M-Pesa STK Push vs Till Number
Complete Comparison for Kenya POS
M-Pesa is Kenya's most popular mobile money platform with over 50+ million active users. Every business needs to accept M-Pesa payments. However, many businesses are confused about the two main M-Pesa integration methods: STK Push and Till Number.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | STK Push | Till Number |
|---|---|---|
| Initiated By | Business (merchant) | Customer |
| Speed | Fastest (10-15 sec) | Medium (30-60 sec) |
| Best For | Retail, restaurants | Online, remote payments |
| Fees | KES 30-75 | KES 30-75 |
STK Push: Merchant-Initiated Payments
What is STK Push?
STK Push is where the business initiates payment. The customer's phone automatically receives a payment prompt and simply enters their PIN. It's the fastest checkout method.
How It Works
- Customer pays for groceries at checkout
- Clerk asks for phone number
- Clerk enters amount and sends STK prompt
- Customer phone shows payment prompt automatically
- Customer enters PIN
- Payment completes in 15 seconds
Best For
- Supermarkets and retail shops
- Restaurants and fast-food chains
- Pharmacies
- Any in-store transaction requiring speed
Till Number: Customer-Initiated Payments
What is Till Number?
Till Number is where the customer initiates payment from their M-Pesa app. They search for your business, select the Till Number, and complete payment. Works anywhere without POS integration.
How It Works
- Customer tells you the amount (e.g., KES 1,500)
- Customer opens M-Pesa app
- Customer searches your business name
- Customer selects your Till Number
- Customer enters KES 1,500 and confirms
- Payment completes (takes 30-60 seconds)
Best For
- Online shops and e-commerce
- Remote payments (no POS needed)
- Social media sales (Facebook, WhatsApp)
- Freelancers and consultants
- Backup payment method
Make Your Choice
Use STK Push if you:
- Run a retail business with high volume
- Need to reduce checkout time
- Have a physical POS terminal
Use Till Number if you:
- Sell remotely (online, WhatsApp, Instagram)
- Don't have a POS system
- Want a flexible, universal payment option
Pro Tip: Use Both!
EliteTeQ supports both STK Push and Till Number. Use STK Push for in-store (fast), Till Number as backup and for remote payments.
FAQ
Q: Which is better?
A: Both! STK Push is faster for retail, Till Number is more flexible for online and backup.
Q: Do I pay different fees?
A: No. Both use the same M-Pesa fees (KES 30-75 per transaction).
Q: What's my Till Number?
A: Provided by Safaricom when you register for M-Pesa for Business (usually 6-7 digit code).
Start Accepting M-Pesa Today
EliteTeQ POS supports both STK Push and Till Number. Book a free demo to accept both payment methods immediately.