Buy Now, Pay Later has moved from a niche payment option to one of the most popular ways Canadians shop online. At ITFactory, we offer three flexible payment platforms — Afterpay, Sezzle, and PayPlan by RBC — so you can get the tech you need now and pay in a way that works for your budget. Here’s how each one works, who benefits most, and how to choose the right one for your situation.
What is Buy Now, Pay Later?
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) lets you split a purchase into smaller instalments instead of paying the full amount upfront. Depending on the platform you use, payments can be split over a few weeks with zero interest, or spread across several months with a low fixed rate. You get your order immediately — the only difference is how and when you pay for it.
BNPL has surged in popularity in Canada because it gives shoppers genuine flexibility without the downsides of a credit card — no revolving debt, no surprise interest charges, and no annual fees. For many people, it’s simply a smarter way to manage cash flow on larger purchases.
The three BNPL options at ITFactory
Afterpay — Split into 4, interest-free
Afterpay is one of the most widely used BNPL platforms in Canada, known for its simple, transparent approach. You pay 25% at checkout and the remaining balance is automatically split into three equal payments every two weeks — all interest-free as long as you pay on time.
- 4 equal payments over 6 weeks — zero interest
- 25% due at checkout, nothing more until two weeks later
- No credit check required to apply
- Instant approval decision at checkout
- Automatic payments — no manual transfers to remember
- No hidden fees when payments are made on time
Best for: Shoppers who want a short-term, zero-interest split on purchases and prefer automatic payments spread over six weeks.
Sezzle — Flexible splits, interest-free
Sezzle is the most popular BNPL platform in Canada and offers a similar pay-in-4 model to Afterpay, with some added flexibility. You can reschedule a payment once for free if your timing doesn’t line up, and Sezzle’s optional Sezzle Up feature allows on-time payments to contribute positively to your credit history.
- Pay in 4 equal instalments over 6 weeks — zero interest
- 25% due at checkout, remainder split fortnightly
- One free payment reschedule per order — useful if payday timing is off
- No hard credit check on signup — soft check only, no score impact
- Optional Sezzle Up subscription to help build credit history
- Sezzle Virtual Card can be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay
- Available for larger purchases through partner lenders up to $15,000 CAD
Best for: Shoppers who want the flexibility to reschedule a payment if needed, or who are building their credit history while shopping.
PayPlan by RBC — Longer terms, backed by Canada’s largest bank
PayPlan by RBC is a fundamentally different type of BNPL. Rather than splitting a purchase over six weeks, PayPlan offers structured monthly payment plans from 6 to 48 months — making it the right tool for larger purchases where you need more time. It is the only BNPL solution in Canada backed by a major chartered bank, which gives many shoppers added confidence.
- Payment terms from 6 to 48 months — choose what fits your budget
- Interest rates from 0% to 19.99% APR depending on term and purchase
- No hidden fees and no prepayment penalties
- Applying does not impact your credit score (soft check only)
- You do not need to be an RBC customer to use it
- First payment due at least 28 days after your order is placed
- Backed by RBC Ampli Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada
- Available to Canadian residents of the age of majority in their province
Best for: Larger purchases where you need months rather than weeks to pay, and shoppers who prefer dealing with a trusted Canadian financial institution.
Who benefits most from BNPL at ITFactory?
Buy Now, Pay Later works especially well in specific situations. Here are the types of shoppers who tend to get the most value from these options:
Small business owners and IT managers
Buying software licences, business radios, dictation equipment, or headsets for a team can add up quickly. BNPL lets you equip your team now and spread the cost across payroll cycles — helpful for managing cash flow without dipping into a line of credit. PayPlan by RBC is particularly well-suited here, as larger equipment orders can be financed over several months at low or zero interest.
Remote workers setting up a home office
A quality headset, a dictation recorder, or a new Microsoft 365 licence are genuine productivity investments. Rather than delaying a purchase you need now, Afterpay or Sezzle let you get set up immediately and pay over six weeks with no interest.
Students and young professionals
BNPL is particularly popular with Millennials and Gen Z shoppers in Canada, and for good reason. It doesn’t require a credit card, doesn’t charge interest on short-term plans, and makes expensive-but-necessary purchases — like Microsoft Office or professional headphones — genuinely accessible. Sezzle’s optional credit-building feature is an added bonus for those starting to establish a credit history.
Shoppers who prefer not to use a credit card
BNPL gives you instalment flexibility without revolving credit card debt. All three platforms offer transparent, fixed payment schedules — you always know exactly how much you owe and when it’s due, with no surprise interest accumulating in the background.
Shoppers making a planned larger purchase
If you’ve been holding off on a more significant purchase — a professional dictation system, a full Motorola radio fleet for your business, or a suite of software licences — PayPlan by RBC makes it possible to commit now and manage the cost over time in a structured, bank-backed instalment loan.
How to use BNPL at ITFactory
All three platforms are available directly at checkout on ITFactory.ca. The process is the same for each:
- Add your items to your cart and proceed to checkout
- Select Afterpay, Sezzle, or PayPlan by RBC as your payment method
- Complete a quick application — approval decisions come in seconds
- Review your payment schedule and confirm your order
- Your order ships immediately — payment instalments begin on the agreed schedule
There is no extra app to download for PayPlan by RBC — it runs entirely within the ITFactory checkout. Afterpay and Sezzle both have apps if you want to manage your payments and track your schedule, but they’re not required to use the service at checkout.
A word on responsible use
BNPL works best when it’s used for planned purchases you can genuinely afford to repay on the schedule. All three platforms are transparent about their payment dates — build those dates into your budget before you check out. Missing payments can result in fees (on Afterpay and Sezzle) or may be reported to credit bureaus (on PayPlan by RBC). Used thoughtfully, BNPL is a genuinely useful cash flow tool. Used impulsively across multiple purchases at once, it can create payment pressure. The best approach is to treat each BNPL plan the same way you would any other financial commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be an RBC customer to use PayPlan by RBC?
No. PayPlan by RBC is available to any Canadian resident of the age of majority in their province, regardless of who they bank with. You do need a Canadian post-paid mobile phone plan and a valid email address to apply.
Does using Afterpay, Sezzle, or PayPlan affect my credit score?
Afterpay and Sezzle do not require a hard credit check to apply — sign-up involves a soft check only, which does not impact your credit score. PayPlan by RBC also uses a soft check during application, but once your loan begins, your repayment history may be reported to credit bureaus. This means on-time payments can help your credit, while missed payments could hurt it.
What is the difference between Afterpay and Sezzle?
Both offer a pay-in-4 model over six weeks at zero interest. The key practical differences are that Sezzle allows one free payment reschedule per order if you need extra time, and Sezzle offers an optional credit-building subscription (Sezzle Up). Afterpay has a slightly larger merchant network globally, while Sezzle is the most widely used BNPL platform in Canada specifically.
Can I use PayPlan by RBC for a small purchase?
PayPlan by RBC is designed for larger purchases and is best suited to orders where spreading payments over several months makes sense financially. For smaller purchases, Afterpay or Sezzle — with their six-week, interest-free splits — are the more practical choice.
What happens if I return an item I bought with BNPL?
If you return an eligible item, ITFactory processes the refund according to its standard return policy. The BNPL provider then adjusts or cancels your remaining payment schedule accordingly. You may need to continue making payments until the return and refund are fully processed by the retailer. Contact ITFactory at support@itfactory.ca if you have questions about a return on a BNPL order.
Is there a limit on how much I can spend with BNPL?
Afterpay and Sezzle set individual spending limits based on your account history — new users typically start with a lower limit that increases over time as you build a payment record. PayPlan by RBC can accommodate larger purchases, with financing available up to $20,000 CAD depending on your application and the terms selected.
Ready to shop now and pay on your terms?
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