Essentials
Lease-to-own providers, compared
The short answer
They're close on price. What sets them apart is the early-buyout window.
- Carried to term, most run 2–3× the cash price — the differences are small.
- The real question is how long and how fair the early-purchase window is.
- We rank by total cost and buyout terms, per our published rubric.
- The catch: the cheapest lease-to-own is still costlier than waiting or buying secondhand.
How we rank these
We rank by two things: the total you pay carried to term, and how usable the early-buyout window is. A longer, cheaper buyout window is worth more than a slightly lower weekly payment. We don't rank by what a provider pays us.
Ranked by total cost to term
| # | Provider | Total (to term) | vs. cash | Fits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Progressive Leasing | $1,950 | 2.4× | Widest retail network | Cheapest |
| 02 | Acima | $2,150 | 2.7× | In-store approval | |
| 03 | Katapult | $2,400 | 3.0× | Online checkout |
Every one of these costs more than the item. Run your own numbers →
A closer look at two
Chosen on total cost and buyout terms, by the published rubric. Example providers.
Top pick
P
Progressive Leasing
Fits Hitting a 90-day buyout at a big-box retailer.
Pros
- Lowest total on our sample
- Early-buyout option near cash price
- Wide store network
Cons
- Still ~2.4× if ridden to term
- Weekly debits add up fast
- Fees for missed payments
True cost · to term$1,950 on $800
Visit Progressive →
Advertiser link · why
Cheaper move: buy the item secondhand or wait a paycheck.
A
Acima
Fits Fast in-store approval when no other door opens.
Pros
- Quick approval, no hard credit check
- Available at many retailers
Cons
- Higher total than Progressive
- Short buyout window to catch
True cost · to term$2,150 on $800
Visit Acima →
Advertiser link
Only worth it if you can hit the early buyout. See the math.