PlaytoPaddle alternative · South Africa · 2026
Paddle alternative in South Africa: keep $9,995 of $10,000
The cheapest way in the world to get paid internationally.
On a $10,000 bank transfer payment from a client in the United States to a business in South Africa, Paddle takes at least $350.00 in fees. Some of its fees are not published. Playto takes $5.00 and adds zero markup, so you keep $9,995.00. The table below also shows PayPal, Dodo Payments, Lemon Squeezy and 2Checkout.
No monthly fees. No setup fees. Lowest price guarantee.
Fees on $10,000 by bank transfer
- PaddleYou receive $9,650.00 at most≥ $350.00
- PlaytoYou receive $9,995.00$5.00
The numbers
What lands in your bank
Example payments from a client in the United States to a business in South Africa. All fees included. Taxes not included.
- Difference on $10,000
- ≥ $345.00
- By bank transfer, what reaches you with Playto compared with Paddle (not all its fees are published, so at least this).
- Paddle all in
- ≥ $350.00
- Of a $10,000 bank transfer payment.
- Playto all in
- $5.00
- On a $10,000 bank transfer.
- Ways to pay
- 30+
- From 170+ countries.
| Provider | $1,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playto | $974.70 | $4,874.70 | $9,749.70 |
| Paddle1,2 | ≤ $949.50 | ≤ $4,749.50 | ≤ $9,499.50 |
| PayPal4,5,6 | ≤ $955.70 | ≤ $4,779.70 | ≤ $9,559.70 |
| Dodo Payments7 | ≤ $959.60 | ≤ $4,799.60 | ≤ $9,599.60 |
| Lemon Squeezy8,9 | $940.00 | $4,702.00 | $9,404.50 |
| 2Checkout10,11,12 | ≤ $929.65 | ≤ $4,709.65 | ≤ $9,434.65 |
| Provider | $1,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playto | $995.00 | $4,995.00 | $9,995.00 |
| Paddle2,3 | ≤ $965.00 | ≤ $4,825.00 | ≤ $9,650.00 |
| PayPal | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Dodo Payments7 | ≤ $985.00 | ≤ $4,985.00 | ≤ $9,985.00 |
| Lemon Squeezy9 | $940.00 | $4,702.00 | $9,404.50 |
| 2Checkout11,12,13 | ≤ $929.65 | ≤ $4,709.65 | ≤ $9,434.65 |
- 1.Paddle: Paddle Checkout fee. www.paddle.com/pricing, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 2.Paddle: Conversion of your USD balance to ZAR when it sends the money, up to 1.5% (not published). www.paddle.com/help/manage/get-paid/is-there-a-fee-taken-for-payouts, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 3.Paddle: Fee on a Paddle invoice paid by bank transfer. www.paddle.com/legal/terms, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 4.PayPal: Payment fee for a client outside South Africa. www.paypal.com/za/business/paypal-business-fees, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 5.PayPal: Conversion to ZAR by PayPal's local partner (not published). www.paypal.com/ng/cshelp/article/what-is-the-third-party-partner-service--help1010, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 6.PayPal: FNB withdrawal fee (not published). www.paypal.com/za/legalhub/paypal/useragreement-full, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 7.Dodo Payments: Card or wallet fee; Dodo Payments: ACH Direct Debit fee (charged instead of the card fee). dodopayments.com/pricing, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 8.Lemon Squeezy: Platform fee. www.lemonsqueezy.com/pricing, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 9.Lemon Squeezy: Transfer fee to a bank outside the US; Lemon Squeezy: Platform fee (same for ACH bank debits). docs.lemonsqueezy.com/help/getting-started/fees, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 10.2Checkout: 2Sell fee per sale. www.2checkout.com/pricing/, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 11.2Checkout: Cross-border fee (South Africa is not exempt). docs.2checkout.com/product-catalog/product-catalog/pricing-and-charge-scenarios/cross-border-payments-fee-charges, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 12.2Checkout: Wire transfer fee for USD to your bank (one a month). docs.2checkout.com/get-started/getting-started/payouts, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 13.2Checkout: 2Sell fee per sale (also on wire-paid orders). docs.2checkout.com/payments/payments/payment-methods, checked 17 Oct 2026.
Where the money goes
$10,000 by bank transfer, line by line
Paddle
- Fee on a Paddle invoice paid by bank transfer3$350.00
- Conversion of your USD balance to ZAR when it sends the money, up to 1.5%2Not published
- Total (at least)$350.00
- You receive (at most)$9,650.00
Some fees on this route aren't published, so this is the least it can cost.
Playto
- Bank transfer fee$5.00
- Total$5.00
- You receive$9,995.00
Prices from playto.so/pricing. Playto adds zero markup.
Getting paid in South Africa
The basics, with sources
Public facts from official sources, each with its date. Not advice: check with your bank.
Local bank payments
The South African Reserve Bank owns and runs SAMOS, which settles payments between banks, from large single payments to batches of everyday payments.
Source: www.resbank.co.za, checked 17 Oct 2026.
Money rules
South Africa still has exchange controls, and the South African Reserve Bank runs them day to day. It appoints banks as Authorised Dealers, which gives them the right to buy and sell foreign currency.
Source: www.resbank.co.za, checked 17 Oct 2026.
Foreign currency accounts
A South African company that serves clients abroad and is paid in foreign currency may hold a Customer Foreign Currency (CFC) account at its bank. It can keep the money there without changing it into rand, but the rule to bring the money back to South Africa still applies.
Source: www.resbank.co.za, checked 17 Oct 2026.
Exchange rate, for scale
1 USD = 16.393 ZAR (US Treasury reference rate, 30 Sept 2026). The rate on the day of a payment will differ.
Source: fiscaldata.treasury.gov.
Calculator
Try your own amount
From $1,000 to $50,000, by card or bank transfer, for a client in the United States paying a business in South Africa.
Fees charged
- PaddleYou receive $9,650.00 at most≥ $350.00
- PlaytoYou receive $9,995.00$5.00
Side by side
Paddle and Playto, in plain numbers
What adds to the cost with Paddle
- All in, Paddle takes $500.50 or more (5.0%) of a $10,000 card payment. Playto takes $250.30.
- Some Paddle fees for card payments are not published, so the real cost can be higher.
- All in, Paddle takes $350.00 or more (3.5%) of a $10,000 bank transfer payment. Playto takes $5.00.
- Some Paddle fees for bank transfer payments are not published, so the real cost can be higher.
When Paddle is still the right choice
- Your clients pay you inside your own country. A local payment method can cost less there. Playto is built for clients abroad.
Switching
Move from Paddle in three steps
- 1
Request an invite
Tell us about your business. Playto checks every business before it gets in.
- 2
Send a payment link
Share a link or an invoice. Your client can pay 30+ ways, from 170+ countries.
- 3
Get paid
Cards cost 2.5% + $0.30. Bank transfers are never more than $5. Playto adds zero markup.
FAQ
Paddle alternative in South Africa: questions
Is Playto cheaper than Paddle in South Africa?
What are the alternatives to Paddle for a business in South Africa?
How does a business in South Africa get paid from abroad?
How much does Paddle charge on a $10,000 payment from the United States?
How much does Playto cost?
How do I move from Paddle to Playto?
Keep comparing
Related pages
Get paid by global clients
Get paid by clients abroad with zero markup
Cards cost 2.5% + $0.30. Bank transfers are never more than $5. Your client can pay 30+ ways, from 170+ countries.
No monthly fees. No setup fees. Lowest price guarantee.