In the world of South African e-commerce, choosing the best payment gateways in South Africa for 2025 is more than just a technical decision — it’s a strategic one. Payments aren’t just the finish line; they’re the final impression, the make-or-break moment that decides whether a sale goes through or slips away.
At Digital Dez Media, we help online brands remove friction from the customer journey. And if there’s one place where friction must not exist, it’s at checkout!
This guide gives you the latest insights into the best accredited payment gateways and flexible Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services in South Africa, designed to help your store convert more, pay less, and grow faster in 2025 and beyond.
Why Choosing the Right Payment Gateway Matters
A payment gateway is the tech that processes online transactions securely between your customer, their bank, and yours. But the gateway you choose affects more than just security.
The right gateway can:
- Speed up your pay out process
- Reduce cart abandonment
- Offer customers flexible ways to pay
- Keep fees low and profits high
- Integrate easily with your e-commerce platform
Top Payment Gateways in South Africa (2025)
-
iKhokha – Fast Setup and Faster Pay-outs
At Digital Dez Media, iKhokha is our gateway of choice. It’s fast to integrate, easy for customers to use, and the admin side is refreshingly simple. For start-ups and SMEs, it hits the sweet spot between performance and affordability.
Highlights:
- Quick, user-friendly checkout experience
- Faster pay out times than many competitors
- Low transaction fees starting from 2.75 percent
- Seamless integration with WooCommerce and custom websites
- Supports Mobicred for flexible payments
Best for: New or growing online stores
Pay-out speed: 1 to 2 business days
Transaction fees: From 2.75 percent
-
PayFast (Now PayGate) – Versatile but Slower
PayFast remains a household name in South African e-commerce. It supports a wide range of payment methods and integrates easily with major platforms. However, clients often report longer pay out times and a more complex admin process.
Highlights:
- Supports card payments, instant EFT, SnapScan, Zapper, Mobicred, and PayJustNow
- Compatible with Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Magento
- Secure and well-established in the market
Best for: Established e-commerce brands
Pay-out speed: 2 to 3 business days
Transaction fees: From 3.5 percent plus R2
-
Yoco – Great for Hybrid Stores
Yoco is known for its stylish card machines and sleek design. Its online capabilities are growing, and it’s ideal for physical businesses looking to sell online. Yoco offers a clean dashboard, simple reporting, and solid payment link features.
Highlights:
- Accepts online payments and card links
- Flat fee structure for simplicity
- No long-term contracts
Best for: Businesses with both online and physical stores
Pay-out speed: 2 business days
Transaction fees: Flat rate 2.95 percent
-
Ozow – Instant EFT with Real-Time Speed
Ozow is the go-to platform for instant EFT payments. Customers don’t need to enter card details, and the payment is processed almost immediately. It’s efficient, secure, and particularly useful for high-volume stores.
Highlights:
- Works with all major SA banks
- No card needed for customers
- Quick payment confirmation
Best for: EFT-first shoppers and high-volume stores
Pay-out speed: Immediate
Transaction fees: Around 1.5 percent
-
Peach Payments – Power Features for Developers
Peach Payments is a flexible solution that supports international currencies, recurring billing, and powerful APIs. It’s ideal for businesses that need advanced features and are comfortable working with developers.
Highlights:
- Customizable checkout flows
- Recurring billing and subscriptions
- PCI-DSS compliance and tokenization
Best for: Medium to large e-commerce brands
Payout speed: 2 business days
Transaction fees: From 2.95 percent plus R1.50
Top Buy Now, Pay Later Options in South Africa
BNPL isn’t just a trend. It’s a must-have in the modern e-commerce toolbox. South African consumers are turning to BNPL options for flexibility, budgeting, and more buying power.
Here are the top BNPL platforms you can integrate into your store:
-
PayJustNow – Easy, Interest-Free and Accessible
PayJustNow lets customers split their payment into three equal instalments over three months, with zero interest. It’s one of the most user-friendly and widely adopted BNPL platforms in SA.
Great for: Fashion, lifestyle, and impulse purchases
Integration: Shopify, WooCommerce, PayFast
Customer requirement: South African ID, no credit card needed
-
MoreTyme by TymeBank – 60 Days, No Interest
This TymeBank-powered BNPL lets customers pay over 60 days, interest-free. It’s a good fit for budget-conscious shoppers looking for flexible options.
Great for: Essentials, mid-tier pricing products
Integration: Online and retail POS
Customer requirement: TymeBank account
-
Mobicred – Credit-Based Spending Power
Mobicred offers revolving credit accounts to approved users. It’s well-known in South Africa and supported by most major gateways.
Great for: High-ticket items, tech, electronics
Integration: PayFast, Peach Payments, iKhokha
Customer requirement: Credit approval required
-
HappyPay – Low Commitment, High Adoption
HappyPay offers four equal instalments over four months. It’s a newer player with a growing fanbase and an emphasis on transparency and no hidden fees.
Great for: Beauty, homeware, small luxuries
Integration: Select online stores
Customer requirement: Low barrier to entry
-
Float – Ethical BNPL for Modern Shoppers
Float lets customers pay over four weeks. It’s ideal for brands targeting millennials and ethical shoppers who want clear, interest-free terms.
Great for: Eco-friendly or values-driven brands
Integration: Custom platforms
Customer requirement: Minimal red tape
Quick Comparison Table
Platform |
Best For |
Pay-out Speed |
BNPL Supported |
| iKhokha | SMEs and fast setup | 1 to 2 days | Mobicred |
| PayFast | Established e-commerce | 2 to 3 days | PayJustNow, Mobicred |
| Yoco | Physical and online stores | 2 days | None direct |
| Ozow | EFT-heavy stores | Instant | Not applicable |
| Peach Payments | Subscriptions and scaling | 2 days | PayJustNow, Mobicred |
Final Thoughts: The Checkout Is Your Power Move
The payment gateway you choose speaks volumes about your brand. It tells your customer whether you value speed, flexibility, and ease or whether you’re making them work harder to spend their money.
At Digital Dez Media, we believe in doing things smart. We recommend iKhokha for its cost-efficiency and simplicity, and we often integrate BNPL platforms like PayJustNow and HappyPay to increase conversions and customer loyalty.
Let’s Get Your Checkout Ready
Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading your current e-commerce store, we’ll help you set up the right tools to get paid quickly and smoothly – these are best buy now pay later apps that can add value to your business and capitalize in a thriving market space.
It’s important to understand market trends and your audience’s needs so that you may adapt your site accordingly and not miss out on a burgeoning market.
