Integration Comparison

The table below compares the various integration methods and tools offered by PayFast.

Please keep in mind that these methods/options are NOT mutually exclusive. That is to say, that more than one method can be used at a time (and normally is).

The fundamental methods used to process payments through PayFast are: Request Money, Pay Now Buttons and Website Payments. Payment Data Transfer (PDT) and Instant Transaction Notification (ITN) are extensions to these which provide enhanced security and reliability.

A standard eCommerce site would typically implement Website Payments in conjunction with ITN. (This is the way our provided payment modules have been written). A small trader or regular user would typically use the Request Money feature or Pay Now buttons.

Request Money Pay Now
Buttons		 Website
Payments		 PDT ITN
Audience
Experience level required Website Basic HTML API Programming API Programming API Programming
Intended for Any User Any User eCommerce Merchant eCommerce Merchant eCommerce Merchant
No Development Required Yes Yes No No No
eCommerce
Can be used with eCommerce engines No Maybe Yes Yes Yes
Payment modules available (More info) - - Yes Yes Yes
Reliability
Immune to connection interruptions - - No No Yes
Security
256 bit encryption Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
3D Secure (More info) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes