#5
Rank
7.9/10
Our Score
Loan Conditions
Amount
R500 – R4 000
Term
5 days – 1 month
Interest Rate
29.25%
First Loan Free
No
Minimal Age
18+
PrimeLoans Loan Calculator
Monthly Payment
R2 073
Total Repayment
R4 147
Total Interest
R147
Estimate for PrimeLoans. Actual amounts may differ based on fees and your credit profile.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓ 29.25% per annum interest rate is on the lower end for short term lending in South Africa
- ✓ Loan terms as short as 5 days, which means you can borrow only for what you actually need
- ✓ Straightforward online application with no branch visit required
- ✓ Ranked 5th out of 37 lenders in our analysis, which reflects a generally reliable service
- ✓ R4,000 maximum is enough to cover most short term emergency gaps
Disadvantages
- ✗ Trust score of 4.1 out of 10 based on customer reviews we collected is genuinely low and hard to ignore
- ✗ No first-loan-free offer, which several competitors do provide
- ✗ Maximum of R4,000 won't help if you need anything beyond a small cash gap
- ✗ 35-day maximum term gives you very little room if payday is further away than expected
About PrimeLoans
If you need R2,000 by Friday and you've already ruled out asking family, PrimeLoans is one of the options sitting in the middle of our rankings. Not the cheapest. Not the fastest. But decent enough to be worth a look if you need a small, short term cash injection between R500 and R4,000.
They operate in the short term lending space, which means terms run from as short as 5 days up to 35 days. That's the kind of product designed for a specific problem: you're short before payday, you need a buffer, and you'll pay it back when your salary hits. It's not meant for long term financial planning, and you shouldn't treat it that way.
We rated PrimeLoans 7.9 out of 10, which puts them at number 5 out of 37 lenders we've reviewed. Solid, not spectacular.
How Does PrimeLoans Work?
1. Go to primeloans.co.za and use the slider to choose your loan amount between R500 and R4,000, then select a repayment term between 5 and 35 days.
2. Fill in the online application with your personal details, employment information, and banking details. This usually takes around 10 minutes.
3. Upload your required documents, including recent payslips and bank statements, directly through the site.
4. PrimeLoans reviews your application and runs an affordability assessment as required under the National Credit Act. Approval decisions typically come through within a few hours during business hours.
5. If approved, funds are transferred to your bank account. Timing depends on your bank, but same-day or next-day payment is common for applications submitted in the morning.
Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older with a valid South African ID
- Proof of regular income, either a payslip or proof of salary deposit
- 3 months of bank statements showing salary credits
- An active South African bank account in your own name
- A working South African mobile number for verification
- Proof of residence not older than 3 months
Who Is PrimeLoans Best For?
PrimeLoans works best for employed South Africans with a regular salary who need a small, short term cash advance to cover an unexpected expense before their next payday. If you can comfortably repay the full amount within 35 days, this product makes sense. It's not the right fit for someone looking for a longer repayment window or a larger loan amount.
Is PrimeLoans Safe & Legit?
PrimeLoans operates as a registered credit provider under the National Credit Act. That means they are required to run affordability assessments before approving any loan and must disclose all fees and interest upfront. As a borrower, you have the right to approach a registered debt counsellor if you find yourself in financial difficulty. We recommend verifying their NCR registration number on the NCR's official website before you apply, which takes about two minutes.
Registered Credit Provider (NCR)
Our Full Review
Let's start with the number that actually matters to your wallet. PrimeLoans charges 29.25% per annum. On a R2,000 loan over 30 days, that works out to interest of roughly R48. So your total repayment sits at around R2,048 before any initiation fees or service charges are added. That's actually a reasonable rate by short term lending standards in South Africa, where some lenders will hit you with rates that are significantly higher. The rate alone is not the problem here.
The problem is the trust score. Based on the 213 customer reviews we collected, PrimeLoans scored 4.1 out of 10. That is low. It puts them well below the average for lenders in our database. The complaints we saw most often touched on communication during the application process and delays that weren't explained clearly. That's worth taking seriously.
So is the 7.9 overall score from us contradicting the customer score? Not exactly. Our rating weighs the rate, the loan terms, the product structure, and the regulatory standing together. A lender can price their product fairly and still frustrate customers with their service. Both things can be true.
The loan range of R500 to R4,000 is narrow but honest. It tells you exactly who this product is for. Short term, small amounts, specific problem. And the 5-day minimum term is genuinely useful if you're 5 days from payday and just need a bridge.
The application is fully online, which is standard now. But given the customer feedback, go in with your documents ready and follow up if you don't hear back within a few hours.
Our verdict: PrimeLoans is a reasonably priced short term lender with a trust score that gives us pause. Worth considering, but go in with your eyes open.
User Reviews (213)
Average rating: 2.7/5
Loan got approved on 14March 2026, debicheck mandate approve but still today no funds reflect in my bank account
Loan got approved on 14March 2026, debicheck mandate approve but still today no funds reflect in my bank account.poor service delivery.via email spoke to a consultant,Jack but till today no responds😡
Double Debit
Good morning my name is Charlotte MoyoID number **********083. I spoke to Shanice Friday about a double debit that was done in my account. she promised to come back to me in an hour but never did. An amount of R1490.85 was deducted which was the correct amount then an amount of R1619.86. Please can I have a refund for this amount. I have been trying to get a hold of someone to help me but have not had a response since this morning, Not on your chatline, or e-mails. service is pathetic to say the least. You take people's money I think I am going to reach put to the ombudsman. I want my money.
Refund
I made a payment on the 4th of March 2026 . However they debited on the 13th , I need my refund back , I can’t make any call going through to their company they are not responding to my emails
Excellent service
The best service ever! quick service and very trustworthy thank you so much.
They are exceptional
They are exceptional. Their responses are swift and provide excellent customer service and support.
Satisfied customer
My issues were resolved very quickly. Glad that I was called and assisted.
Primeloans
I have been using the service since October. When I app**** in January, my application was declined. I app**** for R500 on February 28, and soon after, I began receiving emails and SMS messages stating that my account has been handed over to Landau. They called me, and I informed them that I do not have any outstanding balance of R2203, except for the R500 loan that is due on March 27 this month. I have been trying to call Primeloans but cannot get through, and my emails go unanswered. Even the chatbot has not responded. I am feeling very frustrated and disappointed.
*****ulent account
I’ve never app**** for any loan especially not with a payday loan company. When I check on my credit profile, you’ve listed me as a customer. How was this loan approved without even contacting me. Your call center is designed not to accept calls from people and I’ve also sent 2 emails a month ago, still no reply. In 48 hours, I will be escalating this matter to the ombudsman
Satisfied customer.
I am so happy that my issue got resolved efficiently after posting here on this platform. The efficiency I got was so amazing. The agent who took my call, whose name is Vuyo, was calm and empathetic, and I did not even have to wait longer than 20 minutes. They were returning calls and apologized profusely. They said they were having technical issues. I just wish that they can communicate when they are having issues. Thank you so much, Primeloans.
Worried and scared Prime loans customer
I am not happy with Prime loans at all. I app**** with them last week friday accepted the debit order mandate, but nothing. I called them more than 20 times now. I sent countless emails to them. At first, for them to send me the madate an agent called Sinazo assisted me. She was efficient after her call got the link for the mandate accepted. Then, I called again and received no response; I would be on call waiting for the call to be picked up. After 3 minutes, the call would drop. On Monday, 02/03/2026, A Brent responded to my email said they are having technical issues. Their website has been down since Friday. The debit order mandate is active. Are they still in business? I am worried. I am actually literally freaking ourt can someone please help, advise please. I am sitting, not sure if I was ****med, approved for a loan, or they are really having an issue. I also went on their live chant sent them screenshots of the legging webiste no response. I find this very unproffessional and it is worrying me at this point. Gosh, I have their live debit order mandate with me that I can not dispute because they do not pick up.
NO STATEMENTS NO PAID UP LETTER
I am still waiting for my statement, As I have made a payment and Used my ID Number as the reference number as per the instruction on the settlement letter I received from PrimeLoans. It’s been 2 weeks now still no statements showing any outstanding amount.
Happy Customer
They helped me when I needed help, and they were very quick. It took them about 45 minutes. But you are not answering your phones and emails. How do we change the cell phone numbers? If possible, can someone please help here.
Awesome service
Awesome service from Donnay. Great talking and working with you over the phone
I don't know how you feeling weak up every day just to Rob people hard earnings
No worries prime****ers today is your last day to do the right thing I app**** remember last week Friday morning even today yet no help no response but the debit order is active and I haven't received any funds today is your last day, am going to my bank to withdrawa bank statement as a proof that I haven't received any payment from you and close the bank card take the statement to the police station as a prove then me and you will see each other in court, you think that you smart enough guys and you not good will deal with you.
Financial ****mers of the poor
Definitely they but about to help people but **** them,Last week Friday I paid them using Capitec pay but still they set off a debit order.now they not answering my calls or emails so that they can reverse my money.They take people’s money and go into hiding.Lost over R300 airtime calling them and they not picking up.Now i will hand over everything to the SA police cause most definitely they stole my money!!!!
Bad service
Here I thought I was the only 1. Seems like most of us app**** on Friday. I sent a mail, no response. I was on their live chat today and was told money will be paid in by 8pm. Still nothing. Not a first time client but very dissapointed.
Bad loan services
I app**** for a loan last week Friday submitted all the paper work debit order was set I appreciate the approved the debit order check on my app up until today no answer mor money in my account I called,emails more then 10 times to find out what's going on but no answer I am not gonna pay for anything I didn't receive this is the first time I've experienced such poor service from them
No response
I’ve been taking loans from Primeloans monthly and paying on time On Friday 27 February 2026 my loan was paid up and I reapp****. I had an error during the application and since was unable to complete the application. I then tried contacting them on their support number without anyone answering and sent multiple emails to their accounts and support mail with no response. I also tried calling Lendplus which I believe works with them and they keep giving me the same number that doesn’t work. I left my number for someone to call me back since last week but no response.
Complete lack of communication - stuck on "Approval Pending" for days
I see there's many other similar complaints, and of course Prime Loans don't respond on any of them. Why would they? They didn't reply on the 10 or so emails I sent... They don't respond on their live chats, they don't have an option to speak to someone from the phone call options. I also app**** on the 27th February for a loan, which apparently was approved immediately, and they said must confirm debi check at Capitec, which I did immediately after. The Debi check was approved and does show on my app as approved. BUT, since last week Thursday when I log into my Prime account, it shows Debi check approval pending, and keep looping the whole time since Thursday up until today. They keep bombing me with sms and e-mail daily telling me to approve the Debi check (which was already done and confirmed on Thursday). Bit there's no way to communicate my problem described here. I once got a phonecall and thought it was a person, bit when I started explaining my problem I realised I am speaking tona programmed AI robot, not giving me an option to speak to someone amd jut dropping the call. I must have sent 10 e-mails, attempted about as much phone calls, completely finishing my cellphone air time, then I attempted to phone on a landline, but they just say I have to phone from the phone number I registered with. Which I can't because my attempts deleted my air time. When you call them, they give you 4 or 5 different options, none of which is to speak to an operator. So there's absolutely no way to communicate with these people and with an approved Debi check without any funds paid to me, I expect them to debit at the end of the month. There's also no way to cancel the loan, as whenever you log in it shows a looping pending image, of which I sent them several screenshots with my e-mails to a totally unresponsive email address. These people made very sure you can't contact them. I see they don't respond here at all so I just posted this complaint as a warning to prospective customers of the pathetic service. Beware: once you got some problems you can't speak to anyone amd your emails will conveniently be totally ignored. Horrible horrible inexistent customer service and communication. I never thought I'd said it, but they even worse than MTN and Cell C. I suggest also to put a review on Trust Pilot and all social media.
Fustrated customer
Ive app**** for a loan here Friday 27/02/2026 , same day i got a msg that my money was paid later that day , nothing was paid in mt bank account till date , ive been asked to email neccesary documents as prove that the funds were paid and i have , still no feedback ...this is so frustrating i cannot payback something that i have even used
Showing 20 of 213 reviews
Contact PrimeLoans
Website: https://primeloans.co.za/
Affordable repayments A fresh approach with PrimeLoans Simple and quick solution
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I borrow from PrimeLoans?
PrimeLoans offers loans from R500 up to R4,000. The amount you're approved for will depend on your income and the affordability assessment they run as required by the NCA. It's a small loan product, so don't expect anything beyond that ceiling.
What interest rate does PrimeLoans charge?
PrimeLoans charges 29.25% per annum. For context, that's on the lower end of what short term lenders in South Africa typically charge. Some competitors charge significantly more, so the rate here is actually one of PrimeLoans' stronger points.
How fast does PrimeLoans pay out?
PrimeLoans aims to process applications and pay out on the same day if you apply during business hours and your documents are in order. In practice, next-day payment is common. Your bank's processing times also play a role.
Is PrimeLoans registered with the NCR?
PrimeLoans states they operate as a registered credit provider under the National Credit Act. We recommend confirming their registration directly on the NCR's website at ncr.org.za before you apply. It takes two minutes and it's always worth checking.
Can I get a PrimeLoans loan with bad credit?
It's possible, but not guaranteed. PrimeLoans, like all NCR-registered lenders, must run an affordability check. A poor credit record will reduce your chances of approval and may limit the amount you can borrow. It's honest to say there are no guarantees here.
What documents do I need?
You'll need your South African ID, a recent payslip, 3 months of bank statements, proof of residence not older than 3 months, and an active South African bank account in your name. Having these ready before you start will speed things up.