Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) has quickly become a popular option for convenient and flexible shopping. Used carefully, it can help with budgeting, but it isn’t risk-free. If you’re borrowing money through BNPL to cover essential costs, this could be a sign you need debt advice. Continue reading for our top 5 Buy Now Pay Later alternatives, or watch our short video guide below.
What is Buy Now Pay Later?
Buy Now Pay Later offers in-store and online shoppers the choice to spread the cost of their purchase(s) by making one monthly payment over a few (usually 3 or 4) interest-free instalments. Some catalogue companies also offer BNPL options, which are usually spread over a 6 or 12-month period.
What are the Benefits of Buy Now Pay Later?
If used carefully, BNPL can offer:
- Flexibility to pay for larger purchases, such as a sofa or piece of furniture, more gradually with no interest added (as long as you make your BNPL repayments on time).
- Some BNPL services don’t carry out a full credit check before approving you, which is a good option for those who are new to credit, or trying to rebuild their credit score.
What are the Risks of Buy Now Pay Later?
BNPL is still a form of borrowing. It’s important you know the risks so you can stay in control:
- If you can’t afford to pay for the item upfront, there’s a risk you won’t be able to afford the repayments either.
- If you can’t make your BNPL repayments on time, you will face late payment charges which can increase the amount you owe and negatively impact your credit score.
- You may feel tempted to purchase an item you wouldn’t usually be able to afford, as the BNPL instalments make the price seem cheaper. In reality, the total cost is the same, you’re just paying it off slower than upfront shoppers.
Discover our top 5 Buy Now Pay Later alternatives below.
1. Swap Buy Now Pay Later Food Shopping for Food Banks
In April 2024, 72% of adults in Great Britain reported an increase in their cost of living compared with the previous month. Of those whose cost of living went up, 92% said it was because food shopping had increased in price.
Some BNPL services, such as Klarna and Zilch, are now partnering with major supermarkets (Tesco, Asda, Iceland, etc.). Swap out your BNPL supermarket food shops for a visit to your local food bank. Trussell Trust can give you a minimum of three days’ food in an emergency but you will need to get a voucher first. You can get vouchers from:
- A doctor or health visitor
- Some job centres & councils
- Your local Citizens Advice branch
2. Buy Clothes Second-Hand from Charity Shops
According to UK Finance, over half (46%) of Buy Now Pay Later transactions are spent on fashion, with an average cost of £114 each time. Additionally, research from Equifax estimates that BNPL users spend 51% more on clothes each month than online shoppers who pay up-front.
We would always recommend sorting your priority debts first, like your mortgage, rent or utility bills, before spending on non-essential items. If you have disposable income (the money leftover after your priority debts are paid), you could try buying second-hand clothes instead of buying brand-new through BNPL agreements. Some places, apps and websites you can try include:
3. Check Which State Benefits You’re Entitled to
UK anti-poverty charity, Turn2us, has recently released new research (as of September 2025) that shows:
- 68% of people claiming state benefits feel ashamed of seeking support.
- 1 in 5 people put off claiming state benefits for over a year due to stigma and fear, with one third of these people cutting back on food and essentials to cope instead.
But we’re here to reassure you – there’s no need to feel embarrassed about claiming the support you’re entitled to. After the UK government’s Budget announcement for 2025, many state benefit payments are due to increase from April 2026, including:
- Universal Credit (including the child element due to the removal of the two-child benefit limit)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Learn more about the state benefits due to rise next year, whether you’re eligible and how to claim them.
4. Check if Your Local Council Offers a Welfare Assistance Scheme
When used incorrectly, Buy Now Pay Later can leave shoppers in thousands of pounds of debt. As the service grows in popularity, this is becoming more and more apparent:
- The National Debtline and Business Debtline (run by the Money Advice Trust) have supported 11,000 people (during the year ending in September 2025) with BNPL debt.
- Citizens Advice says it has seen a 48% increase in BNPL debt compared to 2024.
- Christians Against Poverty says 14% of its clients had BNPL debts in 2024, up from 9% in 2023.
If you’re in an emergency situation, it’s important you know what help is available to you. Take a visit to your local council to ask whether they offer a welfare assistance scheme (rules for these schemes will differ based on region).
5. Search for Charitable Grants Online
Last, but not least, on our list of Buy Now Pay Later alternatives is turning to charitable grants for help. Turn2us has a Grants Search tool which can look for over 1,400 grants for you.
You’ll never have to pay this money back and it takes less than five minutes to check – don’t wait to get the help you need.
Worried About BNPL Repayments?
If you’re worried about BNPL repayments, or you’ve fallen into BNPL debt, you’re not alone. Contact Angel Advance to get free*, confidential debt advice from our professional debt advisors today. We’ve helped over 71,000 people across the UK, whether that be over the phone, via email, through WhatsApp, or in a webchat.
Short on time? Try our free online debt advice tool which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete and once you’re done, you’ll see your monthly budget, tailored debt advice, and which debt solutions you’re eligible for on-screen – straightaway
*Our advice is free, but if you sign up for a debt solution, a fee will apply for some solutions.
