PortalPay vs M‑Pesa: Global-Friendly and Transparent

Keep mobile money if you like—add PortalPay for lower fees, instant settlement, and cross-border reach.

50%

Lower Fees

$1,140

Average Annual Savings

Instant

Settlement Time

Feature Comparison

Feature	PortalPay	M‑Pesa
Processing Fee	0.5-1%	~1.5% + fixed
Cross-Border	Yes	Limited
Settlement	Instant	Instant/Next-day
Accept Crypto	✓	✗
POS/PMS	Free included	Payment only

Real-World Savings Examples

Kiosk ($6k/mo)

With M‑Pesa:$1,440/year

With PortalPay:$540/year

You Save:$900

63% annual savings

Transport ($9k/mo)

With M‑Pesa:$2,160/year

With PortalPay:$810/year

You Save:$1,350

63% annual savings

Retail ($12k/mo)

With M‑Pesa:$2,880/year

With PortalPay:$1,080/year

You Save:$1,800

63% annual savings

How to Switch from M‑Pesa to PortalPay

1
Keep M‑Pesa for local flows
2
Add PortalPay for lower fees and cross-border reach
3
Enable card payments via onramp
4
Use free POS/PMS features

Why Businesses Switch to PortalPay

Problems with M‑Pesa

✗High processing fees (1.50% + 0.1¢)
✗Slow settlement (1-3 business days)
✗Chargeback losses
✗Requires traditional bank account
✗Limited crypto support

Benefits of PortalPay

✓Ultra-low fees (0.5-1% total)
✓No monthly fees ever
✓Instant settlement (seconds)
✓Zero chargebacks
✓No bank account required
✓Accept both crypto and cards
✓Free enterprise features included

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to switch from M‑Pesa to PortalPay?

No! Most businesses complete the switch in under an hour. You can export your data from M‑Pesa, set up your PortalPay account, and start accepting payments the same day. Many merchants run both systems in parallel for a week to ensure a smooth transition. Our support team helps with the migration.

Will my customers need crypto wallets?

No. While crypto enthusiasts can pay directly with their wallets, any customer can pay using credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay through our onramp. We handle the crypto conversion instantly. Your customers won't even know it's crypto - they just see a simple payment experience.

How much will I really save?

On average, businesses save 70-85% on total payment processing costs. The exact savings depend on your monthly volume and current M‑Pesa plan. Use our cost calculator above to see your specific savings. Most businesses save between $2,000-10,000 annually.

Do I need a bank account to use PortalPay?

No! This is a major advantage over M‑Pesa. Payments go directly to your crypto wallet. You can hold as crypto, convert to stablecoins, or cash out to your local currency. Perfect for international businesses or new companies that struggle with traditional banking.

What about features I use in M‑Pesa?

PortalPay includes all essential features for your industry - and they're all free. We have specialized POS systems for restaurants, retail, hotels, and more. Check the feature comparison table above to see specific capabilities. In most cases, you'll get more features than M‑Pesa offers, at no extra cost.

Is settlement really instant?

Yes! Crypto transactions settle in seconds, not days. Compare this to M‑Pesa's 1-3 business day wait. You have immediate access to your funds for restocking, payroll, or any other needs. No more waiting for batch processing or dealing with hold times.