Side-by-side comparison of South Africa's leading short-term lenders — amounts, fees, payout speed, and eligibility. All lenders are NCR-registered. Compare before you apply.
| Lender | Loan amount | Term | Payout speed | Payslip required | NCR registered | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wonga | R500 – R4,000 | 7 days – 6 months | Same day | Yes (or bank statements) | ✅ Yes | Established direct lender |
| Fasta Loans | R500 – R8,000 | 1 – 6 months | Same/next day | Yes (or bank statements) | ✅ Yes | Fast turnaround, larger amounts |
| Lime Loans | R500 – R8,000 | 1 – 12 months | Same/next day | Yes (or bank statements) | ✅ Yes | Flexible terms, repeat borrowers |
| Uapply | Varies by lender | Varies | Varies by lender | Yes | ✅ Yes | Comparing multiple lenders at once |
* Loan amounts and terms are indicative. Final amounts depend on affordability assessment, credit profile and income. Always confirm current terms on the lender's website.
Wonga is one of South Africa's most established online short-term lenders, operating since 2012. Fully automated decisioning, transparent fee structure, and a clear online application process. Best for borrowers who want a direct lender with a long track record.
Fasta positions itself as a speed-first lender. Applications are processed quickly using bank statement analysis. Good option for borrowers who need funds within the business day and can meet standard income requirements.
Lime Loans offers slightly longer terms than most short-term lenders — up to 12 months — which reduces the monthly repayment burden. Competitive rates and a clean online application process. Good for borrowers who need a slightly bigger amount spread over more months.
Uapply is a loan comparison platform rather than a direct lender. You submit one application and get matched to multiple lenders simultaneously. Useful if you want broader options or are unsure which lender suits your profile best.
Choose a direct lender with same-day payout — Wonga or Fasta. Apply before noon on a business day for the best chance of same-day funds.
Lime Loans offers terms up to 12 months. Longer terms mean smaller monthly payments but more total interest — calculate the full cost before deciding.
Uapply matches you across multiple lenders — increasing your chances of finding one that fits your credit profile. Consider our low credit score loans guide.
Short-term personal loans are not designed for business use. See our Merchant Capital business funding page or the business funding guide.
The cheapest option depends on the amount and term. Always compare the total repayment amount — not just the advertised rate. Lime and Fasta are competitive on smaller amounts. Use the table above as a starting point then read the full reviews for accurate fee detail.
Most NCR-registered lenders accept 3 months of bank statements as an alternative to a formal payslip. This is useful for self-employed borrowers or those in the informal sector. Confirm the specific requirement on the lender's application page.
Keep your bank statements clean in the months before applying. Borrow only what you need. Apply with lenders whose profile matches yours — if you have a lower credit score, use a multi-lender option like Uapply rather than applying to multiple direct lenders individually.
Hard credit enquiries can temporarily affect your score. Many lenders do a soft check first. The lender will disclose which type of check applies before you complete a full application. Avoid applying to multiple direct lenders simultaneously — each hard enquiry is visible to other lenders.
Most direct short-term lenders cap new customers at R4,000–R8,000. Returning customers with strong repayment history may qualify for more. For amounts above R10,000, a personal loan from a bank or a business funding product may be more appropriate.