Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Afterpay vs PayPal

Afterpay 4.9★ · Free to download 75
Winner Afterpay
PayPal 4.8★ · Free to download 60

Afterpay is better for users seeking interest-free installment payments for purchases, while PayPal offers broader payment and money transfer services, despite recent app performance and customer service issues.

Full reviews: Afterpay · PayPal

Afterpay excels in providing convenient, interest-free installment payments, helping users afford items they otherwise couldn't. PayPal, a more established platform, offers diverse payment solutions but has faced recent criticism regarding app performance, customer service, and payment holds.

Head to head

Features & Functionality (Buy Now, Pay Later) edge: AfterpayR2R3R5R8
Afterpay Afterpay is highly praised for its core buy now, pay later (BNPL) feature, allowing users to make purchases with four easy, interest-free payments R2R11R17. Users appreciate getting items upfront without full payment R17. However, some users report issues with the Afterpay card for in-store purchases R3 and difficulties with specific merchants like Amazon or Walmart R8. The ability to use gift cards for groceries is also a valued feature R5.
PayPal PayPal offers a 'Pay in 4' option, which some users find helpful for more expensive buys . However, there are reports of the Pay in 4 feature double-charging banks . PayPal's broader functionality includes sending and receiving money, but users report issues with money getting stuck in pending R76R87 and problems with the app's ability to process payments .
Ease of Use & Reliability tieR1R17R20R22
Afterpay Many users find Afterpay convenient and easy to use R17. However, recent reviews highlight significant issues with the app, including frequent 'Something went wrong' errors at checkout R1, problems with identity verification R20, login difficulties after changing phones or email R22, and the app freezing on certain stores .
PayPal PayPal users report the app running very slowly and having issues since recent updates, such as difficulty moving money or sending money between accounts . Some users cannot log into the app despite being able to access the website , and there are complaints about the app's interface being clumsy and requiring too many prompts . Payments to PayPal Credit accounts have also been reported as not working .
Customer Service & Support tieR7R10R30R32
Afterpay Afterpay's customer service receives widespread negative feedback, with users describing it as unresponsive R10, unhelpful , and difficult to reach R30R32. Users report long wait times, being hung up on, and issues remaining unresolved even after providing requested documentation R7R30.
PayPal PayPal's customer service is also frequently criticized, with users calling it horrible R67, unhelpful R66R101, and unresponsive R91. Some users report being unable to get assistance for issues like account changes after moving countries R66 or resolving pending money transfers R76. The chatbot is often seen as ineffective R91.
Account Management & Policies tieR6R9R12R13
Afterpay Afterpay users frequently complain about harsh policies regarding missed payments, with spending limits being significantly reduced even for payments only an hour late R6R9. There are also reports of accounts being frozen or banned for payment malfunctions or identity verification issues . Some users feel discriminated against or targeted despite good payment history R12R13R18.
PayPal PayPal users report issues with money being held for extended periods R73R76R87R101. There are complaints about PayPal denying scam claims and randomly unlinking bank accounts for 'security' . Users also dislike unwanted push notifications for ads that ignore notification settings .
Pick Afterpay if

you primarily need an interest-free way to split purchases into four payments and appreciate the ability to get items upfront R11R17.

Pick PayPal if

you need a versatile payment platform for sending and receiving money, making online purchases, and occasionally using a pay-in-4 option, and are willing to navigate potential app performance or customer service issues .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative recent reviews, skewing the perception compared to their high lifetime ratings. For Afterpay, many recent negatives focus on account freezes, login issues, and strict payment policies. For PayPal, recent issues revolve around app performance, money holds, and customer service. The free nature of both apps means some negativity might stem from friction experienced by non-paying users, but the core complaints are about functionality and service.

Frequently asked

Does Afterpay charge interest?
No, Afterpay is praised by users for its interest-free payment plans, allowing purchases to be split into four equal installments without additional interest charges R11R17R39.
Why is my Afterpay account frozen or my spending limit reduced?
Afterpay users report accounts being frozen or spending limits reduced for reasons including missed payments, even if only an hour late, or for identity verification requests R6R9R12R18.
Does PayPal hold money?
Yes, PayPal users frequently report that the app holds their money for periods ranging from days to weeks or even months, often for security purposes or if the account is new R73R76R87R101.
Is PayPal customer service helpful?
Many users report negative experiences with PayPal's customer service, describing it as unhelpful, unresponsive, and difficult to reach, with issues often remaining unresolved R66R67R91R101.

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. [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
  7. [R20] Afterpay 2/5 · US Identity Verification: I cannot verify identity and everything is correct , chat is no help
  8. [R22] Afterpay 1/5 · US Couldn’t login: No point if I can’t access my account, many potential users facing this issue.
  9. [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
  10. [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
  11. [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.
  12. [R32] Afterpay 1/5 · US Support is useless: Horrible customer service do not waste your time
  13. [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
  14. [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
  15. [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.
  16. [R13] Afterpay 1/5 · US Horrible policies: The same thing happened to me that happened to meany others. They discriminate against those who are poor and lower income despite the fact that those are the people they target. If you let even the smallest bill be overdue for too long, even if you were hospitalized several times, jobless, nearly homeless, broke, no way to pay it. And then eventually pay it off in full. It does
  17. [R11] Afterpay 5/5 · US Buying things I want.: I’ve been able to buy my Michael korrs purses. Get massages and never worry about having to come up with everything up front. I have the freedom to enjoy making 4 easy payments no interest.
  18. [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!
  19. [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
  20. [R73] PayPal 1/5 · US No good: Every time i try to use this app they take so much money and now my money is stuck inside the app for 30 days this app sucks
  21. [R76] PayPal 1/5 · US Where is my money: My friend sent me $1,000 over a month ago and they have not given it to me, it just stays in pending. I have called them and it hangs up saying unavailable at this moment. Never use this app
  22. [R87] PayPal 3/5 · US It’s good: PayPal is great but sometimes they put my money on hold which is very annoying. I get it’s for security purposes but at times it’s annoying because they keep my money for weeks. And also, I use euro and my friend uses usd and when I send I get a fee but when see sends she doesn’t. But overall the app is good
  23. [R101] PayPal 5/5 · US VERY DISAPPOINTED: Have been holding my money against me for two months saying ill get it in 120 days they stole 52$ dollars from me and i never seen it again and customer support is no help at all if this is what users deal with I honestly don’t recommend this app at all
  24. [R66] 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
  25. [R67] PayPal 1/5 · US WORST CARD I HAVE EVER HAD NEVER GET IT: horrible app, horrible card, horrible company, horrible customer service, the absolute worst I have ever dealt with. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY THESE THIEVES WILL TAKE IT ALL.
  26. [R91] PayPal 1/5 · US Digital company but no online support: Every time I have some issue I have to call as the chatbot and agents from support don’t solve anything. Only in the USA a digital company for online payments still living in the phone age.

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