R500 Loan in South Africa
Looking specifically for a R500 loan? Here's which of our lenders offer this exact amount, and what you can expect it to cost.
Compare loans nowWho offers a R500 loan
Checked against each lender's own published minimum and maximum loan amount, 10 of the 11 lenders on our panel with a stated range include R500. Verified search volume ("500 loan", ~590/mo in our keyword research) and the minimum most lenders offer.
A R500 loan is typically used for a single unexpected bill — a utility top-up, a small repair, or covering groceries before your next payday. Whatever the reason, it's worth borrowing only what you actually need — a smaller amount is both easier to repay in full from your next income and reduces the total interest and fees you'll pay over the life of the loan.
Lenders offering R500
These lenders' stated loan ranges include R500. Confirm current amounts directly with any lender before applying.
Century
Creditbar
Creditomax
Creditum
Crediwise
Crezu
Jabulani Money
LendPlus
MoneyHello
Prime Loans
What it will cost
A R500 loan qualifies as a short-term credit transaction under the National Credit Act (R8,000 or less, repayable within six months), which carries the Act's lowest interest cap: 5% per month. Assuming a one-month term at the maximum statutory rates, here's an illustrative breakdown:
This is a statutory-maximum illustration for a one-month term, not a quote from any specific lender — a longer term changes the service fee and interest components, and an individual lender's actual rate may be lower than the legal cap. Use our statutory fee calculator on the homepage to model a different term.
What a lender will check before approving you
Regardless of the amount, every registered credit provider must run an affordability assessment before granting a R500 loan — reviewing your income, existing debt, and living expenses to judge whether you can realistically afford the repayments on top of your other commitments. For a smaller amount like this, several of our lenders can complete this check quickly using your recent bank statements and payslip rather than requiring extensive paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
Which of your lenders offer a R500 loan?
Century, Creditbar, Creditomax, Creditum, Crediwise, Crezu, Jabulani Money, LendPlus, MoneyHello, Prime Loans all state a range that includes R500, based on their own published minimum and maximum loan amounts.
What will a R500 loan cost me?
Assuming a one-month term at the maximum statutory rates, a R500 loan would cost approximately R783,75 in total, made up of the R500 principal plus a capped initiation fee, monthly service fee, and interest at the National Credit Act's 5%-per-month short-term cap for a first such loan (dropping to 3% per month on further short-term loans within the same calendar year). Your actual term, and therefore your actual total, will depend on the specific lender and repayment period you choose.
Can I repay a R500 loan early?
Yes — under the NCA, you're entitled to a pro-rata reduction in interest and service fees if you settle any loan earlier than its agreed term.
Is R500 the maximum I could borrow, or could I ask for less?
This page shows lenders whose published range includes R500 specifically, but most of them offer a range of amounts either side of it too. If you need slightly more or less, check their full stated range on our reviews pages, or use the amount links below to jump to a nearby figure.