Ranking The Most Affordable Card Payment Systems for Small Businesses in South Africa

Ranking The Most Affordable Card Payment Systems for Small Businesses in South Africa

If you’re running a small business in South Africa, you’ve probably noticed that more and more customers prefer paying with cards, digital wallets, or even their smartwatches.

With this shift toward cashless payments, it's essential for you to have a payment system that’s both affordable and user-friendly.

But don’t worry—you don’t need to spend a fortune to get started.

In this article, we’ll break down some of the most affordable card payment systems available in South Africa, ranking them based on cost, transaction fees, and ease of use.

I'll explain each option in detail, so by the end, you'll know exactly which one suits your business best.

Top Affordable Payment Systems – Ranked

Here’s a quick overview of the payment systems we'll be discussing, ranked from the most affordable to options with more features but higher costs.

Prices and fees last checked on 16 October 2026 against each provider's own website. They change often, so confirm on the provider's site before you buy.

1. Capitec – Lowest Fees for Capitec-Banked Businesses

2. Yoco Khumo 2 – Best Entry-Level Card Machine

3. SnapScan – Best for Cost and Simplicity (No Card Machine Needed)

4. Zapper – Great for Flexible Plans and No Hardware

5. VodaPay Tap on Phone – Cost-Effective and No Upfront Cost

6. VodaPay Max – Low Debit Card Fees and Sells Airtime Too

7. iKhokha – Versatile Card Payment Solutions for Growing Businesses

Now, let’s look a bit deeper into each option, discussing the costs, how they work, and why they might be the right choice for you.

1. Capitec

Capitec now has the lowest card commission on this list, as long as your business banks with Capitec.

There are two machines: the Pro, which emails receipts, and the Print, which prints them. Both have a touchscreen, unlimited free 4G on dual SIM plus Wi-Fi, and an all-day battery.

• Upfront Cost: R699 once-off for the Pro, R1,399 for the Print. Delivery is free within 3 to 5 working days.
• Transaction Fee: 1.85% (excl. VAT) on local debit and credit cards for monthly card sales up to R50,000. After three months of higher sales, local debit cards drop to 0.85% between R50,001 and R500,000, and lower again above that. International cards are 2.3%.
• Monthly Fees: None for the machine, and no contract. Settlements go into a Capitec personal or business account. A registered company must use a Capitec business account, which has its own monthly account fee.

How It Works

1. Buy the Card Machine

Order it in the Capitec business app or at a branch.

2. Link Your Capitec Account

Your settlements are paid into your Capitec personal or business account.

3. Accept Payments

Take tap, chip-and-PIN and swipe payments. Funds are settled the next day, including weekends and public holidays, at no charge.

Why Choose Capitec?

Lowest Commission on This List

1.85% on local cards, dropping to 0.85% on debit cards once your sales pass R50,000 a month.

Free Next-Day Settlements

You are paid out every day, weekends and public holidays included.

No Monthly Fees

There is no monthly fee or contract on the machine itself.

Business Credit

After three months of trading you could qualify for personalised business credit.

Best For...

Businesses that already bank with Capitec, or are happy to open a Capitec business account, and want the lowest per-transaction fee on a physical card machine.

One More Thing

Capitec also provides an all-in-one business account.

By combining your business banking and payment solutions in one place, you can easily manage your transactions, payments, and finances with minimal hassle.

2. Yoco Khumo 2

Yoco is used by more than 250,000 South African small businesses. The Khumo 2 is its entry-level card machine, and it comes with free point of sale software and no monthly fee on Yoco's free Core plan.

• Upfront Cost: R699 once-off for the Khumo 2. Delivery is free.
• Transaction Fee: 2.30% per card transaction (excl. VAT) on monthly card sales up to R50,000. Between R50,000 and R200,000 a month, local debit cards drop to 1.35%. Businesses selling more than R200,000 a month can ask for a custom rate. See Yoco's fees.
• Monthly Fees: None on the Core plan. There is no rental, SIM or data fee, and standard payouts to your bank account are free.

How It Works

1. Order the Khumo 2

Order it online or buy it from selected retailers.

2. Sign Up and Switch On

Sign up for a Yoco account and switch the machine on. It connects through its own built-in 4G with unlimited data, or over Wi-Fi, so you don't need to pair it with a phone.

3. Accept Payments

Accepts tap, chip and swipe payments from Visa, Mastercard, American Express and SASSA cards, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

Why Choose Yoco Khumo 2?

Easy to Start

The machine works on its own, the battery lasts up to 18 hours, and it is splashproof and dustproof.

Point of Sale Included

The free software handles products, tips, split bills, refunds and staff profiles, so you can run sales from the same device you take payments on.

Lower Rates as You Grow

Your local debit card rate drops once monthly card sales pass R50,000. Optional Plus (R249 a month) and Pro (R499 a month) plans, billed per location, lower the rates further and unlock advanced point of sale features.

Low Risk

A 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

No Card Machine at All?

Yoco also offers Tap to Pay on iPhone, which lets you accept contactless card payments on your iPhone.

Best For…

Small shops, salons, cafés, food trucks and market traders who want a card machine with point of sale software built in and no monthly fee.

3. SnapScan

If you want to accept card payments without investing in a card machine, SnapScan is a fantastic choice.

It uses QR codes to let customers pay with their smartphones, so there’s no need for extra equipment.

• Upfront Cost: R0 (No card machine required)
• Transaction Fee: From 2.95% (excl. VAT). The rate drops as your monthly turnover grows, and businesses above R80,000 a month can ask for a fixed custom rate.
• Monthly Fees: None

How It Works

1. Set Up Your Account

Register with SnapScan through their website and set up your merchant profile. This process is straightforward and usually takes just a few minutes.

2. Create a QR Code

Once you’re registered, you’ll get a unique QR code. You can print this and place it near your checkout area or even include it on invoices.

3. Customer Payment

Your customers simply scan the QR code using their SnapScan app to make payments. Funds are deposited into your business account, and you’ll get notified of the payment.

Why Choose SnapScan?

No Upfront Costs

You don't need to buy a card machine, making this perfect for small businesses or those just starting.

Easy to Set Up

The registration and setup process is simple and fast. You can start accepting payments within minutes.

Contactless and Safe

Many customers prefer contactless payment methods. Using QR codes keeps the process touch-free and convenient.

Best For…

Market stalls, food trucks, home-based businesses, and anyone who wants a quick, cost-effective way to accept payments.

4. Zapper

Zapper is another QR code-based payment system, similar to SnapScan but with a few more options depending on your business needs.

It provides both a free plan and a paid plan with lower transaction fees.

• Upfront Cost: R0 (No card machine needed)
• Basic Plan: Free. 2.9% per transaction (excl. VAT), with weekly settlements.
• Business Plan: R220 per store per month (excl. VAT), with a reduced 2.5% transaction fee and daily settlements.

How It Works

1. Sign Up

Download the Zapper Merchant app and complete the registration process. This is usually quick and easy to navigate.

2. Generate a QR Code

The app lets you generate unique QR codes that customers can scan to pay.

3. Display Your Code

You can print the QR code for your store, display it on your counter, or even include it on your receipts and invoices.

4. Get Paid

Once a customer scans the code and pays, you receive a notification, and the funds are settled into your account based on your plan (daily for the paid plan, weekly for the free one).

Why Choose Zapper?

Flexible Plans

Zapper offers both a free option and a paid plan, so you can choose what works best for your business size and cash flow needs.

No Hardware Needed

Like SnapScan, it doesn’t require any card machines, so your startup costs are practically zero.

Ideal for All Types of Businesses

Works well whether you’re a café, a market vendor, or a service provider.

Best For…

Small businesses that want flexibility in their payment processing without investing in hardware.

5. VodaPay Tap on Phone

VodaPay Tap on Phone by Vodacom is perfect if you already have an Android smartphone and want a cashless, machine-free payment solution.

It allows customers to tap their card or smartphone directly on your phone to pay.

• Upfront Cost: R0 (No card machine needed)
• Transaction Fee: 2.75% to 3% (excl. VAT) on monthly turnover up to R10,000, dropping in steps to 2% to 2.25% between R50,001 and R100,000. Custom rates above R100,000. Diners, Amex and international cards are 3% to 3.5%.
• Monthly Fees: None

How It Works

1. Download the App

Go to the Google Play Store, download the VodaPay app, and register as a merchant.

2. Set Up Your Phone

The app will guide you through the process to turn your Android smartphone into a payment terminal. Your phone must be NFC-enabled for this to work.

3. Tap and Pay

Customers tap their card or smartphone on your phone to pay. The app processes the payment, and you get notified instantly.

Why Choose VodaPay Tap on Phone?

No Hardware Investment

You can use your existing smartphone to process payments, saving on upfront costs.

Fees That Drop as You Grow

You start at 2.75% to 3% and the rate falls in steps as your monthly turnover rises. If you don't transact, you pay nothing.

Convenience

Perfect for businesses on the go, like delivery services, market vendors, or pop-up shops.

Best For…

Businesses looking for a highly portable and easy-to-set-up payment method without buying new equipment.

6. VodaPay Max

VodaPay Max is Vodacom's card machine, and it has replaced the older VodaPay Kwika. It also lets you sell airtime, data and electricity from the same device.

• Upfront Cost: R1,299 once-off. Delivery is free.
• Transaction Fee: Local debit cards from 1.75% to 2% (excl. VAT) on monthly turnover up to R10,000, dropping in steps to 1.05% to 1.25% between R50,001 and R100,000. Credit cards from 2.75% to 3%, dropping to 2% to 2.25%. Custom rates above R100,000. Diners, Amex and international cards are 3% to 3.5%.
• Monthly Fees: None. If your business doesn't transact, nothing is deducted.

How It Works

1. Buy the VodaPay Max

Order it online with free delivery, or buy it at a participating Vodacom store.

2. Submit Your FICA Documents

Online, in-store or through the call centre. The machine is ready to use once you're approved.

3. Accept Payments

Customers tap, insert or scan to pay. Dual SIM keeps the machine connected.

Why Choose VodaPay Max?

Low Debit Card Fees

Some of the lowest debit card rates on this list, and they drop as your turnover grows.

Extra Income

Sell airtime, data and electricity, and take municipal and EasyPay bill payments, from the same machine.

Stable Connectivity

Dual SIM switches networks so you don't miss a payment.

Best For…

Retail stores, spaza shops and cafés that take mostly debit cards and want to sell airtime and electricity on the side.

7. iKhokha

iKhokha is a South African payments provider offering a range of affordable, easy-to-use card machines designed for small businesses. Whether you’re just starting out or growing fast, there’s a solution to match your pace.

Upfront Cost:

• iK Flyer Lite: R699
• iK Flyer: R1,499
• Tap on Phone: Free

Transaction Fees: From 2.75% (excl. VAT) on monthly card sales up to R40,000, dropping in steps to 2.5% between R80,000 and R100,000. Custom rates above R100,000.

Monthly Fees: None for the machine. A R2.50 fee applies to each payout.

SIM Fee (Flyer & Flyer Lite): R75/month, optional, for unlimited data on the dual SIM

How It Works

1. Choose a Device That Matches Your Business Needs

• iK Flyer Lite - standalone, portable touchscreen device, ideal for mobile traders, delivery businesses and side hustles.
• iK Flyer - full-featured touchscreen machine with printer and charging dock, perfect for salons, cafés and retail shops.
• Tap on Phone - use the free iKhokha App to accept card payments directly on your NFC-enabled Android Smartphone.

You can explore and compare iKhokha’s card machines on their website.

2. Start Accepting Payments

Accept tap, chip, swipe and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

3. Get Paid Fast

Payouts land in your bank account within 1 to 3 business days, or the next business day if you bank with FNB or Absa. The iK Debit Card gives you instant access to your money.

Why Choose iKhokha?

• One-time purchase, no rentals
• Devices that scale with your business
• Instant access to funds via the iK debit card
• Free business features: invoicing, Pay Links, cash advances & more
• Local support, long battery life and dual SIM + Wi-Fi connectivity

Best For...

• Pop-up vendors, delivery services and home-based businesses
• Salons, cafés and small retail stores
• Entrepreneurs seeking flexibility, speed and financial control

It’s not just a card machine, it’s a full digital toolkit for managing and growing your business, from sales analytics to business funding.

One More Thing to Remember

Something many small businesses overlook is the importance of officially registering your business.

Having an official business registration not only adds credibility to your brand but also allows you to…

• open a business bank account
• apply for business loans
• make it easier to work with payment providers.

If you haven't registered your business yet, it’s a crucial step you need to consider.

The good news is, Govchain offers an easy and convenient online registration service to get your business officially recognized. It’s quick, simple, and takes the stress out of the process.

Ready to make your business official? Register your business online today.