Pochi la Biashara vs Till Number (Buy Goods): feature by feature
| Pochi la Biashara | Till Number (Buy Goods) | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | Free, instant in the M-Pesa app | Requires Safaricom registration |
| Monthly cost | None | None (charges on withdrawal differ) |
| Who can use it | Individual sole traders | Registered businesses |
| Staff can collect | No, tied to your phone | Yes, multiple users possible |
| POS integration | Limited | Full integration available |
| Receipts / invoices | No formal receipt | Receipt via POS or SMS |
| Transaction limits | M-Pesa personal limits apply | Higher business limits |
| Reporting | Basic M-Pesa statement | Full via POS or Safaricom portal |
How to choose
Choose Pochi la Biashara if
- You are a solo trader, boda rider, kiosk or mama mboga collecting small daily payments
- You want to start today with no setup or registration
- You handle low volumes and do not need staff, receipts or a POS
Choose Till Number (Buy Goods) if
- You have staff or plan to add them
- Your customers expect a receipt or eTIMS invoice
- Your daily volumes are growing beyond personal M-Pesa limits
- You want to connect to a POS for stock and reconciliation
More detail
Think of Pochi as the entry point and a Till as the upgrade. Many businesses start on Pochi and move to a Till when they hire their first employee or when they outgrow the limits.
The trigger to upgrade is usually one of three things: needing a receipt, needing staff access, or hitting the transaction ceiling.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep Pochi and also get a Till?
Yes. You can run both. Some owners keep Pochi for personal collection and use a Till for their shop.
Does Pochi la Biashara charge the customer?
No. The customer pays nothing extra to send money to your Pochi.
When should I switch from Pochi to a Till?
When you hire staff, when customers ask for receipts, or when your volumes approach the M-Pesa personal limits.
Veira combines POS, M-Pesa, KRA eTIMS and inventory in one app with a free terminal. Book a demo and see how it fits your trade.