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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Afterpay vs Klarna

Afterpay 4.9★ · Free to download 60
Winner Klarna
Klarna 4.9★ · Free to download 70

Afterpay and Klarna both offer similar 'buy now, pay later' services, but Afterpay struggles more with app functionality and customer service, making Klarna a slightly more reliable choice for most users.

Full reviews: Afterpay · Klarna

Afterpay and Klarna both allow users to split purchases into interest-free installments. While both apps receive praise for convenience, Afterpay users frequently report critical app glitches and unresponsive customer support, issues that appear less widespread for Klarna.

Head to head

Features & Flexibility tieR2R3R5R8
Afterpay Afterpay users appreciate the ability to buy items they need or want, including luxury goods and groceries, with no interest and easy installment plans R2R5R17. Some users also note the benefit of improving credit . However, there are complaints about not being eligible for an Afterpay card for in-store use despite a good payment history R3, and issues with using the service at specific retailers like Amazon or Walmart R8R38. The removal of interest on gift card purchases and the return of credit card payment options were positively received R39.
Klarna Klarna users value the 'pay in 3' or installment options, which make shopping more affordable and help with budgeting R63. The app is seen as helpful for various purchases, including expensive items like GLP-1 medications or specialty cases . Some users appreciate the ability to manage payments easily within the app . However, some users dislike the introduction of a credit card option R66 and report issues with payment dates not aligning with their preferences .
Ease of Use & Reliability edge: KlarnaR1R20R22R26
Afterpay Many Afterpay users experience significant issues with app functionality, including 'something went wrong' errors at checkout R1, inability to log in or create accounts due to existing email conflicts R22R26, and problems with single-use cards or payments being declined despite sufficient funds . The app is also reported to stall or freeze on certain stores , and the autofill feature for some retailers like Walmart doesn't work R38. Identity verification is a common hurdle, with users unable to proceed even with correct information R20R46.
Klarna Klarna is generally praised for its ease of use and convenience in managing payments . However, users do encounter glitches, such as an infinite sign-in loop or the app freezing during critical moments at checkout due to forced updates . Some users report issues with payments being taken for rejected sales or the app not working for certain purchases even with an up-to-date account . Identity verification can also be cumbersome, with strict requirements that cause frustration .
Payment Policies & Limits tieR6R9R10R12
Afterpay Afterpay's payment policies are a major source of frustration. Users report drastic reductions in spending limits for minor infractions, such as a payment being one hour late R6R9R12R18. Some feel that good payment history is disregarded R12R18. There are also accusations of discriminatory practices against lower-income individuals and claims of being harassed for payments not yet due R10. Users also mention issues with early morning payment attempts before paychecks clear R9.
Klarna Klarna users also face issues with payment policies and limits. Some report that their available balance is frozen or removed even when payments are made . Approval for purchases can be inconsistent, with users being denied for small amounts despite a good payment history . Low spending limits are a common complaint, even for faithful, on-time payers . There are also reports of payments being charged for unreceived products or being overcharged .
Customer Service & Support edge: KlarnaR7R10R19R30
Afterpay Afterpay's customer service is widely criticized as unresponsive, unhelpful, and difficult to access R7R10R30R32. Users report long wait times, unhelpful chat bots, and agents who hang up or fail to resolve issues like account freezes or incorrect charges R7R30R46. Some users are banned from the app due to payment malfunctions on Afterpay's end, with no resolution from support R19.
Klarna Klarna's customer service also receives negative feedback, with users describing it as not customer-friendly and horrible . Users report difficulties getting assistance for account issues, such as past due balances showing incorrectly or fraud protection claims . Some users feel that support does nothing when issues arise, like money being stolen through the app . However, some positive reviews mention Klarna looking out for buyers in cases of counterfeit items .
Pick Afterpay if

You prioritize a 'no interest' payment model and have a stable payment history, and you are willing to navigate potential app glitches and customer service challenges R17.

Pick Klarna if

You need a flexible payment option for a wide range of purchases and value buyer protection against bad products, and you are less concerned about occasional app updates or strict identity checks R63.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, often highlighting similar issues like app glitches, customer service problems, and strict payment policies. Klarna has a much larger user base, which naturally leads to more reviews, both positive and negative. The 'free vs paid' asymmetry is not applicable as both apps are free to download and operate on a similar 'buy now, pay later' model.

Frequently asked

Do Afterpay and Klarna charge interest?
Afterpay explicitly states it offers no interest on its installment plans, and users appreciate this feature R17R39. Klarna also offers 'pay in 3' or installment plans that are generally interest-free, though some users dislike the introduction of a credit card option which may have interest R63R66.
Are there common issues with Afterpay's app functionality?
Yes, Afterpay users frequently report critical app functionality issues, including 'something went wrong' errors at checkout, inability to log in or create accounts, payments being declined despite sufficient funds, and problems with features like single-use cards or autofill R1R22R26R38.
How do Afterpay and Klarna handle missed payments or account limits?
Both Afterpay and Klarna have strict policies regarding missed payments and account limits. Afterpay users report significant drops in spending limits for even minor delays, like a payment being one hour late, and feel good payment history is often disregarded R6R9R12R18. Klarna users also experience low or inconsistent approval limits and report their available balance being frozen or removed even when payments are made .
Is customer service reliable for Afterpay or Klarna?
Customer service for both Afterpay and Klarna is frequently criticized. Afterpay's support is described as unresponsive, unhelpful, and difficult to access, with users reporting long waits and unresolved issues R7R30R32R46. Klarna's customer service also receives negative feedback for being unhelpful with account issues and fraud claims, though some users praise Klarna for buyer protection in specific cases .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 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. [R2] 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!
  2. [R3] 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
  3. [R5] 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
  4. [R8] Afterpay 4/5 · US Messing up: I have no idea what happened, I’m an avid shopper online and I love using Afterpay. For some reason when I pay on Amazon it kicks my payments back all the time. I have to redo the pay1in-4 card multiple times delays my purchases because it does not accept them. Can you please fix this. It was flawless before now it’s nothing but issues.
  5. [R1] 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
  6. [R20] Afterpay 2/5 · US Identity Verification: I cannot verify identity and everything is correct , chat is no help
  7. [R22] Afterpay 1/5 · US Couldn’t login: No point if I can’t access my account, many potential users facing this issue.
  8. [R26] Afterpay 1/5 · US App doesn’t make sense: I downloaded this app after hearing how great it was. It was all good until it came to paying. It said that I couldn’t pay with the app since “I didn’t exist”. So I decided to delete everything and restart again. I downloaded the app again and it keeps saying that I already have an account. But I deleted that account. So now I can’t use it. Please let me know what I can do,
  9. [R6] Afterpay 3/5 · US One hour missed payment?!: You guys really dropped my spending limit $700 for a missed payment that was one hour late wow I don’t know about using you guys anymore because that’s just ridiculous. I had an $1800 spending limit and I miss my payment by one hour and you guys drop my spending limit to only $1100. Shame on you. It wasn’t even a whole day overdue and you guys decrease my spending limit
  10. [R9] Afterpay 3/5 · US Its okay: Afterpay is okay. But they only thing i dont like is when they try to take a payment off your card at 6 in the morning and you paycheck dont hit till 3-4 in the afternoon and once it hit you make a payment and they lower your credit limit down. And they say you are late even though the day is not over with. I like zip way bettet
  11. [R10] Afterpay 1/5 · US Horrible theives: This company should be sued til they don’t have a cent left. Unresponsive customer service. Website doesn’t work. Harass you for payments that are NOT DUE YET!!! Do not use them, you’ve been warned
  12. [R12] Afterpay 3/5 · US Where are the real reviews?: You never really have your entire balance and they will lower it during high purchase times like ie: Christmas season. Limited buying options and random denials but if you can successfully clear a purchase pay on time! Theyll lower your credit for anything by ALOT!!! Good payment history means nothing.
  13. [R7] Afterpay 1/5 · US worst shopping experience ever: I will try to be as succinct as possible as I have already probably wasted 10 hours plus dealing with their alleged customer service team, customer service managers, etc. Long story short, they invoiced me twice, exact duplicates, for an order I made around Christmas 2025. Around that same time I also ordered two books for which they charged me over $150 but actua
  14. [R19] Afterpay 5/5 · US Banned from the app for THEIR malfunctions: Was banned indefinitely from the app all just because of THEIR payment malfunction.
  15. [R30] Afterpay 1/5 · US Support sucks: Froze my account for no reason. Told me to send pictures to get it unfrozen. I did and it’s still frozen. Support hasn’t responded in days.
  16. [R17] Afterpay 5/5 · US No interest!: I really love and appreciate Afterpay! It is convenient, easy to use and no interest! It’s like using the old school “lay away” payment form before high interest credit cards were the payment of choice. Unlike “lay away”, you pay equal installments and get your purchases up front. You don’t have to pay anything off before you get your purchase!😃 It’s a great way to take control of yo
  17. [R39] Afterpay 5/5 · US Thanks Afterpay: Thank you for not having the interest rate anymore especially when I’m going through a difficult time with a relationship! Thank you!
  18. [R63] Klarna 3/5 · GB Hooray for Klarna: Love using the pay in 3 agreement that Klarna offer. It makes shopping so easy and help make paying for things more affordable. I’m a very happy member. 👍👍👍
  19. [R66] Klarna 3/5 · GB Was happy without the credit card: Like Klarna but don’t like it as a credit card if I wanted a credit card I’d have got one with 0% intrest
  20. [R38] Afterpay 1/5 · US The auto fill button does not work on Walmart: This is a non-stop issue with after pay and it’s app only. It cannot auto fill on Walmart.com and does not give any other option other than the stupid autofill option that is non-functional
  21. [R18] Afterpay 2/5 · US It’s okay: Firsti thought afterpay was the best !!! Then my check was delayed by 4 days I paid my bill they paused my account told me I had to built good payment history back up after being with them 2years !!! Definitely paying them off and never using again
  22. [R32] Afterpay 1/5 · US Support is useless: Horrible customer service do not waste your time
  23. [R46] Afterpay 1/5 · US Inaccessible customer service and random freezes: They froze my account till I could prove I’m a rea person. They asked for one bill and a drivers license. I provided 2 bills a lease agreement and my drivers license and theres still a freeze on my account a week later. My friend had to google a phone number for them which worked once I navigated the difficult ai bot. They have a LOT of progress t

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store