20 Best E-Commerce Payment Methods in South Africa

Running an online store in South Africa isn’t always simple—especially when it comes to accepting payments. 

Maybe you’re worried about high fees cutting into your profits. Or you’re dealing with security risks that turn customers away. 

Sometimes, the payment systems themselves feel slow and clunky, making it harder to close a sale.

This guide is here to make things easier. We’ll walk you through reliable e-commerce payment methods available in South Africa.

We will explain in plain language so you can build trust with customers and grow your sales without extra stress.

You’ll learn what a payment gateway actually is, get a breakdown of 20 best e-commerce payment methods in South Africa.

Their pros and cons, and pick up practical tips on features, handling foreign currencies, and staying on top of local rules.

Let’s get started and set your store up for success.

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What is a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway acts like a secure bridge between your online store and your customer’s bank.

It handles the money transfer when someone buys from you.

In South Africa, these gateways make sure transactions happen fast and safely, often in just seconds.

Think of it as a digital cashier.

You add it to your site, and it checks card details or bank info without you storing sensitive data.

This keeps things simple for you and safe for shoppers.

Many gateways support local ways to pay, like instant bank transfers or buy-now-pay-later plans.

They cut down on cart abandonment—when customers quit before paying—by offering quick options.

Plus, they often come with tools to spot fraud early.

You don’t need tech skills to start; most plug right into platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce.

Just sign up, link your bank, and you’re ready to sell.

Common myths? Some think gateways cost a fortune monthly—no, many charge only per sale.

Others worry about setup time, but it’s often done in a day.

Choose one that matches your sales volume to avoid extra fees.

This setup helps your business run smoothly in South Africa’s growing online market, where sales hit over R130 billion in 2025.

Read also: 12 Best Dropshipping Suppliers in South Africa

The 20 Best E-Commerce Payment Methods in South Africa

Picking from ecommerce payment methods South Africa has available can feel overwhelming.

Start with your needs—like low fees for small sales or global reach for exports.

Here’s a quick comparison table to spot differences at a glance.

Now, let’s break each one down.

1. PayFast

You get a trusted local option with PayFast, handling over 80,000 South African businesses.

It supports cards, instant EFT, and QR codes for fast checkouts.

• Pros: No monthly fees—just pay per sale. Easy plugins for WooCommerce. Strong security with PCI DSS Level 1.
• Cons: Fees can add up on high volumes.

Set it up in minutes and watch your conversions rise.

2. Netcash

Netcash streamlines your payments with a focus on EFT and custom APIs.

You connect it to over 50 software suites without hassle.

• Pros: PCI DSS and ISO27001 certified for top safety. No setup fees. Personalized support.
• Cons: Fees vary by volume—check for your scale.

Ideal if you need tailored integrations for your store.

3. Ozow

Ozow lets you accept bank-to-bank transfers instantly, no cards required.

It links to 47 million South African bank accounts.

• Pros: Super fast and secure. Great for mobile users. High customer satisfaction.
• Cons: Limited to bank payments only.

Use it to cut cart abandonment in half.

4. Peach Payments

Peach Payments shines with multi-currency support and AI fraud detection.

You handle cards, EFT, and even crypto.

• Pros: PCI DSS Level 1 secure. Integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce. 365-day support.
• Cons: Fees might climb with extras.

Perfect for expanding beyond South Africa.

5. Shopify Payments

If you run a Shopify store, this built-in option simplifies everything.

You accept cards and wallets like Apple Pay.

• Pros: No third-party setup. Tracks orders in one dashboard. PCI compliant.
• Cons: Tied to Shopify—switching means changes.

Start with their $1/month promo for easy testing.

6. Stripe

Stripe offers flexible tools for global sales, now fully available in South Africa.

You build custom checkouts with their APIs.

• Pros: Handles subscriptions well. Strong developer support.
• Cons: Can feel complex for beginners.

Boost your international reach without extra hassle.

7. PayPal

PayPal builds buyer trust with its global name.

You send personalized links for payments.

• Pros: Easy withdrawals to local banks. Buyer protection included.
• Cons: Higher fees for cross-border.

Great for attracting overseas customers.

8. Adyen

Adyen suits big operations with omnichannel support.

You connect online and in-store data.

• Pros: Fraud detection with machine learning. Local acquiring for new markets.
• Cons: Custom pricing—may cost more upfront.

Scale up your enterprise without limits.

9. Authorize.net

Authorize.net excels in recurring billing for subscriptions.

You process Visa and Mastercard smoothly.

• Pros: Reliable for ongoing payments. Simple setup.
• Cons: Less focus on local SA methods.

Keep your members paying on time.

10. Yoco

Yoco blends online and in-person payments with POS tools.

You get card machines that work during loadshedding.

• Pros: Fees drop with volume. 7-day support. Industry-specific features.
• Cons: Monthly connectivity fee for devices.

Ideal for hybrid South African shops.

11. Zapper

Zapper uses QR codes and adds marketing perks.

You target customers with vouchers.

• Pros: Free plugins. Quick funding options.
• Cons: Fees not always clear upfront.

Engage shoppers and grow loyalty.

12. SnapScan

SnapScan makes scan-to-pay easy for remote sales.

You send links via email or SMS.

• Pros: Used by 60,000 SA merchants. Simple for on-the-go.
• Cons: Best for smaller transactions.

Speed up payments without a full site.

13. Payflex

Payflex offers interest-free buy-now-pay-later plans.

You attract more buyers with flexible terms.

• Pros: No fees for you as merchant. Boosts average order value.
• Cons: Approval depends on customer credit.

Drive sales in fashion or retail.

14. Mobicred

Mobicred provides revolving credit for repeat buys.

You integrate it for instalment options.

• Pros: One monthly payment for customers. App for easy management.
• Cons: Requires document checks.

Encourage bigger spends safely.

15. Paygate

Paygate, now under PayFast, offers solid 3D Secure protection.

You get enterprise APIs for flexibility.

• Pros: PCI DSS compliant. Trusted by big retailers.
• Cons: May need dev help for setup.

Handle high volumes with confidence.

16. PayGenius

PayGenius supports multiple currencies without monthly fees.

You accept over 20 global options.

• Pros: Real-time dashboard. Easy API.
• Cons: Fees competitive but vary.

Expand your market reach.

17. PayU

PayU focuses on affordable emerging market payments.

You integrate for cards and EFT.

• Pros: Low fees for volume. Simple for startups.
• Cons: Less global than some.

Keep costs down as you grow.

18. 2Checkout (Verifone)

2Checkout handles global subscriptions and taxes.

You sell digital goods worldwide.

• Pros: Modular for your needs. Award-winning platform.
• Cons: Higher fees for small sales.

Monetize software or content easily.

19. PayJustNow

PayJustNow splits buys into four interest-free parts.

You pay a fee, but sales jump.

• Pros: Appeals to budget shoppers. Quick approval.
• Cons: Merchant covers the cost.

Spark impulse purchases.

20. iKhokha

iKhokha brings mobile POS and instant EFT to your store.

You accept payments anywhere.

• Pros: Flat 2.75% fee. Easy for small vendors.
• Cons: Focuses more on in-person.

Get started as a solo seller.

Key Features of Payment Gateways to Consider for Ecommerce Payment Methods South Africa

Focus on what matters when choosing from ecommerce payment methods South Africa.

Security, ease, and costs top the list.

Let’s break it down.

Security Measures

You need strong protection to build trust.

Look for PCI DSS compliance—it keeps card data safe.

Many add 3D Secure for extra checks, cutting fraud by up to 20% in South Africa.

Enable alerts for odd activity.

This shields your business from chargebacks.

Integration Capabilities

Pick gateways that fit your site without coding headaches.

APIs and plugins for WooCommerce or Shopify make it plug-and-play.

Test for mobile-friendliness—over half of SA shoppers use phones.

Smooth setup means you launch faster.

Transaction Fees

Fees eat into your margins, so compare closely.

Most charge 2-3.5% per sale, plus fixed amounts like 30c.

Volume discounts help as you grow.

Watch for hidden costs like payouts or refunds.

Choose based on your average order size.

Which Payment Options Should I Offer on My E-Commerce Site in South Africa?

Offer a mix to match what South Africans prefer.

About 60% choose EFT, while 30% go for cards.

Start with 3-5 options to avoid overwhelming your checkout.

• Essentials: Credit cards and instant EFT.
• Nice-to-have: Buy-now-pay-later for younger buyers—it boosts sales by 20-30%.
• Avoid: Outdated methods like cheques.

Test with A/B splits: Show different options to groups and see what converts better.

Track cart abandonment—if high, add more mobile-friendly choices.

Tailor to your audience: BNPL for fashion, EFT for groceries.

This keeps customers happy and returning.

How to Receive Payments in Foreign Currencies in South Africa?

Selling abroad? You need tools to handle dollars or euros smoothly.

Use gateways like Peach or PayGenius for multi-currency support.

They convert automatically, but watch SARB rules on exchange controls.

• Step 1: Choose a compliant provider.
• Step 2: Set up a forex account with your bank.
• Step 3: Hedge with forward contracts to lock in rates.

Start small: Test with PayPal for easy USD transfers.

Avoid high bank fees by batching withdrawals.

Comply with tax laws—report foreign income.

This opens your store to global buyers without losing money on conversions.

Related: 5 Best Online Trading South Africa App For Beginners

Regulatory Environment for Ecommerce Payment Methods South Africa

Stay compliant to avoid fines up to R10 million.

South Africa’s rules protect you and your customers.

Compliance Requirements

Follow POPIA for data privacy—get consent before storing info.

FICA demands KYC checks on big transactions.

Ensure PCI audits if you handle cards.

Use certified gateways to meet these automatically.

Keep records for SARB oversight on payments.

This builds a trustworthy business.

Consumer Protection Laws

The CPA gives shoppers refund rights within 7 days.

Handle disputes quickly through the Ombudsman.

Gateways with chargeback tools help resolve issues fast.

Display clear terms on your site.

Follow these to cut legal risks and earn loyal fans.

Conclusion

You’ve now got the scoop on 20 top ecommerce payment methods South Africa businesses rely on.

Top picks? PayFast for locals, Peach for global, and Payflex for flexible buys.

Assess your needs—size, audience, budget—and test a couple.

With SA’s e-commerce hitting R130 billion in 2025, the right setup puts you ahead.

Update as trends shift, like more mobile wallets.

Ready to upgrade? Pick a payment gateway today and watch your sales climb.

FAQs

What’s the cheapest among ecommerce payment methods South Africa?
Ozow or SnapScan often have flat fees for small sales—check your volume.

How do I integrate PayFast?
Sign up, grab their plugin for your platform, and link your bank—done in under an hour.

Are these safe during loadshedding?
Yes, options like Yoco work offline and sync later.

What if I sell internationally?
Go for Stripe or Adyen—they handle currencies and compliance.

How to handle refunds under SA laws?
Use your gateway’s dashboard; follow CPA for 7-day returns.

Can I offer BNPL without credit checks?
PayJustNow approves quickly based on simple info.

What’s next in SA payments?
Watch for more WhatsApp integrations and crypto options by 2026.