Paystack vs PayU Global Payments
Paystack
paystack.comPayU Global Payments
corporate.payu.comSide by side
| Figure | Paystack | PayU Global Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | 1 NGN/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 1 |
| Spec score · Cross-Border Payment Platforms | 8.8 (#5) | 7.3 (#19) |
| Headquarters | Lagos, Nigeria | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Integrations | Paystack advertises more than 50 integrations spanning ecommerce, accounting, invoicing and CRM platforms. | For Apple Pay, merchants can integrate through PayU’s Payment Page or their own checkout page. |
| Payment methods | Supported payment channels listed include cards, bank accounts, bank transfers, USSD, POS, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa QR, and mobile money. | The platform connects merchants to hundreds of local and global online payment methods through one global API. |
| Support | Paystack says its Customer Success team is available around the clock. | Prospective customers can contact PayU through a form to hear from a team member, and the page lists an Amsterdam address. |
| What it does | Paystack is a payment service provider for African businesses supporting online and in-person payments. | PayU’s global platform combines payment gateway, processing, and, in some markets, acquiring bank services for online transactions. |
| Who it serves | Paystack describes its customers as businesses ranging from startups and entrepreneurs to large corporations and global brands operating in or serving Africa. | PayU describes its platform as designed for merchants ranging from emerging e-commerce businesses to established global brands. |
Plans
Paystack
- AccountFree
- Paystack transaction pricing (Nigeria)Free
- Dedicated virtual accounts1 NGN a month
- Nigeria local transactions1.51 NGN a month
- Nigeria international transactions3.91 NGN a month
- Nigeria transfers up to NGN 5,00010 NGN a month
- Nigeria transfers NGN 5,001–50,00025 NGN a month
- Nigeria transfers above NGN 50,00050 NGN a month
- Test SmartPeak P1000 terminal85,000 NGN, paid once
- Live SmartPeak P1000 terminal100,000 NGN, paid once
In their own words
Paystack
Paystack helps businesses in Africa accept online and in-person payments from customers around the world. Listed channels include cards, bank accounts and transfers, USSD, POS, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa QR, and mobile money. Its APIs support one-time and recurring payments through an app or website, instant transfers, and customer identity verification. The dashboard provides reporting, alerts, exports, transaction reports, customer search, and purchase insights. Listed integrations include WooCommerce, Shopify, Chargebee, Zapier, Wix, and Xero; developer materials include an API and SDKs for Android, iOS, and Flutter. Paystack says its automated and manual fraud systems help protect against fraudulent transactions and related chargeback claims. It states that it is PCI DSS Level 1, ISO 27001:2022, and ISO 27701 certified. The pricing page lists no subscription, integration, or maintenance fee, but transaction fees apply. In Nigeria, local transactions cost 1.5% plus NGN 100; that NGN 100 is waived under NGN 2,500, with local fees capped at NGN 2,000. Automatic settlement is free and generally reaches the merchant's bank account the next working day.
PayU Global Payments
PayU Global Payments provides online payment processing and orchestration for merchants selling across markets. Its platform combines a payment gateway and processing, with acquiring bank services available in some markets. Merchants can connect to hundreds of local and global methods, including cards, digital wallets, online bank transfers, QR payments, deferred payments, local schemes and other alternatives. It supports local settlement, multi-currency handling and more than 20 transaction and payout currencies. The Smart Routing Engine uses criteria set by the merchant to route transactions, with the aim of optimizing approvals and fees. Instant Retry can send a declined transaction through another provider to help recover false declines. A shared dashboard shows approval rates and other metrics, compares methods and providers, and supports account management, reports, analysis and audits. Tokenization encrypts payment data and can reduce a merchant’s PCI scope. PayU describes itself as a PCI Level 1-certified processor and says it supports 3D Secure 2.0. Merchants can set up global payments through one API. Pricing is available by contacting PayU.