Zip review

Updated September 28, 2026 · BorrowCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

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Our verdict

Zip suits US shoppers splitting a checkout purchase, with the first payment due today and a hard credit check to pass. The 34.75% to 35.7% range sits above the 2.1% typical of pay later plans, so it suits planned one-off spending rather than ongoing borrowing.

Key facts

Best for
Splitting a checkout purchase into fixed payments, with the first due today.
APR
34.75% to 35.7% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Arrangement fee
$0-$124 based on payment plan and loan amount (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Credit check
Hard (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Funding time
Purchase completed at checkout, first payment due today (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Representative example
$400 purchase split into 4 biweekly payments of $102, first payment due today, $8 origination fee, total of payments $408 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Rate type
Fixed (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Lender type
Direct lender (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Free early repayment
Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Eligibility
Individual resident of the United States or its territories, at least of the age of legal majority where you live (currently 18 years old, in most cases) (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Loan types
BNPL (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Legal entity
Zip Co US, Inc. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Headquarters
United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Phone, Email, Help-centre (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Pricing model
Fixed rate
Features
Same-day funding
Official website
zip.co

Apps and profiles

Elsewhere
WikidataWikipediaLinkedInXbbb.org

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Purchase completes at checkout and the first payment is due today, so there is no waiting period
  • Free early repayment, so a plan can be cleared without an exit charge
  • Fixed rate pricing, so payments do not move with the market
  • A direct lender, and support runs through phone, email and help centre

Cons

  • The 34.75% to 35.7% range is high for a pay later plan, above the 2.1% typical in this group
  • The credit check is hard, so an application leaves a mark on the credit file
  • An origination fee of $0-$124 based on payment plan and loan amount is added on top of the payments
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Scored 9.1 / 10 by BorrowCue.

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Who it suits

  • US residents of the age of legal majority spending on a planned purchase
  • Shoppers who prefer paying at checkout rather than drawing down a credit card balance
  • People who can cover a payment that starts today

Who should look elsewhere

  • Borrowers wanting a longer repayment window, since the first payment is due at checkout
  • Anyone with a thin credit file, because the credit check is hard
  • Readers who want the lowest cost, since the 34.75% to 35.7% range and the origination fee sit high

The company behind it

Zip is Zip Co US, Inc., a direct lender based in the United States, so the credit sits with Zip rather than a broker. Support runs through phone, email and help centre. It holds registrations across several US states, including 60DBO-110414, SUP-L-00226674, RRL-10462, 367-22-8992 and CSO00576, with each licence id published for the state it covers.

How Zip compares

Where Zip is available

Available
United States
Licence in United States
Maryland Collection Agency / Credit Services Business / Debt Settlement Services Provider (1963958), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (60DBO-110414), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
Colorado Attorney General (SUP-L-00226674), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
Idaho Department of Finance (RRL-10462), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner (NOT.0026943), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
Missouri Division of Finance (367-22-8992), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
Nevada Department of Business and Industry (IL11281), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions (MB103937), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit (CSO00576), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (CGC-152482), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
WebBank (FDIC-insured, Utah-chartered industrial bank) - loan originator for Zip app and Zip Checkout, checked September 26, 2026

Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

What does a Zip plan cost?+

Zip prices at a fixed rate, and the 34.75% to 35.7% range is what the annual cost sits at. An origination fee of $0-$124 based on payment plan and loan amount is added on top, set by the payment plan and the loan amount. The representative example shows a purchase split into biweekly payments with the fee included.

When is the first payment due?+

The purchase is completed at checkout and the first payment is due today, so the plan starts at the till rather than after a waiting period. That suits shoppers who want the goods now and can already cover a payment.

Can I pay a Zip plan off early?+

Free early repayment is part of the terms, so a plan can be cleared before the end without an exit charge or penalty. Combined with the fixed rate, that keeps the total cost predictable. Repaying early needs no negotiation.

Does Zip run a credit check?+

The credit check is hard, so an application can leave a record on the credit file. Only US residents of the age of legal majority can apply, so the product serves a single market. A hard search is worth weighing first.

Is Zip regulated in the US?+

Yes. Zip holds US state registrations, including 60DBO-110414 and CSO00576, and is a direct lender rather than a broker. WebBank, a FDIC-insured Utah-chartered industrial bank, is the loan originator for the Zip app and Zip Checkout.

Who can apply for a Zip plan?+

Eligibility covers individual residents of the United States or its territories who are at the age of legal majority where they live, which is the age of majority in most cases. Lending is US only, under a Zip Co US, Inc. agreement. Applicants need to be adults in their own state.

What kind of loan is a Zip plan?+

It is a buy now pay later facility, so the money funds a purchase rather than a cash lump sum. It is a direct lender product with fixed rate pricing. Support is available through phone, email and help centre if the plan needs managing.

Sources

  • zip.co/us checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: APR, Features, Loan types, Representative example, Support channels, Licences

    “a $400 payment could be split into 4 biweekly payments of $102 with the first payment due today ($8 origination fee, representing a 34.75% APR ... a $1,100 purchase could be split into 2 payments of...”

  • zip.co/us/app checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Funding time

    “We'll autofill your payment info-check out in seconds.”

  • zip.co/us/loan-terms-of-service checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Credit check, Eligibility, Free early repayment, Headquarters, Legal entity, Pricing model, Arrangement fee, Rate type

    “You authorize us to investigate your creditworthiness and to obtain consumer reports about you in connection with your application”

  • zip.co/us/page/licenses checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Lender type

    “ZIP CO US INC. is licensed by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Installment Lender License No. 1963958.”

Compiled from 4 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

Not confirmed yet: Loan amount, Term.

Zip

Zip

Splitting a checkout purchase into fixed payments, with the first due today.

9.1/10See alternatives

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