M-PESA vs Monzo

M-PESA9.3Visit Monzo8.6Visit

Higher score M-PESA #1 in Digital Wallet Apps 9.3/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit M-PESA

vs

Monzo #7 in Digital Wallet Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Monzo

• M-PESA fits best

  Mobile money with cash access

• Monzo fits best

  UK current-account and budgeting users

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Side by side

Feature	M-PESA 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Monzo 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.6
Ranking	#1 in Digital Wallet Apps	#7 in Digital Wallet Apps
Best for	Mobile money with cash access	UK current-account and budgeting users
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not checked yet	£3/mo
Free plan	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Docs	Live chat, Email, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	5 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features M-PESA 0/3 · Monzo 3/3
Virtual cards	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Peer transfers	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
International transfers	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Asset scope	Not checked yet	Cards_and_fiat
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	iOS, Android, web
Transaction limit	Not checked yet	100 per transaction
Our review
Pros	Cash deposits and withdrawals through agents and selected ATMs Supports bills, merchants, airtime, data and peer transfers Adds scheduled payments and international remittances	Free account includes a UK current account, cards and budgeting Pots No foreign transaction fees on debit card payments Supports peer payments, bank transfers and major mobile wallets
Cons	Availability is tied to Safaricom subscribers in supported markets Transfer fees vary by transaction band and service Not a standalone subscription product	Personal accounts are available only to UK residents Virtual cards start with the Extra plan at £3 per month Transfer limits vary by account and are managed in the app
Our verdict	M-PESA is Safaricom’s mobile money platform for sending and receiving money, paying bills and merchants, buying airtime and data, depositing cash, and withdrawing funds. It is designed for Safaricom subscribers in supported markets who… Read the review →	Monzo is a UK digital bank offering personal current accounts, debit cards, budgeting Pots, spending categories, savings and money transfers. It is designed for UK residents who want everyday banking through iOS, Android or the web, with… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• M-PESA — where it wins

  • Cash deposits and withdrawals through agents and selected ATMs
  • Supports bills, merchants, airtime, data and peer transfers
  • Adds scheduled payments and international remittances

  Where it doesn't

  • Availability is tied to Safaricom subscribers in supported markets
  • Transfer fees vary by transaction band and service
  • Not a standalone subscription product

• Monzo — where it wins

  • Free account includes a UK current account, cards and budgeting Pots
  • No foreign transaction fees on debit card payments
  • Supports peer payments, bank transfers and major mobile wallets

  Where it doesn't

  • Personal accounts are available only to UK residents
  • Virtual cards start with the Extra plan at £3 per month
  • Transfer limits vary by account and are managed in the app

• M-PESA9.3/10 · Paid

  A broad mobile-money wallet with cash access, bill pay, remittances and scheduled payments.

  Visit M-PESAFull verdict →
• Monzo8.6/10 · Free plan

  A capable UK digital bank for everyday banking, budgeting and payments.

  Visit MonzoFull verdict →