Every business needs a way to accept money and manage funds.
In Kenya, two tools often come up when owners think about payments. One is PesaPal POS.
The other is the M‑PESA Business App for merchants.
They work in different parts of the payment process.
This guide explains both so you can choose the right one for your business.
What PesaPal POS Is
PesaPal POS is a payment acceptance solution that lets you take payments from customers in person.
It is best known for its Sabi PDQ and smart POS machines. These terminals accept M‑PESA mobile money and card payments on one device.
With a PesaPal POS, your business can:
Accept M‑PESA, VISA, and MasterCard at the counter.
Streamline in‑store payments to make checkout smooth for customers.
Issue receipts and track collection data through a dashboard.
Integrate the POS with other systems you use.
PesaPal offers different models of POS machines. Simple terminals cost around KES 10,000 to KES 12,000 in Kenya.
Some versions run on Android and include barcode scanning and receipt printing, making them function like a tablet‑style point of sale.
PesaPal POS focuses on accepting payments quickly and reliably. It is designed for retail, hospitality, kiosks, and street vendors where customers pay on site.
What the M‑PESA Business App Is
The M‑PESA Business App is a smartphone application from Safaricom for businesses that use Lipa na M‑PESA Business Till numbers. It is not a POS device. It is a management tool for funds collected through M‑PESA.
With the app, you can:
See collections and payments received on your business till.
View full statements and export them for accounting.
Track money‑in and money‑out trends from charts and reports.
Withdraw money to your M‑PESA account, bank account, or agent.
Pay suppliers, refunds, or salaries directly from your business till.
Manage multiple tills under the same business.
The app brings the capabilities of Lipa na M‑PESA into a touch‑friendly interface on your phone. Without it, business owners would typically use the *234# USSD menu to manage till collections.
How They Work Together and Differ
PesaPal POS and the M‑PESA Business App serve two separate roles:
PesaPal POS is a payment acceptance device. It sits at a checkout point to accept money from customers. Your customers pay you with M‑PESA or a card right at your store or stall.
The M‑PESA Business App does not take payments directly from customers. It is a management tool for funds you already collected. Once money is in your business till, the app helps you track it, send it to a bank, or make payments to others.
Think of it this way: PesaPal helps you take money from customers. The M‑PESA Business App helps you stay on top of your business money once it arrives.
Payment Acceptance and Checkout
With PesaPal POS, the focus is on transaction speed and customer experience. The terminal accepts both M‑PESA and cards so you do not need separate machines for each payment type. This can reduce lines and speed up sales.
The M‑PESA Business App does not handle checkout. It works with existing Lipa na M‑PESA tills that customers use to pay you by giving your till number. The app then shows incoming payments and lets you make business transfers.
If your daily operations depend on face‑to‑face sales, PesaPal POS is generally the tool you use first. If you only need to track and manage payments you already receive through a till, the M‑PESA Business App fills that need.
Reporting and Money Management
PesaPal POS terminals feed sales data into an online dashboard. You can see transaction histories and download reports. Many merchants find this helpful when reconciling sales and preparing accounts.
The M‑PESA Business App gives you detailed statements of money that came in and went out of your till. You can study trends like how much you collect per day. You can also export these records for bookkeeping.
Both tools help you understand your business finances. PesaPal shows the sales side. The M‑PESA Business App provides financial flow insights and till oversight.
Setup and Use
Setting up PesaPal POS typically starts with applying for a terminal. Once you receive it, you connect it to a network and start taking payments. PesaPal also supports linking the POS with your software systems if needed.
To use the M‑PESA Business App, you must have a business till. Once you register your till with Safaricom and install the app, you can use your login to manage funds. It is designed for both Android and iOS phones.
The M‑PESA Business App gives you control from your phone without needing additional hardware. PesaPal requires a terminal at the checkout.
Which One Fits Your Business?
Use PesaPal POS if you want:
A dedicated machine like veira pos to accept payments from customers directly.
A device that handles M‑PESA and card payments in one place.
Fast point‑of‑sale processing for retail, restaurants, or kiosks.
Use M‑PESA Business App if you want:
A way to manage money received on your till.
Features like exportable statements and visual trends.
The ability to send business payments such as supplier payments and wages.
In many cases, businesses use both tools. They use PesaPal POS to collect money at the register. Then they use the M‑PESA Business App to monitor and move that money as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the M‑PESA Business App accept payments?
No. It manages funds you have already collected on your till. It does not handle in‑store payments directly. Businesses use it to view statements and move money.
Does PesaPal work with Lipa na M‑PESA tills?
PesaPal POS terminals accept M‑PESA payments. You can use the M‑PESA Express flow on the terminal. It does not require customers to enter till or paybill numbers manually.
Which tool helps with cash flow reporting?
Both give reporting insights just like veira pos. PesaPal shows payment collections from your POS. The M‑PESA Business App shows detailed till activity and money movements across your business accounts.
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