Buy Now Pay Later in The Philippines

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) in the Philippines is a payment option available to customers in the Philippines, allowing consumers to purchase items now and pay for them over time instead.

One of the main advantages of BNPL is that consumers do not need to pay the full amount upfront to make purchases. “Buy now, pay later” is usually used to pay for large items such as appliances or gadgets. But now some people use it to pay for everyday essentials like food.

Aside from paying for purchased products, users can also use BNPL to pay for services and utilities such as water, electricity, internet, and phone bills, provided they are partner merchants with the chosen BNPL program. Many establishments offer the buy now pay later credit line option, including physical stores, online stores, and even utility providers. A few of these include popular eCommerce platforms such as Lazada and Shopee, retail outlets such as All Home and SM Appliance, and utility providers such as Meralco.

In this article, we’ll discuss what BNPL financial programs in the Philippines, is, how to apply for it, where you can use it, and the terms that go along with the type of payment option. Being able to use this financial option for everyday purchases lightens the load of spending and allows users to budget and manage finances better.

New data suggested that Buy Now Pay Later services are projected to grow in size in the Philippines by 2025 after the pandemic accelerated consumer adoption of cashless services. The global BNPL market is forecast to more than double, from $150 billion in 2021 to $375 billion in 2025. The spread of “Buy Now, Pay Later” programs can also be attributed to rising inflation in the Philippines(1)

What is BNPL in the Philippines?

BNPL in the Philippines is a type of installment loan with proves a great alternative to credit cards, which often require more restrictive screening and requirement processes for approval. With this payment method, you can buy something right away, even if you don’t have enough cash at the moment. A lot of BNPL credits allow you to pay for purchases without using a credit card.

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How Does BNPL work in the Philippines?

BNPL programs divide the total purchase cost into multiple payments over a set period (usually up to 12 months). Users must make a “down payment” or an initial deposit and then pay the remaining balance in monthly installments.

These monthly installments are fixed amounts typically slightly higher than the minimum payments required by credit cards. Customers are free to shop now, pay later and with often 0% interest.

Some BNPL service providers do not request information such as a user’s credit history or credit score to determine their eligibility for a BNPL loan. However, users usually stick to paying their installment loan amount in due time to avoid restrictions to their account, interest rates, fees for paying late and risking a sizable decrease in their spending limit.

To fully gauge a user’s eligibility for loans, BNPL providers give users a set credit limit per month. The credit limit starts at a low amount and gradually increases when users make more purchases and can pay their outstanding balances on time.

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BNPL is a loan that allows you to pay for purchases using no credit card. However, some BNPL in the Philippines requires the users to hold a Philippine-based bank account to apply for BNPL loans. The BNPL payment option is also available at certain banks like Metrobank, BDO, and EastWest Bank. These banks offer BNPL services through their websites or mobile banking apps with special discounts for customers who opt to pay using BNPL.

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Comparison BNPL Loans to Credit Сard Offers

Buy now, pay later installment loans are similar to credit card BNPL offers. Still, there are also crucial differences in the terms and conditions that users should be aware of before applying for a buy now pay later installment loan.

Let’s go through the similarities first:

1. Both BNPL loans and credit cards allow installment payments.

The most significant benefit of applying for a buy now pay later program or credit card is there ability to make installment payments on purchases or large ticket items without depleting your savings account. This leaves more room to save up and pay off your debt over a more extended period of time or spend on other necessary items and reserve payment for another time.

2. Both offer period payment terms.

The period for loan amount repayment for BNLP loans and credit cards is between 3 to 12 months. Usually, interest-free installments are up to 4 months, and loans for longer payment periods incur interest rates. Therefore, before committing to a loan, users must understand the shop installment loan terms and conditions to know what to expect regarding payment periods, interest rates, and late fees.

Both offer discounts when you pay using a BNPL loan or credit card

Many establishments now offer discounted prices for customers who opt to use their BNPL loan approved by credit bureaus. In some cases, the discounts increase in relation to the loan amount. Meaning shorter payment periods incur a higher discount than opting for longer payment terms.

Depending on the payment method and merchant, a paylater transaction and credit card transaction can add up to a sizable discount, especially for home furnishings, appliances, and electronics.

3. Both require a bank account.

For most BNPL programs, users must link their debit card to their account to pass the approval process. However, a few providers do not require a bank account to use the buy now pay later loans, such as SPay Later and Lazada BNPL.

Instead, users must transfer funds into their respective accounts to maintain enough balance to pay for the current outstanding loans. This can be done using financial apps like GCash, Maya, or Coins.ph.

4. Both earn reward points.

Various online and offline establishments provide special discounts or reward programs when customers shop using their chosen BNPL provider or credit card brand. This is an added benefit to using buy now, pay later options, as customers can save more with these rewards and discounts.

The difference between BNPL programs and credit cards are:

1. Buy now, pay later loans tend to have fewer approval requirements than credit cards.

Unlike credit cards, buy now pay later loans are much easier to approve as they do not require a minimum salary or existing loan/credit card history. This makes it easy for those with a limited financial background to access installment payments.  Applying for a Buy Now Pay Later loan usually only requires the following:

• Personal information includes your full name, address, age, gender, profession, and current work status.
• Approved and valid Government ID or other forms of identification, such as student ID or work ID.
• Some providers will ask for a recent bank statement.
• Character references.

3. BNPL loans in the Philippines incur higher fees than credit cards.

While credit cards allow users to pay equal payments over a period of time, most BNPL loans incur higher interest rates even for short payment periods.

Additionally, a buy now pay later loan has more restrictive stipulations for those who consistently miss payment deadlines which often result in low allowable purchase amounts and heftier interest rates for succeeding purchases made with the provider.

4. Not all establishments/merchants/providers allow the buy now, pay later payment method.

While the popularity of buy now pay later programs and apps is increasing in the Philippines, the number of merchants, providers, and establishments that accept this payment method still needs to grow. On top of that, each establishment has its preferred BNPL provider partner.

Users must create multiple BNPL accounts for different providers depending on which one the merchant accepts. On the other hand, credit cards are accepted in almost all establishments regardless of which bank it comes from.

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What is the interest rate on BNPL in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, interest is a charge that is applied to a BNPL account when the balance is not paid in full by the agreed upon date. The interest rate for a BNPL account can vary depending on the provider and the terms of the account. Some BNPL providers offer interest-free installments, while others charge a small fee or interest on the installments. Short-payment plans typically charge no interest, long-term BNPL plans can charge up to 30% APR.

It is important for consumers to carefully review the terms and conditions of a BNPL provider before signing up, as the fees and interest rates can vary significantly between providers. Some BNPL providers may also offer promotional interest rates or special deals for new customers, so it is a good idea to shop around and compare offers from different providers.

It is worth noting that the interest rate for a BNPL account may be higher than the interest rate for a traditional credit card or personal loan. This is because BNPL is considered a higher risk form of credit, as it allows consumers to make purchases without having to pay the full amount upfront.

Top 10 Best BNPL Installment Loans Services 2023

There are several BNPL providers operating in the Philippines, each with its own unique features and terms. Some BNPL providers offer interest-free installments, while others charge a small fee or interest on the installments. It is important for consumers to carefully review the terms and conditions of a BNPL provider before signing up, as the fees and interest rates can vary significantly between providers.

These are the most key features for a buy now pay later credit line on popular providers BNPL in the Philippines:

#Atom

Atom Buy Now, Pay Later App – great choice for your fashion shopping.
This BNPL system divides your bill into three equal payments over three months without any interest. But don’t late your payment otherwise, you will be charged an administrative fee of ₱300

Partners: Zalora, Aldo, Garmin, HairMNL, The SM Store, and Rustan’s, Boozy, Fitness First, Agoda, and Linen and Homes, Timex, Hair Matters, Leather.PH, Davines,SunStreet

Terms & Rates:

• Loan amount: Starts at ₱100
• Loan term: Three months
• Interest rate: 0%
• Administration fee: ₱300

#TendoPay

TendoPay – buy now and pay later at popular stores like Lazada, Zalora, 7-Eleven, Vision Express, The Premium Playground Outlet and more. Take advantage of TendoPay installment credit without a bank account or credit history

Terms & Rates:

• Loan amount: ₱2,000 to ₱30,000
• Loan term: One to 24 months
• Interest rate: 0% with select partner merchants / may depend on the loan amount or term
• Administration fee: ₱300

#Cashalo Pay Later

BNPL Installment 0% at stores like Lazada, Spyder, Gear Up, Vans, Centroplay, Bikelane and Motoactive.

Terms & Rates:

• Loan amount: Starts at ₱2,000
• Loan term: Every month during your billing date
• Interest rate: 0% when you pay on time

#GCredit by GCash

Buy Now, Pay Later” by GCash program is only available to fully validated users with a high-level Gscores score (the overall trust rating from GCash – is based on how long a person has been using GCredit)

• Loan amount: Up to ₱10,000
• Loan term: Monthly basis based on the statement schedule
• Interest rate: 5% per month
• Late payment fee:
  
  • ₱200 if payment is one to 30 days late
  • ₱600 if payment is 31 to 60 days late
  • ₱400 if payment is 61 to 90 days late
  • ₱600 if payment is more than 90 days late

#LazPay Later

LazPayLater is a Lazada BNPL program for select users with 0 % Interest rate for 45-day term. You can get a credit limit of up to ₱ 15,000. You can use your credit limit to buy products at Lazada. However, you won’t be able to use it to buy jewelry or digital items such as mobile devices.

You can also easily use monthly installment payments from accredited Lazada partners such as TendoPay, UnaPay and Cashalo.

The best feature of this Lazada BNPL program is that it does not charge any subscription fees or other charges. However, if you repay the loan within 45 days, you will be charged interest.

Terms & Rates:

• Loan amount:Up to ₱15,000
• Loan term: 45 days / 3, 6, 9, or 12 months
• Interest rate: 0% for 45-day term / May depend on the monthly installment plan chosen
• Late payment fee: May depend on your loan amount or term

#SPay Later (Shoppee Shop Now Pay Later)

SPay Later is one of Shopee’s payment methods that allows you to pay for purchases later or get an installment credit. As GCash and The SPayLater LazPayLater – SPay Later is only available to selected users.
You can pay SPayLater bills through ShopeePay and other Shopee-supported methods such as e-wallets, online payments, and OTC.

Terms & Rates:

• Loan amount: Depending on the approved credit limit
• Loan term: Up to 12 months
• Interest rate: 1% to 5% per month
• Processing fee: 0% to 2% of the total amount
• Late payment fee: 2.5% to 5% on your bill for the month

#BillEase

Terms & Rates:

• Loan amount: ₱2,000 to ₱40,000
• Loan term: One to 12 months
• Interest rate: 0% to 3.49% per month

To apply to BNPL BillEase you will need the latest proof of income, proof of billing and one valid government ID to be eligible for the buy now pay later feature.

These are the type of proofs of income accepted:

• Payslips
• Screenshot of bank transaction history
• Upwork certificate of employment
• Paypal transaction history
• Remittance slip

These are the proofs of billing accepted:

• Meralco bill
• Credit card bill
• Water bill
• Cable TV bill
• Postpaid plan bill

#Plentina

The first time you can use Palentina BNPL for small purchases such as groceries. In the beginning, you will have a small amount of the limit (100 ₱), but it will increase over time. You won’t have to pay a service fee if you repay within 14 days. But keep in mind, if your payment is 60 days overdue, Plentina will charge you a service fee of 9.5% to 14%.

Terms & Rates:

• Loan amount: Starts at ₱100
• Loan term: 14 days to two months
• Interest rate: 0%
• Service fee: 5% to 14% (depending on the repayment period)

#Home Credit

Home Credit “Buy Now, Pay Later” is one of the most popular program in the Philippines.

With Home Credit’s “Buy Now, Pay Later” program you can buy smartphones and tablets, laptop computers, furniture, appliances, sports goods, electric bicycles, musical instruments, clothes, housewares, and more. You’ll be approved in just a few minutes – just provide two valid IDs.

Terms & Rates:

• Loan amount: Up to ₱60,000 (based on Home Credit’s loan calculator)
• Loan term: Six to 24 months
• Interest rate: Depends on the loan amount and your down payment.
• Processing fee: 3% of the financed amount
• Collection charge: ₱200
• Late payment fee:
  
  • ₱400 if payment is past due for 30 days
  • ₱600 if payment is past due for 60 days
  • ₱800 if payment is past due for 90 days

As you can see the Philippines has a handful of BNPL options to consider based on your spending habits and financial situation. Different providers have different rate structures for their buy now and pay later services, but Atome, GCredit by GCash, LazPay Later and SPay Later (Shoppee Philippine) generally offer competitive interest rates.

When considering a provider to go with, compare their terms and conditions before signing up. Also, it’s essential to consider the level of security of your chosen provider. Ideally, you should select one accredited by numerous merchants and credit bureaus. Never sign up for unknown BNPL options or low reviews and ratings.

#Digido Quick Loans

If you want to get a quick loan without interest for a short term you also can pay attention to Digido quick personal loan for your shopping. Digido provides fast loan approval in 5 minutes. You can buy any items at Lazada using Digido loans. Any Filipino within 21-70 years of age with a working mobile connection can apply for a loan. Digido offers unsecured personal loans of up to PHP 25,000. The entire process does not take more than 15 minutes.

Terms & Rates:

• Loan amount: ₱1,000 to ₱25,000
• Loan term: One to six months
• Interest rate: 0% interest rate for 7 days – to 11,7% per month
• Requirements: only require 1 government valid ID

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Keep in mind that some BNPL providers only work in the Philippines, but there are a few merchants that accept international providers. One example is using Afterpay in the Philippines. While not many stores allow this as their mode of payment certain merchants allow visitors to pay with this provider.

“Before, the main demand was met by BNPL services (Billease and TendoPay) embedded in marketplaces (Lazada or Shopee). Nowadays, there are national and non-BNPL providers, such as Afterpay (Square), Paidy (PayPal), Cashalo, Plentina, Atome and others”[1]

Which BNPL provider has the best benefits?

Depending on the merchant or platform, each BNPL program has its advantages and disadvantages.

Some factors to consider when evaluating BNPL providers include the fees and interest charges associated with their services, the availability and convenience of their payment options, and any additional benefits or perks that they offer to users.

Suppose you plan on making only one account for BNPL purchases. In that case, it’s best to look at the official website of your chosen provider to see the complete list of partner merchants and providers they work with and weigh the pros can cons of their payment terms, conditions, and rewards programs.

The following are the main players in Asia:
Atome, Rely, Tendopay, Fundiin, Hoolah, Finaccel, Latiturepay, Split, Ablr, Ceria, Easygop, Undiin, Wowmelo, Indodana, Gojek, Link ajo, Dana, Traveloka, Fave, Shopback, Shopee, Pine labs, Akulaku, Unapay, Finmas, Cashalo, Billease, Superatom.

How To Apply For BNPL Credit Line In The Philippines

As mentioned, there are multiple buy now, pay later providers in the Philippines for consumers to choose from. However, the general process of applying for a BNPL credit line in the Philippines is straightforward.

Choose BNPL service and create an account, submit your personal information along with a valid government ID and other requirements . Afterwards, you can easily top up your credits or link your debit card to the BNPL account and start using it.

1. Download your chosen App from Google Play or Apple Store
2. Input your mobile phone number and wait for the verification code
3. Verify your account and provide personal information
4. Provide your credit card details
5. Add in basic details and a valid Government ID.

Generally, the steps for registering and applying for a BNPL are often similar but may vary depending on the requirements

Pros and Cons of Buy Now Pay Later

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Summary

One of the main advantages of BNPL in the Philippines that it allows consumers to make purchases without having to pay the full amount upfront. This can be particularly appealing for those who may not have access to traditional forms of credit, or who may not want to incur the high interest rates associated with credit card debt. BNPL can also be a convenient option for those who want to spread the cost of a purchase over a longer period of time.

However, it’s essential to research and compare the different providers before choosing one. It’s also a good idea to use these payment methods responsibly and make sure you can afford the repayment plan before signing up for any BNPL loan. Be sure to read all the terms and conditions carefully to know what is expected of you to repay your loan. Additionally, be mindful of the fees that come along with late payments.

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Note: The information presented in the tables is subject to change and borrowers are advised to contact their chosen bank/ financial entity directly for the updated information