The verdict in three sentences
For a service SME charging a 30% deposit, the real cost is not the payment fee but the 12-day average wait for a standard bank transfer and the jobs stalled meanwhile. A payment link built into the signed quote cuts that delay to 2 to 4 days, for fees of 1.5% + 0.25 EUR per European card with Stripe, interchange++ plus about 0.11 EUR with Adyen, or 0.8 to 2.2% with bank-linked providers such as PayPlug or Monetico in France. The right setup combines cards for small deposits and SEPA Direct Debit for large ones, keeping the annual bill under 1% of the amount collected, whether you operate in Lyon or Dublin.
Stripe, Adyen, PayPlug, Monetico: 2026 rates side by side
All four accept cards and offer payment links. They differ in pricing structure, subscription and how easily they plug into quoting software.
| Provider | Standard European card fee | Subscription | SEPA Direct Debit | Strength for deposits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 1.5% + 0.25 EUR | None | 0.35 EUR per debit | API and payment links, many integrations |
| PayPlug (BPCE group, France) | 0.8 to 2.2% depending on plan and volume | 0 to 30 EUR per month | Depends on plan | French-language support, instalments |
| Monetico (Crédit Mutuel, CIC) | 0.5 to 1.2% negotiated with the bank | 15 to 40 EUR per month | Through the bank | Funds land directly in the business account |
| Adyen | Interchange++ plus about 0.11 EUR processing fee | Minimum monthly invoice | Available | Relevant above 1 million EUR collected a year |
| Standard bank transfer | 0 EUR | 0 EUR | No | Free but 12-day wait observed |
| Instant transfer | 0 to 1 EUR depending on the payer's bank | 0 EUR | No | Fast if the client remembers to use it |
Watch the limits: many consumer cards are capped at 3,000 or 5,000 EUR over 30 days. Above that, plan for SEPA Direct Debit or a two-step payment.
What a deposit costs by payment method
| Deposit (30% of quote) | Stripe card | PayPlug at 1.2% | Stripe SEPA Direct Debit | Time to funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900 EUR (3,000 EUR quote) | 13.75 EUR | 10.80 EUR | 0.35 EUR | Card D+2 to D+7, SEPA D+4 to D+7 |
| 1,500 EUR (5,000 EUR quote) | 22.75 EUR | 18.00 EUR | 0.35 EUR | Same |
| 4,500 EUR (15,000 EUR quote) | 67.75 EUR | 54.00 EUR | 0.35 EUR | Card often blocked by limit |
| 7,500 EUR (25,000 EUR quote) | 112.75 EUR | 90.00 EUR | 0.35 EUR | SEPA recommended |
| 15,000 EUR (50,000 EUR quote) | Rarely accepted | Rarely accepted | 0.35 EUR | SEPA or instant transfer |
Building payment into the quote: three effort levels
| Option | Setup cost (excl. VAT) | Timeline | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment link created by hand in Stripe or PayPlug | 0 EUR | 1 day | 5 minutes per quote, risk of forgetting |
| Native module in construction quoting software | 0 to 50 EUR per month | 1 week | Depends on available connector |
| Online quote with e-signature then automatic deposit | 3,000 to 8,000 EUR | 3 to 5 weeks | Custom code to maintain |
| Client portal with quotes, deposits, progress billing and balance | 12,000 to 25,000 EUR | 8 to 12 weeks | Relevant above 150 jobs a year |
Mini case study
Julien runs a renovation firm near Lyon and signs 160 jobs a year with an average quote of 18,000 EUR, i.e. a 5,400 EUR deposit and 864,000 EUR of deposits collected per year. Moving to an online signed quote with automatic deposit (4,500 EUR excl. VAT of development), he collects 20% by card and 80% by SEPA Direct Debit. Annual fees: 2,600 EUR on cards and 45 EUR on SEPA, so about 2,645 EUR. The 8 days gained free up about 19,000 EUR of working capital, or 1,140 EUR of overdraft avoided at 6%. He also wins back 2 of the 5 jobs lost each year because deposits arrived late (9,000 EUR of margin) and 2 hours of chasing per week (4,200 EUR). Net gain: about 11,700 EUR a year, with payback on the development in 5 months. A Dublin firm of the same size would see similar figures with Stripe or Adyen.
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FAQ
Which is cheaper for deposits, Stripe or Adyen?
Below 1 million EUR collected a year, Stripe is usually simpler and cheaper because Adyen applies a minimum monthly invoice. Above that, Adyen interchange++ pricing can bring the effective rate under 1%.
Can we pass card fees on to the customer?
No, surcharging consumer cards has been banned across the EU since 2018. Offer SEPA Direct Debit at 0.35 EUR for large deposits instead.
Do we need to issue a deposit invoice?
Yes, in France and Ireland each deposit received triggers an invoice with VAT due on services. A well-built online quote generates it automatically when payment is received.
How long does it take to add a payment link to our quotes?
A manual link works within 1 day. A full integration with e-signature and automatic deposit takes 3 to 5 weeks for 3,000 to 8,000 EUR excluding VAT.
Is a bank-acquirer plan like Monetico suitable for a small firm?
Yes if you already bank with that group and collect more than 100,000 EUR a year by card. A 15 to 40 EUR monthly subscription weighs too much below that.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of quotes per year, your average amount and your current software, and we will price the signed-quote and online-deposit flow, from 3,000 to 25,000 EUR excluding VAT, delivered in 1 to 12 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
