SimplyBLU Review (2026): Standard Bank's Online Store and Payments Platform
Updated October 2026
SimplyBLU is Standard Bank's all-in-one payments and business management platform for small businesses. In 2026 it includes card machines, a merchant app and a web portal for reports and stock. It also has a free Online Store Builder for Standard Bank merchants that accepts card and QR payments and lets you send payment links and e-invoices. It suits Standard Bank merchants who mainly sell in person and want a simple online add-on. If your main business is an online store that you want to grow, Shopify or WooCommerce with a local payment gateway still gives you more flexibility.
We first reviewed SimplyBLU in June 2019, shortly after Standard Bank launched it as a paid eCommerce platform. It has changed a lot since then, so this review has been fully updated with the current features, pricing and our view on who should use it.
SimplyBLU at a glance: 2019 vs 2026
| 2019 (at launch) | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An eCommerce website platform with a built-in payment gateway | A payments and business management platform with card machines, an app, a web portal and an online store builder |
| Online store cost | R500 set-up fee plus R575 a month (excl. VAT) | Online Store Builder is free for Standard Bank merchants |
| Transaction fees | 2.6% | Negotiated per business. Not published |
| Payment methods | Credit card and Masterpass only | Card and QR payments, plus payment links and e-invoices |
| In-person sales | Not included | Card machines from R1,299 (excl. VAT) |
| Stock and reporting | Basic | Inventory, sales reports and customer insights in the app and web portal |
2026 details come from Standard Bank's SimplyBLU page and its Merchant Solutions pricing brochure for 2026. Check the latest terms with Standard Bank before you sign up.
What is SimplyBLU in 2026?
Standard Bank relaunched it in October 2024 as a platform that brings payments, stock management and online selling together. The Online Store Builder was announced in November 2025. The platform now has four main parts:
- Online Store Builder: a mobile-friendly online store you can set up without a developer. Customers can pay by card or QR code.
- Payment links and e-invoices: send a secure link or an invoice with a "Pay Now" button by SMS or email.
- Merchant app: manage stock, track sales, issue refunds and see customer insights on Android and iOS.
- Web portal and card machines: desktop reporting, bulk stock uploads and Android card machines with a built-in barcode scanner for in-person sales.
How much does SimplyBLU cost in 2026?
Standard Bank describes SimplyBLU as free to use. You pay for card machines if you need them, plus transaction fees. These are the figures in its 2026 pricing brochure, effective from 1 January 2026:
| Item | Price (excl. VAT) | Price (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| SimplyBLU platform and Online Store Builder | Free for Standard Bank merchants | Free |
| SimplyBLU Pro card machine (once-off) | R1,999 | R2,298.85 |
| SimplyBLU Pocket card machine (once-off) | R1,299 | R1,493.85 |
| Monthly minimum merchant fee (card machines) | R399 | R458.85 |
| Set-up fee for new sign-ups | None | None |
| Transaction fees | Negotiated per business | Negotiated per business |
Because transaction fees are not published, ask Standard Bank for a written quote and compare it with gateways that publish their rates. Payfast, for example, charges 3.2% plus R2 for card payments and 2% for Instant EFT, with no monthly fee on its standard account.
Pros and cons of SimplyBLU in 2026
Pros
- The online store builder is free for Standard Bank merchants.
- Online, in-person and invoice payments sit in one system with one set of reports.
- Payment links and e-invoices are useful for businesses that sell on WhatsApp or by phone.
- Stock management and sales insights are included.
- It is backed by one of South Africa's largest banks.
Cons
- It is built for Standard Bank merchants, so it suits you best if you already bank with Standard Bank or are willing to switch.
- Transaction fees are negotiated rather than published, which makes comparison harder.
- Standard Bank's page lists card and QR payments. Check whether you also need Instant EFT or buy now, pay later options, which many South African shoppers use.
- We could not find an app store or listed integrations with local couriers, email marketing tools or marketplaces such as Takealot.
- A simple store builder gives you less control over design and SEO than a dedicated eCommerce platform.
SimplyBLU vs Shopify vs WooCommerce
| SimplyBLU | Shopify | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Standard Bank merchants selling mostly in person | Beginners and growing online brands | Technical users and existing WordPress sites |
| Monthly platform cost | Free for Standard Bank merchants | Basic from US$19 a month billed yearly | Free plugin. You pay for hosting |
| Payments | Standard Bank card and QR payments | Choice of local gateways such as Payfast | Choice of local gateways such as Payfast |
| Apps and integrations | Limited | Thousands of apps | Thousands of plugins |
| In-person sales | Card machines included in the ecosystem | Shopify POS (check local hardware support) | Through third-party plugins |
If you are deciding which platform to use, our complete guide to choosing an eCommerce platform in South Africa compares the options in more detail. For payments, see the best payment gateway for Shopify in South Africa.
Who should use SimplyBLU?
- A good fit: shops, salons, restaurants and service businesses that already bank with Standard Bank, sell mainly in person and want a simple way to take payments online too.
- A good fit: businesses that sell through WhatsApp, social media or by phone and mainly need payment links and invoices.
- Probably not the best fit: sellers whose main business is online and who plan to grow with SEO, email marketing, paid ads and courier integrations. A dedicated platform such as Shopify or WooCommerce gives you more room to grow.
Not sure which platform is right for you?
Insaka's free courses help South African sellers choose a platform, set up payments and deliveries and get their first sales.
How our 2019 review has held up
At launch, we liked SimplyBLU's all-inclusive pricing, quick next-day payouts and built-in recurring payments. Our main concerns were the limited payment methods, no integrations with South African eCommerce services, no apps to add functionality and no SSL security on stores. We also expected Standard Bank to keep improving the platform.
It has improved, though in a different direction than we expected. Rather than competing with Shopify as a full eCommerce platform, SimplyBLU has become a payments and business management tool with an online store included. You can still watch our original 2019 video review to see where it started.
Frequently asked questions
What is SimplyBLU?
SimplyBLU is Standard Bank's platform for small businesses. It combines card machines, a merchant app, a web portal and an online store builder so you can take payments in person and online and manage stock in one place.
Is SimplyBLU free?
The platform and Online Store Builder are free for Standard Bank merchants. You pay transaction fees, which Standard Bank negotiates per business. You also pay for card machines if you need them.
Do I need a Standard Bank account to use SimplyBLU?
Standard Bank promotes the Online Store Builder as free for Standard Bank merchants, so expect to need a Standard Bank merchant account. Confirm the requirements with the bank before you apply.
Can I use SimplyBLU with Shopify or WooCommerce?
Standard Bank's SimplyBLU page does not mention Shopify or WooCommerce integrations. If you want to use one of those platforms, choose a payment gateway that integrates with it.
Is SimplyBLU better than Shopify?
They suit different businesses. SimplyBLU is a simple, low-cost option for Standard Bank merchants who mainly sell in person. Shopify is better for businesses where online sales are the focus, thanks to its apps, design control and integrations.
How do I contact Standard Bank about SimplyBLU?
Standard Bank's 2026 merchant pricing brochure lists 086 100 1200 and [email protected] for merchant queries. You can also apply through the SimplyBLU page on Standard Bank's website.
Our verdict
SimplyBLU is a sensible, low-cost choice for Standard Bank merchants who want card machines, payment links and a basic online store in one place. If your goal is to build and grow an online brand, a dedicated eCommerce platform with a local payment gateway is still the better long-term choice.
Written or reviewed by Warrick Kernes, founder of Insaka eCommerce Academy and Shopify's 2021 Top Education Partner worldwide, based on 15+ years of selling online in South Africa.
