Integration Overview

Before you begin, choose the model that best fits your business:

• Aggregation (PayFast) — Fast, all-in-one solution without a separate merchant account

• Gateway (PayGate) — Flexible gateway for businesses with their own acquiring relationship

Selecting the correct model ensures a smoother onboarding experience and avoids unnecessary rework later.

---

Aggregation Integration (PayFast)

Aggregation is an all-in-one payment solution where merchants transact under PayFast’s acquiring relationships. This allows businesses to accept payments quickly without setting up their own merchant account with a bank.

It is ideal for businesses that want a fast, simplified route to accepting payments online.

Best suited for

• Startups and small to medium-sized businesses

• Merchants who do not have an existing acquiring relationship

• Businesses that want rapid onboarding and minimal setup

• Platforms prioritising speed over deep customisation

How it works

flowchart LR
    Merchant --> PayFast
    PayFast --> Acquirer
    Acquirer --> Card_Network

PayFast manages the payment processing, settlement, and compliance requirements on behalf of the merchant.

Key characteristics

• No separate merchant account required

• Fast onboarding and activation

• Simplified configuration via dashboard credentials

• Standardised payment flow

• Lower operational complexity

---

Gateway Integration (PayGate)

Gateway integration connects your business directly to your own acquiring bank while PayGate provides the secure payment processing layer.

This model offers greater control, configurability, and scalability for businesses with complex requirements.

Best suited for

• Medium to large enterprises

• Businesses with an existing merchant account

• Organisations requiring customised payment flows

• Merchants processing high transaction volumes

• Businesses with specific compliance or reporting needs

How it works

flowchart LR
    Merchant --> PayGate
    Merchant --> Acquirer
    PayGate --> Card_Network
    Acquirer --> Card_Network

Your acquiring bank manages settlement, while PayGate securely routes transactions between your systems and the payment networks.

Key characteristics

• Requires a merchant account with an acquiring bank

• Greater control over payment processing

• Supports advanced configurations

• Longer onboarding process

• Suitable for enterprise-scale operations

---

Aggregation vs Gateway — At a Glance

---

Which option should I choose?

Choose Aggregation (PayFast) if you want the fastest way to start accepting payments without managing your own acquiring relationship.

Choose Gateway (PayGate) if your business requires full control, advanced configurations, or already has an agreement with an acquiring bank.

If you are unsure which model applies to your account, contact your Network International representative for guidance.

Dive deeper into aggregator vs gateway integrations

---

Looking for a simpler solution?

If you’re unsure which integration model is right for you, PayFast offers several alternative ways to start accepting payments quickly — from no-code options to fully customized integrations.

Payment Request

Send payment links directly to customers via email — no website required.

Ideal for invoicing, services, or businesses without an online store.

Learn more about Payment Requests

---

Pay Now Button

Add a secure payment button to your website, blog, or email to accept payments instantly with minimal setup.

Best for simple checkout scenarios without full integration.

Learn more about Pay Now Button

---

Third-party Integrations

Connect PayFast to popular shopping carts, subscription platforms, and CMS systems using ready-made plugins.

Ideal for merchants using platforms like WordPress, WooCommerce, or other hosted solutions.

View supported plugins

---

Custom Integration

Build a fully customised payment experience using PayFast’s developer APIs and SDKs.

Best for businesses with development resources or advanced requirements.

Go to Developer Documentation

---

Next steps

Once you have selected the appropriate integration model, continue to the Quick Start Guide to begin implementation.

Proceed to the Quick Start Guide

---