The Best Payment Solutions for E-Commerce Checkouts in South Africa in 2025

South Africa's e-commerce market is booming, with projections exceeding R400 billion in value by the end of 2025. As online shopping surges, offering diverse, secure, and seamless payment options at checkout is crucial for reducing cart abandonment and boosting conversions. Popular methods include instant EFTs, QR code payments, credit options, and increasingly digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Ozow: Instant EFT Leader

Ozow dominates instant EFT payments, allowing cardless bank-to-bank transfers from major South African banks like FNB, Absa, and Capitec. It's fast, secure, and widely trusted, processing millions of transactions with real-time settlements.

Pros for e-commerce:

• Reduces abandonment by avoiding card details entry.
• Supports QR codes, payment links, and online checkouts.
• High adoption, EFTs now make up ~30% of e-commerce payments.

Ideal for merchants targeting banked customers seeking convenience without cards.

RCS: Flexible Credit and Store Cards

RCS is a leading consumer finance provider offering store cards (e.g., Game, Makro, CTM) and buy-now-pay-later options. With over 2.5 million active users, it enables flexible repayments and interest-free periods.

Pros for e-commerce:

• Boosts average order value with credit access.
• Seamless online integration.
• Appeals to budget-conscious shoppers.

Great for retail-focused stores wanting to increase sales through affordable financing.

Zapper: QR Code and Mobile Wallet Convenience

Zapper excels in QR-based payments, allowing scans via banking apps or the Zapper wallet. It's mobile-first, supporting cards, EFTs, and loyalty features.

Pros for e-commerce:

• Fast checkouts with no card entry needed.
• Trusted by over 31,000 businesses.
• Integrates easily for online and in-store omnichannel experiences.

Perfect for mobile-heavy audiences and reducing friction at checkout.

Apple Pay and Google Pay: Digital Wallet Growth

Both Apple Pay and Google Pay are now widely available in South Africa for online and contactless payments, supported by major banks. Adoption is rising rapidly, with over 70% of consumers using digital wallets for daily transactions in 2025.

Pros for e-commerce:

• One-tap secure payments (tokenized, no card sharing).
• High conversion rates due to speed and familiarity.
• Available via gateways like Peach Payments and Wigwag.

Essential for modern, tech-savvy shoppers, expect further growth as mobile shopping dominates.

Introducing Boodil for Shopify

Through its partnership with Transaction Junction (a leading South African omni-channel provider), Boodil offers:

• High authorisation rates and secure bank integrations.
• Competitive fees (often beating existing rates).
• Optimized checkouts to minimise abandonment.
• Support for the fastest-growing e-commerce brands in the region.

The Boodil Shopify app is free to install (pay-per-transaction), easy to set up, and tailored for African markets, providing a frictionless experience across local preferences.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, the best checkout succeeds by offering choice: instant EFTs via Ozow, credit with RCS, QR simplicity from Zapper, and digital wallets like Apple/Google Pay. For Shopify stores, Boodil consolidates these into one powerful, cost-effective solution, empowering merchants to convert more while delighting customers.