Detailed technical benchmark and comparison between Paystack API and Paga API. Analyze pricing structures, verified webhooks, sandbox testing, authentication, and compliance for teams building in Nigeria.
Accept payments with Nigeria's most widely adopted gateway
Send money, pay bills & top up airtime at scale for agents
Paystack API is best for nigerian businesses of all sizes from solo developers to enterprises needing Nigeria's best-documented payment API with the widest developer ecosystem, comprehensive payment methods, and full-feature parity between test and live environments.
Paga API is best for nigerian businesses and aggregators that need to send money, pay bills, and top up airtime at scale particularly agents, agent banking software providers, enterprise HR platforms, and mobile money aggregators wanting programmatic access to Paga's 20M+ user network.
| Highlight | P Paystack API | P Paga API |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | Bearer Token (Secret Key from Paystack Dashboard) | Custom HMAC headers: principal (public ID), credentials (password), and hash (SHA-512 of request params + secret key) |
| Rate Limit | Rate limited contact Paystack for exact limits | Not publicly specified |
| Sandbox Mode | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
| Webhooks | ✗ Not supported | ✗ Not supported |
| API Services | Payment GatewayRecurring BillingSplit PaymentsTransfers & PayoutsTerminal POS | Card Payments (Visa / Mastercard / Verve)Bank Transfer / Pay by TransferUSSD PaymentsVirtual Account Numbers |
| Supported Regions |
| Fee Component | P Paystack API | P Paga API |
|---|---|---|
| Local Transactions / Cards | Local cards:1.5% + ₦100, capped at ₦2,000 (waived for ≤₦2,500) | Contact provider |
| International / FX Cards | International cards:3.9% + ₦100 | Contact provider |
| Transfers & Payouts | Transfers:₦10 (≤₦5K), ₦25 (₦5K ₦50K), ₦50 (>₦50K) |
|
| Setup & Monthly Fees | No setup/monthly fees | Contact provider |
| Rates & Additional Terms | Volume discounts >₦10M/month |
|
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