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If you're researching lease-to-own options, you've likely come across both Acima Leasing and Progressive Leasing — two of the largest lease-to-own providers in the United States. Both serve credit-challenged consumers with no-credit-check lease financing, but there are meaningful differences in their retail networks, approval processes, and fine print.
This guide compares Acima Leasing vs Progressive Leasing across every dimension that matters to a consumer, so you can choose the right option for your situation.
Company Backgrounds
Acima Leasing is owned by Upbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPBD), and operates through over 16,000 retail partner locations nationwide. It was founded in 2013 and acquired by Rent-A-Center (now Upbound Group) in 2020. Acima focuses heavily on technology-driven approval and a smooth online application experience.
Progressive Leasing is owned by Aaron's Holdings Company and operates through over 40,000 retail partner locations — the largest retail footprint in the lease-to-own industry. It was founded in 1999 and is one of the most established names in the space.
Acima vs Progressive: Head-to-Head Comparison
- Max Lease Amount: Both offer up to $5,000
- Credit Check: Both use soft pull only — no credit score impact
- Retail Partners: Progressive has 40,000+ vs Acima's 16,000+ — Progressive wins here
- Decision Speed: Both offer near-instant decisions
- Early Purchase Window: Both offer a 90-day early purchase option
- Online Application: Both available online
- Payment Options: Both offer weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly
- Full-Term Cost: Both can cost approximately 2× retail if completed in full
Where Acima Leasing Wins
Acima Leasing tends to have a slightly more streamlined online application experience and is often available at more urban and metropolitan retail locations. Acima also has a more established e-commerce marketplace for online shopping. If you value digital experience and speed, Acima may have a slight edge.
Where Progressive Leasing Wins
Progressive Leasing's dramatically larger retail partner network (40,000+ vs 16,000+) gives it a significant advantage in suburban and rural areas where Acima may have fewer partners. If you have a specific retailer in mind — particularly a large national chain — check which provider that store accepts before applying.
Which Should You Choose?
Our recommendation: first, identify the retail store where you want to shop. Then check which lease-to-own provider that store accepts. If both are available, the choice between Acima and Progressive is largely a coin flip — the products are structurally similar and the key rules (read your agreement, use the 90-day option) apply equally to both.
Expert Bottom Line — Sandra Patel, AFC®: "The most important factor isn't which provider you choose — it's whether you commit to using the early purchase option. Both Acima and Progressive can be expensive if you don't. Pick the one available at the store you want, read your agreement, and plan to buy your items within 90 days."
Acima Leasing vs Progressive Leasing: Real Cost Examples
Both Acima Leasing and Progressive Leasing use a lease-renewal fee model — not traditional APR interest. Your total cost depends almost entirely on which early purchase option you use. Here are real-world cost estimates:
| Item | Acima 90-Day | Progressive 90-Day | Full Term (12mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $800 TV | ≈$880–950 | ≈$880–960 | $1,400–1,800 |
| $1,500 appliances | ≈$1,600–1,800 | ≈$1,600–1,850 | $2,600–3,200 |
| $3,000 furniture set | ≈$3,200–3,600 | N/A (exceeds $3,500 limit) | $5,000+ |
Bottom line: At the 90-day level, Acima Leasing and Progressive Leasing cost about the same. Acima's $5,000 limit gives more flexibility for larger purchases.
Customer Service: Acima Leasing vs Progressive Leasing
Both companies maintain strong customer support infrastructure. Acima Leasing offers live chat through acima.com, in-app messaging via My Acima, phone support, and an A+ BBB rating. Progressive Leasing similarly offers online account management, phone support, and responds actively to BBB complaints. For everyday account tasks — payments, balance checks, early purchase requests — both platforms offer capable self-service options through their respective portals and mobile apps.
If you ever have a dispute with either company, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaint portal and the Better Business Bureau are your most effective escalation paths.
Acima Leasing vs Progressive Leasing: State Availability
Both Acima Leasing and Progressive Leasing operate in most US states. Lease-to-own regulations vary by state — some states have caps on the cost-of-lease disclosure requirements and early purchase terms. Always verify availability in your specific state before applying. Certain states with stricter consumer finance laws may have modified terms for either product.
For the most current state availability and terms, check directly with each provider's official website before assuming either operates identically in your location.
Should You Apply for Both Acima Leasing and Progressive Leasing?
Because both Acima Leasing and Progressive Leasing use soft credit pulls only, applying for both does not hurt your credit score. If you're uncertain which you'll qualify for or which retailers you'll shop at, it's reasonable to check eligibility with both. Each approval is based on independent criteria — being denied by one doesn't predict your outcome with the other.
That said, once you have an Acima Leasing approval, you'll typically find 16,000+ stores available immediately. For most consumers, a single Acima Leasing approval provides more than enough retail access to meet their immediate needs.
Which Acima Leasing Store Locations Are Near You?
One of the most practical considerations when choosing between Acima Leasing and Progressive Leasing is which provider is accepted at stores near your home. Neither provider is universally accepted at all retailers — each has built specific retail partnerships.
To find Acima Leasing retail partners in your area: visit acima.com and use their store locator feature, enter your zip code, and filter by product category (furniture, appliances, electronics, etc.). The results show participating retailers within your search radius, including their addresses and the specific product categories available through Acima Leasing.
For Progressive Leasing, the same process applies at progressiveleasing.com. Comparing both lists for your local area takes approximately 5 minutes and will quickly reveal which provider has more relevant retail options for your specific shopping needs and location.
Acima Leasing vs Progressive Leasing: Application Timing
Both Acima Leasing and Progressive Leasing offer near-instant approvals, but there are timing differences worth understanding:
- Acima Leasing: Apply anytime online or in-store. The approval is valid immediately and can be used at partner locations right away. There is no expiration window for the initial application result in most cases.
- Progressive Leasing: Often integrated directly into specific retailer checkout flows, meaning the application is triggered when you're shopping at a specific retailer. This makes it extremely convenient at partner retailers but less flexible for comparison shopping.
For consumers who want to shop around — comparing furniture at three different stores, for example — Acima Leasing's standalone approval provides more flexibility. You apply once and can take your approval to any of the 16,000+ partner stores.
Expert Summary: Acima Leasing vs Progressive Leasing
Patricia Reeves, CFP®: "After reviewing both products carefully, my recommendation for most consumers is Acima Leasing as the first application. The higher $5,000 limit covers more substantial household needs, the in-store retail partner network is significantly larger, and the 90-day early purchase option is well-documented and accessible through the account portal. If Acima Leasing declines your application or doesn't have partners at your preferred stores, Progressive Leasing is a legitimate and comparable alternative. Both products become expensive when carried to full term — that's true of every lease-to-own product in this comparison."
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