Once you've decided to accept M-Pesa online, there's a second decision to make: integrate directly with Safaricom's Daraja API yourself, or go through an aggregator like PesaPal.
Direct Daraja Integration
Pros: more control over the exact payment flow, potentially lower transaction fees since there's no aggregator markup, and a payment experience fully customised to your site.
Cons: requires development work to build and maintain, and you handle Safaricom API changes/updates yourself over time.
PesaPal (Aggregator)
Pros: faster to set up since the Daraja integration already exists, supports multiple payment types (M-Pesa, cards) through one connection, and PesaPal handles ongoing API maintenance.
Cons: typically involves aggregator fees on top of standard M-Pesa charges, and slightly less control over the exact checkout experience.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose direct Daraja if you have development resources, want maximum control, and expect significant transaction volume where fee savings add up
- Choose PesaPal if you want to get accepting payments quickly without building integration yourself, and value having card payments included alongside M-Pesa
What We Use
We've built and maintain our own direct Daraja integration for M-Pesa on invoices, alongside PesaPal support for customers who prefer card payment or need broader payment coverage — giving customers the choice.
Getting Either Set Up
Talk to us about which approach fits your specific business and technical resources.