Your payment gateway is the last hurdle between a browsing customer and a completed sale. Get it wrong and customers abandon their cart. Get it right and money flows smoothly into your account.
In South Africa, we're fortunate to have a number of excellent local payment gateway options. But each has different fees, strengths, and ideal use cases. Let me break them down for you so you can make the right choice for your store.
What Is a Payment Gateway?
A payment gateway is the technology that processes card payments (and other payment types) on your online store. When a customer enters their card details at checkout, the gateway securely processes that transaction and deposits the money into your business bank account.
In South Africa, you'll need a local gateway — international options like Stripe are not available here (yet), and global alternatives often don't support the payment methods South African shoppers prefer.
PayFast — The South African Standard
PayFast is the most widely used payment gateway in South Africa and for good reason. It's been around since 2007, it's trusted by shoppers, and it offers the widest range of payment methods.
Payment Methods Accepted
- Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
- Instant EFT (direct bank transfer via Ozow)
- Mobicred (buy now, pay later)
- MoreTyme (BNPL)
- Capitec Pay
- SCode (scan-to-pay)
- Bitcoin (via BitPay)
Fees
PayFast charges a percentage-based transaction fee (typically around 3.5% for cards + a small flat fee). There are no monthly fees on the standard plan. Pricing is available on their website and may vary based on your transaction volume.
Setup
PayFast requires identity verification (FICA) before you can start processing payments. This process takes a few days but is straightforward. BeNimble integrates with PayFast natively — no plugins needed.
Best For
Stores that want the widest range of payment options for South African customers. PayFast's brand recognition also helps with customer trust at checkout.
Yoco — Simple and Competitive
Yoco started as a card machine for physical stores but has grown into a solid online payment gateway as well. It's known for simplicity and transparent pricing.
Payment Methods Accepted
- Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
- Instant EFT
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
Fees
Yoco offers competitive transaction fees with no monthly fees. Their rates are clearly displayed on their website. For card transactions, you're typically looking at around 2.9%–3.5% depending on card type and plan.
Setup
Yoco's onboarding is quick and user-friendly. The dashboard is clean and easy to navigate. Settlements are fast — typically next-day.
Best For
Small to medium stores that want straightforward card processing without complexity. Yoco is especially popular among newer entrepreneurs who appreciate its clean interface.
Peach Payments — The Advanced Option
Peach Payments is a more enterprise-focused payment gateway, but it's also accessible to smaller stores. It offers some of the most advanced features of any South African gateway.
Payment Methods Accepted
- Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
- Instant EFT
- Ozow
- Payflex (BNPL)
- Capitec Pay
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Various African mobile money options
Fees
Peach Payments uses a custom pricing model — fees depend on your volume and requirements. Generally competitive with PayFast for higher-volume stores.
Setup
More complex than PayFast or Yoco, but BeNimble's native integration makes it straightforward for store owners.
Best For
Growing stores that need advanced payment features, recurring billing, or multi-currency support for cross-border sales.
PayJustNow — Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) has exploded in South Africa. PayJustNow lets customers split their purchase into three equal, interest-free payments — and you get paid upfront.
Why BNPL Matters for Your Store
- Higher average order values — customers are more willing to buy big-ticket items
- Reduces cart abandonment — "I can't afford it right now" is no longer an objection
- You receive full payment immediately
- No credit risk for you as the merchant
Fees
PayJustNow charges a merchant fee per transaction. The customer pays no interest, making it attractive to shoppers.
BeNimble integrates with PayJustNow, making it easy to offer BNPL on your store without technical complexity.
Which Payment Gateway Should You Choose?
Here's our practical guidance:
- Just starting out? Set up PayFast. It's the most trusted, has the widest payment options, and customers recognise the logo.
- Want simplicity? Yoco is clean, quick to set up, and has excellent customer support.
- Scaling up? Add Peach Payments for advanced features and higher-volume pricing.
- Selling higher-ticket items (R500+)? Add PayJustNow or Payflex to offer BNPL and increase conversions.
The good news: you don't have to choose just one. BeNimble allows you to activate multiple payment gateways simultaneously, so your customers can pay however they prefer — and you capture every possible sale.
Ready to get your payments set up properly? Start your free BeNimble trial and connect your preferred payment gateway in minutes.
Naomi
BeNimble Team
