Codeblix EBS vs Pastel
Pastel is for South Africa. Codeblix is for Mauritius.
Pastel is South Africa-focused. Codeblix is Mauritius-specific with MRA compliance.
Pastel is a South African accounting and POS software suite. Codeblix EBS is the Mauritius-built, MRA-approved alternative for businesses that need local compliance, cloud-native architecture, and a full business stack rather than desktop accounting.
TL;DR verdict
Pastel has a long history in South African accounting and is well-known to local accountants there. But it is desktop-first, South Africa-focused (SARS), and not MRA-approved. Codeblix EBS is cloud-native, MRA-listed (SN 95), and includes the full business stack in one product. For a Mauritius VAT-registered business, Codeblix is the modern, MRA-compliant option.
Pastel at a glance
Pastel is a South African accounting and ERP vendor. The product line includes Pastel Partner (desktop accounting), Pastel Evolution (desktop ERP), and Pastel Xpress. Strong in the ZA market with deep reseller network. Desktop-first, not cloud-native.
Codeblix EBS at a glance
Codeblix is a single MRA-approved product covering invoicing, fiscalisation, POS, inventory, accounting, payroll, CRM, and reporting. Cloud-native, MUR-priced, with local support.
Feature-by-feature comparison
The table below compares the two on the features that matter most to a Mauritius business.
Where Codeblix wins
Codeblix is MRA-approved, cloud-native, and includes the full business stack. Pricing is in MUR and support is local. No desktop installation, no per-user licence fees.
Where Pastel wins
Pastel has a deep South African reseller network and a long track record in the ZA accounting market. Some ZA-trained accountants are very familiar with Pastel. For Mauritius operations, however, it is the wrong product.
How to migrate from Pastel to Codeblix
Export your Pastel customers, suppliers, items, and chart of accounts as CSV. We map them into the Codeblix Mauritius chart of accounts. Typical migration: 5-10 business days.
Pricing comparison
Codeblix starts at MUR 1,500/month. Pastel pricing is ZAR-denominated and includes per-user licence fees plus an annual subscription. Add MRA compliance via a third-party connector and the total exceeds Codeblix Standard.
Who should choose which
Choose Codeblix EBS if you operate in Mauritius and need MRA-fiscalised invoicing with cloud-native access. Choose Pastel only if you operate in South Africa and need SARS-compliant accounting.
Internal links
See also Codeblix vs Sage, Codeblix vs QuickBooks, Codeblix vs Xero, and Codeblix vs other Mauritius accounting software.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | Codeblix EBS | Pastel |
|---|---|---|
| MRA e-invoicing | Native, MRA-approved (SN 95) | Not supported — South Africa focus |
| SARS fiscalisation (South Africa) | Not applicable | Yes, SARS-compliant |
| Cloud-native | Yes, browser + mobile | Desktop-first (Pastel Partner, Evolution) |
| Per-user licence fees | Mostly flat pricing | Per-user licence model |
| POS module | Included, MRA-fiscalised | Add-on or third-party |
| Inventory with batch & expiry | Included | Available in Pastel Evolution |
| Payroll (NPS, NSF, PAYE, CSG) | Included, auto-calculated | Pastel Payroll is ZA-focused |
| Local Mauritius support | Phone, WhatsApp, email — local team | ZA reseller network |
| MUR pricing | Native MUR | ZAR-denominated |
| Mobile apps | Android & iOS, included | Limited mobile support |
Where Codeblix wins
- ✓ MRA e-invoicing compliant out of the box (SN 95)
- ✓ Cloud-native — no desktop installation
- ✓ Flat pricing — no per-user licence shock
- ✓ POS, inventory, payroll included
- ✓ Local support in English and French
- ✓ Free migration from Pastel
Where Pastel wins
- ✗ Pastel has a long track record in South Africa
- ✗ Pastel has a deep ZA reseller network
- ✗ Some ZA-trained accountants are Pastel-familiar
FAQ
Is Pastel available in Mauritius?
Pastel is primarily South Africa-focused. It is not MRA-approved. For Mauritius VAT-registered businesses, Codeblix is the correct choice.
Can I migrate from Pastel to Codeblix?
Yes. Free migration of customers, suppliers, items, and chart of accounts.
Is Codeblix cheaper than Pastel?
For a Mauritius business, usually yes. Codeblix is MUR 1,500-7,500/mo flat. Pastel plus per-user licences plus MRA integration typically lands at MUR 3,000-6,000/mo.
Does Codeblix have desktop access like Pastel?
Codeblix is cloud-native and accessed via browser. There is no desktop install. If you specifically need a desktop application, Pastel is one of the few options — but at the cost of cloud access and MRA compliance.