Head-to-Head Specification Audit
Shopify vs Paystack
E-Commerce Developers · South Africa
Specification Matrix
| Metric | Shopify | Paystack |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $29/mo | CustomBetter |
| API Rate Limit | 2 req/min | 200 req/minBetter |
| Target Country | South Africa | South Africa |
| Category | E-Commerce Platform | Payments |
| Compliance | GDPR, CCPA, PCI-DSS | POPIA, PCI-DSS |
| Hosting Regions | US, EU, AU | ZA, NG, GH, KE |
| Native Integrations | 7 listedBetter | 5 listed |
Shopify — Key Specs
- ✓Storefront API supports headless commerce with any frontend framework
- ✓Checkout extensibility via UI Extensions — no more checkout.liquid hacks
- ✓Built-in ZAR currency support and PayFast/Peach Payments gateway integration
- ✓Webhooks for 50+ event types with automatic retry on delivery failure
Paystack — Key Specs
- ✓Zero monthly fee
- ✓ZAR + NGN + GHS natively
- ✓POPIA-compliant
- ✓Fastest checkout in Africa (3-tap)
- ✓Instant bank account verification
- ✓Acquired by Stripe — global reliability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cheaper, Shopify or Paystack?+
Paystack starts at $0/mo, which is lower than Shopify at $29/mo.
Which tool is better for compliance — Shopify or Paystack?+
Both support PCI-DSS. Shopify additionally supports GDPR, CCPA. Paystack additionally supports POPIA.
Is Shopify or Paystack compliant with South Africa's POPIA?+
Paystack supports POPIA compliance. Shopify does not list POPIA as a supported framework.
Which has a higher API rate limit — Shopify or Paystack?+
Paystack has a higher API rate limit at 200 requests per minute. Shopify: 2 req/min. Paystack: 200 req/min.
Which tool is better suited for South Africa?+
Shopify is evaluated for E-Commerce Developers in South Africa with hosting regions: US, EU, AU. Paystack has hosting regions: ZA, NG, GH, KE. For data residency in South Africa, check each vendor's data processing agreements.
Data last verified: 25 June 2026
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