Updated 1 November 2026
Tala vs Fuliza: for small amounts you clear within a day or two, Fuliza is usually cheaper and quicker because it is built into M-PESA; for anything you hold longer than about a week, Tala costs less, because Fuliza’s flat daily fee adds up fast on small balances. Fuliza is an overdraft that covers an M-PESA payment when your balance is short. Tala is a credit line you draw on and repay by a date you choose, up to 120 days.
Updated November 2026. Sources: Safaricom’s Fuliza page (tariff last updated June 2025, checked 1 November 2026), Tala’s Google Play listing and tala.co.ke/faq.
How Tala and Fuliza charge
Fuliza charges a one-off 1% access fee each time you use it, then a daily maintenance fee on the amount outstanding, plus 20% excise duty on that daily fee. The daily fee is applied from the next day at midnight.
| Fuliza outstanding (KSh) | Daily fee | Excise (20%) | Total per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 | KSh 0 | KSh 0 | KSh 0 |
| 101–500 | KSh 2.50 | KSh 0.50 | KSh 3 |
| 501–1,000 | KSh 5 | KSh 1 | KSh 6 |
| 1,001–1,500 | KSh 18 | KSh 3.60 | KSh 21.60 |
| 1,501–2,500 | KSh 20 | KSh 4 | KSh 24 |
| 2,501–70,000 | KSh 25 | KSh 5 | KSh 30 |
Source: Safaricom Fuliza tariff.
Tala charges daily interest of 0.3% to 0.6% on the amount borrowed (the rate depends on your profile), no access fee, and a one-time 8% late charge if you miss your due date. Limits run from KSh 1,000 to KSh 50,000.
Tala vs Fuliza: worked cost examples
| Borrowing | Fuliza (1% + daily fee) | Tala at 0.3%/day | Tala at 0.6%/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSh 500 for 3 days | KSh 14 | Below Tala’s KSh 1,000 minimum | |
| KSh 2,000 for 5 days | KSh 140 | KSh 30 | KSh 60 |
| KSh 10,000 for 7 days | KSh 310 | KSh 210 | KSh 420 |
| KSh 2,000 for 30 days | KSh 740 | KSh 180 | KSh 360 |
| KSh 10,000 for 30 days | KSh 1,000 | KSh 900 | KSh 1,800 |
Fuliza figures assume one daily charge per day outstanding on the band in the table. Tala figures are amount x daily rate x days, as in Tala’s own worked example.
What the numbers show
- Tiny, short amounts: Fuliza wins outright. Balances of KSh 100 or less attract no daily fee, and KSh 101 to 1,000 costs KSh 3 to KSh 6 a day. Tala cannot lend below KSh 1,000.
- KSh 1,000 to 2,500 held for days: Fuliza’s KSh 21.60 to KSh 24 daily charge is steep relative to the balance. Tala is cheaper even at its top rate.
- Large balances for a month: Fuliza’s daily fee caps at KSh 30 for anything from KSh 2,501 to KSh 70,000, so a big balance held 30 days can be cheaper on Fuliza than on Tala at 0.6%, though Tala at 0.3% still edges it.
Convenience and eligibility
Fuliza kicks in automatically when you send money, pay a till or buy airtime without enough M-PESA balance, once you have opted in on *334#. Safaricom says you need at least six months on the network to get a limit, and any money you receive into M-PESA goes first to clearing Fuliza. Tala needs a smartphone app, a valid ID and a mobile number, and sends cash to your M-PESA; you repay via Paybill 851900 and there is no auto-debit.
See Fuliza charges explained, the Fuliza charges calculator, and our Tala loan app guide. For other pairings, read Fuliza vs M-Shwari or compare several lenders on the loan app cost checker.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tala cheaper than Fuliza?
For loans of KSh 1,000 or more held longer than a few days, usually yes. For small amounts repaid within a day or two, Fuliza is cheaper, and it has no minimum.
How much does Fuliza charge per day?
From KSh 3 a day (balances of KSh 101 to 500) up to KSh 30 a day (KSh 2,501 to 70,000), including 20% excise duty, plus a one-off 1% access fee.
Does Tala charge an access fee?
No. Tala says it charges no access fees; you pay daily interest of 0.3% to 0.6% for the days you borrow.
Can I use Fuliza to repay Tala?
Technically yes, because Fuliza covers Paybill payments, but you would then pay Fuliza’s daily fees on top. It is cheaper to repay from income.
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