Paystack
Paystack is a secure payment gateway used by thousands of businesses in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire. Known as a reliable API gateway for for businesses of all sizes, it allows you to accept payments via card, bank transfer, USSD, mobile money, POS, and more.
The use of Paystack fits businesses of any size — from small shops to enterprise platforms. It's especially trusted by business owners looking for fast setup, powerful analytics, and low-friction payment experiences. The Paystack team offers tools that integrate easily with e-commerce, mobile apps, and accounting systems like Xero.
With a strong focus on compliance and fraud protection, Paystack’s infrastructure ensures a secure payment gateway experience. It complies with the acceptable use policy and meets the expectations of customers looking for fast settlements and minimal downtime.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Regions | Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire |
| Getting started | Free sign-up, under 15 minutes |
| Commission per transaction | Local: 1.5% + ₦100; International: 3.9% + ₦100 |
| Payment methods accepted | Cards, Bank Transfers, USSD, Mobile Money, POS, QR |
| Fraud & Risk management | Yes (automated and manual systems) |
| Accepted Currencies | Local currencies, USD (pilot only) |
| Settlement time | T+1 (next business day) |
| Recurring Billing | Yes |
| SDK Stacks | JavaScript, PHP, Python, Android, iOS |
| Payouts support | Yes |
| Split payments | Yes |
| RegionsNigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire | |
| Getting startedFree sign-up, under 15 minutes | |
| Commission per transactionLocal: 1.5% + ₦100; International: 3.9% + ₦100 | |
| Payment methods acceptedCards, Bank Transfers, USSD, Mobile Money, POS, QR | |
| Fraud & Risk managementYes (automated and manual systems) | |
| Accepted CurrenciesLocal currencies, USD (pilot only) | |
| Settlement timeT+1 (next business day) | |
| Recurring BillingYes | |
| SDK StacksJavaScript, PHP, Python, Android, iOS | |
| Payouts supportYes | |
| Split paymentsYes |
Pros
- No setup or maintenance fees
- Local and international payment support
- Fast integration and developer-friendly APIs
- Built-in recurring billing and split payments
Cons
- Only available in select African countries
- USD payouts limited to pilot program
- Percentage + flat fees may impact small transactions
- Some reports of slow customer support during disputes
Benefits of Using
The use of Paystack allows businesses to offer fast, reliable, and localised payment options across Africa. You can accept payments through cards, bank accounts, USSD, and mobile money. It helps businesses grow by offering detailed analytics, automated reconciliation, and seamless integration with sales channels. Whether you're selling digital goods, subscriptions, or running a physical store, Paystack adapts easily.
Paystack’s flexibility also appeals to developers and non-technical founders. You can launch with a hosted page or deeply integrate the gateway into your backend. The terms of setup are straightforward — sign up, verify your business, and begin processing payments within a day. For small enterprises, this means faster time-to-revenue.
How to Use the Gateway
Merchants create a Paystack account, go through basic KYC, and instantly get access to a dashboard with API keys and setup tools. You can generate links, configure subscriptions, or install e-commerce plugins. The review process is transparent, and onboarding usually completes within 24–48 hours.
For businesses with physical operations, POS terminals connect seamlessly to the main business account. All revenue is tracked in real-time. Support is available for integration, although some users in recent reviews noted slow response times. However, Paystack support is actively working to reduce these delays.
Review
Across reviews of paystack.com, users frequently describe a positive experience. Many say they “love making use of Paystack” for its ease, speed, and clear reporting. Customer reviews highlight how Paystack enables instant payouts, clear transaction history, and easy refunds. Still, some business reviews mention occasional payout delays, with one payout review riddled with concern about weekend settlements.
Not all feedback is positive. A few claim “Paystack is worst payment API” or even call it the “worst payment API gateway” after isolated service interruptions. The platform continues to combat fake reviews and encourages merchants to read customer feedback posted on verified sources.
Safety
In 2024, there was a publicly reported incident involving unauthorised access to a merchant account, resulting in an unapproved withdrawal of approximately ₦130,000. The case triggered an internal investigation and prompted Paystack to enhance its security framework. Since then, the company has rolled out mandatory two-factor authentication, increased monitoring of suspicious activity, and expanded its internal security team. Regular external audits and certifications (such as ISO 27001 and PCI DSS) have been adopted, along with a public bug bounty program. These steps demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and customer protection.
Account Fees
Paystack follows a pay-as-you-go model with no onboarding or maintenance charges. Merchants are only charged when a transaction is successful, making it cost-effective for startups and growing businesses. Refunds are processed without additional fees, though banks may impose charges for foreign currency settlements. For high-volume businesses, Paystack may offer custom pricing and settlement terms.
For Business
Paystack is ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises, online platforms, digital service providers, and non-profits. It’s also a solid solution for subscription-based services, online courses, and mobile-first apps. The flexibility of the platform allows both B2C and B2B operations to collect payments, issue invoices, and scale globally.
Which Type of Business / For Physical Clients
Both digital and physical businesses benefit from Paystack’s offerings. For physical locations like shops, salons, or clinics, POS devices enable quick in-person payments, while mobile QR options cater to walk-in customers. For digital operations like marketplaces or SaaS platforms, recurring billing, split payments, and detailed analytics make day-to-day operations more efficient. It’s an all-in-one solution for African businesses ready to grow.
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FAQ
How long does it take to get started with Paystack?
You can sign up and begin accepting payments in less than 24 hours. The onboarding process is fully digital and requires your business information, bank account details, and verification documents. Once approved, you’ll receive access to your dashboard, API keys, and all the tools needed to start collecting payments through links, websites, or mobile apps. The platform also offers dedicated support for integration if needed.
Is Paystack secure for handling customer payments?
Yes. Paystack complies with global security standards including PCI DSS and ISO certifications. Card data is encrypted using AES-256 and transmitted over secure connections. Paystack also enforces HTTPS, TLS, and HSTS on all traffic. In addition to these measures, suspicious activity is monitored by internal risk engines, and every merchant account has access to fraud control tools and optional two-factor authentication.
Does Paystack support recurring payments or subscriptions?
Absolutely. Paystack includes robust subscription management features that let you define custom billing intervals, handle retries, and receive real-time alerts for payment events. Customers can easily subscribe to plans via hosted checkout pages, and merchants can manage the entire subscription lifecycle from the dashboard. This is especially useful for SaaS businesses, online communities, and education platforms.
Can I receive payments in USD or other foreign currencies?
Yes, but USD settlement is currently available only to selected merchants and banks as part of a pilot program. While international customers can pay in USD, the funds may be converted to your local currency unless USD payout is enabled for your account. You can request access to the USD pilot through the support team.
What types of businesses are best suited for Paystack?
Paystack is designed to serve a wide variety of businesses—from freelance professionals and small shops to large-scale platforms and financial services. If your business operates in any of the supported African countries and you need to accept payments online or in-person, Paystack is one of the most trusted and flexible solutions available today.
