The Case for Offering Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Options

As the costs of everyday living rise, many learners hesitate to pay for courses in full and upfront. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) lets learners spread payments over time, making training more accessible. For providers like you, BNPL means immediate payment and higher enrollments-- helping you stay competitive and able to grow your business. 

Training is more in demand than ever— but so is consumer financial caution. 

As individuals seek to retrain or upskill in an uncertain global economy, the cost of learning can be a major barrier. For many potential learners, it's a choice between investing in a course or covering everyday essentials.  

It’s no surprise that affordability is a top concern for training buyers, according to our Q1 2025 findcourses Insights research. 

So how can you make your courses more accessible—without giving them away for free or at massive discounts? 

One increasingly popular solution across consumer sectors is Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). In this guide, I’ll show you how offering flexible payment options can boost enrollment and help grow your training business. 

Let’s dive in. 

What is BNPL?

“Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) is a flexible payment method that allows learners to access your courses immediately while spreading the cost over several (potentially, interest-free) installments. 

How does it work?  

Instead of using a debit or credit card to pay upfront, learners choose to use a BNPL provider at checkout. The BNPL provider then pays your training business in full (minus a small fee) and goes on to collect repayments directly from the learner over time. 

This means: 

• Learners can enroll without a large upfront payment. 
• Your business gets paid immediately.
• The BNPL provider handles the collections and credit risk. 

Benefits of Offering Buy Now, Pay Later 

1. Increases Access and Enrollment

Cost remains one of the biggest barriers to course enrollment. While BNPL is often associated with retail sectors, it’s also a powerful tool for education— making training more accessible to individuals and small businesses that can’t afford to pay upfront. 

As Darren Winter, Company Director at Duco Digital Training, notes, offering a trusted and secure payment option like Klarna “gives our learners greater flexibility and control.” By allowing customers to spread the cost of their training, more people are able to enroll who might otherwise have been priced out. 

With 42% of UK adults and nearly half of US adults already using BNPL, it’s fast becoming a standard consumer expectation. 

2. Boosts Revenue and Growth

BNPL helps businesses increase both course volume and value, noting: 

• A 27% increase in sales volume 

• Up to an 87% increase in average order value 

Research published in the Journal of Marketing (and cited in Harvard Business Review) also found that BNPL users reported feeling less financially constrained than those who paid in lump sum, encouraging more confident purchases.  

By removing financial friction, training providers like you can tap into new customer segments and increase repeat business. 

3. Improves Your Cash Flow and Reduces Risk

You receive payment upfront from your BNPL partner, improving your working capital and shielding you from non-payment defaults. This BNPL provider also takes on the credit risk, so you can focus on what you do best-- delivering quality training.  

4. Enhances the Customer Experience

Offering learners the flexibility to pay over time enhances their satisfaction and loyalty. It demonstrates your understanding of their financial situations and your commitment to their success, ensuring they remember you when seeking future training. 

Winter has seen this firsthand, “We’ve made our courses more accessible-and in turn, seen positive growth in enrolments and customer satisfaction.” This highlights how BNPL not only removes financial barriers but also drives higher satisfaction among learners. 

5. Works for Small Training Providers

You don’t need to be a large institution to offer BNPL. Many providers manage the complexity of credit checks, collections, and compliance— making it easy for smaller training businesses to compete and grow. 

The Downsides of BNPL: What to Consider 

While BNPL can help boost enrollments (as well as many other upsides), it’s important to go in with your eyes open. Here are a few potential drawbacks: 

1. Transaction Fees Eat into Profit 

Most BNPL providers charge a 2%–8% fee per transaction. These fees can add up over time and cut into your bottom line. 

2. Setup Can Take Time 

Getting BNPL up and running isn’t always plug-and-play. You might need time, tech support, and internal resources to get it integrated properly and ensure everything’s compliant. 

3. Too Many Providers, Too Many Choices 

There are loads of BNPL providers out there, and they all come with different terms and conditions. Sorting through them to find the right fit can be confusing and time-consuming. (I’ve made it a bit easier for you— check out the table of BNPL providers below). 

4. Learner Debt and Regulations 

There's growing concern about users overextending themselves. New EU regulations taking effect in October 2025 will require BNPL providers to assess affordability and improve transparency. Stay ahead of these changes to avoid compliance issues. 

BNPL Providers at a Glance

Here’s a quick comparison of leading BNPL providers to help you choose the right fit for your business: 

Key Takeaways on BNPL Providers: 

• Most mainstream BNPL providers offer interest-free short-term plans, especially “Pay in 4” models. 
• Longer-term financing may include interest. 
• Splitit stands out for being interest- and fee-free— if the learner has available credit. 
• Gerald is fully fee-free but only available in the US. 
• B2B-focused providers like Kriya, Resolve Pay, and Study Now Pay Later are perhaps better suited for training providers, but terms vary and should be confirmed directly. 

Tips from the Author 

 
Be Clear About Terms: Make sure your learners know exactly how BNPL works before they sign up. Transparency builds trust and keeps everyone happy. 

Shout It from the Rooftops: Let people know you offer BNPL!  Highlight it on your website, in emails, and at checkout to catch the attention of those watching their budget. (And, of course, findcourses will promote it on your company and course pages.) 

Keep an Eye on Results: Track how BNPL affects your enrollments and revenue so you can tweak to get the best results. 

Stay Ahead of Rules: BNPL regulations are evolving; stay informed so you don’t get caught off guard. 

Mix and Match: BNPL is great, but it works even better alongside bundling, discounts, or other payment options. 

Get Your Team Onboard: Make sure everyone on your team understands BNPL so they can confidently answer questions and support your learners. 

Conclusion 

BNPL is a powerful tool for training providers. It helps remove cost barriers, increase enrollments, and unlock new revenue— all while improving your cash flow and lowering overall financial risk. With learners craving flexible options, offering BNPL isn’t just smart, it’s essential to staying competitive. 

Are you interested in finding out how you can set up a profile with findcourses and reach more prospective learners? Read more about our services to find out how we can help you achieve your marketing goals in 2025.