In short: On monthly fees alone, GoTyme Bank (formerly TymeBank) charges nothing, Capitec Global One and Absa Transact charge R7.50, FNB Easy PAYU charges R8, and Discovery Bank’s Gold Transaction Account costs R35 (pay as you transact) or R170 (bundled). The monthly fee is only part of the story, though. What you pay in a month depends on how you draw cash, how many debit orders you have and how often you make instant payments. Use the table, then add up your own usual month. Fees are from each bank’s 2026 pricing and can change, so confirm on the bank’s site.
Monthly fees and cash withdrawals
| Account | Monthly fee | Cash withdrawal | Debit orders |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoTyme Bank Current Account | Free | Free with a TymeCode at Pick n Pay and Boxer; R10 per R1,000 at any SA ATM | See GoTyme fee page |
| Capitec Global One (main account) | R7.50 | R10 per R1,000 at any SA ATM | R3 each |
| Absa Transact | R7.50 | See Absa pricing guide | See Absa pricing guide |
| FNB Easy PAYU | R8 | R3 at Cash@Till; R12 per R1,000 at FNB ATMs; R12 + R2.80 per R100 at other banks’ ATMs | R3.50 external, internal free |
| FNB Easy Bundle | R77 | First R1,500 a month free at FNB ATMs and Cash@Till | Unlimited, no charge |
| Discovery Bank Gold (pay as you transact) | R35 | R5 + R2.85 per R100 at local ATMs | See Discovery fee guide |
| Discovery Bank Gold (bundled) | R170 | 4 free local ATM withdrawals, then R5 + R2.85 per R100 | Free |
Instant payments to other banks
- GoTyme: free up to R5,000; R7 flat above R5,000. Payments to other GoTyme clients are free.
- Capitec: R6 for an immediate payment to another SA bank; R1 to another Capitec client.
- FNB Easy PAYU: R3.50 for a real-time payment to another bank, R1 FNB to FNB. FNB Easy Bundle includes R1,000 of real-time payments a month at no charge.
- Absa and Discovery: check the current pricing guide for PayShap and instant payment fees.
For how long each type of payment takes, see our Capitec to Standard Bank transfer times guide.
Which account suits which person
- Mostly card and app, little cash: GoTyme’s free account is hard to beat. Read our TymeBank review for what else it offers.
- Need a branch nearby and use a few debit orders: Capitec Global One or Absa Transact at R7.50 a month.
- Many debit orders and payments each month: compare FNB Easy Bundle at R77 against paying per transaction. External debit orders cost R3.50 each on PAYU and nothing on the bundle, so count yours first.
- Want rewards and a credit facility: Discovery Bank Gold costs more, but the Vitality Money rewards can offset it if you use them.
How to work out your real monthly cost
- Pull your last three statements.
- Count debit orders, cash withdrawals (and where you made them), instant payments and prepaid purchases.
- Price that month on each bank’s pricing guide.
- Add the monthly fee and compare the totals.
Small fees add up. Four ATM withdrawals of R1,000 at R10 per R1,000 is R40 a month, more than five times the monthly fee on some accounts.
Ways to cut bank fees anywhere
- Draw cash at a till point when you buy groceries where the bank allows it.
- Use the app, not a branch. Branch-assisted transactions are often R85 or more at FNB.
- Avoid unpaid debit orders. FNB charges R8 per unpaid item on Easy, and other banks charge similar fees.
- Turn off SMS notifications if the app notifies you for free.
Still choosing a bank? See best bank in South Africa for more than just fees.
What to confirm before you switch
- The current pricing guide on the bank’s own site (most banks change fees in March or July).
- Whether you qualify. Some accounts have income or age rules.
- How to move debit orders. Most banks offer a switching service.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. Fees are VAT inclusive as published by each bank and may change. This article is general information and not financial advice.