Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
M-Pesa vs Nu Colombia
M-Pesa
Higher score in this comparison
Nu Colombia
What sets them apart
| Compare | M-PesaReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Nu ColombiaReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | KES 0 | COP 0 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | KES 100 | COP 1 |
| Transfer fee | Free to KES 100, then KES 7-108 | 0 COP, unlimited free transfers to any Colombian bank or digital wallet |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| Currencies | 1 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- M-Pesa scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.3.
- Founded is lower at M-Pesa: 2007 vs 2020.
- Support channels: only M-Pesa offers Chat, Community.
- Features: only M-Pesa offers Digital only.
- Features: only Nu Colombia offers Free ATM.
Our verdict on each
M-Pesa
M-Pesa suits anyone in Kenya who wants everyday money handled on a handset, with a monthly fee of KES 0. Savings pay a variable rate of 2% to 5% from a small entry point. The trade-off is a digital-only service with a single currency and no branch access.
Nu Colombia
Nu Colombia suits anyone in Colombia who wants a peso account for everyday money with no monthly charge and free transfers. The monthly fee is COP 0, the rate is variable at 0.1%, and daily yield suits a holding account rather than a saver.
Score breakdown
| Area | M-Pesa | Nu Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | 9.0HigherFree ATM withdrawals within KES 100, savings opening from KES 1 and support across email, chat and phone. | 8.6Fee free to run at a COP 0 monthly fee, with a variable rate of 0.1% and free local transfers. |
| Trust | 8.8Higher | 8.1 |
How they place
| Ranking | M-Pesa | Nu Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 416 of 1420 | 600 of 1420 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | M-Pesa | Nu Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Expats, Teen, Business | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee |
| Features | Digital only | Free ATM |
| Legal entity | Safaricom PLC | Nu Colombia Compania de Financiamiento S.A. |
| Headquarters | Kenya | Colombia |
| Founded | 2007Lower | 2020 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Savings
| Fact | M-Pesa | Nu Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 2% to 5%Higher | 0.1% |
| Rate type | Variable | Variable |
| Minimum deposit | KES 1 | COP 0 |
| Access terms | Electronic only, operated via the M-Shwari Menu on the M-PESA system; no branch access | Easy access with no time or minimum deposit requirements; unlimited free transfers to any bank, 1 free ATM withdrawal per month, daily yield shown in the app |
| Account kind | Easy access | Easy access |
Money transfer
| Fact | M-Pesa | Nu Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Payout methods | Bank, Cash pickup, Wallet | Not confirmed |
| Fee to send 1,000 | KES 13 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | M-Pesa | Nu Colombia | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.45%below the median | 0.5% |
| Currencies | 1lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 5 |
Median across 536 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
M-Pesa
Pros
- A monthly fee of KES 0, so there is no ongoing charge for keeping the account
- Savings pay a variable rate of 2% to 5% and open from a minimum deposit of KES 1
- Money sent out reaches bank, cash pickup and wallet
Cons
- Money moves in a single market, since the account holds 1 currency
- Branch counters are not among its listed features, which cover digital only, and access runs through the M-Shwari menu on the M-PESA system
- Transfer fees run Free to KES 100, then KES 7-108, with a common send charge of KES 13
Nu Colombia
Pros
- A COP 0 monthly fee, so running the account is free
- Unlimited free transfers to any Colombian bank or digital wallet, plus COP 1 free ATM withdrawals a month
- A variable yield of 0.1%, credited daily in the app
Cons
- A yield of 0.1% sits well below the 3.08% savings median
- The rate is variable, so the 0.1% yield can move rather than hold for a term
- Free cash withdrawals are capped at COP 1 a month, and the balance is otherwise moved by transfer
Who each suits
M-Pesa
Who it suits
- People living in Kenya who pay and collect money by phone
- Teens and expats who want an account without a monthly charge
- Businesses and traders who receive and pay out through a wallet
Who should look elsewhere
- Skrill, if you need to hold and convert money in several currencies
- PayPal Colombia, if your payments need to reach an international audience
- Plazo ES, if you are weighing savings products and want terms other than a variable variable rate
Nu Colombia
Who it suits
- Colombian residents who want a peso account for daily spending
- People who move money often and want unlimited free transfers to local banks and wallets
- Holders who accept a variable low yield in exchange for no monthly charge
Who should look elsewhere
- PayPal Colombia, which lists a headline rate of 3.3% against 0.1% here
- AXI Card, which shows 21.59% for anyone chasing the rate rather than free transfers
- Plazo ES, which lists 24.19% for anyone focused on rate rather than free local transfers
Current offers
Country by country
| Country | M-Pesa | Nu Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Colombia | No | Yes |
| Kenya | Yes | No |
Questions about each
M-Pesa
What does M-Pesa cost to keep each month?+
The monthly fee is KES 0, so there is no charge for holding the account. Sending money is charged separately, with transfer fees running Free to KES 100, then KES 7-108 and a common send charge of KES 13. Cash machine withdrawals are free within an allowance of KES 100.
Is there a minimum deposit needed to start?+
Savings start from a minimum deposit of KES 1, so the entry point is low. The monthly fee is KES 0, which means no ongoing charge to keep the account open, and the account kind is easy access for easy access to the balance.
Nu Colombia
What does it cost to run the account?+
There is no monthly charge, with a monthly fee of COP 0. Transfers to any Colombian bank or digital wallet are unlimited and free. Currency conversion is charged at 0.45%, below the 0.5% median on the site.
What rate does the balance earn?+
The account pays a variable rate of 0.1%, and the daily yield is shown in the app. Because the rate is variable it can move, and it sits well below the 3.08% median for savings accounts on the site.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
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M-Pesa
Nu Colombia