Best Payment Gateways South Africa 2025
An objective comparison of South Africa's top online payment gateways. Save on transaction fees and choose the right solution for your ecommerce platform.
Get Personalised Recommendation →ℹ️ Rates last verified January 2025. Always confirm directly with each provider before integrating.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provider | Card Rate | EFT Rate | Monthly Fee | Settlement | Platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PayFast Most Widely Used | 2.9% + R2.00 | 0% (EFT via bank) | None | Weekly (daily on request) | WooCommerce+ | 4.5/5 |
Ozow Best for EFT | N/A — EFT only | 0.5–1.2% | None | Real-time / same day | API+ | 4.4/5 |
Peach Payments Best for High Volume | 2.6% | 0.9% | R199 | Next business day | WooCommerce+ | 4.6/5 |
Yoco Online Best for Existing Yoco Users | 2.95% | QR & wallet pay | None | Same day | WooCommerce+ | 4.2/5 |
Detailed Provider Reviews
PayFast
Most Widely Used4.5/5
Card rate: 2.9% + R2.00
EFT/Instant EFT: 0% (EFT via bank)
Monthly fee: None
Settlement: Weekly (daily on request)
Integrates with: WooCommerce, Shopify, Wix, Magento, 20+
Ozow
Best for EFT4.4/5
Card rate: N/A — EFT only
EFT/Instant EFT: 0.5–1.2%
Monthly fee: None
Settlement: Real-time / same day
Integrates with: API, WooCommerce, Shopify plugins
Peach Payments
Best for High Volume4.6/5
Card rate: 2.6%
EFT/Instant EFT: 0.9%
Monthly fee: R199
Settlement: Next business day
Integrates with: WooCommerce, Shopify, API, Magento
Yoco Online
Best for Existing Yoco Users4.2/5
Card rate: 2.95%
EFT/Instant EFT: QR & wallet pay
Monthly fee: None
Settlement: Same day
Integrates with: WooCommerce, direct API, payment links
Find the Right Gateway for Your Business
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Get My Recommendation →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best payment gateway for small ecommerce businesses in South Africa?
For WooCommerce/Shopify stores with moderate volumes, PayFast is the most widely used with broad platform support. For businesses where most customers pay by EFT/Ozow, using Ozow alongside PayFast significantly reduces transaction costs (0.5–1.2% vs 2.9%). Peach Payments suits high-volume merchants needing enterprise support.
Is there a payment gateway with no monthly fee in South Africa?
Yes. PayFast, Ozow, and Yoco Online all charge zero monthly fees — you only pay per transaction. Peach Payments charges R199/month but has lower card rates that can be cost-effective at scale.
How long does settlement take with South African payment gateways?
Most gateways settle within 1–3 business days. Ozow EFT payments settle in real-time or same day. PayFast settles weekly by default but daily settlement is available on request. Peach Payments settles next business day.
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