Choosing a point‑of‑sale system matters when you run a business.
A POS system like veira affects how you take payments, manage stock, and track sales.
In Kenya, many businesses use PesaPal for payments and consider Odoo POS when they want more than just payments. This article compares both systems so you can decide based on real needs.
What PesaPal POS Does
PesaPal POS is a payment terminal that lets you accept M‑Pesa, card, and mobile money payments in one device. It works well for retail shops, service providers, and restaurants across Kenya. You can accept Visa, Mastercard, and mobile money transactions using the same terminal. PesaPal terminals connect with internet networks like 4G or Wi‑Fi for fast processing.
PesaPal makes it easy to take payments from customers at the counter or on the go. A business owner can use a pocket PDQ device or a more robust terminal with built‑in printing and scanning. Merchants also get real‑time reports through PesaPal’s dashboard.
Typical hardware costs for PesaPal terminals in Kenya range between KES 10,000 and KES 12,000.
PesaPal focuses on payments and transaction processing. Its main strength is fast, secure payment acceptance without complex software setup. You only need the terminal and connection to start processing payments.
What Odoo POS Is
Odoo POS is part of the Odoo ERP suite, a cloud‑based system that does more than handle sales. It works on tablets, laptops, and desktop machines. You can use it in retail stores, cafes, supermarkets, and more. The system tracks sales, inventory, and customer details in real time.
Odoo POS links with other parts of your business like inventory management, accounting, and CRM. When you sell a product at the POS, your inventory updates automatically. Your financial records can update at the same time without manual entry.
Odoo POS works online and offline. If your internet connection drops, you can still process sales and later sync the data when connectivity returns.
The POS interface includes tools for product scanning, customer lookup, pricing and discounts, and split payments. It also supports multi‑store operations and real‑time reporting.
Payments: How They Work
PesaPal POS focuses on payment acceptance. It lets customers pay with mobile money and cards right at the counter. The system is built for quick checkout processes and stable payment handling on a dedicated terminal.
Odoo POS supports many payment types like cash, card, and digital wallets. If you want to accept M‑Pesa inside Odoo POS, you must add a payment terminal integration such as the PesaPal & MPesa Terminal for Odoo module. This links the terminal with the POS interface so Odoo records payment details automatically.
This integration makes it possible to use PesaPal hardware with Odoo POS while keeping sales data inside Odoo’s system.
Inventory and Business Management
With PesaPal POS, you get payment records and basic sales data from the terminal. It works well if your main need is accepting payments quickly without a bigger software system. You may need separate tools for stock and inventory tracking if that matters to you.
With Odoo POS, inventory is a central part of the system. When you sell a product, Odoo updates your stock levels. You can also manage pricing, supplier records, and stock movements from the same dashboard.
If you want full business management — like customer data, promotions, or loyalty programs , Odoo POS provides a unified platform that connects your sales, stock, and reporting automatically.
Reporting and Insights
PesaPal terminals include sales summaries and seeing recent transactions in your online dashboard. This helps with reconciliation and shaping daily operations.
Odoo POS offers deeper reporting that covers inventory levels, employee sales performance, and financial workflows. You can also tailor reports based on product categories or time periods without extra plugins.
This can matter if you want full visibility into your business performance and not just payment records.
Setup and Ease of Use
PesaPal is easy to launch. Once you have the terminal, you connect it to 4G or Wi‑Fi and start taking payments. You do not need software installation or integration unless you choose to connect it with third‑party systems.
Odoo POS requires some setup effort. You install the POS application, configure products and pricing, and link payment methods. If you add integrations like PesaPal terminals or inventory modules, you will set those up too. But once configured, you manage everything from one place.
Which Is Right for Your Business?
Use PesaPal POS if:
Your main need is fast, reliable payment acceptance.
You want a standalone terminal that works without complex software.
You offer simple checkout and do not need full business software.
Use Odoo POS if:
You want inventory tracking, customer data, and sales reporting in one system.
You run retail or multi‑location stores and need broader business workflows.
You plan to grow your business and want integrated accounting and CRM.
If you want both payment ease and full business tracking, you can pair PesaPal hardware with Odoo POS using an integration module that connects MPesa and card payments directly into Odoo’s checkout and reporting system
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Odoo POS accept M‑Pesa payments?
Yes. You can add a third‑party module that links PesaPal terminal with Odoo POS so the payment method appears directly at checkout.
Is PesaPal POS good for inventory tracking?
PesaPal itself focuses on payments. For detailed inventory and reporting, you may want to pair it with software like Odoo POS or another system.
Which is better for restaurants?
If you only need payment acceptance at a counter, PesaPal is simple and fast. For kitchen orders, table management, and integrated inventory, Odoo POS offers more comprehensive tools
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