Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Better options than

Zip alternatives

Users look for alternatives to Zip due to issues with pending transactions, overpayments, and inconsistent account access. Alternatives like PayPal, Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, and Sezzle offer different payment structures, merchant acceptance, and customer service experiences.

Why users look for alternatives to Zip

The alternatives

PayPal
4.8★ · 6,298,704 ratings · Free

PayPal offers a 'Pay in 4' option for splitting purchases, but some users report issues with double charges on down payments and money being held in the app R54. The app can also be slow to load and navigate R53. Some users have experienced problems with unauthorized charges and difficulty getting support for scam incidents R51.

Better for: PayPal might be better for users who already use PayPal for other transactions and prefer to consolidate their payment methods, provided they are aware of potential issues with the 'Pay in 4' feature and customer service responsiveness R53R56.

Head-to-head: Zip vs PayPal
Klarna
4.9★ · 2,269,385 ratings · Free

Klarna is mentioned by users as a preferred alternative to Sezzle, suggesting it offers a better experience for borrowing money and payment plans R96.

Better for: Klarna is better for users seeking a more reliable and user-friendly experience for installment payments compared to some other alternatives R96.

Head-to-head: Zip vs Klarna
Affirm
4.9★ · 1,714,189 ratings · Free

Affirm allows users to choose their payment plan options and can help with credit growth . However, users frequently report issues with inconsistent and misleading 'spending power' estimates, where they are approved for a high amount but then declined for smaller purchases R67R68. Customer service is often described as unhelpful, relying on AI bots or agents who close conversations prematurely R65. The app has also been criticized for excessive verification steps and predatory location-based notifications .

Better for: Affirm is better for users who prioritize flexible payment plan options and potential credit building, provided they are cautious about the accuracy of their stated 'spending power' and prepared for potentially frustrating customer service interactions R66.

Head-to-head: Zip vs Affirm
Afterpay
4.9★ · 752,358 ratings · Free

Afterpay is praised for allowing users to purchase items they couldn't afford upfront, with no interest on four easy payments R80. It's also helpful for in-store purchases and gift cards for groceries R83. However, many users report issues with the app declining purchases after years of use and good payment history R79. There are also complaints about double invoicing, unresponsive customer service, and harassment for payments not yet due . Some users feel the company discriminates against lower-income individuals and has harsh policies for overdue payments . Identity verification issues and login problems are also noted .

Better for: Afterpay is better for users who need to split purchases into four interest-free payments and value the ability to shop both online and in-store, but they should be aware of potential issues with account eligibility, customer service, and strict payment policies R80R83.

Head-to-head: Zip vs Afterpay
Sezzle
4.9★ · 293,155 ratings · Free

Sezzle offers the ability to split payments into 4 or 5 installments and provides free reschedules . It can be used for various expenses and helps gain points for purchases . Some users have earned gift cards through games and money IQ features . However, users report inconsistent available balances, with amounts decreasing even after early payments R93. There are complaints about a mandatory $20 monthly fee for 'Anywhere pay' R95. The app is also criticized for frequent mandatory updates, being stuck behind paywalls, and issues with processing payments and converting reward points . Customer service is often described as lacking R93.

Better for: Sezzle is better for single parents or individuals looking for flexibility in payment schedules, including options for 4 or 5 installments and free reschedules, and who might enjoy earning rewards through in-app games R94. However, users should be prepared for potential fees, app bugs, and inconsistent spending limits.

Head-to-head: Zip vs Sezzle
Stick with Zip if

You should stick with Zip if you value its wide acceptance and versatility, as many users appreciate being able to use their virtual card almost anywhere and for various purchases, including groceries and bills R10R16R21. It is also highly recommended by users who find the approval process quick and the payment plans transparent and easy to understand .

Evidence note: Klarna has too few reviews to provide a comprehensive pitch.

Frequently asked

What are common problems with Zip?
Common problems with Zip include pending transactions not being confirmed, leading to unfulfilled orders, issues with overpayments where users are charged multiple times for the same order, and internal technical problems that suspend accounts or prevent purchases R1R7R9R13. Users also report a lack of responsive customer service for these issues R1R15.
Does Zip allow flexible payment dates?
Currently, Zip users express a desire for the option to update or pick their payment days to align with their pay schedule, suggesting this feature is not consistently available or easily customizable R3.
Is Zip widely accepted?
Yes, many users praise Zip for its wide acceptance, stating that they can use their virtual card almost anywhere and for a variety of purchases, including online shopping, groceries, and bills R10R16R21R38.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 106 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Zip 1/5 · US NO WARNING ABOUT PENDING TRANSACTIONS: Who orders fast food to pick up on 24 hours? Must be the staff at Zip… I ordered and got my pickup time only to arrive at a restaurant with no confirmation and no order placed . Reopening the app said transaction is pending BUT Zip gave a pickup and no warning about pending payments. ALSO there nobody on the help lines (no supervisor) who can escalate help
  2. [R7] Zip 2/5 · US OVERPAYMENTS: I used zip religiously for YEARS, now they’re taking 2-3 payments out, I have 4 active orders and they took out 6 payments yesterday(2 of them were charged twice) even customer service agreed when I showed them my bank statement compared to my zip app. Did I get refunded? NOPE. Did they honor the overpayment? ALSO NO. I will never ever use zip again and I will NOT be paying the rest
  3. [R9] Zip 1/5 · US Worst app ever: I had been using zip for years paid every payment on time I one day logged into my account and it says my account is suspended when I look at my history Every time I called customer service multiple times about this situation they give me the run stop every time my issue is never resolved
  4. [R13] Zip 1/5 · US One Internal Problem After Another.: I’ve had my account for over 5 years now. Recently, since June of last month, I have been getting all sorts of interface issues. One issue is where I attempted to make a purchase, I received the message “Pay with Zip temporarily on hold.” The app instructed me to pay the installments that were preventing me from continuing to use Zip. I immediately paid both
  5. [R15] Zip 1/5 · US Internal team: Why is the internal team the only one to fix your issue, I’ve been trying to get a hold of them for the past couple of days… no response I got my zip back I can’t even use it. Can somebody please fix this issue
  6. [R6] Zip 3/5 · US Recent update: Can’t open app. Is it my political stance or just a bug again?
  7. [R17] Zip 2/5 · US User friendly: App isn’t simple, and not user friendly
  8. [R11] Zip 1/5 · US Scam!: Warning! I was approved at check out at Best Buy. Com. Zip approved it, took my $100 down payment and then their card declined at check out even though ZIP popped up as a partner with Best Buy. Contacted support who had no answers besides, it was declined and you’ll get a refund in 13 DAYS. Insane! Completely ripped off
  9. [R3] Zip 3/5 · US Option to pick your payment days: I just wish I gave you the option to update or pick the days to make the payment based on your pay
  10. [R46] Zip 4/5 · US Spending Power: I really do love using zip, however, it is really a disappointment that I used zip to build my spending power and as soon as took a break from using it, and went to use it again, it was like I was a new user all over again! My spending power went from hundreds of dollars to under $100 and that’s not a good way to show appreciation to a good user who has always paid their payments.
  11. [R51] PayPal 1/5 · US Got scammed: Paypal let a company named Deeply scam me big time PP reimbursed me 89.00 because I was charged for an item (double order)I didn't order then turned around and denied me and took the 89.00 back. I was willing to return the item but never received instructions from the company Deeply. So don't think PP will have your back and protect you.
  12. [R53] PayPal 3/5 · US App runs so slow: App runs so slow. It takes forever to bring up the home page and then trying to get to the screen to unlock it is horrible as well. My app is updated to the latest update. I’ve had PayPal over 10 years please fix this
  13. [R54] PayPal 1/5 · US Subpar: DO NOT USE PAYPAL. This is the third time I have used pay in 4. They approve it and charge your bank the down payment 3 times and hold the money for 3 days. They blame the vendor and say there is nothing they can do. Fraud. Stay away use any other payment system
  14. [R56] PayPal 3/5 · US PayPal: I find PayPal very unhelpful I have moved to another country and need to either change or open a new PayPal account not really sure what to do because no one from PayPal will assist me
  15. [R96] Sezzle 2/5 · US Why? Just use Klarna: I don’t see why anyone would use this instead of Klarna.* *Don’t get “sezzled“ y’all ! Try Klarna or zip.
  16. [R65] Affirm 1/5 · US Non existent customer service: I’ve had a minor technical issue that should be easy to resolve yet their service is a maze of AI bots and human chat agents that close the conversation before it’s ever started
  17. [R66] Affirm 5/5 · US Excellent!: I highly recommend Affirm. You can’t go wrong. I’m ready to dump my credit cards and just use affirm, honestly.
  18. [R67] Affirm 3/5 · US Purchasing Power: Purchasing power is annoyingly inconsistent. Like if I’m approved for a certain amount, tell me that. If I’m not approved, tell me that. A constantly fluctuating number is not helpful.
  19. [R68] Affirm 1/5 · US Bs purchasing power: Says “YOU HAVE $700 SPENDING POWER” but yet it can’t give me any plans for a $200 order? AI assistant says the $700 is an “estimate” which would still make no sense not being able to do anything with a $200 order not even letting me pay half up front. App is pointless and misleading
  20. [R79] Afterpay 1/5 · US Cant Use After Years of Building: I recently tried using Afterpay for a purchase that I couldn’t afford to pay all at once. Every time I reached checkout, the app let me select a payment plan like everything was working, but as soon as I confirmed it, I got a generic “Something went wrong” error. This happened every single time. What makes this even more frustrating is that I have a $3,000 spendi
  21. [R80] Afterpay 5/5 · US Love! Love! Love!: Afterpay is the absolute best company on the internet! Without Afterpay I couldn’t afford a lot of the items I’ve purchased. Thank you Afterpay for spoiling me rotten!
  22. [R81] Afterpay 3/5 · US It’s good but..: This app is great the only thing is Ive been using it for a while and have a lot of money I can use for my limit but they don’t give eligibility to everyone for them to have a afterpay card where they can use it in store so you would think with what I have they would trust me enough for the card but according to the support team they practically pick and choose who gets the card m
  23. [R83] Afterpay 5/5 · US Super helpful: Helps me buy what I need either in-store or online. The gift cards help with grocery shopping when short on cash and the customer service is always helpful if I have any questions are issues. 1000% recommend
  24. [R93] Sezzle 1/5 · US Inconsistent available balance: They’ll tell you that your available balance will go up if you pay early or on time, but that’s a lie, I made an early payment of $115 and they took $400 dollars away from my available balance. Once again as soon as my available balance reached $2000 Sezzle found a way to restrict my account, now I can’t use it at all, and customer service is utterly pathetic.
  25. [R94] Sezzle 5/5 · US Sezzle where have you been all my life!!!: Sezzle has made it convenient and easy for me to make purchases for my family without breaking the bank. As a single Mom with 3 daughters!! kudos to Sezzle you are the best!! Thank you sooo much!!!
  26. [R95] Sezzle 3/5 · US It’s okay: The app is okay for borrowing money and payment plans but I’ve definitely had better before (Klarna, Shop, Afterpay, Affirm). Sezzle requires you to pay a $20 monthly fee just to even be able to use the money and make a payment plan and they tried to make it sound cool but coining it as (Anywhere pay) when the pay should’ve been available to be used anywhere from the beginning. They als
  27. [R97] Sezzle 5/5 · US Incredible: I’m happy good deal to buy and pay later
  28. [R10] Zip 5/5 · US Number 1: This is by far the best “buy now, pay later” app. Never hassled me about lack of credit and so easy to use. Can use everywhere on anything.
  29. [R16] Zip 5/5 · US The most versatility: You can use your virtual card anywhere
  30. [R21] Zip 5/5 · US Accepted at most places: There are sometimes when things are tight and it is such a relief when I can use Zip!
  31. [R38] Zip 5/5 · US Will forever use Zip !: Love this app especially the fact that you can search using Google/url and shop from any store . Easy user interface very straight forward and always an amazing experience

Synthesized from 106 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store