ISP billing comparison
Centranet vs Centipid: An ISP Billing Alternative for Kenya
Centipid is one of the best-known ISP billing systems in Kenya and Uganda. Centranet covers the same daily work (PPPoE and Hotspot billing on MikroTik with M-Pesa renewals) and adds a white-label and reseller business model, WhatsApp self-service for subscribers, TR-069 router control and per-subscriber data usage. This page compares both products feature by feature using Centipid’s own published documentation.
Side by side
Centranet and Centipid, feature by feature
| Feature | Centranet | Centipid |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | KES 500/month. Includes 30 PPPoE accounts, 2 routers, unlimited Hotspot users and 100 SMS. KES 20 per extra PPPoE account. 3% of collections applies only once monthly collections reach KES 7,000. | USD 0.25 per PPPoE user per month, plus 3% of Hotspot revenue. KES 500 monthly minimum in Kenya |
| Free trial | Yes, no card required | 14 days, no card required |
| PPPoE billing on MikroTik | Yes. Routers are managed over a secure tunnel, with no RADIUS server to maintain | Yes, RADIUS-backed |
| Hotspot packages and vouchers | Yes. Branded login page builder, vouchers, roaming between your routers | Yes, with voucher management |
| M-Pesa STK Push, Paybill and Till | Yes. Use the platform collection service or connect your own provider | M-Pesa is one of 28 listed payment gateways |
| Automatic payouts to your M-Pesa, Paybill, Till or bank | Yes. Payout account verified by registered name before money is sent | Collections and withdrawals where enabled for the ISP |
| SMS reminders | Yes. Expiry, renewal and payment reminders with one-tap renewal links | Yes |
| WhatsApp for subscribers | Yes. Subscribers can renew, check balance and request help from WhatsApp | Not listed on their public site |
| White label and custom domain | Yes. Your logo, colours, portals and optional custom domain | Not listed on their public site |
| Reseller business (client ISP workspaces) | Yes. Reseller portal, client performance, branded support and audited support access | Not listed on their public site |
| TR-069 router management (change customer Wi-Fi remotely) | Yes. Built-in GenieACS. Change Wi-Fi name and password, reboot, read optical levels | Not listed on their public site |
| Fibre OLT and ONU records | Yes. Any vendor, CSV import | Not listed on their public site |
| Remote Winbox from anywhere | Yes. Permanent public Winbox port per router, no VPN needed | Yes, on the Hotspot plan |
| Per-subscriber data usage | Yes. Daily download, upload and online time per subscriber | Usage shown in the customer portal |
| Technician jobs app | Yes. Jobs, status updates and equipment installation by serial number | Helpdesk with SLA deadlines; no technician app listed |
Competitor details come from each vendor’s public website, checked on 12 October 2026. “Not listed” means we could not find it on their public pages, not that the feature is impossible. Prices and features change, so confirm with each vendor before you decide.
Fair comparison
Where Centipid is strong
- A large installed base and long track record across East Africa
- A wide gateway list: 28 payment gateways across 25 countries
- A documented helpdesk with priorities, SLA deadlines and analytics
- Simple usage pricing for PPPoE-heavy networks
Why ISPs choose Centranet
Choose Centranet if…
- You want to sell internet under your own brand, with your own domain and portals
- You want to run a reseller business with client ISP workspaces, retail pricing and branded support
- You want subscribers to renew, check their balance and get help on WhatsApp
- You want to change a customer’s Wi-Fi name or password from the dashboard through TR-069
- You prefer KES pricing with 30 PPPoE accounts and unlimited Hotspot users included
Verdict
Which one should you pick?
Pick Centipid if…
You need a specific payment gateway outside Centranet’s supported list, or you already rely on Centipid’s RADIUS-based setup and helpdesk SLAs.
Pick Centranet if…
You want one Kenyan platform for billing, branding, reselling, WhatsApp and remote router control, priced in KES.
Good questions. Clear answers.
Let’s clear
a few things up.
A little clarity goes a long way.
Ask us something elseIs Centranet a Centipid alternative?
Yes. Both bill PPPoE and Hotspot customers on MikroTik with M-Pesa. Centranet adds white label with custom domains, reseller workspaces, WhatsApp self-service, TR-069 and per-subscriber data usage.
Can I move my customers from Centipid to Centranet?
Yes. Centranet’s migration tools import subscribers from a CSV export, create matching packages and can read existing PPPoE accounts from your MikroTik. You can connect in monitor-only mode first and switch billing over when ready.
Which is cheaper?
It depends on your mix. Centipid charges per PPPoE user plus 3% of Hotspot revenue. Centranet charges KES 500 a month with 30 PPPoE accounts included, and 3% of collections once they pass KES 7,000 a month. Use both pricing pages with your own numbers.