South Africa Payment Gateways Comparison 2026

Choosing the right payment gateway is one of the most important decisions a South African small business can make. Your payment gateway determines how quickly you get paid, how much you pay in transaction fees, and how seamless the checkout experience is for your customers. With several local options available, each with different strengths, it pays to compare before committing.

This guide compares the leading South African payment gateways to help you choose the right one for your business.

1. PayFast

PayFast is one of the most widely used payment gateways in South Africa, known for its ease of integration and broad feature set.

• Pricing: No monthly fee for the base plan. Transaction fees range from 2.9% to 4.9% + R2.00 per transaction, depending on your volume.
• Features: Supports credit and debit cards, Instant EFT, Masterpass, and debit orders. Offers recurring billing and subscription management.
• Best For: Small to medium e-commerce businesses that need a reliable, all-in-one solution with minimal setup hassle.

2. Yoco

Yoco started as a card machine provider but has grown into a full payment platform with online payment capabilities.

• Pricing: Card machines start at R999. Online transaction fees are around 2.95% per transaction. No monthly contract required.
• Features: Combines physical card machines with a virtual terminal and payment links. Includes a POS app for in-person sales.
• Best For: Retail and hospitality businesses that need both in-person and online payment capabilities.

3. Ozow

Ozow is a South African fintech that specialises in instant EFT payments, allowing customers to pay directly from their bank app.

• Pricing: Transaction fees range from 1.5% to 2.5% per transaction. No monthly fees.
• Features: No card details required—customers authorise payments via their banking app. Instant payment confirmation. Supports recurring payments.
• Best For: Businesses with high-value transactions where customers prefer EFT over card payments.

4. SnapScan

SnapScan is a mobile payment solution that lets customers pay by scanning a QR code with their smartphone.

• Pricing: Transaction fees are approximately 2.75% per transaction. No monthly fees.
• Features: Simple QR code payments, payment links, and integration with popular accounting software.
• Best For: Small service businesses, pop-up shops, and vendors who need a low-cost, low-friction payment option.

5. iVeri

iVeri is an established payment infrastructure provider offering a robust gateway for larger businesses.

• Pricing: Custom pricing based on transaction volume. Generally lower per-transaction fees for high-volume merchants.
• Features: Supports all major card types, mobile payments, and tokenisation for recurring billing. Strong security and fraud prevention tools.
• Best For: Larger businesses and enterprises with high transaction volumes that need customisable payment solutions.

Comparison at a Glance

Gateway	Card Fees	EFT Fees	Monthly Fee	Best For
PayFast	2.9%–4.9% + R2	2%	R0–R99	General e-commerce
Yoco	2.95%	2.75%	R0	Retail & hospitality
Ozow	N/A	1.5%–2.5%	R0	High-value EFT
SnapScan	2.75%	N/A	R0	Small service businesses
iVeri	Custom	Custom	Custom	Enterprise

Conclusion

The best payment gateway for your South African business depends on your business model. E-commerce stores will benefit from PayFast's comprehensive feature set. Retail businesses should consider Yoco for its combined online and in-person capabilities. If your customers prefer EFT, Ozow offers the lowest fees. Evaluate your transaction volume, average order value, and customer payment preferences before making a decision. Many businesses use multiple gateways to give customers maximum flexibility.