---
updatedAt: 2026-02-05T22:02:34.000Z
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# How Affirm Works

Affirm offers flexible pay-over-time solutions through a range of integration options: API, platform extensions, and omnichannel tools. Learn how to get started, promote financing, and empower your customers to purchase confidently.

## Overview

Affirm empowers merchants to offer transparent and flexible payment options at checkout, enabling customers to purchase now and pay over time. Whether you're integrating via APIs, e-commerce platforms, or an in-store or telesales solution, Affirm simplifies the experience for both businesses and their customers. With promotional messaging, financing programs, and global capabilities, Affirm helps merchants drive higher conversions, average order values, and customer satisfaction.

<Callout icon="🌐" theme="default">
  ### Global Integrations

  Affirm also supports global integrations for merchants in Canada and beyond, and its VCN (Virtual Card Network) enables seamless, flexible checkout experiences powered by a single-use virtual card. See the [Global Affirm Integration Guide](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/v1.0-Global-Integration/docs/global-affirm-integration-guide) for details.
</Callout>

### Affirm flow

<Image align="center" border={false} src="https://files.readme.io/13273e8-How_Affirm_Works_Graphic_updated-web.svg" title="How Affirm works.png" />

## The customer experience

Customers using Affirm are shown personalized financing options at checkout, including <Anchor label="Adaptive Checkout" target="_blank" href="https://businesshub.affirm.com/hc/en-us/articles/16322358615316-Affirm-Products-Adaptive-Checkout">Adaptive Checkout</Anchor>™, <Anchor label="Pay in 4" target="_blank" href="https://businesshub.affirm.com/hc/en-us/articles/16090960846100-Affirm-Products-Pay-In-4">Pay in 4</Anchor>, and <Anchor label="Installments" target="_blank" href="https://businesshub.affirm.com/hc/en-us/articles/16318496648980-Affirm-Products-Installments">Installments</Anchor>. These options make larger purchases more accessible without hidden fees or surprises. Affirm messaging can be displayed throughout the shopping journey, giving shoppers upfront visibility into their payment options and helping them budget with confidence.

Whether they're buying a vacation, home upgrade, or a gift, Affirm’s experience is mobile-friendly and fast, creating a seamless checkout across devices.

## The merchant experience

Affirm provides a wide range of integration options to fit your business model, such as:

* **Direct API**: For full customization and control.
* **Mobile SDKs**: Native iOS and Android integration.
* **Affirm Lite**: Simplified hosted checkout using virtual cards.
* **e-Commerce Platforms**: Easy setup using plugins (e.g., Shopify, BigCommerce).
* **Telesales**: Send a secure checkout link via SMS or email.
* **Affirm Landing Page (In-Store Only)**: In-store checkout without a POS integration.

For details on integration options, see [Solutions We Offer](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/solutions-we-offer) and [Platforms We Support](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/platforms-we-support).

Additionally, Affirm’s Promotional Messaging helps merchants present financing options at key points early in the customer journey, like product pages, cart views, and checkout. These placements educate customers and influence purchase decisions by highlighting interest-free or low-interest monthly payment plans.

### Financing programs

Affirm offers three core pay-over-time financing options. Click the tabs below to explore each one.

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            <h3>Adaptive Checkout™</h3>
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        <p>Adaptive Checkout™ offers enhanced payment flexibility, allowing shoppers to either split their total cost into four interest-free payments every two weeks or choose monthly installments for up to 36 months. This financing option caters to diverse budgetary needs, providing a seamless and accessible shopping experience for a wider range of consumers. It combines convenience and choice in one frictionless platform, adapting to individual financial preferences.</p>
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        <p>Installment payments provide customers with the flexibility to manage larger purchases through pay-over-time options. With Affirm, customers can select repayment plans that range from 3 to 60 months, catering to orders up to $25,000. This approach enables customers to make purchases that align with their budget, offering a tailored financial solution.</p>
        <img src="https://files.readme.io/641d54d-Installments-Intro.svg" alt="Install Affirm on SAP" height="400" width="400" align="center">
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        <p>Our Pay In 4 product simplifies the customer experience by allowing them to use their debit or credit card for quick and easy repayments. This method involves four interest-free payments, made bi-weekly, suitable for orders ranging from $50 to $249.99. Designed for smaller purchases and services, Pay In 4 not only offers convenience but also provides the most favorable rates for your customers.</p>
        <img src="https://files.readme.io/169b706-PayIn4-Intro.svg" alt="Affirm SAP Commerce Promo Messaging Overview" height="400" width="400" align="center">
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### Solution comparison

Explore the extensive benefits of Affirm's primary solutions: Direct API, Affirm Lite, Affirm Landing Page, and Virtual Card Network (VCN). For a review of integration specifics, refer to the detailed chart below.

<Image align="center" alt="All four use promotional messaging. Direct API also has integrated checkout experience, integrates with OMS, and doesn’t incur visa interchange fees. VCN has integrated checkout experience and uses existing card payment rails. Affirm Landing Page uses existing card payment rails and uses a visible virtual card. Affirm Lite has an integrated checkout experience, uses existing card payment rails, and uses a visible virtual card." border={false} src="https://files.readme.io/a7dc81da6a92feca609ce1d9f37d4495f7dc4ac16468a5f8d0a3738bc2795f77-Integrations_Overview_comparison_chart.svg" />

## Recommended topics

* [Quickstart](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/quickstart)
* [Set Up Promotional Messaging](https://docs.affirm.com/payments/docs/promo-messaging-getting-started)
* [Direct API Integration Guide](https://docs.affirm.com/payments/docs/direct-api-overview)
* [Affirm Lite Integration](https://docs.affirm.com/payments/docs/affirm-lite-integration-guide)
* [Affirm Global Integration](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/v1.0-Global-Integration/docs/global-affirm-integration-guide)

# Sibling pages

* [Solutions We Offer](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/solutions-we-offer.md)
* [Platforms We Support](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/platforms-we-support.md)
* [Digital Wallets](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/digital-wallets.md)
* [Multiple Financing Programs](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/multiple-financing-programs.md)
* [Partnering with Affirm](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/partners.md)

# Related topics

* [Payments overview](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/direct-overview.md)
* [Affirm checkout overview](https://docs.affirm.com/developers/docs/affirm-checkout-flow.md)