Is Paythen the same as Flexilay?

Both are Stripe-based, pay-over-time tools that aren't lending. The difference is shape: Flexilay is layby built into ecommerce checkout (goods held until paid off, with store connectors), while Paythen centres on payment links and flexible plans suited to services and invoices.

Is either Flexilay or Paythen a BNPL product?

No. Neither is buy now, pay later. Both let customers pay over time without borrowing — there's no credit, no interest and no debt — and both run through your own Stripe account.

Does Flexilay hold goods until they're paid off?

Yes. Flexilay is built for layby: the order is reserved and only released once the plan is paid in full. Paythen's plans are more configurable and oriented around payment links and invoices.

Yes. Both Flexilay and Paythen collect through your own Stripe account, so funds go directly to you. Flexilay adds native ecommerce checkout connectors for WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Odoo.

Can Flexilay handle invoices too?

Yes. Alongside layby at checkout, Flexilay turns Xero and QuickBooks invoices into scheduled payment plans, so product sales and billed work are covered in one place.

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Flexilay vs Paythen

Two Stripe-based ways to let customers pay over time without lending — here's how they differ in practice.

Modern LayBy vs Paythen — the honest, side-by-side comparison.

Flexilay and Paythen are both built on Stripe and both let businesses spread payments without becoming a lender — so neither is buy now, pay later. The difference is in shape. Flexilay is layby built for ecommerce: the customer reserves an order at checkout and the goods are released once it's paid off. Paythen is a flexible payment-plan tool centred on payment links and invoicing, well suited to services and billed work.

If you sell products and want a true layby experience at checkout, or you also bill via Xero and QuickBooks, this page shows where each tool fits.

Why Flexilay — pay-first layby on your own Stripe account, across ecommerce and invoicing.

Diagram of a customer reserving an order and paying instalments into the merchant's own Stripe until release.

Row of platform logos (WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Odoo, Xero, QuickBooks).

Feature

Flexilay

Paythen

Model

Layby — goods held until paid off

Payment plans & instalments

Lending / credit / debt

Payments run through

Your own Stripe account

Ecommerce checkout connectors

WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Odoo

Payment links + API

Invoice payment plans (Xero / QuickBooks)

Invoicing / payment links

Goods released only when paid in full

Configurable

Best suited to

Online stores offering layby at checkout

Services, invoices & flexible plans

Same foundation, different shape

Both Flexilay and Paythen run on your own Stripe account, and neither is a lending product — there's no credit, no interest and no debt. That's a good starting point, because it means you keep control of funds and avoid lending compliance with either tool.

Where they differ is the experience. Flexilay is purpose-built for layby at ecommerce checkout: the shopper reserves the item and only collects it once the plan completes, with native connectors for store platforms. Paythen leans towards payment links and plans you send out, which suits services, deposits and invoices more than a held-goods retail layby.

How Flexilay differs

Layby at checkout

Flexilay adds a true layby flow to your store checkout, where the order is held and released only once it's fully paid.

Native store connectors

Live connectors for WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Odoo (Shopify coming soon) put layby directly in your existing checkout.

Ecommerce and invoicing

Flexilay covers both product checkout and invoice payment plans for Xero and QuickBooks in one tool.

On your own Stripe

Like Paythen, Flexilay collects through your own Stripe account — so funds stay with you and Flexilay never holds them.

Which should you choose?

If you mainly bill for services or send plans and invoices, a payment-link tool like Paythen can be a great fit. If you run an online store and want customers to reserve products and pay them off before collection — genuine layby, inside your checkout — Flexilay is built for exactly that, and still covers invoice payment plans when you need them.

Frequently asked questions

Is Paythen the same as Flexilay?: Both are Stripe-based, pay-over-time tools that aren't lending. The difference is shape: Flexilay is layby built into ecommerce checkout (goods held until paid off, with store connectors), while Paythen centres on payment links and flexible plans suited to services and invoices.
Is either Flexilay or Paythen a BNPL product?: No. Neither is buy now, pay later. Both let customers pay over time without borrowing — there's no credit, no interest and no debt — and both run through your own Stripe account.
Does Flexilay hold goods until they're paid off?: Yes. Flexilay is built for layby: the order is reserved and only released once the plan is paid in full. Paythen's plans are more configurable and oriented around payment links and invoices.
Do both use Stripe?: Yes. Both Flexilay and Paythen collect through your own Stripe account, so funds go directly to you. Flexilay adds native ecommerce checkout connectors for WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Odoo.
Can Flexilay handle invoices too?: Yes. Alongside layby at checkout, Flexilay turns Xero and QuickBooks invoices into scheduled payment plans, so product sales and billed work are covered in one place.

Keep exploring

Layby payment providers Interest-free payment plan software How Flexilay works Connectors Pricing

Layby built for your checkout

Let customers reserve products and pay them off before collection — on your own Stripe account, with invoice payment plans when you need them.

Sources

Paythen offers Stripe-based payment plans and instalment/layaway-style plans (as well as pay-in-full), oriented around payment links and invoicing. — Paythen

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