When I moved back to India in 2017, buy now pay later was barely a thing.
Fast forward to 2025, and BNPL apps are everywhere. My kids use them for Swiggy orders. My wife prefers them over credit cards for online shopping.
But here’s the real question.
Which one should you actually use?
Today, I’m comparing two heavyweights: Simpl and PayU LazyPay.
Both promise easy credit. Both claim zero hassle. But they work very differently.
Let me break it down.
What Are These Apps Anyway?
Think of BNPL apps as your digital khata book.
You buy stuff today. Pay later. No credit card needed.
Simpl launched in 2015 with a simple idea. Make checkout so easy that you never need OTPs or passwords.
LazyPay came from PayU India around the same time. They wanted to give credit to people who couldn’t get traditional credit cards.
The BNPL market in India hit $19.36 billion in 2024. It’s expected to reach $35.07 billion by 2030, according to market research.
That’s massive growth.
Bold tip: Only 4 in 100 Indians have a credit card. BNPL fills this gap perfectly.
If you’re curious about managing multiple payment options, check out my guide on credit card management apps.
The Numbers Game: User Base and Reach
| Feature | Simpl | LazyPay |
|---|---|---|
| Approved Users | 40 million+ | 62 million pre-approved |
| Partner Merchants | 26,000+ | 45,000+ |
| App Downloads | 5 million+ | Not publicly disclosed |
LazyPay has more merchant partnerships. That means more places to use it.
Simpl focuses on quality over quantity. They integrate deeply with fewer merchants.
I use both. Simpl works better on Zomato and BigBasket. LazyPay shines on BookMyShow and Myntra.
Credit Limits: How Much Can You Actually Spend?
Here’s where things get interesting.
Simpl starts you off with around ₹10,000. As you build trust through timely payments, this increases.
LazyPay offers up to ₹1,00,000 credit limit. They also provide personal loans up to ₹5 lakh with instant approval.
Both use machine learning to determine your limit. No traditional credit score needed.
When I first tried Simpl, I got ₹8,000. Within three months, it jumped to ₹25,000.
LazyPay gave me ₹15,000 initially. Took longer to increase but eventually hit ₹40,000.
Your mileage will vary based on usage patterns.
The Money Talk: Interest Rates and Fees
This is crucial.
Both claim zero interest. But there’s a catch.
| Aspect | Simpl | LazyPay |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Free Period | 15 days (bi-monthly billing) | 15 days |
| Late Payment Fee | Charges apply | Penalties apply |
| Hidden Charges | None claimed | None on standard use |
Pay on time, and you’re golden with both.
Miss the deadline? Expect fees.
Bold tip: Set up autopay immediately. Trust me on this.
I learned this the hard way with a ₹500 late fee on a ₹2,000 order. Completely avoidable.
For those interested in other instant loan options, I’ve covered the best apps in India.
Where Can You Use Them?
Simpl Partners: Swiggy, Zepto, Zomato, Myntra, BigBasket, Blinkit, MakeMyTrip, Dunzo, JioMart, Nykaa, Rapido, RedBus, BookMyShow
LazyPay Partners: Swiggy, Zomato, BookMyShow, Zepto, Myntra, Blinkit, Meesho, and many more
There’s significant overlap.
The difference? Payment experience.
Simpl offers true one tap checkout. No OTP. No password. Just tap and done.
LazyPay requires an OTP occasionally. Still faster than card payments.
Both now offer bill payment features for electricity, mobile recharges, and DTH.
“Returning to India isn’t a step back. It’s finding smarter ways to manage money.”
User Experience: The Real Difference
Here’s my honest take after using both for years.
Simpl feels more polished. The app is cleaner. The checkout is genuinely faster.
LazyPay has more features. You can get instant loans. They offer LazyCard, a physical prepaid card.
Simpl introduced Pay in 3. Split larger purchases into three interest-free installments.
LazyPay countered with no-cost EMI options for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.
For everyday small purchases? Simpl wins.
For bigger ticket items? LazyPay’s flexibility helps.
If you’re comparing other fintech options, read my Groww vs Kuvera analysis.
Customer Support: When Things Go Wrong
This is where both apps struggle.
Recent user reviews mention issues:
Simpl users complain about sudden technical errors and poor customer support.
LazyPay faces criticism for collection practices and unexpected penalties.
My experience?
Simpl’s support is slow but eventually helpful. Took 5 days to resolve a refund issue.
LazyPay’s support is faster but less thorough. Got a response in 2 days but issue persisted.
Neither is perfect.
Bold tip: Screenshot everything. Helps tremendously when raising support tickets.
The NRI Angle: Which Works Better After Returning?
As someone who returned from the US, this matters.
Both apps require Indian phone numbers and bank accounts.
Simpl integrates better with NRE and NRO accounts. Setup is straightforward.
LazyPay requires resident status. Slightly more paperwork for recent returnees.
For managing your return finances, check out my guide on what to do with bank accounts after returning to India.
Quick Comparison Table
| Factor | Simpl | LazyPay | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checkout Speed | One tap, no OTP | One tap with occasional OTP | Simpl |
| Credit Limit | Up to ₹50,000+ | Up to ₹1,00,000 | LazyPay |
| Merchant Network | 26,000+ | 45,000+ | LazyPay |
| Additional Features | Pay in 3, Bill payments | Personal loans, LazyCard | LazyPay |
| User Interface | Cleaner, simpler | Feature rich | Simpl |
| Customer Support | Slow but resolves | Faster but inconsistent | Tie |
Who Should Use What?
Use Simpl if: You want the fastest checkout experience You make frequent small purchases You prefer simplicity over features You shop mainly on Zomato, Swiggy, BigBasket
Use LazyPay if: You need higher credit limits You want access to instant loans You shop across diverse platforms You might need a physical card (LazyCard)
Honestly? Use both.
I do. Simpl for daily essentials. LazyPay for bigger purchases and travel bookings.
The BNPL market is growing at 9.8% CAGR through 2030. These apps aren’t going anywhere.
For those exploring other cashback options, I’ve detailed the best cashback credit cards too.
My Take
After three years of using both apps regularly, here’s what I’d do.
Start with Simpl. Build your credit limit through small, regular purchases.
Add LazyPay once you need more flexibility or higher limits.
Never max out either limit. Treat BNPL like real money. Because it is.
Pay on time. Always. A ₹500 late fee on a ₹1,500 order is stupid. Learn from my mistakes.
Both apps are transforming how Indians shop online. Millennials and Gen Z particularly love BNPL for food delivery, transportation, and online shopping.
The key is using them responsibly.
If you’re unsure which one suits your needs better, ask in our Back to India community. Real users share real experiences there.
TLDR Version
Simpl:
- 40M+ users, 26,000+ merchants
- One tap checkout, truly password free
- Credit up to ₹50,000+
- Best for: Daily small purchases, cleaner UX
- Pay every 15 days, zero interest if on time
LazyPay:
- 62M pre-approved users, 45,000+ merchants
- Credit up to ₹1,00,000
- Offers instant loans up to ₹5 lakh
- Physical LazyCard available
- Best for: Higher limits, diverse shopping needs
- 15 day interest free, EMI options available
Bottom line: Use Simpl for speed. Use LazyPay for flexibility. Or use both smartly.
Sources and Validation
All data validated from official sources and market research:
- Simpl official website: getsimpl.com
- LazyPay official website: lazypay.in
- Market research: India BNPL Market Report 2025
- Tech coverage: TechCrunch Simpl funding
- Industry analysis: PayU LazyCard launch
- User data: Cashfree BNPL comparison
For questions about BNPL apps, transfer money between banks, or NRI investments, explore more articles on my blog.