Till vs Paybill in Kenya: What They Mean and Which to Use
If you're setting up M-Pesa payments for your business or online store, you'll be asked to choose between a Till Number and a Paybill Number. They both accept M-Pesa payments, but they work differently — and the right choice depends on how your business operates.
What is a Till Number?
In simple terms, the meaning of a Till Number is an M-Pesa business number for straightforward payments. Officially it's called Lipa na M-Pesa Buy Goods. The customer enters your Till number and the amount, much like paying at a shop till in person. It's the standard setup for a small till business selling one item at a time, such as a shop, salon or kiosk.
What is a Paybill Number?
A Paybill (Lipa na M-Pesa Paybill) is an M-Pesa business number for structured payments. The customer enters the business number, an account number and the amount. That account number is useful for matching a payment to a specific order, invoice or subscription.
Till Number
Lipa na M-Pesa Buy Goods
the customer enters:
- Till number
- Amount
Best for shops, kiosks and simple one-item sales. The customer pays no fee.
Paybill Number
Lipa na M-Pesa Paybill
the customer enters:
- Business number
- Account number can carry an order ID
- Amount
Best for orders, invoices and subscriptions. The fee depends on the tariff you choose.
The core difference
| Till Number | Paybill Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Simple, single-item payments (shop, kiosk-style checkout) | Structured payments needing an account number (orders, invoices, subscriptions) |
| Customer enters | Amount only | Business number + account number + amount |
| Does the customer pay a fee? | No, the business carries the fee | Depends on the tariff you choose; many Paybills pass the fee to the customer |
| Settlement | Business M-Pesa account, can be linked to a bank account | Business M-Pesa account, can be linked to a bank account |
| Good fit for e-commerce with order tracking? | Possible, but there's no account number field to carry an order ID | Yes — the account number field can carry an order ID |
Who pays the fee?
On a Till, the customer pays nothing, and the business pays Safaricom a small percentage of each sale. On a Paybill, the cost depends on the tariff the business chooses: many Paybills pass the fee to the customer, while others have the business absorb it.
For an online store this matters, because a customer who sees a fee at checkout may hesitate. Fees and tariffs change, so confirm the current figures with Safaricom before you decide.
When a Till Number makes sense
Till numbers are simple and familiar — most Kenyan shoppers already use them at physical shops. For a small store with straightforward, one-off purchases, a Till can be perfectly sufficient and is usually quicker to set up.
💬 Not sure whether a Till or a Paybill fits your store? Tell us how you sell and we will recommend one.
Ask us on WhatsApp →When a Paybill Number makes sense
Paybill's account number field is genuinely useful for e-commerce: it lets you carry an order ID with each payment and match it to the right order. If your store needs to track multiple simultaneous orders, a Paybill setup (especially combined with the Daraja API, covered in our M-Pesa payments guide) makes reconciliation much easier.
Can you use both?
Yes — some businesses keep a Till for in-person sales and a Paybill for the website, especially once order volume grows. This isn't necessary from day one, but it's worth knowing it's an option as your business scales.
What about payment gateways?
If you're not ready to apply for a business Paybill directly with Safaricom, third-party gateways like Pesapal, Flutterwave, or IntaSend can generate a payment flow (often via their own Paybill) that still lets your customers pay with M-Pesa, without you needing your own Paybill number immediately. This is usually the faster route to launch.
How to get a Till Number for your business
If you're starting a till business, you'll apply through Safaricom or your bank. A sole proprietor typically needs a national ID, a KRA PIN certificate, a business name certificate or business permit, bank details for settlement, and a Safaricom SIM registered in their name. A Till is usually easier to get than a Paybill.
Requirements differ for registered companies and can change, so check Safaricom's current list before you apply.
Which should you start with?
For most small stores just getting started, a Till number or a payment gateway integration is the simplest path. As order volume grows and tracking payments manually becomes harder, upgrading to a dedicated Paybill with automated order matching is the natural next step.
If you're building a store, see our e-commerce website service and what a website costs in Kenya. Once it's live, it needs ongoing care, and online stores belong on the Growth plan of our website maintenance plans.
Frequently asked questions
What does Till Number mean for a business?
For a business, a Till Number works like a digital cash register — it's meant for straightforward, walk-in-style or single-item sales rather than tracking multiple separate orders.
Can I use a Till Number for my online store?
Yes, but it's better suited to simple stores with one-off purchases. If you need to track multiple simultaneous orders, a Paybill number makes reconciliation easier.
Can I switch from a Till Number to a Paybill later?
Yes. Many businesses start with a Till and move to a Paybill once order volume grows and manual tracking becomes harder. There is nothing stopping a business from switching, or running both at once.
Do I need a Paybill number to sell online in Kenya?
Not necessarily. Third-party payment gateways such as Pesapal, Flutterwave, or IntaSend can generate a payment flow that accepts M-Pesa without a business needing its own Paybill number right away.
Who pays the fee on a Till or a Paybill?
On a Till, the customer pays nothing and the business pays a small percentage. On a Paybill, many businesses pass the fee to the customer. See the section on who pays the fee above, and check Safaricom's current tariffs.
What do I need to get a Till Number for my business?
A sole proprietor typically needs a national ID, a KRA PIN certificate, a business name certificate or permit, bank details and a Safaricom SIM in their name. Requirements can change, so check Safaricom's current list.
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