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Set Up Online Payments with PayFast

Let your customers pay invoices instantly — via card, EFT, or SnapScan. Money goes straight to your SA bank account.

Why do I need a PayFast account?

PayFast is South Africa's most popular payment gateway. When you connect your PayFast account to InvoiceSA, your customers get a "Pay Now" button on every invoice. They pay online, and the money lands in your SA bank account — no middleman.

Without PayFast, your invoices will still work perfectly — customers will just see your EFT banking details instead of the online payment option.

Step-by-step setup

1

Create a PayFast merchant account

Go to payfast.co.za/registration and choose "Merchant" as your account type.

You'll need:

  • Your SA ID number
  • Your business banking details (FNB, Absa, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Capitec, etc.)
  • A valid email address

How long does verification take?

PayFast usually verifies your account within 1–3 business days. They may ask for a copy of your ID or a bank statement — this is standard for all SA payment providers.

2

Find your Merchant ID and Merchant Key

Once PayFast approves your account:

  1. Log in at payfast.co.za
  2. Click Settings in the top menu
  3. Click Integration
  4. You'll see your Merchant ID (a number like 10012345) and Merchant Key (a code like 46f0cd694581a)

Keep these safe

Your Merchant Key is like a password — don't share it publicly. InvoiceSA stores it securely and only uses it to process payments for your invoices.

3

Add your credentials to InvoiceSA

  1. Log in to your InvoiceSA account
  2. Go to Profile (in the menu or sidebar)
  3. Scroll down to "Online Payments (PayFast)"
  4. Paste your Merchant ID and Merchant Key
  5. Click Save Profile

That's it! Your invoices will now show the "Pay Now" button automatically.

4

You're all set — send an invoice!

Create a new invoice and send it to your customer via email or WhatsApp. They'll see a "Pay Securely via PayFast" button and can pay instantly.

What does PayFast charge?

PayFast charges 2.9% + R2.00 per successful transaction. There are no monthly fees or sign-up costs.

Example:

Invoice amountR1,000.00
PayFast fee (2.9% + R2)– R31.00
You receiveR969.00

PayFast settles (pays out) to your bank account within 1–3 business days. You can check your balance and payouts in the PayFast dashboard.

What payment methods can my customers use?

Credit / Debit Card

Visa and Mastercard — most popular option

Instant EFT

Direct from their bank — fast and secure

SnapScan

Scan and pay — great for in-person

Common questions

Do I need PayFast to use InvoiceSA?

No! InvoiceSA works perfectly without PayFast. Your invoices will show your EFT banking details so customers can pay via bank transfer. PayFast just adds the convenience of online payment.

Does InvoiceSA charge extra for PayFast payments?

No. InvoiceSA does not take any cut of your payments. The only fees are PayFast's standard transaction fees (2.9% + R2.00).

Can I use PayFast on the free plan?

Yes! Online payments via PayFast are available on all InvoiceSA plans, including the free plan.

What happens when a customer pays?

PayFast processes the payment and deposits the money into your bank account within 1–3 business days. The invoice is automatically marked as paid in InvoiceSA.

I'm not registered as a company — can I still use PayFast?

Yes. PayFast accepts sole proprietors, freelancers, and registered companies. You just need a valid SA ID and bank account.

Ready to get paid online?

Set up takes less than 5 minutes once your PayFast account is verified.

InvoiceSA — Invoicing built for South Africa