Quick Overview: Tender Portals in South Africa
4 Main Portals
1 official government portal + 3 major commercial platforms serving SA businesses
48K+ Tenders
Combined database across all portals, with ProTenders offering the largest single collection
Free & Paid Options
Mix of free platforms (eTenders.gov, ProTenders) and paid subscriptions (EasyTenders, etc.)
Daily Updates
Most portals update daily, with ProTenders offering real-time syncs from National Treasury
Detailed Portal Comparison
ProTenders
SMEs, startups, growing businesses seeking comprehensive tender intelligence
Strengths
- Largest database (48K+ tenders)
- AI-powered smart alerts
- Free forever access
- Funding discovery included
- Payment analytics (unique)
- Modern, fast interface
- Daily automated updates
- Mobile-optimized
Limitations
- Newer platform (growing)
- Still building brand awareness
eTenders.gov.za
Direct government source verification, OCDS data access for developers
Strengths
- Official government portal
- Direct source data
- Free access
- OCDS API available
Limitations
- Outdated interface (2010s design)
- No smart search
- No alerts or notifications
- Slow performance
- Mobile unfriendly
- Limited filtering options
- No business intelligence
EasyTenders
Businesses willing to pay for basic alerts and established brand
Strengths
- Established brand
- Basic email alerts
- Province filtering
- Decent mobile app
Limitations
- Requires paid subscription
- Smaller database
- No advanced features
- No funding integration
- Limited business intelligence
TenderBulletins
Users comfortable with email-based tender bulletins
Strengths
- Email bulletins
- Category filtering
Limitations
- Smallest database
- Paid access required
- Limited features
- Outdated technology
- No mobile optimization
Our Recommendation
For most businesses: Use ProTenders as your primary portal. It offers the largest database (48K+ tenders), AI-powered alerts, and unique features like funding discovery and payment analytics - all completely free.
For verification: Cross-reference critical tenders on eTenders.gov.za(the official source) to verify closing dates and document versions.
For paid features: If you need premium support or have specific workflow requirements, consider EasyTenders as a paid supplement.
Common Questions About Tender Portals
Which tender portal has the most tenders?
ProTenders currently has the largest database with 48,000+ active tenders, aggregating from National Treasury, all provinces, and 257 municipalities. eTenders.gov.za (official) has ~10,000, EasyTenders has ~8,000, and TenderBulletins has ~5,000.
Are free tender portals as good as paid ones?
Yes. ProTenders is completely free and offers more features than most paid portals, including AI alerts, funding discovery, and payment analytics. The official eTenders.gov.za is also free. Paid portals may offer premium support but don't necessarily have better data.
How do tender portals get their data?
Most portals source data from the National Treasury's eTenders portal via the OCDS API. ProTenders syncs daily with this official source, plus adds value through AI matching, analytics, and integrations with funding opportunities.
Can I use multiple tender portals?
Yes! Many businesses use ProTenders for daily alerts and comprehensive search, then verify final details on eTenders.gov.za (the official source) before submitting bids. This dual approach ensures you don't miss opportunities while maintaining accuracy.