Opay vs M Pesa: Which is Better? Fees, Features, User Feedback

As the world becomes more digitized, financial transactions have evolved from physical cash to mobile money. Mobile money has revolutionized the way people conduct transactions, making it easier, faster, and more secure. Two of the most popular mobile money services in Africa are Opay and M-Pesa.

In this blog post, we will compare the two services and determine which is the best.

What is Opay vs M pesa?

Opayis a mobile money service owned by Opera Software, the developers of the popular Opera Mini browser. The service is available in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. Opay provides a range of services, including money transfer, bill payments, airtime top-up, and ride-hailing services. Opay has gained popularity in Nigeria, with over 5 million downloads of its mobile app.

M-Pesa is a mobile money service owned by Vodafone. The service was launched in Kenya in 2007 and has since expanded to other countries, including Tanzania, Mozambique, and Lesotho. M-Pesa offers money transfer, bill payments, airtime top-up, and other financial services. M-Pesa has over 40 million active users in Kenya alone, making it the most popular mobile money service in the country.

Features And Functionalities Of Opay And M-Pesa

Opay Features:

Mobile Payments

One of Opay's most notable features and functions is the ability for users to make payments and send money to other users via the Opay mobile app.

Ride-Hailing

You may have heard of O'ride, Uber, or any other company that provides transportation services; Opay is not an exception.

Opay provides ride-hailing services through its app, allowing users to easily book rides.

Food Delivery

In selected cities, Opay also offers food delivery services, allowing users to order food from their favorite restaurants and have it delivered to their door.

Lending

Another noteworthy feature of Opay is that it provides loans to users via its app, allowing them to quickly and easily access funds ranging from thousands to millions of naira.

Topup

The Opay app allows users to purchase airtime and data bundles for their mobile phones.

 

M-Pesa Features

Payments via mobile devices

Users can use the M-Pesa mobile app or USSD code to make payments and send money to other users. M-Pesa allows users to send and receive money internationally, thanks to partnerships in several countries around the world.

This appears to be more advantageous because it is not restricted to a few countries.

Banking on the Go

Every M-Pesa user can use the M-Pesa app to access a variety of banking services, such as checking account balances, paying bills, and carrying out other transactions.

Payment of Bills

M-Pesa, like Opay, allows users to pay utility bills such as electricity and water bills via the M-Pesa app. M-Pesa provides a variety of savings and loan products, allowing users to save and borrow money through the app.

The Differences Between Opay and M-Pesa

Both Opay and M-Pesa are mobile money transfer services, but they differ in terms of features, coverage, and operating models.

Here are some key distinctions between Opay and M-Pesa:

1. Coverage: M-Pesa is available in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Egypt, whereas Opay is primarily available in Nigeria.

2. Benefits: M-Pesa provides a broader range of financial services than Opay, including microinsurance, international money transfers, and savings and investment products.

Opay, on the other hand, provides services like ride-hailing and food delivery in addition to mobile money.

3. Business Model: M-Pesa is primarily run by mobile network operators, whereas Opay is a stand-alone mobile money service. Furthermore, M-Pesa has a larger network of agents and merchants than Opay, allowing for greater coverage.

4. Market Share: M-Pesa, with a larger market share than Opay, is the market leader in mobile money services in Africa.

5. Ownership: Vodafone Group, a British multinational telecommunications company, owns M-Pesa, while Opera Limited, a Norwegian software company, owns Opay.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Opay vs M-Pesa

Advantages of Opay

The following are some of the benefits of using Opay:

Lower Transaction Fees

Because Opay is a local company, it has a lower transaction fee than M-Pesa, which charges a higher fee. 

Cashback Bonuses

Opay provides cashback rewards on platform transactions, which can be an appealing incentive for users.

A Broad Range of Services

Opay, in addition to money transfer and payment services, also provides ride-hailing, food delivery, and airtime recharge.

Simple to Use

The Opay mobile app has an easy-to-use interface that allows users to navigate and conduct transactions. 

Disadvantages of Opay

The following are some disadvantages:

Limited reach

Opay is currently only available in a few African countries, which may limit its usefulness to users in other regions.

Acceptance is limited.

Because Opay is not accepted by as many merchants and businesses as M-Pesa, it may be less convenient for some users.

Advantages of M-Pesa

The following are the benefits of M-Pesa:

Established Network

M-Pesa has a more established network of agents and partners, which makes it easier for users to access its services.

Wider Acceptance

M-Pesa is accepted by a broader range of merchants and businesses, allowing users to use it to make payments in more places.

Increased transaction limits

M-Pesa has higher transaction limits than Opay, which may be advantageous for users who need to make large transactions.

Disadvantages of M-Pesa

The following are some advantages of using M-Pesa:

Higher Transaction Fees

M-Pesa charges higher transaction fees than Opay, which may be an issue for users who make frequent transactions.

Services are limited.

M-Pesa primarily provides money transfer and payment services and lacks the breadth of additional services that Opay does.

Opay vs M pesa: Which is the Best?

When it comes to mobile money services, Opay and M pesa are two of Africa's most popular choices. While both provide similar services, such as money transfers and bill payments, there are a few differences that may make one more appealing than the other.

One of the most significant differences between Opay and M pesa is their availability. Opay is currently only available in a few African countries, whereas M pesa is available in many more, providing users with a more widely accessible option.

Fees are another important factor to consider when comparing Opay and M pesa. Opay has lower fees than M pesa, making it a more affordable option for users who use mobile money services frequently.

In terms of user experience, both Opay and M pesa provide simple apps with simple features. Opay, on the other hand, provides a broader range of services beyond money transfers, such as bill payments and ride-hailing, which may make it a more appealing option for users who require more than just a basic mobile money service.

M pesa, on the other hand, has a larger network of partner locations for cash withdrawals, allowing users to access their funds more easily. This may be especially important for users who live in rural areas with few banking options.

All in all, the decision between Opay and M pesa will be influenced by the needs and preferences of the individual user. If affordability and a wider range of services are important considerations, Opay may be the better choice. However, if convenience and a wider network of cash-out options are more important, M pesa may be the better option.

FAQS

Can GTB transfer to OPay?

Using your phone number, you can transfer money directly into your OPay balance from any Nigerian bank, including GTB.

Does OPay have a banking license?

OPay is a licensed mobile money platform from the CBN. They provide low fees and a simple method for providing a variety of services to your customers.

Can my Opay account be hacked?

A: Like any digital account, there is always a risk of hacking. However, Opay takes several security measures to protect user accounts, such as two-factor authentication and encryption of sensitive data. Users can also take steps to protect their accounts, such as using strong passwords and avoiding sharing their login credentials with others.

Can Opay account be frozen?

In certain circumstances, Opay may freeze an account to investigate suspicious activity or to comply with legal requirements. However, users can contact Opay customer service to resolve any issues and unfreeze their accounts as quickly as possible.

Is OPay regulated?

Yes, Opay is regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a Payment Service Provider. This means that Opay must comply with certain regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and security of its users' funds.

How do hackers steal your account?

There are several ways that hackers may attempt to steal an Opay account, such as through phishing scams or malware attacks. Phishing scams involve tricking users into giving away their login credentials through fake websites or emails. Malware attacks can infect devices with malicious software that can capture login information. To protect against these threats, it's important for users to be vigilant and cautious when opening emails or clicking on links, and to use reputable antivirus software on their devices.

Conclusion

Both Opay and M pesa offer reliable and convenient mobile money services for users in Africa. While Opay may be more affordable and offer a wider range of services, M pesa has a larger network of partner locations for cash withdrawals, making it more accessible for users in rural areas.

Ultimately, the choice between Opay and M pesa will depend on the individual user's specific needs and priorities. It's important for users to compare the features and fees of each service to determine which one is the best fit for their financial needs.