How it works & fees
Free to start. Clear about the rest.
MindStep is free to download. Here’s exactly how accounts, payments and fees work, so there are no surprises when you confirm a transaction.
The basics
What you pay, and when.
We don't hide fees in the small print. If a fee applies to a transaction, you'll see it before you confirm.
Creating an account is free
Download the Android app or open the web app, sign up with your email and phone number and you're in. There's no subscription to start.
Core features are yours to use
Your wallet, budgeting tools, communities and campus discovery are part of the MindStep experience from day one.
Marketplace transactions
Certain marketplace and tutoring transactions may attract a small platform commission. Any applicable fee is shown before you confirm the transaction.
Payment processing
When you fund your wallet or pay by card or bank transfer, payment processors such as Paystack and Flutterwave may apply their own charges where relevant. These are shown before you pay.
A note on fees: any applicable commission or charge is shown on the confirmation screen before you pay. If you don't see a fee, none is being applied to that transaction.
Paying safely, explained
Know who you're paying, and what happens next.
MindStep connects students with tutors and sellers. Payments are between you and them. MindStep does not hold funds on anyone’s behalf.
1. Know who you're paying
Check the tutor's profile or the seller's listing before you pay.
2. Check the details
Review the price and any fee shown on the confirmation screen.
3. Pay
Pay from your wallet or card. The payment goes to the tutor or seller.
4. Report problems
If something goes wrong, report it from the transaction and our team will review it.
If something goes wrong
Report it from the transaction and keep your evidence, such as chats and screenshots. We review reports under the platform’s rules and may take action on accounts, but we can’t promise to reverse a payment.
Designed with security and transparency in mind
Every transaction shows a clear status and any fee before you confirm.
Example transaction flows
See it from start to finish.
Three common things students do on MindStep, step by step.
Booking a tutor
Example: a one-hour Chemistry session
- 1Search for a tutor and pick a time
- 2Review the session price and any fee shown
- 3Confirm and pay from your wallet or card
- 4Attend the session
- 5Confirm completion
Payments go directly to the tutor, so check their profile before you pay.
Buying on NEXUS
Example: a scientific calculator from another student
- 1Find the listing and message the seller
- 2Check the price and any fee shown before you confirm
- 3Pay through MindStep
- 4Arrange handover on campus
- 5Confirm you've received the item
Always check the item before you confirm. Confirmation tells MindStep the transaction is complete.
Buying data
Example: a monthly data bundle
- 1Choose Data and enter the phone number
- 2Pick a bundle and see the amount
- 3Confirm and pay from your wallet
- 4The bundle is delivered to the number
- 5The purchase appears in your history
Amounts are shown before you pay.
Start free. See every fee first.
Create your account on the web or download the Android app. You'll see any applicable fee before you confirm a transaction.