Alfa Payment Gateway vs PayFast
When comparing Alfa Payment Gateway and PayFast, both support ecommerce businesses in Pakistan. Alfa Payment Gateway offers 4 payment methods including Visa, whereas PayFast offers 6 payment methods.
Quick Verdict
Choose Alfa Payment Gateway if you need features like Mastercard. Choose PayFast if your priority is developer-friendly APIs and specific ecommerce integrations.
Detailed Comparison Table
| Feature | Alfa Payment Gateway | PayFast |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bank Gateway | Payment Gateway |
| Pricing | Setup and annual maintenance fees apply. Card MDR varies between 2.0% - 2.5% depending on negotiations. | Setup fee applies. Per transaction MDR ranges from 2.5% to 3.0% for cards depending on the merchant agreement. |
| Settlement | Next working day (T+1) for Bank Alfalah accounts. | T+2 to T+3 working days directly to the registered merchant bank account. |
| International Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | ||
| Payment Methods |
Alfa Payment Gateway Advantages
- Strong coverage of local wallets and bank transfers.
- Regulated SBP payment infrastructure.
- Well-known across the Pakistani market.
PayFast Advantages
- Focuses on developer-friendly API experiences.
- Optimized checkout flows designed for higher conversion.
- Simple and transparent fee structure.
Alfa Payment Gateway Limitations
- Onboarding may take time due to compliance requirements.
- Integration might require technical intervention.
PayFast Limitations
- May have fewer legacy bank transfer options.
- Requires careful setup for international routing if supported.
Business Suitability
Both Alfa Payment Gateway and PayFast are suitable for registered businesses in Pakistan. If your customer base leans heavily towards mobile wallets, verify the direct coverage offered by each. For pure credit card volume, evaluate the MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) against your average order value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Alfa Payment Gateway or PayFast?
Pricing varies by business volume and agreement. Alfa Payment Gateway charges Setup and annual maintenance fees apply. Card MDR varies between 2.0% - 2.5% depending on negotiations. while PayFast charges Setup fee applies. Per transaction MDR ranges from 2.5% to 3.0% for cards depending on the merchant agreement.. You should request a custom quote from both.