Best card machines & payment solutions for SA businesses (2026)

By the Rateweb editorial team · How we rate · Product details checked 25 Jul 2026

Compare ways for your business to accept payments — card machines, online gateways and instant EFT. The right provider keeps transaction fees low and gets you paid fast. Fees are indicative; confirm current pricing.

🏆 Our top picks
Best overall Yoco ★ 4.5/5 — see why ↓ Best value card machine iKhokha ★ 4.4/5 — see why ↓ Best online gateway Payfast ★ 4.3/5 — see why ↓ Best instant EFT Ozow ★ 4.1/5 — see why ↓

⭐ Ratings & awards are Rateweb's independent editorial opinion — how we rate.

🎯 Not sure which is right for you? Get a personalised plan ranked for your situation. Get my plan →
Filter & sort
9 results
🏆 Best overall SME favourite

Yoco

Popular card machines plus online payments and business tools for SMEs.
★★★★★
4.5/5 · How we rate
Fees4.4
Ease4.7
Tools4.5
Support4.4
Card machine + online
Type
1
Sme
~2.95% per card transaction + R2.50 on days the device is used
Fee
Pros
  • Affordable card machines
  • Online payments and invoicing too
  • No monthly fee on entry plans
Cons
  • Per-transaction fee applies
  • Card-machine hardware cost
Get started
🏆 Best value card machine

iKhokha

Affordable card machines and a business app built for South African SMEs.
★★★★☆
4.4/5 · How we rate
Card machine
Type
1
Sme
From ~2.75% per card transaction · tiers down with turnover · no monthly fee
Fee
Pros
  • Competitive card-machine pricing
  • Business funding and tools
  • Local support
Cons
  • Per-transaction fee
  • Hardware cost upfront
Get started
🏆 Best online gateway

Payfast

A leading online payment gateway for e-commerce and websites.
★★★★☆
4.3/5 · How we rate
Online gateway
Type
1
Sme
~2.95% on cards (negotiable at volume) · no monthly fee
Fee
Pros
  • Wide e-commerce integrations
  • Multiple payment methods
  • Trusted online gateway
Cons
  • Online only (no card machine)
  • Per-transaction fees
Get started

Peach Payments

An enterprise and SME online payments platform with strong integrations.
★★★★☆
4.2/5 · How we rate
Online gateway
Type
1
Sme
~2.95% + R1.50 ex VAT on cards · ~1.50% pay-by-bank · ~R300/mo
Fee
Pros
  • Robust online payments
  • Good for scaling businesses
  • Multiple methods
Cons
  • Online focus
  • Setup suits e-commerce
Get started
🏆 Best instant EFT

Ozow

Instant EFT payments — customers pay directly from their bank, no card needed.
★★★★☆
4.1/5 · How we rate
Instant EFT
Type
1
Sme
~1.5% instant EFT (about half the card rate) · next-day payout
Fee
Pros
  • Lower fees than cards
  • No card required
  • Fast settlement
Cons
  • Customer needs online banking
  • Bank-dependent experience
Get started

SnapScan

Simple QR-code payments — customers scan and pay with their phone.
★★★★☆
4.0/5 · How we rate
QR payments
Type
1
Sme
Pros
  • Easy QR payments
  • No hardware needed
  • Good for markets and on-the-go
Cons
  • QR only
  • Per-transaction fee
Get started

Zapper

QR-code payments and tipping, popular with restaurants and small businesses.
★★★★☆
4.1/5 · How we rate
QR payments
Type
1
Sme
Pros
  • Quick QR payments
  • No hardware needed
Cons
  • QR-led experience
Get started

Netcash

Payment processing, debit orders and payroll tools for SMEs.
★★★★☆
4.0/5 · How we rate
Online & debit orders
Type
1
Sme
Pros
  • Debit orders & payouts
  • Business admin tools
Cons
  • Setup suits established businesses
Get started

Paystack

A modern online payments API (a Stripe company) for developers and stores.
★★★★☆
4.1/5 · How we rate
Online gateway
Type
1
Sme
Pros
  • Developer-friendly API
  • Modern checkout
Cons
  • Best for online businesses
Get started

Ratings are Rateweb's editorial opinion. Product details can change — always confirm with the provider before applying. Rateweb may earn a commission on some applications. This is general information, not financial advice.

People also compare

Business bank accounts 7 options → Business loans 9 options → Business insurance 8 options →