Comparing the top online payment methods in South Africa
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December 5, 2025Over the years, mobile wallets have gone from being a rare payment method to one of the most common ways people in South Africa shop and move money around today. According to the recent SA Consumer Payments Report by Stitch, one in five South Africans regularly uses a digital wallet.
With over 90% smartphone penetration and a strong appetite for secure payment options, the mobile wallet market is set to continue its upward trajectory in 2026. Digital wallets are no longer a niche alternative – they are becoming a primary payment channel alongside cards, instant EFTs and QR payments. For businesses, this shift brings both opportunities and challenges. Understanding how these mobile payment trends are evolving can help you adapt your payment strategies and manage customer expectations.
This guide fully explores digital wallet adoption and usage patterns. It also covers future trends and the business implications of this trend in the South African digital payments landscape. A mobile wallet (or digital wallet) is a secure app on a smartphone or wearable that stores card or account details and lets customers pay online or in-store without using a physical card. In South Africa, these wallets plug into existing payment systems, making digital payments faster and safer for both shoppers and businesses.
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The rise of mobile wallets in South Africa
The rapid growth of mobile wallets in South Africa can be attributed to various things. From avoiding cash or card payments in-store or online due to security concerns, to simply preferring contactless payments, good network connectivity allows customers to pay however they want.
Let’s take a closer look at some key driving factors of the mobile wallet and digital payment trends in South Africa:
- High internet and smartphone usage: According to 2025 statistics, 99.3% of South African internet users own smartphones, underlining the accessibility to mobile wallets.
- Convenience of contactless payments: The speed and ease of tap- or scan-to-pay have led many South African customers to use mobile wallets for everyday purchases.
- Advanced security: The mobile digital payment ecosystem in South Africa is highly secure, using tokenisation and biometric authorisation features. Should the phone itself be lost or stolen, the owner can remotely lock or wipe the device to protect payment information.
- eCommerce expansion: South Africa’s mobile-first customer base is driving the rise of online shopping. Pair that with the quick, secure, and no need to input card details for every payment aspect that digital wallet payments offer, and you have a rising trend.
- Financial inclusion: For underserved and underbanked South Africans, mobile wallets offer a great way to access and participate in the country’s digital economy.
- Innovation: The future of payments is a blend of traditional and digital, which is why many banks and fintech institutions are integrating mobile wallets into their platforms.
As a business owner, it’s important to keep a close eye on these digital payment trend drivers. Customers want fast, frictionless checkout, and mobile wallets offer that and safe transactions. If your checkout still relies only on cards or manual EFTs, you risk losing customers to competitors who support mobile payment apps and wallet-based checkouts.
Top mobile wallet apps in South Africa (2025–2026)
Digital wallets in South Africa are diverse, with a mix of local and global mobile wallet platforms having a strong presence. Below are the most widely used and trusted mobile wallet apps in 2025.
1. Google Wallet
Google Wallet is an all-in-one, user-friendly platform. Not only does it allow users to store their payment cards, but also their travel passes, event tickets, and even loyalty and gift cards. The use of Google Wallet is growing in SA for both in-store tap payments and online purchases.
The payment app holds a large digital wallet market share in South Africa due to its seamless compatibility with Android phones, which account for over 82% of all mobile operating systems.
Accepting Google Wallet payments is straightforward for businesses. Ensure your point-of-sale terminals support contactless NFC transactions and integrate payment gateways that are compatible with Google Wallet. Online stores can simply enable Google Pay at checkout. For South African merchants, adding Google Pay is an easy way to support customers who want a simple “tap-to-pay with phone” experience online and in-store.
2. Apple Pay
Apple Pay is only compatible with Apple devices. However, in South Africa, the Apple Pay market share, at around 17%, is significantly lower than that of its competitors. Many retailers widely accept Apple Pay and work for both in-person and online transactions.
Its strong security features, such as biometric authentication, make it a trusted option for customers who value privacy. A new feature allows users to pay in full or split their purchases into instalments over time through an eligible card or a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider.
Businesses can set up Apple Pay by integrating it with their payment terminal or online checkout platform that supports Apple Pay. Most modern POS systems are compatible with this digital wallet, and online stores can add Apple Pay as a payment option with minimal setup. This makes Apple Pay a key payment app to support if your customers are higher-income or iOS-heavy.
Read Next: Simple steps to integrate Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) into your business.
3. Samsung Wallet
This is the go-to for Samsung device users. However, what makes it a big player in the digital payments industry is that it supports both NFC and magnetic secure transmission (MST). This means it works in more places, such as some point-of-sale terminals that are not fully contactless.
Like competitors, Samsung Wallet allows users to store their payment cards, travel tickets, coupons, memberships, and more. But what makes this digital purse a game-changer is that you can also store digital keys that can unlock your car and house, with just a touch or a tap.
You can accept Samsung Pay by ensuring your payment terminals support NFC or MST technology. For online payments, integrate Samsung Pay into your eCommerce checkout system. Like with Apple, Samsung Wallet allows users to pay with their smartwatch as well.
4. SnapScan
SnapScan is a local payment solution that has become a household name. It allows customers to make payments directly from their bank accounts or cards by simply scanning QR codes.
Many small businesses use SnapScan because it is easy to set up and does not require costly equipment. It’s flexible, offering point-of-sale and eCommerce integration. To get paid via SnapScan, merchants can display a unique QR Code at checkout or send a payment link.
Unlike many traditional mobile wallets, the SnapScan app offers a few more functionalities for both businesses and customers. Merchants receive settlement reports and can enable referencing and tipping to determine which portion of the payment is a gratuity; all from a rate of 2.95%.
5. Zapper
Zapper is another local QR-based payment app that focuses on quick payments in-store and online. It is widely accepted by restaurants, cafés, and service providers. Customers enjoy the simplicity of tapping or scanning a QR code and confirming their payment within seconds.
For merchants, there are several ways Zapper can improve business efficiency and operations; think enhanced cash flow, reduced admin and reconciliation, and no hardware dependency.
The app offers users more benefits, such as split payments, so group diners don’t end with calculators on the table. Zapper users can also skip the parking pay station. They just scan the ticket and off they go. Bills, traffic fines, vehicle license disc payments? All sorted on the app.
6. FNB eWallet
FNB eWallet is not your typical digital purse, but it is very popular. It allows users to send and receive money instantly, with the recipient only needing a valid South African cellphone number.
Senders can transfer funds from the FNB app or ATM, and receivers will then withdraw them from an ATM or a selected retailer. Recipients can also opt to use the money to buy airtime, data, or make other purchases at specific shops.
Unfortunately for businesses, FNB eWallet is more tailored for peer-to-peer payments rather than business-to-consumer transactions. However, this is one of the consumer payment trends that all merchants, particularly SMEs, should keep a close eye on in case anything changes.
7. PayPal
PayPal is one of the most widely used digital wallets around the world, and it has been available in South Africa for quite some time. The mobile wallet allows customers to pay online, send money instantly, and link multiple bank accounts or payment cards to their PayPal account.
Customers can pay online, send money, and get paid, but to withdraw funds directly to their bank account, they must have an FNB account. Businesses benefit from fast, secure payments via PayPal.Me; a payment link that accepts 25 currencies from more than 200 countries.
Set up a PayPal business account and integrate it with your website or online store. This allows you to accept payments locally and internationally, with funds deposited quickly and securely.
Mobile wallets are shaping the future of payments.
Make sure your business is ready to accept them.
Other types of payment methods worth mentioning
- Mobicred: Credit facility allowing online shoppers to pay in instalments.
- Payflex: Buy Now, Pay Later service with interest-free instalments.
- PayJustNow: Another BNPL provider gaining rapid market share.
- OTT Voucher: Prepaid voucher system for online payments, key for unbanked consumers.
- 1Voucher: Prepaid online payment voucher used across multiple platforms.
- Cryptocurrency (via Luno, VALR, PayFast Crypto): A niche but growing payment method for tech-savvy shoppers.
Payment method breakdown
Here’s a glance at the usage percentage of top online payment options in South Africa. These figures show why mobile wallets and e-wallets are now a critical part of any modern payment mix, not just a “nice-to-have” option.
- Card 43%
- Cash 9%
- Bank transfer 22%
- E-wallet 20%
- Other 6%
Comparison table of the best mobile wallets in SA
Here’s a quick look at the best mobile wallet solutions currently available in South Africa.
|
Mobile wallet |
Best for |
Key features |
Availability |
Security |
|
Google Wallet |
Every day use, online shopping |
Tap payments, loyalty cards, and easy integration |
Android |
Biometric and device security |
|
Apple Pay |
In-store and online payments |
Strong privacy, fast checkout |
iOS |
Biometric, tokenisation |
|
Samsung Wallet |
Versatile payments |
Works with NFC and older terminals |
Samsung devices |
Biometric, secure storage |
|
SnapScan |
Small businesses and QR payments |
Low setup cost, simple interface |
All smartphones |
PIN and biometric options |
|
Zapper |
Restaurants and service providers |
QR code scanning, loyalty programmes |
All smartphones |
Secure encryption |
|
FNB eWallet |
Instant money transfers |
Works without bank accounts, useful for payouts |
FNB customers |
PIN security |
|
PayPal |
Online payments, international transactions |
Fast online payments, link multiple cards, send money instantly |
All smartphones, web |
Biometric options, encryption, and fraud protection |
The future is mobile — is your business ready?
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The future of mobile wallets in South Africa
As more people use mobile wallets to make payments online and at POS terminals, several trends continue to shape the future of digital payments across South Africa. Let’s unpack.
- Wider acceptance across sectors: From taxis to utility bills, more industries are looking to adopt mobile wallet payments to meet customer demand.
- Loyalty and rewards integration: Digital wallets will increasingly look to combine payments with personalised offers, loyalty points, and discounts. Zapper is a trailblazer in this initiative, offering customers loyalty points every time they tap or scan to pay.
- Increased compatibility: Payment providers are working to make wallets compatible with more banks and merchants, to reduce friction for both businesses and customers.
- Growth of instant payments: Real-time payments, such as PayShap, PayPal and FNB eWallet, are widely used, providing businesses with faster access to funds and smoother cash flow. The rise of PayShap in a short period of time also shows that the RTPs are on a solid growth path.
- Enhanced security features: Biometric verification and tokenisation will become standard, providing even stronger protection for both businesses and customers.
Security and compliance in mobile wallet use
Most mobile wallets use multiple tiers of security, including biometric authentication, encryption, and tokenisation. The phone itself has device-level authentication, adding another layer. This means that card details are never shared directly with merchants, reducing the risk of fraud.
Customers feel confident using digital wallets because they know their payment details are not exposed during transactions. For businesses, accepting mobile wallet payments means working with secure payment gateways and ensuring your POS is compatible with trusted providers.
To minimise risks, ensure you regularly update software, train your staff, and stay compliant with local and global payment security standards, such as POPIA and the PCI DSS framework .
Client Note: Great opportunity to add a link to "What South African Businesses Need to Know About PCI DSS" when that post is live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrapping up digital wallet trends in South Africa
The expansion of mobile wallets in South Africa is reshaping the digital payments landscape. Customers are embracing quicker, more secure ways to pay, and businesses must keep up with this shift to remain competitive.
Understand mobile wallet trends, adopt secure technologies, and offer flexible payment options to keep your business ahead of the curve and meet changing customer expectations in 2026 and beyond.
If you want to explore how to integrate mobile wallet payments into your business, now is the time to act. Start by reviewing your current payment systems, then identify payment gaps, and choose to work with trusted partners to offer the seamless experiences your customers expect.
South Africans are going cashless fast.
Stay competitive with mobile wallet and digital payment options your customers trust.
Author:
Linda Lynch
Campaign Manager
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Linda Lynch is the Marketing Campaign Manager at Netcash, where she creates and executes strategies that drive engagement and growth. With experience in eCommerce and the South African payments industry, she specialises in optimising email campaigns, managing paid ads, and developing organic marketing strategies.
When she’s not immersed in digital strategy, you’ll find Linda tweaking website optimisations or enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee in hand.
