Peach Payments vs PayFast South Africa
Two of South Africa's leading online payment gateways compared side-by-side — fees, features, and the right choice for your business.
Peach Payments vs PayFast: Full Comparison
Data correct at time of publication. Always verify current pricing directly with the provider.
| Feature | Peach Payments | PayFast |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2007 |
| Primary Market | Enterprise & mid-market | SME & eCommerce |
| Transaction Fee (cards) | 2.8% + R2.00 | 3.5% + R1.00 (standard) |
| Monthly Fee | R0 (pay-as-you-go) | R0 (Starter plan) |
| Payment Methods | Cards, EFT, SnapScan, Zapper, Ozow | Cards, EFT, Instant EFT, Mobicred, Bitcoin |
| eCommerce Plugins | WooCommerce, Magento, Shopify, custom | WooCommerce, Shopify, OpenCart, Wix |
| Subscriptions / Recurring | Full subscription engine | Recurring billing supported |
| Settlement Speed | Next business day | 2–3 business days (standard) |
| Hosted Page | Yes (redirect checkout) | Yes (industry-standard) |
| API / Custom Integration | Full REST API, SDKs | REST API, multiple SDKs |
| International Cards | Yes (Visa, MC, Amex) | Yes (Visa, MC) |
| KYC / Onboarding | Application + review (3–5 days) | Self-service (faster) |
| Best For | High-volume, enterprise, custom builds | SMEs, online stores, fast setup |
Which Is Right for You?
Choose Peach Payments if...
- ✓You process high volumes (R500K+/month)
- ✓You need advanced subscription management
- ✓You require multi-currency or international billing
- ✓You are building a custom integration or marketplace
- ✓You need dedicated account management
Choose PayFast if...
- ✓You are a small to medium online store
- ✓You want the fastest self-service setup
- ✓Your customers want Bitcoin or Mobicred options
- ✓You are on WooCommerce, Shopify, or OpenCart
- ✓You prefer a widely-recognised local brand
Frequently Asked Questions
Which payment gateway is most popular in South Africa?
PayFast has the largest merchant base among SMEs and is the default recommendation for WooCommerce stores. Peach Payments dominates the enterprise and mid-market segment.
Is PayFast safe and SARB-authorised?
Yes. PayFast is a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment service provider and is authorised under the South African Reserve Bank's payment system regulations.
Does Peach Payments support subscription billing?
Yes. Peach Payments has a robust subscription and recurring billing engine suitable for SaaS platforms, membership sites, and subscription-based eCommerce.
Can I switch between PayFast and Peach Payments?
Yes. Both provide WooCommerce plugins and REST APIs. Migration involves updating your plugin/integration and re-verifying merchant details with the new provider.
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