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

Zip vs Afterpay

Zip 4.9★ · Free to download 75
Winner Zip
Afterpay 4.9★ · Free to download 60

While both apps offer similar buy now, pay later services, Zip has a slight edge due to its wider acceptance and fewer recent complaints about account freezes and customer service issues compared to Afterpay.

Full reviews: Zip · Afterpay

Zip and Afterpay both provide convenient installment payment options, but recent user reviews suggest Zip offers greater versatility in where it can be used and has fewer critical issues with account access and customer support. Afterpay users frequently report problems with account freezes, payment processing, and unresponsive customer service, despite its long-standing presence in the market.

Head to head

Features & Versatility edge: ZipR10R16R42R44
Zip Zip users appreciate its versatility, noting they can use their virtual card "everywhere on anything" and "shop from any store" using a Google/URL search R10R16R42. Many find it helpful for various purchases, from groceries to bills R44R51.
Afterpay Afterpay users also value its ability to help them buy items they couldn't afford upfront, including luxury goods and massages . However, some users complain about limited buying options and issues with using it in specific stores or for travel apps . There are also reports of the single-use card feature not working as smoothly as before .
Ease of Use edge: ZipR10R39R40R43
Zip Many Zip users describe the app as "easy to use," "straight forward," and simple to navigate, with a quick approval process R10R39R40R43. Payments are easily tracked, and reminders are appreciated R43. However, some recent reviews mention issues with the app not opening or being glitch-filled R19.
Afterpay Afterpay is generally considered convenient and easy to manage payments R77. However, a significant number of recent reviews highlight problems with the app, including login difficulties, identity verification failures, and issues with auto-fill or single-use cards not working R61.
Reliability & Account Management edge: ZipR37R38R1R4
Zip Zip is praised for being "very reliable" and consistent for many users over several years R37R38. However, recent complaints indicate issues such as pending transactions without warning, overpayments being charged, accounts being suspended without clear reason, and internal problems preventing purchases R1R4R9. Some users also report their spending power decreasing after a break from using the app .
Afterpay Afterpay users frequently report issues with account reliability, including accounts being frozen or banned for no clear reason, even after years of good payment history R61R78. Users also experience spending limits being drastically reduced for minor payment delays . There are also reports of double charging and payments not being processed correctly R67.
Customer Service & Support edge: ZipR1R15R19R67
Zip Zip's customer service receives mixed reviews. While some users have positive experiences, many report difficulty reaching support, with no supervisors available for escalation and issues being stuck with an "internal team" that is unresponsive R1R15R19.
Afterpay Afterpay's customer service is a major point of frustration for many users, with numerous complaints about it being "horrible," "useless," "unresponsive," and difficult to reach R67. Users report long wait times, unhelpful chat bots, and agents hanging up or not resolving issues R67.
Price & Value (Interest/Fees) tieR10R39R22R51
Zip Zip is praised for its transparency in payment plans and not hassling users about lack of credit R10R39. Users appreciate the flexibility of payments and the ability to pay bills in installments R22R51.
Afterpay Afterpay is highly valued for its "no interest" policy, which users compare favorably to old-school layaway without the wait R77R99. Recent updates have even removed interest on gift card purchases and brought back credit card payment options R99. However, some users feel the advertising for certain offers can be misleading .
Pick Zip if

Pick Zip if you prioritize wider acceptance for online and in-store purchases and want a generally more reliable app experience with fewer reports of account freezes or drastic spending limit reductions R10R16R42R37. It's also a good choice if you need flexibility in payment dates R3.

Pick Afterpay if

Pick Afterpay if you are looking for a BNPL service with a clear "no interest" policy and appreciate the ability to get purchases upfront like layaway R77R99. It may be suitable if you primarily shop with known Afterpay partners and don't anticipate needing frequent customer support .

Evidence note: Both apps have high lifetime ratings, but recent reviews for Afterpay show a significant increase in negative feedback regarding account access, customer service, and reliability, which skews the comparison. Zip also has recent negative reviews, but they appear less frequent and severe than Afterpay's.

Frequently asked

Can I choose my payment dates with Zip or Afterpay?
Zip users have expressed a desire for the option to update or pick their payment days based on their pay schedule, indicating this feature might not be fully available or flexible enough for all users R3. Afterpay users do not explicitly mention this feature in the provided reviews.
Do Zip and Afterpay charge interest?
Afterpay explicitly states and is praised by users for having "no interest" on its payment plans, making it similar to an old-school layaway R77R99. Zip's reviews highlight transparency in payment plans and not being hassled about credit, implying a similar interest-free model for its core service R10R39.
Are there issues with account freezes or suspensions?
Yes, both apps have reported issues with account freezes or suspensions. Zip users have experienced their accounts being suspended or purchases put "on hold" due to internal problems, even after years of use R9R13. Afterpay users report frequent and often indefinite account freezes or bans, sometimes due to payment malfunctions or identity verification requests, even for long-standing users with good payment histories R61R78.
How is customer service for Zip and Afterpay?
Customer service for both apps receives significant criticism. Zip users report difficulty reaching help lines, lack of supervisors for escalation, and unresponsiveness from their "internal team" R1R15R19. Afterpay's customer service is frequently described as "horrible," "useless," and "unresponsive," with users struggling to get issues resolved, facing long waits, and sometimes being hung up on R67.

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. [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.
  2. [R16] Zip 5/5 · US The most versatility: You can use your virtual card anywhere
  3. [R42] 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
  4. [R44] Zip 5/5 · US Payments online: I had to continue to hit place order for the payment to process..Besides that I’m happy Zip was able to assist me with getting grocery everything is so high right now so I’m excited that Zip is here to help!!!
  5. [R39] Zip 5/5 · US Perfect: This app makes it so easy to purchase items that I need and want to take care of. I never have worry about how to payment plans as it’s transparent and simple to understand.
  6. [R40] Zip 5/5 · US Fast, easy, and secure!: The zip app is very easy and straight forward. You know, how much up front and payments are easily drafted. It is very helpful especially for people whom may not get paid in the summer. Have never had a problem. Recommend them to anyone!
  7. [R43] Zip 5/5 · US Perfect!: I've had a great experience using the Zip app. It's easy to navigate, the approval process is quick, and splitting purchases into manageable payments has been very convenient. The app is user-friendly, payments are easy to track, and I appreciate the reminders before each payment is due. Overall, Zip has made budgeting for larger purchases much easier. I would definitely recommend it to
  8. [R37] Zip 5/5 · US ZIp is the best: Vey reliable, convenient and the very best
  9. [R38] Zip 5/5 · US ZIP: Been using 5+ years. Best BNPL App. Makes shopping fun again!
  10. [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
  11. [R4] Zip 1/5 · US I need my refund: Printing fake payments to pay merchant.. running leave there Calculating due amount without transaction they don’t complete
  12. [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
  13. [R19] Zip 1/5 · US Terrible, Glitch filled app, even worse customer service, avoid at all cost: UPDATE: APP IS STILL JUNK Take a look at recent reviews, fraud, bad service, unethical practices, these reviews are everywhere recently. ZIP has become nothing more than an app designed to steal. ZIP may have been good once, but those days are long over, all that’s left is a scam filled hums. Their payment system is
  14. [R67] 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
  15. [R22] Zip 5/5 · US Excellent: I enjoy the service and flexibility of payments.
  16. [R51] Zip 5/5 · US Love Zip: I am so appreciative for Zip, because it helps me pay my bills in installments.
  17. [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
  18. [R77] 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
  19. [R99] 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!
  20. [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
  21. [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
  22. [R61] 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
  23. [R78] 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

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