Paysafecard vs PayPal, Skrill and Neosurf: What's the Difference?
· 2 min read
Short answer: Paysafecard and Neosurf are prepaid vouchers: you pay cash or card for a code and spend it online, with no account needed. PayPal and Skrill are online accounts linked to a bank or card, used to send and receive money. For someone in Nigeria, the practical difference is what you can do when you receive value: a Paysafecard can be sold for naira on KWIQ, while PayPal or Skrill balances need a different route.
People abroad have plenty of ways to send value, and the names blur together: Paysafecard, Neosurf, PayPal, Skrill. If you're the one receiving it in Nigeria, the differences matter, because they decide what you can do next.
Vouchers versus accounts
| Paysafecard | Neosurf | PayPal | Skrill | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Prepaid voucher with a 16-digit PIN | Prepaid voucher with a code | Online account | Online account (e-wallet) |
| How it's funded | Bought with cash or card | Bought with cash or card | Linked bank, card or balance | Linked bank, card or balance |
| Needs an account to spend? | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Main use | Paying online without sharing card details | Paying online without sharing card details | Sending, receiving and paying | Sending, receiving and paying |
| Received in Nigeria as | A PIN | A code | A balance in your account | A balance in your account |
Each service sets its own fees, limits and country rules, so check its own website for the details that apply to you; Paysafecard's are on its official site.
What this means if you receive one
- A Paysafecard PIN can be sold for naira on KWIQ. The app shows the naira amount before you confirm; see the sell Paysafecard page.
- A Neosurf code is similar in principle; check whether a buyer accepts it before you rely on it.
- A PayPal balance needs another route; PayPal to naira with crypto explains the common one.
- For regular payments, USDT is often simpler than any of them: fast to send and easy to sell for naira. See the best way to receive dollars in Nigeria.
Keeping it safe
Vouchers are like cash: whoever has the code can spend it. Never send a PIN or code before you're paid, and check balances only on the issuer's own website. Paysafecard scams lists the tricks to watch for.
Download the KWIQ app to sell Paysafecards and other gift cards for naira, or create a free account on the web.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paysafecard better than PayPal?
They do different jobs. Paysafecard is a prepaid voucher for paying online without a bank card; PayPal is an account for sending and receiving money. Paysafecard suits people who want to pay without sharing card details.
Can I sell Neosurf in Nigeria?
It depends on whether a buyer accepts it. Check the gift card list in the KWIQ app for the cards it buys today; Paysafecard is among them.
How do Nigerians get money from PayPal?
Usually through a crypto route: the sender pays in crypto, or you receive crypto in exchange, then sell it for naira. Our PayPal to naira guide explains the steps.
Written by
Mercy Eboh
Technical Writer at KWIQ
Writes KWIQ’s guides on crypto, payments and keeping your money safe online.
