If you’re selling online in Zimbabwe, you need to accept both EcoCash and Paynow. But if your budget or timeline only allows one integration first, here’s how to decide.
Quick comparison
EcoCash has broader reach — nearly every Zimbabwean with a phone has an EcoCash wallet. Paynow aggregates multiple payment methods (EcoCash, ZimSwitch, InnBucks, Visa/Mastercard) behind one integration, which is simpler for developers.
EcoCash direct integration
- Reach: Largest mobile money base in Zimbabwe
- Typical fee: 2% of transaction (negotiable for volume)
- Settlement: Usually same-day or next-day to your bank
- Integration time: 2–3 days for a skilled developer with API access
- Best for: Businesses whose customers are almost all on EcoCash
Paynow aggregator
- Reach: EcoCash, Visa/Mastercard, ZimSwitch, InnBucks — one integration handles all
- Typical fee: 3–4% depending on payment method
- Settlement: 2–5 business days
- Integration time: 1–2 days with their SDK
- Best for: Businesses with diverse customer payment preferences
Our recommendation for most SMEs
Start with Paynow. You get broader payment method coverage with one integration, which means fewer checkout abandonments. Add direct EcoCash later if your transaction volume justifies the lower fee.
If you’re building an e-commerce site
WooCommerce has official plugins for both. Magento, Shopify, and custom-built carts need the REST API integrated manually — budget ~US$500–800 for professional integration of either.
We’ve integrated both into dozens of Zimbabwean e-commerce sites. Talk to us about adding payments to your site.