Your customers do not all pay the same way. Some reach for M-Pesa without thinking; others prefer Airtel Money, a bank, a card or PayPal. For a business, juggling separate accounts for each method means more reconciliation, more confusion and more missed payments.
Paysasa is built to bring these options together. This update summarises the payment methods available on Paysasa today and how each one fits into everyday payments and checkout.
The payment methods available on Paysasa
M-Pesa
M-Pesa is at the heart of payments in Kenya, and Paysasa supports it in several ways:
- STK push checkout — the customer enters their number on a Paysasa checkout page and approves a prompt on their phone.
- Paybill and tills — Kenyan businesses can receive Paybill, till and checkout-link payments from one Paysasa account. Each business wallet can carry a short till number that customers enter as the account number on the platform paybill.
- Withdrawals — move money from a KES wallet to M-Pesa.
M-Pesa checkout and withdrawals work with KES.
Airtel Money
Airtel Money is supported as a payment method, giving merchants a way to accept payments from customers who use Airtel lines.
Equity
Paysasa supports Equity as a bank-based payment option, useful for customers and businesses who prefer to move money through their bank.
Cards
Customers can pay by card through Paysasa's payment partners. Card data is handled through PCI DSS-compliant partners, so card details are not exposed to the merchant.
PayPal
PayPal is supported for top-ups, and PayPal payments settle in USD. This is especially useful for freelancers and businesses with international customers who want to hold a USD balance.
Paysasa wallet balance
Customers who already have a Paysasa wallet can pay directly from their balance, and in-app transfers between Paysasa wallets are fast and traceable.
One account, one dashboard
Whichever method a customer uses, the payment lands in your Paysasa wallet with a reference and status history. That means:
- One place to check payments instead of several apps.
- Cleaner reconciliation, because every payment is linked to a checkout session, link, invoice or till.
- Flexible next steps — pay suppliers, transfer to another wallet, convert currency or withdraw.
How methods appear at checkout
Merchants using Paysasa's hosted checkout or API can choose which methods to offer on each checkout session, as long as they match an active business wallet in the session currency. For example:
- A KES checkout can offer M-Pesa and wallet payment.
- A USD checkout can offer PayPal.
The exact methods you see depend on your account, the currency and what is enabled for your business. Developers can find the details in the Paysasa API docs.
What this means for individuals
- Top up your wallet the way that suits you.
- Pay merchants by M-Pesa prompt without typing long Paybill details.
- Hold USD from PayPal and convert when you are ready.
- Withdraw to M-Pesa from a KES wallet.
What this means for merchants
- Accept more customers without opening multiple accounts.
- Share one payment link or checkout page that offers several methods.
- Keep all income in business wallets, separated from personal money.
- Build trust with verified business status and buyer protection on checkout.
Tips for choosing which methods to offer
- Start with what your customers already use. In Kenya, that is usually M-Pesa first; add other methods as your audience grows.
- Match the currency to the method. Use KES checkouts for M-Pesa and USD for PayPal customers.
- Keep the choice simple. Two or three relevant options convert better than a long list.
- Show methods upfront. Mention accepted methods in your social bios, invoices and website so customers are not surprised at checkout.
- Review regularly. Your transaction history shows which methods customers prefer, so you can adjust over time.
Before you start
To accept payments as a business, you will need to complete KYC verification and have your business verified. This protects customers and keeps the platform safe. Withdrawals may also require verification.
Fees vary by method and transaction type. For the current details, see the Paysasa pricing page.
Conclusion
Customers expect choice, and businesses need simplicity. With M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Equity, cards, PayPal and wallet payments available in one account, Paysasa lets you offer both.
Ready to accept the payment methods your customers already use? Create your Paysasa account and set up your business today.
