🎯 Quick Answer
- Soft check (no impact): Klarna, Afterpay, Zip, PayPal Pay in 4
- May hard check: Affirm (monthly), PayPal Credit
- Builds credit FREE: Affirm → Experian
- Builds credit $12.99/mo: Sezzle Up → All 3 bureaus
📊 BNPL Credit Check Comparison
| BNPL App | Credit Check | Affects Score? | Builds Credit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klarna | Soft | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Affirm | Soft/Hard | Maybe | ✅ Yes (FREE) |
| Afterpay | Soft | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Sezzle Up | Soft | ❌ No | ✅ Yes ($12.99) |
| Zip | Soft | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| PayPal | Soft/Hard | Maybe | ❌ No |
✅ How to Build Credit with BNPL
❓ FAQ
Most BNPL apps use soft credit checks that don't affect your score. Only monthly financing (Affirm, PayPal Credit) may use hard checks.
Affirm reports to Experian for FREE. Sezzle Up reports to all 3 bureaus for $12.99/month. Others don't build credit.