Short Term Loans Online South Africa

Looking for short term loans in South Africa? On our site you can compare trusted lenders like Lime, PrimeLoans, FinPug, Dengoo, Crezu, and LendPlus. Whether you need urgent approval, loans for bad credit, or options for unemployed borrowers, find the right offer in minutes.

Fast Approval – 5 minute loans
No Credit Check – low credit accepted
Trusted Lenders – verified & reliable
Same-Day Payouts – get cash today
Flexible Amounts – choose your loan
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Best offer of the month

Top Pick for New Borrowers in South Africa

Lime Editor's Choice

5/5
  • Amount: up to R8000
  • Interest rate: From 0% on first loan
  • Term: up to90 days
  • Approval: Any credit score
First Loan 0%

All credit institutions

PrimeLoans

4/5
  • Amount: up to R4000
  • Rate: from 0.5% per day
  • Term: up to 90 days
  • Approval: any credit history
Low interest rate

FinPug

3.5/5
  • Amount: up to R250000
  • Rate: From 0% on first loan
  • Term: up to 60 months
  • Approval: any credit history
New Loan Provider 2025

Dengoo

5/5
  • Amount: up to R350000
  • Rate: from 0.01% per day
  • Term: up to 365 days
  • Approval: any credit history
Large amounts

Crezu

3.5/5
  • Amount: up to R350000
  • Rate: from 0.03% per day
  • Term: up to 72 months
  • Approval: any credit history
New Loan Provider 2025

LendPlus

2.5/5
  • Amount: up to R4000
  • Rate: From 0% on first loan
  • Term: up to 90 days
  • Approval: any credit history
First loan 0%

Lime

5/5
  • Amount: up to R8000
  • Rate: From 0% on first loan
  • Term: up to 90 days
  • Approval: any credit history
First Loan 0%

Payday Loans

Payday loans are designed for urgent expenses that cannot wait until your next salary. They are usually smaller, short-term amounts that you repay in one payment or over a few instalments. In South Africa, lenders like FinPug, Crezu, and LendPlus make payday loans available fully online, with same-day payouts and minimal paperwork. These loans are suitable for covering medical bills, car repairs, rent, or other emergency costs.

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No Credit Check

Some payday loan providers, including FinPug and Crezu, do not require a full credit bureau check. Instead, they focus on your current income and repayment capacity. This makes them a popular choice for blacklisted borrowers or those with low credit scores. LendPlus also specialises in bad credit loans, offering smaller initial amounts with the option to increase limits after successful repayment.

Compare Lenders
Lender Max Loan Term Credit Check Key Feature
Lime R12,000 Up to 6 mo No 1-hour approval
PrimeLoans R7,000 Up to 2 mo Yes 15-min average approval time
FinPug R5,000 Up to 3 mo No No hidden fees
Dengoo R15,000 Up to 6 mo Yes Same-day payouts
Crezu R8,000 Up to 4 mo No Compare multiple offers
LendPlus R10,000 Up to 6 mo No Special for bad credit
Loan terms and amounts icon with document, rand symbol and calendar

Loan Terms & Amounts

Lime provides up to 6 months to repay. Dengoo and PrimeLoans offer repayment from a few weeks to several months, giving borrowers more control over instalments.

Typical ranges:

  • New clients: from R500 to R5,000
  • Repeat clients: up to R15,000 with a positive repayment record
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Fast Approval – 1-Hour Loans

Lime and FinPug approve most applications in under an hour with minimal documentation — only ID, proof of income, and bank account needed.

Dengoo and PrimeLoans often transfer approved funds within the same business day, depending on your bank.

Useful Facts for Choosing a Lender

  • Check the total cost — compare both interest rates and fees (initiation, monthly service).
  • Credit history impact — some lenders perform soft checks that don’t affect your score.
  • Approval speed — if you need money urgently, look for 15–60 minute approval times.
  • Repayment flexibility — choose weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedules.
  • Maximum amount — higher limits are often for repeat clients with good repayment records.
  • Online convenience — all six lenders offer paperless applications via smartphone.
  • Blacklisted borrowers — LendPlus and Crezu are more likely to approve these cases.
  • Early repayment — many lenders allow it without penalties, saving on interest.
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Customer Reviews

I applied with Lime for R8,000. Got approval in 45 minutes and funds the same afternoon. Chose a 4-month repayment plan, and it fit my budget perfectly.

FinPug approved my payday loan of R3,500 in 20 minutes. No hidden charges, and I cleared it in two months.

When my car broke down, Dengoo sent R12,000 to my account in less than a day. Their customer service explained all costs upfront.

Crezu matched me with multiple offers. I picked the best rate and got R6,000 the same day.

I was blacklisted, but LendPlus still approved R5,000 with a flexible 5-month plan. Now my credit score is improving.

Loans FAQ – short term loans in South Africa

FAQ

Can I get a loan if I’m blacklisted or have a bad credit score?

Yes. In South Africa, lenders like LendPlus and Crezu often approve applicants with bad credit or those who are blacklisted. They focus on your current income and affordability instead of past credit history. Initial loan amounts for blacklisted borrowers are usually smaller (R1,000–R5,000) and can increase after successful repayments.

How fast can I get the money after applying?

Most lenders process applications in 15–60 minutes. For example, PrimeLoans typically approves in 15 minutes, while Lime and FinPug can finalise approval and payout within 1 hour. Same-day payouts are available for most South African banks if you apply during business hours.

What documents are required for online loan approval?

You need a valid South African ID, proof of income (recent payslip or 3 months’ bank statements), and an active South African bank account. Many lenders, such as FinPug and Crezu, allow you to submit these documents electronically, making the process 100% paperless.

What is the typical repayment period for short term loans?

Repayment periods range from 1 month to 6 months, depending on the lender and loan type. PrimeLoans and FinPug often provide loans up to 3 months, while Lime, LendPlus, and Dengoo offer up to 6 months for larger amounts. Always choose a term that matches your repayment capacity to avoid extra fees or penalties.

Are there loans for unemployed people in South Africa?

Yes, but eligibility depends on showing an alternative source of income, such as freelance work, rental income, or a pension. Lenders like FinPug and Crezu consider such cases and may offer smaller amounts (R500–R3,000) with short repayment terms.

Will applying for a loan affect my credit score?

Many lenders use a “soft” credit check, which does not affect your score. However, missing payments or defaulting will be reported to credit bureaus and can lower your score. Repaying on time, on the other hand, can improve your credit profile over time.