The verdict in three sentences
Integrating online payment costs 2,500 to 8,000 EUR in 2026 depending on payment methods, subscription and accounting reconciliation. The real long-term cost is the fees: 1.4 to 2.9 % + 0.25 EUR per transaction depending on provider and card type. The right choice depends on your volume, your share of European cards and your need for subscriptions or deposits.
Provider comparison 2026
Fee gaps look tiny but weigh heavily on annual volume. Here are 2026 ballpark figures for an SME.
| Provider | EU card fee | Fixed fee | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 1.5 % + 0.25 EUR | no subscription | Rich API, subscriptions, international |
| Mollie | 1.8 % + 0.25 EUR | no subscription | Simple, SEPA transfers, i-DEAL |
| PayPlug | 1.2 - 2.9 % + 0.25 EUR | plan-based | France-anchored, pay-in-X |
| PayPal | 2.49 % + 0.35 EUR | no subscription | Trust, fast checkout |
| Adyen | ~1.4 % + 0.11 EUR | volume-oriented | High volume, omnichannel |
For non-European cards (US, business, premium), add roughly 0.5 to 1.5 points of fee. Above 50,000 EUR/month of volume, negotiating a custom rate becomes worthwhile.
What the technical integration covers
Adding a pay button isn't enough: the value is in reliability and accounting. Here are the items to budget.
| Item | Description | Indicative budget |
|---|---|---|
| Checkout integration | Secure on-site payment | 1,000 - 3,000 EUR |
| 3-D Secure / SCA | Mandatory strong authentication | included to 500 EUR |
| Deposit payments | Pay part at order time | 500 - 1,500 EUR |
| Recurring subscriptions | Automatic debit | 800 - 2,500 EUR |
| Accounting reconciliation | Auto matching of invoices | 1,000 - 3,000 EUR |
| Refund handling | One-click refund | included to 800 EUR |
3-D Secure (SCA) is mandatory in the European area: a non-compliant checkout drives up declined payments. Automatic reconciliation is the most profitable item for SMEs that invoice heavily.
Mini case study
Karim, manager of a services SME in Toronto invoicing in euros to European clients, was collecting by bank transfer with a 12-day average delay and 4 hours/week of chasing. He invested 5,500 EUR to integrate Stripe with deposits, subscriptions and automatic reconciliation.
On 60,000 EUR/month of volume at 1.5 % + 0.25 EUR (about 400 transactions), he pays ~1,000 EUR/month in fees, but cuts collection time from 12 to 2 days and removes 3 hours/week of chasing (~1,200 EUR/month of time). The cash-flow and time gains cover the fees from month one, and the integration pays for itself in under 5 months.
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FAQ
How much does online payment integration cost?
Between 2,500 and 8,000 EUR in 2026 depending on features: a simple checkout at the low end, deposits + subscriptions + reconciliation at the high end. The timeline is 2 to 5 weeks.
What fee will I pay per transaction?
Expect 1.4 to 2.9 % + 0.25 EUR for a European card depending on the provider. Stripe and Adyen are competitive on volume, PayPlug is strong on instalment payment, PayPal is the most expensive but reassuring.
Is 3-D Secure mandatory?
Yes, strong authentication (SCA) is required in the European area. It's usually included in the integration or billed up to 500 EUR, and sharply reduces fraud and unpaid transactions.
Can I collect subscriptions and deposits?
Yes. Recurring subscriptions cost 800 to 2,500 EUR to integrate, deposits 500 to 1,500 EUR. Stripe and Mollie natively handle automatic debit and partial payment.
How do I reconcile with my accounting?
An accounting integration (1,000 to 3,000 EUR) automatically matches payments to invoices, saving several hours of entry per week. It's often the most profitable item for an SME that invoices heavily.
Let's scope your project. Give us your monthly volume, your payment methods (deposits, subscriptions) and your accounting tool, and we'll quote integration and fees. 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.
