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

Affirm vs Klarna

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

While both apps offer similar buy now, pay later services, Klarna has a slight edge due to fewer critical complaints regarding its core functionality and customer service, despite both having issues.

Full reviews: Affirm · Klarna

Affirm and Klarna both provide flexible payment options, but users frequently report issues with Affirm's inconsistent purchasing power and poor customer service. Klarna, while not without its own customer service and approval issues, appears to have fewer fundamental problems with its core payment processing and reliability.

Head to head

Features and Flexibility tieR8R9R11R55
Affirm Affirm users appreciate the ability to choose payment plan options and find it useful for various purchases, including travel R8R11R55. However, some wish for the ability to combine multiple payments, a feature available on other platforms R8R9.
Klarna Klarna is praised for its flexible payment options, including 'pay in 3' agreements, making shopping more affordable and managing payments easier R72R92. Users find it helpful for both large and small purchases, including travel .
Approval and Purchasing Power tieR3R4R10R13
Affirm Many Affirm users report inconsistent and misleading purchasing power, where they are shown a high approved amount but then denied for smaller purchases R3R4R13. Some long-term users also report being denied for purchases despite a good payment history R10.
Klarna Klarna users also experience issues with inconsistent approval, being declined for purchases even with good payment history or available funds R66. Some find the initial loan amounts to be very low .
Ease of Use and Reliability tieR5R6R18R22
Affirm Affirm is generally seen as easy to use by many R5, but some recent updates have made the app less convenient, requiring multiple verifications R6R18. Users also report issues with payments failing or being held for extended periods , and some experience login problems or app update loops R22.
Klarna Klarna is described as user-friendly and easy to navigate by many . However, some users find it complicated and report issues with forced updates that disrupt transactions . There are also reports of glitches, such as infinite sign-in loops or payments being taken incorrectly R61.
Customer Service and Support edge: KlarnaR1R7R16R25
Affirm Affirm's customer service receives overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users reporting non-existent support, unhelpful AI bots, inconsistent information from representatives, and issues remaining unresolved after numerous attempts R1R7R16R25.
Klarna Klarna's customer service also faces criticism, with users reporting poor support, double charges, and difficulties resolving issues like refunds or promised benefits R67. Some users feel their concerns are dismissed or not addressed R67.
Payment Processing and Refunds tieR12R21R24R39
Affirm Affirm users report issues with payments taking too long to process R12, double payments not being applied correctly R24, and down payments being charged but plans disappearing R21. There are also reports of refunds going to Affirm instead of the user R39.
Klarna Klarna users report being double-charged R61R67, money being taken from accounts for services not received , and difficulties with refunds . Some also mention issues with payment dates not aligning with their preferences or charges occurring before due dates .
Pick Affirm if

you prioritize a wide range of shopping options and flexible payment plans, and are willing to navigate potential customer service challenges R8R11R55.

Pick Klarna if

you are looking for a generally user-friendly app for splitting payments and appreciate its flexibility, and are prepared for occasional approval inconsistencies or app glitches R72R92.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, especially concerning customer service and payment processing. The lifetime ratings are very similar, but recent reviews highlight persistent issues for both. The free-to-download nature means many users might be less invested, leading to more critical feedback on friction points.

Frequently asked

Do Affirm and Klarna offer similar payment flexibility?
Yes, both Affirm and Klarna offer flexible payment plans, allowing users to split purchases over time, which many find helpful for managing expenses R8R55R72R92.
Are there common complaints about customer service for both apps?
Yes, both Affirm and Klarna receive numerous complaints about their customer service, with users reporting difficulties resolving issues, unhelpful support agents, and inconsistent information R1R25R40R67.
Do users experience issues with approval and spending limits on these apps?
Yes, users of both Affirm and Klarna frequently report issues with inconsistent approval decisions and fluctuating spending limits, often being denied for purchases despite showing available credit or having a good payment history R3R4R13R66.
Are there problems with payment processing and refunds?
Yes, both apps have users reporting problems with payment processing, including delays, incorrect application of payments, and issues with refunds not being processed correctly or going to the wrong party R12R21R39R61.

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. [R8] Affirm 5/5 · US Comes in Handy: I enjoy using the app and like that it lets you choose your payment plan options. One thing that could make the app better is being able to select multiple orders to pay off together.
  2. [R9] Affirm 3/5 · US Update your system to combine multiple payments.: You can combine payments on other platforms like after pay. You should be able to here. Upgrade your system.
  3. [R11] Affirm 5/5 · US Buena opcion: Funciona tanto para ahorrar el dinero accesible de tu cuenta bancaria como para darle poder de crecimiento de credito .Siempre me ha funcionado , Affirm me ha dejado viajar varias veces y nunca me ha fallado en mis compras de viajes, escolares y/o personales. Ademas que con un pago minimo incrementa el poder de compra $$$. En mi casa amamos Affirm!
  4. [R55] Affirm 5/5 · US Flexibility: I love Affirm with its many shopping options and flexible payment plans.
  5. [R3] 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.
  6. [R4] 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
  7. [R10] Affirm 1/5 · US Not customer friendly: I have been using this company for years and in the beginning they were good I didn’t have any problems. In the last year or so things have changed. I don’t get approved for anything anymore, even though I always pay everything off in a quick manner. When I ask, what’s going on they tell me pretty much a automated answer, even if I’m talking to a human anything is going on.
  8. [R13] Affirm 1/5 · US Spending power is a lie: Needed to use Affirm in an emergency and was relieved to see my spending power is $2680, except it was all a lie. The reasons they give don't match their own terms. If they'd have been honest upfront I could have figured out another payment method in time, but I'm missing vacation with my family because of deadlines hit while hearing false information from support.
  9. [R5] Affirm 5/5 · US Very reliable: I really love how easy I can solve problems with this credit
  10. [R6] Affirm 3/5 · US APP is not great: The cool thing about this app was that you could enter your passcode and begin shopping. Now you ask for a text verification and then have the audacity to also ask for an email verification as well. It’s too much! Idk why you had to change it.
  11. [R18] Affirm 3/5 · US Can You Please: Not everyone has a cellphone. Please add an email for other ways to verify account. Everything shouldn’t be attached to a damn phone number 🤦🏻‍♀️
  12. [R22] Affirm 2/5 · US Help: I can’t log in to my account I need to log in there to switch my account card the one I have is the credit one and every time I try the app says you can create an account at this time but hey I already have a stupid account which by the way has a payment which I need to update am trying to login but the app says you can’t create an account at this time which by the way is wrong I do already
  13. [R1] 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
  14. [R7] Affirm 1/5 · US Got declined at checkout after approved: I picked a plan and everything. Approved for the purchase. Added the card to apple wallet. Got decline at checkout. Support really don’t give af. They be trolling you. Don’t do business with them .
  15. [R16] Affirm 1/5 · US Amazing App, very friendly: I have Location Notifications turned off and I STILL get push notifications for stores. “Bed Bath and Beyond takes Affirm.” It’s so predatory. So I chat with their AI Slop who doesn’t even know where the settings are and gives me runarounds like a chicken with its head cut off. What a useless chat feature. If I meed Affirm again with my $6,700!purchasing power then
  16. [R25] Affirm 1/5 · US Customer: I am extremely dissatisfied with Affirm's customer service. I had to repeat my issue many times and received inconsistent and incorrect information from multiple representatives. There was no way to identify or track the representatives I spoke with, resulting in a lack of accountability. After nearly 50 calls over more than two months, my issue was still not properly resolved despite ca
  17. [R12] Affirm 3/5 · US Too long to process payments: I would give them 5 stars but they don’t process payments quick enough for me.
  18. [R21] Affirm 3/5 · US Down payments: The app is great , but i have had this happen several times , when setting up a plan , i am charged a down payment but the plan disappears in the app or gets voided out without me even using it , and this happens immediately , so then i am left without that money, for 7-10 days
  19. [R24] Affirm 3/5 · US Payment: Do not ever make a double payment. That double payment does not go towards your next payment., that second payment goes to the back of your Loan. They had asked me if I wanted payment on one of my loans, I said sure.. then guess what they continue to call me and send me text telling me that I am 22 days past due on my payment.. that goes against your record with them. I was not 22days p
  20. [R39] Affirm 5/5 · US bait and switch: I paid off my short loan I made ahead of time weeks ahead of time. I returned one of the items to Amazon and Amazon approved and refunded the amount which should’ve come to me! It went to affirm! I got the runaround and was told different reasons why I didn’t receive it even though I paid it off in full the bounce that was due I ahead of time. The last thing I was told was if I ha
  21. [R72] 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. 👍👍👍
  22. [R92] Klarna 5/5 · US Love this App: I enjoy this app for items that I need and having the flexibility to pay it back the way it’s best for me.
  23. [R40] Affirm 1/5 · US Terrible Customer Service: I strongly discourage anyone from using this app. I spent over a month trying to resolve a dispute and obtain a refund, speaking with approximately 10 different customer service representatives, yet no one was able to provide a resolution. On multiple occasions, representatives ended the chat without addressing my issue. I also spoke with two different phone representati
  24. [R67] Klarna 1/5 · US Poor Customer Service: Klarna tried to double charge me and then acted like I was crazy when I attempted to get clarification on the situation.
  25. [R66] Klarna 3/5 · US Often Decline after offering: I’ve noticed Klarna will have services advertised all over these wholesale platform apps. Then you pick your items click Klarna, wait for plans to appear and then click to be told payment is declined due to something not at all related to me. I’m well ahead of my payments nor had 1 late. Strange but ai bot says it happens. So idk I guess it happens
  26. [R61] Klarna 1/5 · US Concern: Not sure what’s going on with my account but I just had to make a payment for the payment I just made …

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