest rates, or require a lengthy application process. Splitit isn’t the best choice if you want to shop at a variety of stores.
Splitit is only available through its retail partners. A store directory is available on the company’s website and if your preferred retailer is not listed, the service will not work for you. In addition, Splitit only accepts Visa and Mastercard card holders.
Affirm payment plans allow customers to spread the cost of a large purchase over time, but since a retailer’s financing terms may vary, they may not be the most suitable financing option.
Also, pay attention to the terms of your plan to be sure you are getting the best price possible.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is better Affirm or Splitit?
Affirm and Splitit provides excellent buy-now, pay-later services, making it hard to select one platform over another. Affirm is a good option for shoppers who prefer to shop at different retailers. However, it does charge interest.
In contrast, Splitit doesn’t charge late fees or interest, but its retail partners are limited. Moreover, it doesn’t even involve a lengthy application process.
Does Affirm work in UK?
Affirm is not available to UK customers.
Does Splitit affect credit?
Affirm performs soft credit checks. Your credit score won’t be affected, nor will it appear on your credit report.
Does Splitit help your credit?
As Splitit does not perform credit checks or send reports to credit bureaus, it is not possible to improve your credit score with Splitit.
Can I pay off Splitit early?
Yes. You can ‘Pay Outstanding Balance’ early on Splitit from their website.
Does Splitit work with debit cards?
Splitit allows you to use your existing credit line to break down purchases into manageable monthly payments. Due to debit cards not being considered credit, you can’t use Splitit with debit cards.
What cards work with Splitit?
Splitit accepts a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card if it is accepted by the merchant. There may be merchants who don’t accept certain credit cards.