Shopify in Kenya: Payment Options with M-Pesa and the Real Costs
Short answer: Shopify works in Kenya, but Shopify Payments is not available here, so you need a third-party payment provider to accept M-Pesa and cards. Add the monthly plan, paid apps, a theme and transaction fees, and the real cost is noticeably higher than the headline plan price. For many Kenyan shops that want M-Pesa at the centre, WooCommerce works out simpler and cheaper.
Shopify is a strong platform. It’s hosted for you, quick to set up and easy to manage. The questions for a Kenyan shop are how customers will pay and what the yearly bill really adds up to. If you’re comparing options, see our e-commerce website design service and our guide to e-commerce website costs in Kenya.
| Cost item | Shopify | WooCommerce (our builds) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Monthly subscription in USD | Free software, you pay for hosting |
| Hosting | Included | From KES 10,000 a year |
| M-Pesa | Via a third-party app or gateway | Direct STK Push integration |
| Transaction fees | Shopify fee when not using Shopify Payments, plus gateway fees | Gateway fees only |
| Apps and extensions | Often monthly subscriptions | Often one-off or annual |
| Ownership | You rent the platform | You own the site and data |
How payments work on Shopify in Kenya
Because Shopify Payments isn’t offered in Kenya, you connect an external payment provider. Several Kenyan and pan-African gateways offer Shopify apps that accept M-Pesa, Airtel Money and cards. Each has its own setup process, fees and payout timing. Check three things before you choose:
- How the customer pays M-Pesa: a true STK Push prompt on the phone is far smoother than asking customers to type a Paybill number and reference.
- Payout timing: how quickly money reaches your bank or M-Pesa account.
- Fees on both sides: the gateway’s fee plus Shopify’s additional transaction fee for external providers.
The real yearly cost of Shopify
When you budget, add up:
- The monthly plan, billed in US dollars.
- A premium theme, if you don’t use a free one.
- Apps for reviews, delivery, WhatsApp, upsells and payments, many charged monthly.
- Transaction fees from Shopify and the gateway.
- Design and setup if someone builds it for you.
The plan price alone rarely reflects what you’ll spend. Exchange-rate movements also matter when everything is billed in dollars.
When Shopify is a good fit
- You sell internationally and want a hosted platform with little maintenance.
- You want to launch quickly with a standard store layout.
- You’re comfortable with recurring USD costs.
When WooCommerce is usually better in Kenya
- M-Pesa is your main payment method and you want STK Push built in.
- You want to own the site and avoid platform fees on every sale.
- You need custom delivery zones, pickup points or local integrations.
We build WooCommerce shops with direct M-Pesa STK Push. See how M-Pesa payments work on WooCommerce and our WooCommerce M-Pesa integration service. Our online shops start from KES 150,000 (USD 1,400), with a fixed written quote that doesn’t change and a 60% deposit with the balance at launch.
Delivery, pickup and WhatsApp orders
Whichever platform you choose, Kenyan shoppers expect clear delivery fees by area, a pickup option and a quick way to ask questions on WhatsApp. Plan these from the start. A WhatsApp Business integration can handle order updates automatically.
Butterfly Prime has built online shops in Kenya since 2012, with 1,200+ projects, and is rated 5.0 on Google.
Frequently asked questions
Does Shopify work in Kenya?
Yes. You can run a Shopify store from Kenya, but Shopify Payments isn’t available, so you’ll use a third-party payment provider.
Can Shopify accept M-Pesa?
Yes, through third-party payment apps and gateways that support M-Pesa. Check how the customer pays, the fees and payout timing.
How much does Shopify cost in Kenya?
The monthly plan is billed in US dollars, and you should also budget for a theme, apps, transaction fees and setup.
Is WooCommerce cheaper than Shopify in Kenya?
Often, over a few years, because there are no platform subscription or extra transaction fees and M-Pesa can be built in directly. Hosting and maintenance are the main running costs.
Can I move from Shopify to WooCommerce later?
Yes. Products, customers and orders can be migrated, and links should be redirected so you keep your Google rankings.
Not sure whether Shopify suits your shop?
Tell us what you sell and how your customers pay, and we’ll recommend the platform that fits. During working hours (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm EAT) we reply within minutes on phone or WhatsApp at +254 705 828 000.
Prefer it in writing? Request a quote.
Written by Vincent Ochieng, founder of Butterfly Prime Solutions (since 2012). Last updated: 27 October 2026.
