Comparison at a Glance
The table below compares Supreme Finance against four other NCR-registered personal loan providers operating in South Africa in 2026:
| Feature | Supreme Finance | Wonga SA | Lime Loans | Boodle | Atlas Finance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Loan Amount | R500 | R500 | R500 | R500 | R500 |
| Max. Loan Amount | R20,000 | R8,000 | R8,000 | R8,000 | R20,000 |
| Min. Term | 12 months | 3 days | 5 days | 1 month | 1 month |
| Max. Term | 120 months | Varies | 90 days | 3 months | 9 months |
| Max. APR / Rate | 32% p.a. | 60% p.a. | ~58% p.a. | 60% p.a. | 60% p.a. |
| Decision Speed | Same day | ~10 min | Same day | ~10 min | Same day |
| Branch Network | Nationwide | Online only | Online only | Online only | 290+ branches |
| Mobile App | Yes (Google Play) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| MFSA Member | Yes | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Yes |
| NCR Registered | NCRCP 7342 | NCRCP 7424 | NCRCP 8077 | Registered | NCRCP 3994 |
Supreme Finance vs Wonga South Africa
Wonga is a fully digital short-term lender offering loans up to R8,000 with a 10-minute approval claim. Its platform is fast and convenient for borrowers who need small, urgent cash amounts without branch visits. However, Wonga's maximum APR of 60% per annum is significantly higher than Supreme Finance's 32% — meaning that over the same term, a Wonga loan costs considerably more in interest.
Choose Supreme Finance if: You need more than R8,000, prefer a longer repayment term (up to 10 years), want a lower maximum interest rate, or prefer in-person branch support.
Choose Wonga if: You need a small loan (under R8,000) resolved in minutes and are comfortable managing everything digitally.
Supreme Finance vs Lime Loans
Lime Loans (lime24.co.za) specialises in very short-term personal loans of R500–R8,000 with repayment terms as short as five days and as long as 90 days. It is a good option for payday-style borrowing where you need a small amount bridged until your next salary. Lime Loans' daily interest rate of approximately 0.1%–0.16% translates to an effective APR that can reach 58%+ — substantially more than Supreme Finance's 32%.
Choose Supreme Finance if: You need a larger loan amount, a longer repayment schedule, or a lower annual interest rate.
Choose Lime Loans if: You need a very small payday-style loan for a few weeks and want the flexibility of repaying early without penalty.
Supreme Finance vs Boodle
Boodle offers short-term loans up to R8,000 with a reported 97% same-day decision rate. Its fee structure includes a service fee of R60 + VAT per month, an initiation fee of R165 + 10% above R1,000 + VAT, and a daily interest rate of 0.74% (5.3% monthly / ~60% APR). Boodle is well-suited for emergency loans but is expensive relative to Supreme Finance for medium-term borrowing.
Choose Supreme Finance if: You want a lower APR, access to up to R20,000, or a longer structured repayment period.
Choose Boodle if: You need a quick decision on a small emergency loan and are comfortable with a short repayment window.
Supreme Finance vs Atlas Finance
Atlas Finance (NCRCP 3994, FSP 46412) is the closest competitor to Supreme Finance in terms of product structure: both offer loans up to R20,000 through nationwide branch networks, and both are long-established MFSA members. Atlas Finance operates more than 290 branches (compared to Supreme Finance's multi-province but smaller network) and charges up to 60% APR — nearly double Supreme Finance's disclosed 32% maximum.
Choose Supreme Finance if: You prioritise a lower maximum interest rate and the benefit of their value-added services (airtime, electricity).
Choose Atlas Finance if: You want the largest possible branch footprint, particularly in rural or peri-urban areas, and want the reassurance of over 30 years of operating history.
Our Verdict: Who Should Choose Supreme Finance?
Supreme Finance is the strongest choice among this group for borrowers who:
- Need between R8,000 and R20,000 (beyond what Wonga, Lime, or Boodle can offer)
- Want a longer repayment term of 12–120 months to reduce monthly instalment pressure
- Value a lower maximum APR of 32% versus the 60% charged by most competitors
- Prefer access to a physical branch alongside digital convenience
- Want value-added services like airtime and electricity included
Creditdeals.io recommends that all borrowers obtain personalised quotes from at least two lenders before committing to any credit agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Supreme Finance cheaper than Wonga? In terms of maximum APR, yes — Supreme Finance's 32% p.a. is significantly lower than Wonga's 60% p.a. For the same loan amount and term, a Supreme Finance loan should cost less in total interest.
Does Supreme Finance offer larger loans than Boodle or Lime? Yes. Both Boodle and Lime Loans cap at R8,000, while Supreme Finance lends up to R20,000.
Which South African lender has the most branches? Atlas Finance has the largest declared branch network with 290+ locations. Supreme Finance also operates branches nationwide but has a smaller footprint than Atlas Finance.
Can I apply to multiple lenders at once? You can compare and apply to multiple lenders, but be aware that each credit application generates a credit bureau enquiry. Multiple enquiries within a short period can temporarily reduce your credit score.