PayFast vs Yoco vs Ozow: choosing a payment gateway for your online store

If you're starting an online store in South Africa, sooner or later you'll have to pick a payment gateway. It's the service that takes your customer's money and puts it in your bank account. PayFast, Yoco and Ozow are three of the names that come up most often, and each one suits a slightly different kind of business.

A quick note before we start: fees and features change, so always check each provider's current pricing page before deciding. This guide focuses on how they differ in practice.

What a payment gateway actually does

When a customer clicks "Pay" on your website, the gateway handles the sensitive part: card details, bank authentication and fraud checks. Your website never stores card numbers, which is a good thing. The gateway then pays the money out to you, minus its fee.

The gateway also shapes your checkout. Some send customers to their own payment page, others keep them on your site. The more payment methods it offers, the fewer customers give up because their preferred option isn't there.

PayFast

PayFast is one of the most widely used gateways in South Africa, and most eCommerce platforms support it. Its big strength is choice. Customers can usually pay by card, instant EFT and several popular local options, such as SnapScan and Zapper, from one checkout.

Good for: most online stores, especially if your customers like having lots of ways to pay.

Worth knowing: customers are usually sent to the PayFast page to complete payment, then returned to your store.

Yoco

Many people know Yoco from its card machines, which are used in shops and markets everywhere. It also offers online payments, so you can take card payments on your website and in person through one account.

Good for: businesses that sell both in a physical shop or at markets and online, and want everything in one place.

Worth knowing: check which online payment methods are available for your platform, as the focus has traditionally been card payments.

Ozow

Ozow specialises in instant EFT, sometimes called "pay by bank". Instead of entering card details, the customer logs into their own banking app or online banking and approves the payment. It suits people who don't have a credit card or prefer not to use one online.

Good for: stores with customers who prefer EFT, and higher-value orders where card fees add up.

Worth knowing: many stores use Ozow alongside a card gateway rather than on its own.

How to choose

Ask yourself these questions:

1. How do my customers prefer to pay? If you're not sure, offering both card and instant EFT is a safe start.
2. Do I also sell in person? If yes, a provider that covers both can simplify your bookkeeping.
3. What platform is my store on? Check that the gateway has a reliable, maintained plugin or app for WooCommerce or Shopify.
4. How quickly do I need the money? Payout times differ, which matters for cash flow.
5. What are the total fees? Look at transaction fees, monthly fees and payout fees together, not just the headline rate.

Can you use more than one?

Yes. Many South African stores offer two options at checkout, for example PayFast for cards and Ozow for instant EFT. A little more choice can mean fewer abandoned carts, as long as the checkout stays simple.

Setting it up properly

Whichever you choose, test it before launch. Place real test orders on a phone, check that the order emails arrive, that stock updates and that the money reaches your account. A broken checkout costs you sales quietly, because most customers won't tell you. They just leave.

Our team sets up PayFast, Yoco, Ozow and other gateways on WooCommerce and Shopify stores for South African businesses. If you're not sure which one fits, send us a WhatsApp and we'll give you a straight recommendation.