Maybe you're working on a tight budget, but you need to buy something important, you want to take advantage of an online sales event, or you have gifts to buy for everyone in your life. What do you do?
Short of having an awkward conversation with a friend or family member to borrow some money, there's a more convenient way to manage how you pay for online purchases, on your own terms.
What is Affirm?
Affirm is a buy now, pay later payment option you'll see when you check out your cart at many online shopping sites. It partners with more than 330,000 merchants that accept Affirm as payment, as of December 2024. It's especially useful for large purchases such as furniture and mattresses because it lets you pay them off over a period of time (usually three, six, or 12 months).
Utilizing Affirm can be a practical part of your strategy when learning how to budget or trying to save money on large expenses. Instead of paying a lump sum upfront, you can plan payments in a way that aligns with your financial goals.
Using Affirm
You can apply for a loan online as you're shopping at one of many Affirm's partner stores, which include women's and men's fashion, furniture, kitchenware, home appliances, sports and fitness, electronics, jewelry, and watch brands.
Shoppers can also use Affirm in brick-and-mortar stores by downloading the Affirm app, which generates a virtual card for in-store purchases at participating retailers. When checking out, simply choose Affirm as your payment method, select a payment plan, and use your virtual card to complete the transaction.
Annual percentage rates (APRs) vary widely with Affirm, ranging from 0% to 36%, so you'll want to compare and contrast with other loan options including credit cards first. That said, you'll always be shown upfront the total amount of interest you'll pay. Affirm does not charge any additional fees.
When it comes time to pay, you'll see something like the below:
From there, you can create an account, get approved for a loan, and pay off your purchase at a pace you're comfortable with. Affirm offers flexible payment plans, including "Pay in 4" (4 interest-free payments every 2 weeks) and monthly installments (3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and up to 60 months).
Major retailers that accept Affirm
Technology and electronics stores that accept Affirm
Automotive retailers that accept Affirm
Home and furniture stores that take Affirm
You may want to also consider one of the top credit cards with 0% APR to finance bigger home purchases like electronics from Best Buy or furniture from Pottery Barn.
- Allmodern
- Apt 2B
- Art.com
- Bed in a Box
- Birch Lane
- Boll & Branch
- Brooklinen
- Brooklyn Bedding
- Burrow*
- Dyson
- East Fork Pottery
- Floyd Home*
- Framebridge
- Great Jones
- Havenly*
- Home Depot
- Joss and Main
- KitchenAid
- Lowes
- Parachute
- Pottery Barn
- Revival Rugs
- Rugs.com
- Saatchi Art
- Serena & Lily
- The Inside
- Wayfair
Mattress stores that accept Affirm
You can get an Affirm loan with several popular mattress retailers, including Casper and Nectar.
- Allswell Home
- Avocado*
- Awara Sleep
- Bear*
- Brooklyn Bedding
- Casper*
- Dreamcloud*
- Eight Sleep
- Layla Sleep*
- Leesa*
- Nectar*
- Purple*
- Tuft & Needle*
- Zinus
Clothing stores that accept Affirm
If you're looking to up your style game, you have several options that take Affirm, including big-box retailer Walmart and shoe titan Adidas.
Accessory stores that take Affirm
You can use an Affirm loan to purchase watches and glasses from retailers including Lenscrafters and Warby Parker.
Health and fitness stores that take Affirm
Borrowers looking to focus on their health and wellbeing will find that Affirm can finance more expensive purchases. This includes products like a kayak from the Austin Kayak Company or an exercise bike from Peloton.
Travel portals that take Affirm
Loans from Affirm aren't just for material items — you can also use them to book hotels, airlines and vacation rentals through the travel portals we've included below.
Affirm stores FAQs
Can I use Affirm to finance purchases at any store?
No, you cannot use Affirm at any store. However, there are over 330,000 stores that accept Affirm, so you have a wide range of participating stores to choose from, both online and brick-and-mortar.
Are there any interest fees associated with using Affirm?
Affirm charges 0% to 36% APR based on your creditworthiness and the specific retailer. Some purchases may also qualify for 0% APR, which makes them interest-free as long as you adhere to the repayment schedule.
How do I know if an online store accepts Affirm?
To know if an online store accepts Affirm, look for the Affirm logo at checkout or select Affirm as your payment option. You can also find a list of participating stores on the Affirm website.
Can I return an item I purchased with Affirm?
Yes, you can return an item purchased with Affirm, but returns are subject to the retailer's return policy. Upon processing, Affirm will refund the amount you've already paid and cancel any future payments related to that purchase.
How does using Affirm impact my credit score?
An Affirm loan may involve a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score. However, like any credit product, your payment history can impact your credit score.
