Affirm lets you pay later. Here's what that actually costs.

Affirm finances purchases through installment plans. Their rates and rules vary significantly based on who you are and where you shop.

What you're signing up for:

🔴 APR rates swing from 0% to 36% depending on your credit. Down payments may be required. You don't know your rate until you apply, and it changes per transaction.

🔴 Affirm isn't a bank. Your money in an Affirm account is only protected if the issuing bank fails—not from Affirm itself. That's a material difference.

🟡 Not every payment option works everywhere. Eligibility checks happen at checkout. Availability depends on the merchant, so what works at one store might not work at another.

🟡 Payment estimates don't include taxes or shipping. The total you see isn't the total you'll pay. Budget accordingly.

🟢 The 4-payment option is actually 0% APR with no minimum balance. Straightforward if you can close the loop in 4 weeks.

Affirm's flexibility comes with variability. Rates are high by design, eligibility is opaque, and the math on what you'll actually owe requires math.

This breakdown is based on Affirm's publicly available Terms of Service and/or Privacy Policy. It may contain mistakes. Spot one? Let us know.