You've built a great online store. Your products sell well in the US and Canada. But when customers from Germany or Japan try to check out with Affirm, they hit a dead end. Affirm only works in North America. This leaves you scrambling for Affirm alternatives that actually serve international customers. The solution? Several other buy now, pay later providers already solved this problem.
Understanding Affirm's Geographic Boundaries
Affirm has a simple rule: US and Canada only. No exceptions. Your customers in London can't use it. Same goes for shoppers in Tokyo, São Paulo, or Sydney.
Currency support creates another headache. Affirm processes payments in USD and CAD only. International customers hate converting currencies at checkout. They see unfamiliar numbers and extra fees. Many just leave without buying. PPRO's research found that 67% of global shoppers abandon their carts when they can't find their preferred payment method.
Then there's the legal stuff. Every country has different rules about lending money to consumers. Some require special licenses. Others limit interest rates or payment terms. Affirm alternatives that already work in these countries have figured out the compliance puzzle. You don't have to.
Top Affirm Alternatives for International Markets
Klarna
Klarna runs the biggest global BNPL operation today. The company processes payments in 45 countries. Europeans love it. So do shoppers in Australia, New Zealand, and North America.
Customers get four ways to pay with Klarna. They can pay immediately, wait 30 days, split into installments, or get financing for bigger purchases. You can add Klarna to Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento stores pretty quickly. Expect to pay between 3.29% and 5.99% per transaction. The exact rate depends on which payment option your customer picks.
Afterpay (now Clearpay in UK/EU)
Afterpay started in Australia and spread fast. Fashion brands adopted it first, but now all kinds of retailers use it. The service works in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and several European countries.
Here's how it works: customers pay 25% upfront, then three more payments every two weeks. No interest. No hidden fees for buyers. Afterpay says 75% of its users are millennials and Gen Z shoppers. If you sell to younger customers, this matters. Merchants pay between 4% and 6% per transaction.
Sezzle
Sezzle might be smaller, but it goes places others don't. While Klarna and Afterpay fight over developed markets, Sezzle quietly expanded into India and Brazil. These markets have millions of online shoppers who want BNPL options.
The payment structure mirrors other providers. Customers pay in four installments over six weeks. Sezzle charges merchants less too: 2.5% plus 30 cents per transaction. That pricing makes it one of the cheapest Affirm alternatives available.
PayPal Pay in 4/Pay Monthly
PayPal already processes payments everywhere. Now they offer BNPL in the US, UK, Australia, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. If you already use PayPal, adding their BNPL takes minutes.
Trust drives PayPal's advantage. The company handled $1.53 trillion in payments during 2023. Customers know the brand. They have accounts. They trust it with their money. Sometimes that familiarity beats having more features.
Comparing Features That Matter
Transaction limits vary wildly between providers. Klarna approves purchases up to $10,000 in certain markets. Afterpay usually caps first-time buyers at $600, raising limits as they pay on time. Sezzle starts most customers at $250. Pick a provider that matches your typical order size.
Getting paid matters too. Afterpay sends your money immediately (minus their fee). Klarna takes three to five business days. Sezzle normally pays the next day, or same day if you pay extra. Think about your cash flow needs when choosing.
Not everyone gets approved. Klarna approves about 70% of applications. They check credit scores and financial history. Afterpay takes a different approach. They approve almost everyone for small amounts at first. Good payment behavior unlocks higher limits. Sezzle sits in the middle, approving 80% of returning customers.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Look at your sales data first. Where do international orders come from? If Germany and France drive most of your European revenue, Klarna fits perfectly. Australian customers? Afterpay dominates that market. Brazilian shoppers? Sezzle might be your only option.
Product prices guide your decision, too. Selling $500 electronics requires longer payment terms than $50 t-shirts. Expensive items need providers with higher limits and extended payment schedules. Cheaper products work fine with simple four-payment plans.
Nothing beats real data from your own store. Run tests with different providers. Show Klarna to half your European traffic and PayPal to the other half. Measure which one converts better. Let your customers vote with their wallets.
Conclusion
Affirm serves North American merchants well. But global commerce needs global solutions. Each of these Affirm alternatives brings something different. Klarna covers most countries. Afterpay owns the fashion market. Sezzle reaches emerging economies. PayPal offers instant trust. Pick the one that fits your customers' location and shopping habits. Test it carefully. Then watch your international sales grow.
FAQ: Affirm Alternatives for Global Merchants
Which Affirm alternative works in the most countries?
Klarna operates in 45 countries right now, more than any other BNPL provider. They have strong coverage in Europe, especially in Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, plus they're growing in North America and Australia.
Do Affirm alternatives charge international transaction fees?
The BNPL providers usually handle currency conversion without extra charges to you as the merchant. But your regular payment processor might still charge cross-border fees, so read both contracts carefully before signing up.
Can I use multiple BNPL providers simultaneously?
Yes, lots of stores offer two or three BNPL options at checkout. Customers pick their favorite, which can boost conversion rates. You'll need to manage separate dashboards and reconcile payments from each provider, though.
How do Affirm alternatives handle returns and refunds?
When customers return items, the BNPL provider cancels the payment plan and refunds any money already collected. You process these refunds through the BNPL provider's system, not your regular payment processor, which adds an extra step.
What happens if international customers don't repay their BNPL loans?
You get paid either way because the BNPL company takes the risk. They pay you upfront (after taking their fee) and handle collections themselves if customers stop paying their installments.
Your Shield Against Payment Disputes
Selling globally means facing chargebacks from every corner of the world. Different countries, different rules, same headache. Chargeblast stops disputes before they wreck your merchant account. We watch every transaction as it happens. When something looks wrong, we reach out to customers directly. Most issues get resolved before becoming chargebacks. You keep selling. We handle the protection.
