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Paystack vs rano.
Paystack is a developer-friendly gateway, part of Stripe. Here’s what the same sale costs on each, from Paystack’s published rates with VAT added so both sides compare like for like.
Published rates
The headline prices. As published, checked 11 October 2026.
| Paystack | rano (VAT included) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cards | 2.9% + R1.00 excl. VAT | Cost + 1% + R0.50, about 1.93% + R0.50 on a local debit card |
| Pay by bank | 2% excl. VAT | R2.50 flat, PayShap or EFT |
| Monthly fee | None on this plan | None |
Paystack quotes its rates excluding VAT, and waives the R1 on payments under R10.
Source: Paystack’s published pricing. rano’s prices are the planned early-access prices; your fees are confirmed in your merchant agreement.
By sale size
What one sale costs. VAT included on both sides.
| Sale | Paystack, card | rano, debit card | Paystack, bank | rano, PayShap or EFT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R 50 | R 2.82 5.64% | R 1.47 2.94% | R 1.15 2.30% | R 2.50 5.00% |
| R 150 | R 6.15 4.10% | R 3.40 2.27% | R 3.45 2.30% | R 2.50 1.67% |
| R 400 | R 14.49 3.62% | R 8.22 2.05% | R 9.20 2.30% | R 2.50 0.63% |
| R 1,500 | R 51.18 3.41% | R 29.45 1.96% | R 34.50 2.30% | R 2.50 0.17% |
| R 5,000 | R 167.90 3.36% | R 97.00 1.94% | R 115.00 2.30% | R 2.50 0.05% |
Where rano costs more: bank payments under R 109 and card payments under R 10, because our fixed part is bigger than Paystack’s percentage on a small sale. Above that, the gap grows with every rand.
Where Paystack is the better choice
- Paystack processes live payments in South Africa today; rano is in early access and doesn't yet.
- Paystack operates in several African countries, so one account covers more markets.
- Paystack waives its fixed fee on payments under R10.
Where rano is different
- Every payment itemises the bank, card network and our fee
- A flat R2.50 for PayShap and EFT, whatever the amount
- No monthly, setup or exit fees
- A full test mode with simulated banks and cards
Questions
Paystack or rano?
Is rano cheaper than Paystack?
On a R400 sale by card, Paystack’s published rate comes to R 14.49 and rano’s to R 8.22, VAT included. By bank it’s R 9.20 against rano’s flat R 2.50. rano costs more on bank payments under R 109, and on card payments under R 10. These are published rates; Paystack may offer you a negotiated rate.
Does rano take live payments yet?
Not yet. rano is in early access: merchants can build against a full test mode now, and live payments start once our sponsor bank is in place and we’re registered as a payment provider. Paystack takes live payments today.
Can I move from Paystack to rano?
Yes, by integrating the rano API or using payment links and hosted checkout. There’s no minimum term, so you can run rano alongside Paystack while you move.
Why does rano show the fee split on every payment?
So you can check it. Every rano payment lists what the customer’s bank, the card network and the acquiring bank took, and what we took. Paystack, like most gateways, quotes one blended rate.
More comparisons
Other South African gateways.
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