IntaSend provides one of the best payment methods for freelancers and remote contractors in Africa. There's no doubt that the freelance business has taken over the majority of the global workforce. In fact, according to Upwork statistics, the number of freelancers grew from 17% in 2014 to 28% in 2019.
Moreover, Kenya, India, and Pakistan are some of the top ten countries with the fastest-growing freelancer earnings.
While it comes with its own set of benefits, like the ability to work on your own schedule, most freelancers in these countries have difficulty receiving international payments from clients. This is mainly because many mainstream online platforms, such as PayPal, don’t offer proper support for their services to these regions. As much as there's seemingly a lot you can do with a PayPal account, the limitations involved in having a PayPal account in the first place are very discouraging, especially when you're a freelancer outside the United States.
However, this shouldn't prevent you from starting and eventually scaling your freelance business. This post will discuss the best payment methods for freelancers in 11 African countries, Pakistan, and India.
Best Payment Methods For Freelancers In Africa
Check out some reliable and hassle-free online payment methods in Africa.
Let's get started
IntaSend
IntaSend works with various partners including, Visa, MasterCard, and Remitly, to enable businesses to pay freelancers, remote workers, and creatives.
By utilizing this innovative platform, we have the opportunity to create and distribute sophisticated payment options across the continent of Africa. In addition, the platform maintains your data privacy and security.
IntaSend enables freelancers to accept online payments and businesses to disburse to anywhere in Africa. The platform allows you to accept online payments using IntaSend's advanced no-code payment links or easy-to-use payment API. M-Pesa, Bitcoin, Visa, and MasterCard are all integrated into the platform. IntaSend stands out as one of the freelance payment methods for African freelancers, from credit card payments to creating simple invoices that you can send to your client's email address. On top of that, IntaSend charges little to nothing on transaction fees, which is a strong quality of a good payment provider. It is one of the best alternative payment methods to PayPal for freelancers in regions outside of the United States.
How To Receive Payment From International Clients (Freelancers)
IntaSend makes it easy to receive payments from international clients. In addition to Visa and MasterCard, we accept ACH payments (bank transfers from US banks to African banks) and the Bitcoin payment option. Clients have the option to choose from a variety of payment methods. This will increase your revenue and success rate. Payment methods include:
- IntaSend’s dashboard can be used to send invoices directly. The company will submit a payment request on your behalf and provide the client with a checkout page for payment. You can also process the withdrawal of funds directly to your local bank account. This is a good thing for freelancers and independent contractors from different countries in Africa.
- You can create a payment link and send it to your clients via email, WhatsApp, and other messaging apps.
- Embedding IntaSend API into your website or mobile application.
How to Send Payments (Business)
In addition to the accept online payment options, businesses can process their payroll using our Mass payout APIs. With the cross-border payments support, you can automate payments through the API and properly track every transaction's status. Payments are processed in the receiver's local currency, which is amazing. IntaSend supports different currencies, one of the company's biggest pros.
Key Benefits of Using IntaSend
- Faster and manageable mass payout systems— Paying multiple recipients online simultaneously is called mass payment, also known as a mass payout. Many organizations rely on mass payment solutions when they need to send large amounts of payments using multiple payment methods, in multiple foreign currencies, to countries around the globe without additional fees. This is one of the biggest strengths of a good payment processor.
- Fully integrated with your website or mobile app— To facilitate the integration of both code and no-code, we have developed tools and SDKs for developers. Due to this, numerous options are available to you for integrating IntaSend with your website and accepting online payments. These include Python SDK, WooCommerce, and WordPress plugins.
- Multiple ways to get paid—Our payment platform collaborates with industry leaders such as Visa, MasterCard, Bitcoin, and local and international banks.
Western Union
Western Union is on our list of the best payment methods for freelancers because of the sheer number of locations this platform has. This is mainly because it's been around for several years.
Over 500,000 locations offer online payments through Western Union. You can pay freelancers locally as well as internationally through Western Union. The service supports over 200 countries and 140 currencies.
Key Benefits Of Using Western Union
- Transparent Fees—In Western Union's money transfer services, you will receive an informed estimate of the actual cost of the transaction and the exchange rate before the transaction is initiated. When you combine lower fees with some of the other benefits of Western Union, there are only a handful of better freelancer payment methods.
- Easier Repeat Transfers— You should only have to input the recipient's details the first time you transfer to an international bank account. You can make repeat transfers from the comfort of your home or on the go by saving your receiver's bank account details with Western Union.
Bank Wire Transfer
Bank wire and direct bank transfers have always been reliable and secure ways to receive freelance payments. Because of their dependability, they are the best option for transferring large sums of money. However, these types of transfers have higher fees and much longer processing times.
While it costs less than $3 to withdraw funds from sites like Upwork into your digital account, a Wire Transfer costs $30, which is the flat fee. It may also take up to 7 banking days for the transaction to be reflected in your account.
Key Benefits Of Using Bank Wire Transfers
- Required— You may be obligated to perform a wire transfer in certain instances. Before closing on a real estate deal, you may be required to wire your down payment and closing charges to your escrow company or settlement agent. It is also perfect to receive freelancer payments for people who don't have a Cash App or Payoneer account.
- Available Around The World— Money transfer services are almost accessible everywhere in the world. This means that you don't need to go out of your way to collect money. In addition, numerous wire transfer providers have ties to the bank. It means you would have access to multiple money transfer services in your vicinity.
Best Payment Methods For Freelancers in Pakistan
One of the other countries apart from Kenya, that have a burgeoning freelance industry is Pakistan. In fact, it's the 4th most popular country for freelancing. Check out some of the best payment methods for freelancers in Pakistan.
Remitly
Remitly is a digital money transfer business with the purpose to make money transfers more economical, transparent, and efficient. Due to the fact that they are a digital service with no locations, they are able to maintain low costs and pass on the savings to their users. IntaSend works with Remitely to facilitate B2B mass payouts and cross-border payments to beneficiaries in Pakistan, India, and countries in Africa.
With Remitly, freelancers in Pakistan can secure their payments from anywhere in the world including the United Kingdom, Canada, and the US.
Key Benefits Of Using Remitly
- Popular All Over The World— The app is trusted by nearly 3 million people worldwide.
- Extremely Secure— Remitly takes every precaution to safeguard your information. The application employs encryption technology to prevent users to access your account. Remitly protects your privacy by never including your Social Security number or bank account number in messages or emails.
SadaPay
SadaPay is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan as SadaTech Pakistan Pvt Ltd, is governed by the State Bank of Pakistan, and is an entirely subsidiary of SadaPay Technologies Ltd.
SadaPay provides cash withdrawals with no additional bank charges. It contains multiple features to qualify as a contemporary payment solution system.
Key Benefits Of Using SadaPay
- 100% Transparency— Our promise to our customers is that we will always be open and honest with them. Their rates will never be unfair, and we won't have any hidden fees. Ever.
- 2-minute Registration— Sign up with a selfie, a snapshot of your national identity card, and basic information from your mobile device. No paperwork.
- Simple Payments—Never before has sending or receiving payments been so simple. Now you can transfer funds in a few seconds!
E-currency Exchangers
There are numerous e-currency exchanges in Pakistan, one of the most notable being Digital Paisa. Digital Paisa's services are accessible no matter where you reside in Pakistan. Digital Paisa is the most efficient and user-friendly buy/sell/exchange and withdrawal mechanism in Pakistan compared to other online payment options.
It is also the most efficient online payment solution for Pakistani freelancers who have trouble withdrawing their payments. Using facilities provided by Digital Paisa, freelancers can now easily withdraw their payments at any time and from any location.
Key Benefits Of Using E-Currency Exchanges
- Quick Transfer And Transaction Time—As digital currency payments are handled directly between the participants without the need for brokers, the transactions are typically instant and inexpensive. This is superior to conventional payment systems involving banks or clearinghouses.
- They Can Make Transaction Costs Cheaper—Virtual currencies enable direct network connections. For instance, users can purchase a store owner directly if they are on the same network. By eliminating intermediaries seeking economic benefit from completing the purchase, digital currencies can reduce the overall cost.
Apart from these 3 payment methods for freelancers in Pakistan, you’ll be delighted to know that IntaSend is making its way to Pakistan. It's doing this as part o its expansion from Africa into other countries. For now, the focus remains on providing freelancers with the option of mass payout systems.
Best Payment Methods For Freelancers In India
In 2020, India’s freelance market saw an increase of 46% from Q1 to Q2. This makes the country the fastest-growing ground for the gig economy. Let's check out some ways payment methods freelancers in India opt to get paid.
PayTM
If you and your customers have PayTM accounts with KYC completed, PayTM is the best and fastest way to receive payments. Additionally, you can create a company account to generate QR codes and billing links that you can share with your clients.
Due to the 4 percent transaction fee that you must pay when transferring PayTM funds to your bank account, we would not advise it for receiving massive payments.
Key Benefits Of Using PayTM
- High Security Of Payments—To guarantee that almost all payment transfers are processed securely, the PayTM Payment System employs cutting-edge innovation to safeguard your and your customers' transactions. By studying the performance of fraudsters, artificial intelligence is regularly used to detect and stop suspicious-looking transactions.
- Check Out Easily With Saved Cards— With the PayTM Payment Platform, your customers can use previously saved credit cards at checkout. This feature reduces transfer times and encourages customers to become repeat users.
- T+1 Bank Settlements— You can choose from various choices when transferring funds to your bank account and trying several transactions. By default, the Paytm Payment Method resolves transfers on a T+1 schedule, excluding holidays.
Indian Banks
Another option available to you is accepting payment directly in your Indian bank account. As stated previously, this results in a wire transfer fee of up to $50 for the client and 1 percent plus $20 to 4 percent plus $50 for you. Additionally, funds may take longer to reflect, and the financial institution for extra checks frequently holds them.
Wise
Wise uses cutting-edge technology to send cash to India and the rest of the world, but your client must first create an account.
Wise is an easy and quick method for transferring cash to India from overseas. Using modern, secure technology, money transfers on major routes to India can arrive in bank accounts within seconds. With the real exchange rate, which eliminates markups, you can secure a larger portion of each transfer's earnings.
Key Benefits Of Using Wise
- Low Fee— Many financial institutions charge a fee for international transactions. Wise charges between 0.4% and 0.5% for all of the major currencies. That may seem like a lot, but it's significantly less than what you'd save with a favorable exchange rate.
- Transparency— On the homepage, a conversion calculator calculates the right amount of money you will receive after the transfer, including all fees. The amount is truly final, and there are no additional costs to consider.
- Extremely Secure is a high-security platform with a solid financial foundation. The website employs cutting-edge security technologies. To prevent fraud, the system will always request your date of birth if you take trips and sign in to your account from a foreign country, for example.
In addition to these three payment options for freelancers in India, you will be pleased to learn that IntaSend is coming to India. This is part of the company's expansion from Africa to other countries. Currently, the emphasis remains on providing contractors access to mass payment systems.
Tips For Getting Paid
Now that we’ve talked about some of the best payment methods for freelancers in Africa, Pakistan and India, check out some tips to make getting paid for your gigs easy, no matter where you are in the world!
Make things Streamlined
Never begin work on a project before reading and signing a freelance contract. To avoid payment delays, make it as easy as possible for customers to pay you.
Provide various payment options so they may choose the one they are most comfortable with. Include a "Pay Now" button, credit card payment options, and check payment instructions, for instance, on invoices.
Be Sure To Follow Up!
Sending an invoice doesn't guarantee payment. Establish a process to ensure that you receive payment and reach out to customers who are typically slow to pay reasonably. They may be unwilling to pay in addition to being busy.
Whether they're simply dragging their feet or there's an issue with your service, communicate with them to avoid a situation from escalating. Again, some payment services will perform this task on your behalf. Depending on your service, you may be able to choose the right options, such as "send a reminder after 30 days" if an invoice remains unpaid.
Using A Time Tracker For Billable Hours
There are numerous advantages to time tracking. Therefore, freelancers who work on hourly projects must use a dependable time-tracking tool. With the proper tool, you can keep an accurate completed work log.
Keeping track of your time will ensure that you are never underpaid for your time and effort. A good time tracker can help automate billing. It can bill customers according to your payment schedule.
Using An Invoicing Software
Online billing software simplifies the payment process for your clients. Your customers can immediately pay using their preferred method by clicking the payment button they receive via email.
A quality invoice software application will also include functions to remind your clients to pay their balances. Therefore, you will not need to follow up on payments with your clients.
Conclusion
Technological developments have facilitated the hiring and management of international contractors worldwide. Even distributing payments to your team has become incredibly easy regardless of where they reside. Freelance work is taking over, but you need the right payment provider to ensure your hard work is not in vain.
IntaSend is rapidly becoming Africa's preferred online payment channel for all contracting-related transactions. If you are looking for methods to get paid by international clients, our services come highly recommended.
We offer business accounts, business payments, and wallets, among other products.
Curious to learn more about the simpler way to get paid by your international clients? Talk to us today to learn more!
