PayFast - Payment Gateway Integration Plugin

PayFast is a secure and efficient online payment gateway designed to facilitate one-time payments for businesses operating in South Africa. It supports a wide range of local and international payment methods, making it a versatile solution for merchants of all sizes. With a strong focus on ease of integration, fraud prevention, and instant payment notifications, PayFast is a reliable choice for e-commerce platforms and service providers looking to streamline their checkout process.

PayFast – Fast, Secure, and South Africa-Focused

Description and Features

PayFast is a robust payment gateway tailored for the South African market, offering a seamless and secure way to accept online payments. It is ideal for startups, small businesses, and medium-sized enterprises, and supports a wide range of industries.

• Instant EFT and card payments with real-time confirmation
• No monthly fees – pay only per transaction
• Supports South African Rands (ZAR) exclusively
• Built-in fraud detection and prevention tools
• PCI-DSS Level 1 compliant for maximum security
• Easy integration with Osclass Pay Plugin (v4.1+ required)
• Instant payment notifications (IPN) for real-time updates
• Supports donations, subscriptions (outside Osclass), and once-off payments
• No merchant bank account required
• Dispute resolution support and chargeback handling
• Mobile-friendly checkout experience
• Custom branding options for checkout pages
• Supports split payments for marketplaces and platforms
• Local support team for South African merchants
• No setup fees, making it accessible for new businesses

Supported Payment Methods

PayFast offers a variety of payment options, catering to both local and international customers:

• Credit & Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard
• Instant EFT: ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec
• Mobile Payments: SnapScan, Zapper
• Buy Now, Pay Later: MoreTyme (via TymeBank)
• Crypto Payments: Bitcoin (via integrations)
• Wallets & Vouchers: SCode (retail payments at Checkers, Shoprite, etc.)

Pricing and Fees

PayFast operates on a pay-as-you-go model with no monthly or setup fees. Fees are deducted per transaction:

• 2.95% for card payments
• 2.0% for Instant EFT
• 3.5% + R2.00 for SCode payments
• 3.5% for SnapScan and Zapper
• No hidden costs – all fees are transparent

Note: Fees may vary slightly depending on the payment method and volume. Always check the official site for the most current rates.

Currencies

PayFast supports transactions exclusively in South African Rand (ZAR).

• ZAR (South African Rand)

Note: Multi-currency support is not available. Ensure your store operates in ZAR to use PayFast.

Regions and Countries

PayFast is designed specifically for South African merchants and businesses operating within South Africa. It does not support international merchant registration.

• Africa: South Africa

Note: Customers from other countries can pay using international cards, but the merchant must be based in South Africa.

High risk payments and Adults content

PayFast does not support payments for adult content, pornography, or other high-risk industries such as gambling, weapons, or drugs. Merchants operating in these sectors should consider alternative gateways. The platform enforces strict compliance with its Acceptable Use Policy and reserves the right to suspend accounts violating these terms.

References

• Homepage: https://www.payfast.co.za/
• Dashboard (Production & Sandbox): https://www.payfast.co.za/
• Documentation: https://developers.payfast.co.za/docs

PayFast is a powerful and reliable payment gateway for South African businesses looking for a cost-effective, secure, and easy-to-integrate solution. With support for a wide range of local payment methods and strong fraud protection, it’s an excellent choice for merchants who want to offer a smooth checkout experience without monthly fees or complex setup.