The verdict in three sentences
Integrating secure online payment on an SME website costs in 2026 between 2,000 and 8,000 EUR excl. VAT in development, then per-transaction commissions (about 1.4% + 0.25 EUR with Stripe in Europe). The integration timeline is 1 to 3 weeks, most of the work being 3D Secure, confirmation webhooks and compliance. The right provider mainly depends on your monthly volume, since commissions outweigh development beyond a few thousand euros processed.
Provider comparison 2026
Commissions vary by provider and card type. 2026 order of magnitude for standard European cards.
| Provider | Card commission | Fixed fee | 3x/4x instalments | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 1.4% | + 0.25 EUR | Via partner | Tech, international |
| PayPal | 2.9% | + 0.35 EUR | Built-in | Quick sales |
| Mollie | 1.8% | + 0.25 EUR | Yes | European SMEs |
| Stancer / FR | 0.9-1.2% | + 0.20 EUR | Option | France volume |
| Alma (3x/4x) | 2.0-4.0% | — | Core product | High baskets |
Total cost by volume
Development is a one-off; commissions are recurring. Estimated monthly cost with Stripe (1.4% + 0.25 EUR) by volume processed.
| Monthly volume | Transactions (~120 EUR) | Commissions/mo | Commissions/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 EUR | ~42 | ~80 EUR | ~960 EUR |
| 20,000 EUR | ~167 | ~322 EUR | ~3,860 EUR |
| 50,000 EUR | ~417 | ~804 EUR | ~9,650 EUR |
| 100,000 EUR | ~833 | ~1,608 EUR | ~19,300 EUR |
| 200,000 EUR | ~1,667 | ~3,217 EUR | ~38,600 EUR |
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Sophie, owner of a garden-equipment SME in Nantes, processes 40,000 EUR/month online. Her Stripe integration cost 4,500 EUR excl. VAT (card + SEPA + 3DS + webhooks). Her commissions run about 644 EUR/month. By offering 3x instalments via Alma on baskets > 300 EUR, she sees +18% conversion on those baskets, i.e. +7,200 EUR/month in revenue. The extra Alma commission (~3%) is absorbed within the first week by the conversion gain.
FAQ
Is 3D Secure mandatory? Yes, the PSD2 directive requires strong authentication for most card payments in Europe. A well-designed flow keeps 3DS-related abandonment below 5%.
Stripe or PayPal for an SME? Stripe is cheaper at volume (1.4% vs 2.9%) and more flexible technically; PayPal reassures some buyers. Many SMEs offer both.
How long to integrate? 1 to 3 weeks depending on the number of payment methods and cart complexity. Confirmation webhooks and refund tests take the most time.
Can I offer SEPA transfer in B2B? Yes, often combined with a payment term. The cost per transfer is nearly zero, but accounting reconciliation must be handled.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your monthly volume and desired payment methods: we will price the integration and estimate your annual commissions. 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.
