Choosing a point‑of‑sale (POS) solution in Kenya can change how you take payments, track sales, and manage stock.
Two options many business owners consider are SimbaPOS and PesaPal Sabi POS. Each serves a slightly different need, and both have strengths worth knowing before you decide.
This comparison shows how they work, what they offer, and how they differ. The goal is to help you make an informed choice.
What SimbaPOS Offers
SimbaPOS is a POS system built for retail shops, restaurants, bars, hotels, and similar businesses in Kenya. The software aims to help you record sales, manage inventory, and accept multiple payment types. It runs on standard POS hardware or computers, and it carries features useful for daily operations.
Here is what SimbaPOS supports for business owners:
Payment processing including cash, M‑Pesa, credit card, credit billing, and invoices.
Inventory tracking with stock control across one or more locations.
Sales and expense reporting to view performance over time.
User roles and permissions so staff can be assigned limited access.
Order modifiers and kitchen integration for restaurants and bars.
SimbaPOS also provides comprehensive reports that help you see daily, weekly, or monthly sales and inventory movements. The system supports offline operation too.
SimbaPOS does not list public pricing online. Businesses usually request a quote or demo. Its pricing model may include a one‑off software fee and support for multiple terminals, depending on setup.
What PesaPal POS Offers
PesaPal is a Nairobi‑based payments platform that provides POS machines under the Sabi POS brand. It has one of the largest footprints in East Africa’s SME payment market. Estimates suggest tens of thousands of PesaPal terminals are deployed across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, making it one of the most widely used POS solution families in the region.
PesaPal POS machines focus on fast and secure payment acceptance. They allow businesses to:
Accept card and mobile money payments, including M‑Pesa, Visa, and Mastercard.
Process payments over 4G or Wi‑Fi to reduce delays at checkout.
Issue receipts and manage transaction records with real‑time reporting via a merchant dashboard.
Brand receipts with business logos.
Integrate with other software if desired, so payment data flows into your existing systems.
PesaPal’s POS hardware costs in Kenya typically range from KES 10,000 to KES 12,000 for devices like the SP630 and SP830. The company also offers higher‑end Android smart POS options that combine payment processing with business features like barcode scanning and inventory tools.
Many merchants choose PesaPal because it links directly to M‑Pesa payments and lets customers pay without needing a separate till or paybill number. This speeds up checkouts and reduces errors.
How They Compare: Payments
PesaPal POS machines specialize in accepting payments. A PesaPal terminal handles card and mobile money payments in one device. You can accept M‑Pesa, Visa, and Mastercard without separate accounts for each payment type.
SimbaPOS also supports multiple payment forms, including M‑Pesa and cards, but it often works with integrated hardware you choose with your POS software. That means you may need to link third‑party card readers or payment terminals.
In practice, PesaPal tends to be simpler if you mainly care about fast, reliable payment acceptance. SimbaPOS is stronger when you need POS software with broader business workflow support beyond payments.
How They Compare: Sales and Business Tracking
SimbaPOS’s software includes inventory tracking, stock valuation, and sales reporting that businesses use to understand product performance and revenue patterns. This helps when you want detailed insights into how your products perform and how much stock you have left.
PesaPal POS machines provide real‑time payment reporting through their dashboards, but they focus less on detailed inventory or stock management. If you need full inventory tools, you might combine PesaPal with additional software.
How They Compare: Setup and Training
Setting up PesaPal POS usually involves ordering a terminal and activating it with your business details. Once the device arrives, you connect it to a network (4G or Wi‑Fi) and start processing payments. The system is designed to be straightforward for merchants who mainly want payment acceptance.
SimbaPOS, on the other hand, is software that can run on computers or POS terminals you already have or purchase with the system. Setup may involve installing software and connecting peripherals like printers or barcode scanners. Some merchants prefer this flexibility, but it may require a bit more time to configure to your workflow.
How They Compare: Support and Local Presence
PesaPal provides customer support and technical help directly within Kenya. Its devices are widely distributed, so many local merchants are familiar with them. In addition, the system’s integration with M‑Pesa — Kenya’s most used mobile money — makes it a go‑to choice for many smaller businesses.
SimbaPOS also offers support in Kenya, often through guided demos and installation services. Its users report that everyday transactions and reporting tools are straightforward once the system is installed.
Which One Fits Your Business?
Choose PesaPal POS if you want:
A device built for fast, reliable payment collection.
A focus on mobile money and card acceptance with minimal setup.
A POS option that is already widely used across Kenya’s small businesses.
Choose SimbaPOS if you want:
A full POS software system like veira pos with inventory and sales reports.
Tools that help manage stock, produce detailed reports, and support multiple staff roles.
A system that can run on familiar hardware and integrates various business functions.
Your choice depends on whether you prioritize payments only or payments plus business workflow support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PesaPal work with existing POS software?
Yes. PesaPal POS machines can integrate with third‑party POS systems like veira you already use, so you can keep your software and add payment acceptance.
Does SimbaPOS accept M‑Pesa payments?
Yes. SimbaPOS supports M‑Pesa alongside cash and card payments through compatible hardware.
Which is cheaper?
PesaPal POS machines have upfront hardware costs (about KES 10,000–12,000). Costs for SimbaPOS depend on the hardware and setup you choose.
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