Updated 7 November 2026
Hisa vs Ndovu is a comparison of two investment apps used in Kenya that are built for different jobs. Hisa is a share-trading app: you can buy Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) shares and US stocks, starting from as little as US$1 for US shares. Ndovu is closer to a digital wealth manager: it offers its own money market fund, global exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and fractional US shares, with annual plans that lower its fees.
Checked on 7 November 2026 against Hisa’s help centre articles on regulation (updated 11 March 2026), Kenyan share charges (updated 9 June 2026) and US stocks, and Ndovu’s help articles on fees and products. Fees change; check the app before you invest. Not investment advice.
On this page
Hisa vs Ndovu at a glance
| Item | Hisa | Ndovu |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Buy and sell individual NSE and US shares | Money market fund, global ETFs and fractional US shares |
| NSE shares | Yes, through Faida Investment Bank | Not listed among its products |
| US shares | Yes, including fractional shares (market orders only) | Yes, fractional shares in individual companies |
| Global ETFs | Not covered in the help articles we checked | Yes, selected global ETFs |
| Money market fund | Not covered in the help articles we checked | Ndovu Fund (trade name of Taifa Fund), from KSh 5,000 |
| Minimum for US shares | US$1 | Shown in the app for each product |
| Fee on Kenyan shares | 1.34% per trade (1% Hisa fee plus levies and stamp duty) | Not applicable |
| Fee on US shares / global funds | 1% flat to buy and 1% to sell | 4.5% per investment (Basic, free), 4.0% (Standard, KSh 3,000 a year) or 2.0% (Ultimate, KSh 30,000 a year) |
| Fee on bonds and cash funds | Not applicable | 0% to 0.75% a year on all plans |
| Regulation | Kenyan trades through a CMA-licensed stockbroker; US stocks covered by SIPC, Hisa says | Says its money market fund is licensed |
Hisa vs Ndovu: what you can buy
Hisa focuses on shares. Its help centre explains how to buy and sell NSE shares and US stocks, and says you can buy fractional US shares with market orders and trade after US market hours. US trades settle one business day after the trade (T+1), so sale proceeds cannot be withdrawn immediately.
Ndovu lists four kinds of product: the Ndovu Fund money market fund, the Kibaba Multi Asset Special Fund, selected global ETFs, and fractional shares in global companies. The Kibaba fund is aimed at larger investors, with a minimum of KSh 250,000 (or US$2,500) and top-ups of KSh 100,000 (US$1,000).
Hisa vs Ndovu fees
Hisa charges per trade. For Kenyan shares the total is 1.34% of the trade value: Hisa’s 1% fee, a 0.08% CDSC levy, a 0.12% CMA levy, a 0.12% NSE levy and 0.02% stamp duty. For US shares Hisa charges a flat 1% when you buy and 1% when you sell.
Ndovu charges when you invest in global funds and shares, and the rate depends on your plan. The Basic plan is free but charges 4.5% per investment. The Standard plan costs KSh 3,000 a year and charges 4.0%. The Ultimate plan costs KSh 30,000 a year and charges 2.0%. Bonds and cash funds cost between 0% and 0.75% a year on every plan. Ndovu says the fee is deducted from your investment amount and shown before you confirm.
Hisa vs Ndovu worked examples
These use the published fees only and ignore currency conversion, spreads and any other costs.
| Investment of KSh 100,000 in US/global assets | Fee to buy | Amount invested |
|---|---|---|
| Hisa (1% buy fee) | KSh 1,000 | KSh 99,000 |
| Ndovu Basic (4.5%) | KSh 4,500 | KSh 95,500 |
| Ndovu Standard (4.0%, plus KSh 3,000 a year) | KSh 4,000 | KSh 96,000 |
| Ndovu Ultimate (2.0%, plus KSh 30,000 a year) | KSh 2,000 | KSh 98,000 |
Hisa also charges 1% when you sell US shares. Ndovu’s example deductions (KSh 4,500 on Basic and KSh 2,000 on Ultimate for KSh 100,000) come from its own help page. Illustrative fee arithmetic only: if you assume Ndovu’s listed 4.5% Basic and 2% Ultimate deposit fees and the KSh 30,000 Ultimate annual fee, and ignore returns, exchange rates and any other charges, the two plans cost the same at about KSh 1.2 million of global deposits in a year (KSh 30,000 divided by the 2.5-point fee difference). This is a fee break-even, not a promised return or a recommended amount to invest.
Regulation and safety
Hisa says it is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority through its licensed brokerage partner, Faida Investment Bank, which handles all Kenyan share trades for Hisa users. It says its US stocks are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which covers some losses if a US broker fails but does not protect you against market falls.
Ndovu describes the Ndovu Fund as a licensed money market fund. Before investing through any app, check the licence of the firm or fund on the CMA’s list of licensees, and remember that ETFs and shares can fall in value.
Hisa vs Ndovu: which should you choose?
- Choose Hisa if you want to pick your own NSE or US shares, trade small amounts and keep fees low per trade. Use our NSE dividend calendar to time Kenyan share purchases, and learn the basics in our P/E, EPS and dividend yield explainer.
- Choose Ndovu if you want a money market fund and diversified global ETFs in one app, and you are happy to pay higher entry fees for a managed experience.
- Use both if you want local shares on Hisa and a cash fund or ETFs on Ndovu.
Whichever you choose, keep an emergency fund in a low-risk product first; see our Ziidi vs Etica comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hisa or Ndovu cheaper?
For US shares, Hisa’s 1% buy fee is lower than Ndovu’s 2% to 4.5%, but Hisa also charges 1% to sell. Ndovu’s lowest rate needs a KSh 30,000-a-year plan.
Can I buy NSE shares on Ndovu?
NSE shares are not listed among Ndovu’s products in its help centre. Hisa offers NSE shares through Faida Investment Bank.
What is the minimum on Hisa and Ndovu?
Hisa says you can start US shares from US$1. Ndovu’s money market fund starts at KSh 5,000.
Are Hisa and Ndovu regulated?
Hisa’s Kenyan trades go through a CMA-licensed stockbroker. Ndovu says its money market fund is licensed. Check both on the CMA’s licensee list.
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