Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have continued to become popular in Canada due to their easy access.
The interest-free access to BNPL services makes them a worthy alternative to credit cards and other credits.
With a BNPL service like Sezzle Canada, you can take their zero-interest loan at any time and pay it back in installments.
This Sezzle Canada review covers all you need to know about Sezzle including how it compares with similar apps.
Table of Contents
What is Sezzle Canada?
Sezzle is a leading fintech company that provides convenient buy-now-pay-later service to Canadians.
In June 2019, Sezzle Canada was launched in Toronto as the Canadian branch of the popular US-based BNPL company, Sezzle Inc.
Over the years, Sezzle Canada has gained over 1.5 million users in the country and also partnered with thousands of Canadian retailers.
Sezzle Canada offers a maximum of $2,500 credit that can be used to make online or in-store purchases.
When purchasing with Sezzle Canada, you only pay the first installment during checkout and the remaining three payments biweekly.
Is Sezzle Available in Canada?
Yes. The US-based BNPL company – Sezzle launched its operations in Canada in June 2019.
Since then, Sezzle has been providing interest-free pay-after-delivery service to over a million Canadians.
In December 2022, Sezzle Canada expanded its product offerings by introducing a credit reporting service called “Sezzle Up”.
This service helps build your score as Sezzle and other BNPL apps don’t report your loan repayments automatically to credit bureaus.
How Does Sezzle Work?
Sezzle Canada works like other buy now, pay later apps in Canada.
The company allows you to make online or in-store purchases and use it as your payment option at checkout.
You’re to pay the first (25%) of four installment payments at checkout and pay the remaining three biweekly.
Sezzle will pay the store the three installments payment (75%) at checkout which you’re to repay interest-free within 6 weeks.
Note that the maximum amount of purchase you can make with Sezzle is $2,500. Note that your limit can increase or decrease depending on your payment behaviour.
As a new user, you will not have access to the maximum credit limit on your first purchase. You have to walk your way up by repaying your loan when due.
Is Sezzle Canada Safe?
Sezzle Canada is a certified PCI Level 1 compliant. This means the company uses industry-level measures to protect your linked card with it.
The company also prevents unauthorized access to your data using advanced encryption and 2-factor authentication.
With over 1.5 users in Canada, you can be sure you’re dealing with a legit and safe buy now, pay later service
Sezzle Canada Stores
Sezzle is available across 1,000+ stores in Canada across different categories.
Here is a short list of some Canadian merchants that currently accept Sezzle Canada at checkout:
- bentley
- Hatley
- LUS Brand
- Revolution Nutrition
- Laura Canada
- Bravado Designs (CA)
- Lavender & Lace Boutique Inc.
- Hobbiesville
- Smash And Tess Dreamwear
- Yellow Shoes
- DeSerres
- SoftMoc
- Monos
- Knixwear
- Joelle Collection
- FortNine
- ORAKI
- Clocks and Colours
- Ann Beauty Inc
- Fondussimo
- PRFO Sports
- Hush Blankets
- Victoria Emerson Fancii
- Etah Love Ltd
- Golf Avenue
- Partsavatar.ca
- iRace Auto Sports
- Shop Sante INC
- Garde-Malade
- Needen Canada inc
- Popeye’s Supplements
Sezzle Canada Fees
Sezzle Canada doesn’t charge fees for using its services which is common with other buy-now-pay-later apps out there.
However, Sezzle Canada charges a fee when you reschedule your loan repayment or miss a payment.
Here is a quick explanation of Sezzle fees in Canada.
1. Rescheduling Payment Date
Sezzle Canada allows users to reschedule their loan repayment date three times.
However, you’re allowed to reschedule a repayment at no cost for the first attempt. The subsequent two reschedulings will attract a $5 fee per reschedule.
2. Late Payment
Like others buy now, pay later apps, Sezzle charges late payment fees in Canada. The fee is $10 per late payment.
But if you repay the late payment within 48 hours, Sezzle will waive the late payment fee.
Besides the late payment fees, Sezzle may also restrict your access to their services when you default on an existing loan.
If you opt for Sezzle Up, missing payment can hurt your credit score since your repayment timeline will be reported to credit bureaus.
3. Card Declined/Insufficient Fund
Card declined or insufficient funds in your account will amount to failed auto withdrawal from your account.
As such, Sezzle will charge you $10 for any failed deduction from your account due to a card declined or insufficient funds.
Sezzle Promo Code Canada
Sezzle offers promotions and various types of reward programs through its partner stores in Canada.
To get a Sezzle promo code in Canada, you have to visit the Sezzle store page and click on a given store.
The Sezzle promo codes can get you a good discount on qualifying orders during checkout in addition to rewards on purchases.
Pros and Cons of Sezzle Canada
Like every other pay-after-delivery service, Sezzle Canada has its advantages and drawbacks. Below are the major ones.
Pros:
- Interest-free loans of up to $2,500
- 6 weeks installment payments
- 1 free loan repayment reschedule and two paid-reschedule access
- Penalty-free early payments
- Free credit-building access with Sezzle Up (optional)
Cons:
- Limited partner stores in Canada
- Require first of four installment payments at checkout
- $10 high late payment fee
How to Open a Sezzle Account in Canada
Before you can open an account with Sezzle in Canada, you need to meet the following requirements.
- Be a resident of Canada
- Reach the age of 18 or older
- Have a Canadian phone number and a valid email address
- Have a valid method of payment (debit card, credit card or bank account)
Once you meet the requirements, follow the steps below to open a Sezzle account in Canada.
- Visit the company website here or download and install their mobile app
- Click on “Sign Up” under the menu
- Choose “Shopper Sign Up”
- Fill out the registration form to create a new account
- Submit the complete form
Sezzle vs Afterpay
Afterpay is a BNPL company that is available in Canada and other parts of the world.
Sezzle and Afterpay offer the same services but differ in their fees. The following provides a side-by-side comparison of the two.
| Feature | Sezzle Canada | Afterpay Canada |
| Launch date | 2019 | 2020 |
| Interest on loans | None | None |
| Active consumers (worldwide) | 3.4 million | 19 million |
| Countries covered | 26 | 8 |
| Partner stores (worldwide) | 48,000+ | 63,000+ |
| Late payment fee | $10 | $8 + up to 25% of order value |
| Rescheduling fee | 1 free access and a $5 fee for each rescheduling | Free |
| Loan repayment method | 25% down payment and 3 (75%) installment payments | 25% down payment and 3 (75%) installment payments |
| Credit building tool | Yes | No |
Both Sezzle and Afterpay require consumers to make a 25% instant payment of their purchases during checkout and make biweekly payments of the remaining payments.
However, Sezzle charges a $10 fee for late payments but Afterpay charges $8 and up to 25% of the order value.
Sezzle also differs from Afterpay in terms of rescheduling payment fees. Sezzle only gives 1 free rescheduling while Afterpay does charge a fee at all.
Unlike Afterpay, Sezzle helps build your credit score by reporting your repayment to credit bureaus through Sezzle Up
Learn more: Afterpay Canada Review
Sezzle vs Klarna
With over 150 million active consumers, Klarna is one of the biggest BNPL companies in Canada and other parts of the world.
The table below shows a brief comparison between Sezzle and Klarna in Canada.
| Feature | Sezzle Canada | Klarna Canada |
| Launch date | 2019 | 2014 |
| Interest on loans | None | None |
| Active consumers (worldwide) | 3.4 million | 150 million |
| Countries covered | 26 | 45 |
| Partner stores (worldwide) | 48,000+ | 450,000+ |
| Late payment fee | $10 | None |
| Rescheduling fee | 1 free access and a $5 fee for each rescheduling | Free |
| Loan repayment method | 25% down payment and 3 (75%) installment payments | 25% down payment and 3 (75%) installment payments |
| Credit building tool | Yes | No |
From the above comparison, you can see that Sezzle charges a late payment fee of $10 while Klarna doesn’t charge a dime.
Instead of charging you late payment fees, Klarna will report you to a debt collection agency if your loan repayments are overdue. This may result in legal charges and a negative hit to your credit score
Unlike Sezzle, Klarna allows its users to reschedule their payments for free.
Klarna’s availability across 450,000+ stores makes it more accessible than Sezzle.
On the other hand, Sezzle outshines Klarna by giving you the option to have your payment activities reported to credit bureaus.
Learn more: Klarna Canada Review
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Verdict on Sezzle Canada Review
Sezzle Canada helps you make purchases that you can’t otherwise pay for.
The interest-free loan of Sezzle could be your alternative emergency fund against a credit card, payday loan or other high-interest loans.
However, you should not rush to a BNPL app like Sezzle if you’re not financially capable to pay your payment on time.
Not only will the late payment fees restrict your access to Sezzle in the future, but it can also hurt your credit score if you subscribe to Sezzle Up.
As such, it’s essential to evaluate your situation and compare different options before signing up for Sezzle.
