ISP billing comparison
Centranet vs Hotspot Kenya & FreeISPRadius: Compared
Hotspot Kenya and FreeISPRadius publish the same low-cost plans, including a free tier for very small networks. They suit operators starting out. Centranet is built for ISPs that want a professional brand, a reseller business and verified router changes as they grow. This page uses their published plans.
Side by side
Centranet and Hotspot Kenya and FreeISPRadius, feature by feature
| Feature | Centranet | Hotspot Kenya and FreeISPRadius |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Free below KES 3,500 monthly sales; KES 500 below KES 8,000; KES 1,500 above |
| Free trial | Yes, no card required | Free tier |
| PPPoE billing on MikroTik | Yes. Routers are managed over a secure tunnel, with no RADIUS server to maintain | Yes, with static IP and force reconnection |
| Hotspot packages and vouchers | Yes. Branded login page builder, vouchers, roaming between your routers | Yes, vouchers, trials, page builder and roaming |
| M-Pesa STK Push, Paybill and Till | Yes. Use the platform collection service or connect your own provider | Yes, STK Push, Paybill and Till |
| Automatic payouts to your M-Pesa, Paybill, Till or bank | Yes. Payout account verified by registered name before money is sent | Not listed on their public site |
| 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 | WhatsApp notifications |
| White label and custom domain | Yes. Your logo, colours, portals and optional custom domain | Branded Hotspot login page |
| 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 | Bundled TR-069 ACS |
| 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 | VPN remote access |
| Per-subscriber data usage | Yes. Daily download, upload and online time per subscriber | Not listed on their public site |
| Technician jobs app | Yes. Jobs, status updates and equipment installation by serial number | Not listed on their public site |
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 Hotspot Kenya and FreeISPRadius is strong
- A free tier for networks with very low monthly sales
- Low flat monthly prices
- Fair Usage Policy throttling
- Bundled WhatsApp, SMS, TR-069 and VPN tools
Why ISPs choose Centranet
Choose Centranet if…
- You want your own domain and branded customer portals, beyond the Hotspot page
- You want to resell to other ISPs with your own retail pricing
- You want automatic payouts with name-verified payout accounts
- You want router changes reviewed, verified and reversible
- You want a reseller portal, client performance reports and branded support
Verdict
Which one should you pick?
Pick Hotspot Kenya and FreeISPRadius if…
You are just starting with low monthly sales and want the cheapest possible tool.
Pick Centranet if…
You are building a brand and a business that will grow beyond one site.
Good questions. Clear answers.
Let’s clear
a few things up.
A little clarity goes a long way.
Ask us something elseIs Centranet free?
Centranet starts with a free trial, then costs KES 500 a month with 30 PPPoE accounts, 2 routers and unlimited Hotspot users included. A 3% collection fee applies only once monthly collections reach KES 7,000.
Are Hotspot Kenya and FreeISPRadius the same?
Their websites publish the same plans and features. Check with the vendor which brand you are buying from.
Can I move from them to Centranet?
Yes. Import your customers from a CSV file and connect your MikroTik. Centranet can read existing PPPoE accounts and Hotspot profiles from the router.