Paystack vs Powens
Paystack
paystack.com
Powens
powens.comSide by side
| Figure | Paystack | Powens |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | 1 NGN/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 1 |
| Spec score · Direct Debit Processing Software | 8.8 (#1) | 8.2 (#4) |
| Headquarters | Lagos, Nigeria | Paris, France |
| Integrations | Paystack advertises more than 50 integrations spanning ecommerce, accounting, invoicing and CRM platforms. | For business account aggregation, Powens says it connects to PSP wallets such as PayPal, Stripe and GoCardless. |
| Security | Paystack states it is PCI DSS Level 1 certified and ISO 27001:2022 certified. | Powens says it is ISO 27001 certified and that its security and compliance frameworks are independently tested and audited each year. |
| Support | Paystack says its Customer Success team is available around the clock. | Enterprise plans include a dedicated account manager and priority assistance from integration and technical support teams. |
| What it does | Paystack is a payment service provider for African businesses supporting online and in-person payments. | Powens describes itself as an Open Finance and embedded payments platform that connects financial data and payment workflows through APIs. |
| 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. | Powens lists lending, accounting and invoicing, wealth management, property management, cashback and rewards, retail banking, and payments among its target sectors. |
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.
Powens
Powens is an Open Finance and embedded payments platform that connects financial data and payment workflows through APIs. Its aggregation service syncs accounts, transactions, savings, loans, and investments from more than 1,800 banks across 12 EU countries. Accounts refresh daily, while available transaction history varies by bank from 3 to 24 months; live connections can be maintained for six months with daily refreshes. Payment services include IBAN accounts, Direct Debit, Pay by Bank, and instant SEPA transfers through one API and dashboard. Powens says beneficiaries receive funds from its instant SEPA transfers within 10 seconds. It also offers real-time bank identity checks and Spanish IBAN ownership verification. Developers can access API documentation, integration guides, SDKs, connection widgets, an admin console, and a free self-service sandbox. Pricing is on request. Enterprise plans include dedicated hosting and can include an account manager and priority technical and integration support. Powens lists Android, iOS, web, and API access, and says it was founded as Budget Insight in 2012 before adopting the Powens name in 2022.