How to accept card payments in your SA business

<h2>Card Payments Are No Longer Optional</h2><p>South African consumers increasingly prefer tap-and-pay and card payments over cash. Businesses that only accept cash are losing sales. The good news: accepting card payments has never been easier or cheaper for SA businesses.</p><h2>Your Options for Accepting Card Payments</h2><h3>Physical POS Devices</h3><h4>Yoco</h4><p>South Africas leading SME payment solution. Yoco devices start from R999 for the Neo card reader. Transaction fees from 2.6% per swipe/tap. No monthly fees on the base plan. The Yoco app provides instant settlement and detailed reporting.</p><h4>iKhokha</h4><p>Competitive alternative to Yoco. The iKhokha Mobi device costs from R499. Transaction fees from 2.75%. Slightly cheaper device entry point but similar transaction costs. Popular in rural and township markets.</p><h4>PayFast Point of Sale</h4><p>For businesses already using PayFast online. Unified reporting across online and in-store transactions.</p><h3>Online Payment Gateways</h3><h4>PayFast</h4><p>South Africas most popular payment gateway. Supports credit cards, debit cards, EFT, SnapScan, and Mobicred. Transaction fees from 3.5% + R2. Easy integration with WooCommerce, Shopify, and most SA e-commerce platforms.</p><h4>Peach Payments</h4><p>Strong alternative for e-commerce. Supports all major SA payment methods including instant EFT. Competitive transaction rates for higher volumes.</p><h4>DPO Pay (formerly PayGate)</h4><p>Established gateway with strong fraud prevention. Used by many larger SA retailers and travel businesses.</p><h2>What Youll Need</h2><ul><li>South African business bank account</li><li>CIPC-registered business (recommended, not always required)</li><li>Valid ID and proof of address</li><li>Business address and contact details</li></ul><h2>Understanding Fees</h2><p>All payment providers charge a percentage per transaction (typically 2.5%–3.5%). Some charge monthly fees, device fees, or settlement fees. For most small businesses, Yoco or iKhokha offer the most transparent pricing with no hidden costs.</p><h2>Settlement Times</h2><p>Most SA providers settle within 1-3 business days. Yoco offers next-day settlement on the premium plan. PayFast settles weekly by default (daily available on request).</p>