Searching for escrow services in Kenya surfaces three names again and again: Kenya Escrow (kenyaescrow.com), eConfirm (econfirm.co.ke), and Escrow Kenya / EscrowKenya (escrowkenya.com). They all do the same core job — hold money until a deal completes — but they differ in ways that matter for your transaction. Here is an honest, feature-by-feature comparison.
Quick comparison table
| Feature | Kenya Escrow | eConfirm | EscrowKenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account required | None — works on links | Registration needed | Registration needed |
| Fees | ~2–10% sliding scale, all-inclusive | 1% commission + payout charges | Percentage + charges |
| M-Pesa fees for users | Zero (we absorb paybill costs) | May apply | May apply |
| Payout speed | Instant on confirmation | Fast after SMS authorization | Scheduled / on approval |
| Seller withdrawal | Free to M-Pesa | Payout charge applies | Varies |
| Minimum deal | KSh 50 | KSh 100 | Varies |
| Max per transaction | KSh 240,000 to seller | KSh 500,000 | Varies |
| Notifications | Instant SMS + WhatsApp | SMS verification steps | Email / account |
| Dispute handling | Human review on WhatsApp | Dispute support | Support desk |
| API for businesses | Yes — REST + webhooks, test keys | Yes — API v2 | Yes — API |
Competitor details reflect publicly available information as of October 2026 — always verify current terms on their sites.
Where each one fits
Choose Kenya Escrow if you want speed and zero friction
No accounts for either party, instant payout on confirmation, and no M-Pesa or withdrawal charges for users. It is the best fit for everyday P2P deals — Jiji purchases, freelance jobs, car deposits, digital goods — where both parties just want the deal done safely and now. The trade-off: our per-transaction cap is KSh 240,000 to the seller (the M-Pesa limit), so very large deals get split into milestones.
eConfirm suits structured business flows
eConfirm offers registered accounts, KYB verification, a v2 API with hosted checkout, and amounts up to KSh 500,000. If you are a business that wants customers inside a formal account system with SMS authorization steps, it is a solid option — at the cost of requiring both sides to register.
EscrowKenya is the oldest name in the space
EscrowKenya (Escrow Solutions Kenya Limited) has operated since 2018 with account-based escrow and an API. It suits users who prefer a traditional registered-account model and do not mind the signup step.
The honest truth about choosing
Any of the three beats sending money directly to a stranger — the real risk is doing deals unprotected. Where Kenya Escrow wins is time and friction: the other party needs nothing but a phone number, the deal runs in a minute, and sellers are paid the moment a buyer confirms. That is why over 12,500 users have trusted us with more than KSh 73 million in transactions.
Try the difference yourself: create a transaction in under a minute, check our case studies, or read the full fee breakdown.
