# Paystack vs PayFast vs PayPal for a South African Shop (2026)

> Fees, payment methods, payouts and who each suits: an honest comparison of Paystack, PayFast and PayPal for small South African online shops.

By Nkosinathi Mbokazi. Updated 2026-11-14.

For a small South African online shop, Paystack usually costs least on card payments, PayFast offers the most local ways to pay (Capitec Pay, SnapScan, Zapper and buy-now-pay-later), and PayPal is for selling to customers overseas in US dollars. Many shops use two: a local provider for rand sales and PayPal for international ones. Fees below were checked on 14 November 2026.

## The quick comparison

| | Paystack | PayFast | PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local card fee (ex VAT) | 2.9% + R1 | 3.2% + R2 | Around 3.4% + a fixed fee |
| Instant EFT (ex VAT) | 2% | 2%, minimum R2 | Not offered |
| Other local methods | Cards and EFT | Capitec Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, SnapScan, Zapper, Mobicred, MoreTyme, Payflex and more | PayPal balance and cards |
| Currency for SA sellers | Rand | Rand | US dollars and other foreign currencies |
| Getting your money | Paid to your SA bank account | R8.70 per payout, or 0.8% for an immediate payout | Withdraw through FNB, up to 1.51% plus conversion |
| Best for | Low card fees for local shoppers | Shoppers who prefer EFT, QR codes or paying later | Customers outside South Africa |

## What does each one cost on a R500 sale?

On a R500 order paid by local card, before VAT:

- **Paystack:** 2.9% of R500 is R14.50, plus R1, so **R15.50**.
- **PayFast:** 3.2% of R500 is R16, plus R2, so **R18.00**.

Paid by instant EFT, both charge 2%, so **R10.00**. If most of your customers pay by EFT, the difference between Paystack and PayFast nearly disappears.

PayPal is harder to compare, because South African sellers are paid in US dollars. PayPal's South African merchant fees page has listed a receiving rate of around 3.4% plus a fixed fee per transaction, and a later PayPal fee document lists 4.9%, so check the rate in your own account. On top of that, you pay to convert and withdraw the money: FNB, which runs PayPal withdrawals in South Africa, charges up to 1.51%.

All fees here exclude VAT, so add 15% when you budget.

## Paystack

Paystack is owned by Stripe and came to South Africa to give local businesses a simple way to take cards and EFT online. Its published South African rates are 2.9% plus R1 for local cards and 2% for EFT, with no monthly fee listed.

**Choose Paystack if:** most of your customers pay by card, you want the lowest card fee of the three, and you like a clean, modern dashboard.

**Think twice if:** your customers expect SnapScan, Capitec Pay or buy-now-pay-later at checkout. Paystack's South African checkout focuses on cards and EFT.

## PayFast

PayFast has been a South African favourite for years, and it shows in the number of ways your customers can pay. Its fees page lists cards at 3.2% plus R2, instant EFT and Capitec Pay at 2% (minimum R2), Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay at the card rate, SnapScan at 3.5% plus R2, and pay-later options such as MoreTyme at 5.5% plus R2 and Payflex at 5.45% plus R5. A standard payout to your bank costs R8.70, and an immediate payout costs 0.8% with a minimum of R14. Refunds are R2 each.

**Choose PayFast if:** your customers like to pay by EFT, QR code or in instalments, which can lift sales on bigger orders. Shops processing over R50,000 per month on average can ask PayFast for custom pricing.

**Think twice if:** nearly every sale is by card. You pay a little more per card sale than with Paystack, and payouts carry a fee.

## PayPal

PayPal is the one international shoppers know and trust. A South African PayPal account is paid in foreign currency, mostly US dollars, and you withdraw to your bank through FNB. FNB's PayPal page says withdrawals reflect instantly in an FNB account and within three business days at other South African banks, with a fee of at most 1.51%. Each withdrawal needs a Balance of Payments code, because it counts as foreign exchange.

**Choose PayPal if:** you sell to customers in other countries: digital products, crafts, art, courses or services priced in dollars.

**Think twice if:** your customers are in South Africa. They would pay in a foreign currency, and you lose a slice to fees and conversion on the way back to rand.

## Which should you choose?

- **Selling only in South Africa, mostly by card:** Paystack.
- **Selling only in South Africa, with EFT, Capitec Pay, QR codes or pay-later:** PayFast.
- **Selling to the rest of the world:** PayPal, with prices in US dollars.
- **Not sure yet:** offer two local options and let your customers choose. Look at what they pick after a month and keep what works.

## How does this work on Bloqpage?

Bloqpage's online store connects to all three, and there is no extra Bloqpage fee on your sales. The money goes from the provider to you.

1. In the builder, open **Commerce**, then **Settings**, and scroll to **Payments & shipping**.
2. Connect Paystack, PayFast or PayPal with the keys from your provider's dashboard. Start in test mode and place a test order.
3. If you connect more than one, your customers choose at checkout.

PayPal on Bloqpage works for stores priced in US dollars. For a rand store, use Paystack, PayFast or both. Our guide to [what a website and shop cost to run](/blog/how-much-does-a-website-cost-south-africa) puts these fees into a full year, and the [store templates](/templates) come with the cart and checkout already built.

## Common questions

### Which payment gateway is cheapest in South Africa?

For card payments, Paystack's published rate of 2.9% plus R1 is lower than PayFast's 3.2% plus R2. For instant EFT, both charge 2%.

### Can I use PayPal for customers in South Africa?

You can, but they pay in a foreign currency and you pay conversion and withdrawal costs. A local provider is cheaper and simpler for rand sales.

### Do I need a registered company?

Requirements change, so check each provider's sign-up page. Paystack and PayFast both ask for identity and bank details, and may ask for business registration documents depending on how you trade.

### Do these fees include VAT?

No. The rates in this post are published excluding VAT, so add 15%.

Ready to take payments? [Start your free 14-day trial](/signup), pick a store template, and connect the provider that suits your customers. See [every plan](/pricing) for what is included.

## Sources

Checked on 14 November 2026. Fees change, so confirm in each provider's dashboard before you budget.

- [PayFast fees](https://payfast.io/fees)
- [Paystack: transaction charges](https://support2.paystack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009881920-What-are-Paystack-s-transaction-charges)
- [PayPal South Africa merchant fees](https://www.paypal.com/za/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees)
- [FNB: PayPal withdrawals](https://fnb.co.za/forex/payments/paypal.html)
- [Paystack blog: launch in South Africa](https://paystack.com/blog/company-news/sa-launch)