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Acima is one of the largest lease-to-own programs in the United States, available at thousands of retailers across the country. If you’ve seen the Acima option at checkout — online or in a store — and wondered how the weekly payments actually work and what you’ll end up paying in total, this guide breaks it down clearly.
Acima is not a credit card or a personal loan. It’s a lease-to-own program, which means Acima technically purchases the item and then leases it to you. You make weekly (or biweekly or monthly) payments, and when the lease is complete — or when you exercise a purchase option — ownership transfers to you. Understanding this structure helps you use the program to your advantage.
How Acima’s Weekly Payment Amount Is Calculated
Acima charges a ‘lease cost’ on top of the retail price of the item. This cost is built into the payment schedule rather than shown as a separate interest rate. The weekly payment amount is calculated by dividing the total lease cost (retail price + lease fees) by the number of weeks in the lease term.
Acima’s lease terms typically run 12 months (52 weeks). For a $600 item, the total lease cost might be $1,050 to $1,200. Divided by 52, that’s a weekly payment of approximately $20 to $23. The exact amount depends on Acima’s current fee schedule and any promotional terms available at your specific retailer.
The 90-Day Purchase Option: Your Best Money-Saving Tool
Acima offers a 90-day purchase option on most leases. If you pay the retail price of the item (plus a small initial payment, typically around $10 to $30) within 90 days of delivery, the lease is closed at that cost — you don’t pay the additional lease fees. This is essentially a 90-day interest-free loan.
This option is one of the most valuable features of Acima’s program. If you have a tax refund expected in March and lease furniture in January, you can pay off the lease in 90 days and pay only slightly above retail price. Without the 90-day payoff, the total cost increases significantly. Always ask about the 90-day option when setting up your Acima lease.
Early Purchase Options After 90 Days
Acima also offers purchase options at various points throughout the lease, not just at 90 days. The earlier you exercise the purchase option, the less you pay in total — and vice versa. After 90 days, Acima typically applies a percentage of payments already made toward the purchase price, decreasing the amount you need to pay to own the item.
Check your Acima app or account dashboard to see the current purchase option amount at any time. When you receive extra money — a bonus, a tax refund, a gift — checking your purchase option total and paying it off is one of the highest-return uses of unexpected income if you have an active Acima lease.
Total Cost Scenarios: Full Lease vs. 90-Day Payoff
To illustrate the difference: a $700 bedroom set at full 12-month Acima lease might total $1,200 to $1,400. The same set with a 90-day payoff might total $730 to $760 (retail price plus initial fee). The difference between these two outcomes — $470 to $670 on a single item — illustrates exactly why the early payoff option should be your default plan whenever possible.
For items you genuinely cannot pay off early, understand that you’re paying the lease premium in exchange for access to the item now without cash or credit. That exchange has value — just make sure you’re going in with realistic expectations about the total cost.
Acima Application: What to Expect
Applying for Acima takes about 10 minutes. You’ll need a valid ID, a bank account with at least three months of history, and a regular income of at least $1,000 per month (requirements may vary). There is no hard credit pull — Acima uses a soft pull that doesn’t affect your credit score.
Acima’s approval decision comes back within minutes. If approved, you’ll see your approval amount and available payment structures. Once you confirm the lease at a retailer, your lease begins when the item is delivered. Payments start according to your selected schedule — weekly, biweekly, or monthly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Acima’s weekly payment work?
Acima calculates a total lease cost (retail price + lease fees) and divides it by the number of weeks in your lease term. That’s your weekly payment.
What is Acima’s 90-day purchase option?
If you pay the retail price of the item within 90 days of delivery, you close the lease at near-retail cost — avoiding most additional lease fees. It’s one of Acima’s best money-saving features.
Does Acima do a credit check?
Acima may do a soft credit pull that doesn’t affect your credit score, but they don’t make approval decisions based on credit score. Approval is income-based.
How much does a full Acima lease cost compared to retail?
Typically 50% to 100% more than retail if you make all scheduled payments. A $700 item might cost $1,200 to $1,400 total over a full 12-month lease.
Can I pay off my Acima lease early?
Yes. Acima offers purchase options throughout the lease. The earlier you pay off, the less you pay total. Use your Acima account or app to see your current purchase option amount.
Affiliate Disclosure: EasyPayQuick.com participates in affiliate programs with Acima, Progressive Leasing, Rent-A-Center, Aaron’s, FlexShopper, Klarna, Affirm, and other payment plan and lease-to-own providers. We may earn a commission when you click links and complete an application. This does not affect your approval odds, payment terms, or the cost of your plan. All information is provided for educational purposes only.