The verdict in three sentences
Integrating a secure online payment costs 2,000 to 8,000 EUR in 2026, with transaction fees of 1.4 to 2.9% + 0.25 EUR depending on the provider. A polished integration (smooth 3D Secure, retry logic, wallets) cuts the payment failure rate by around 15%. PCI-DSS compliance is non-negotiable but stays simple if you never store card numbers.
What integration costs
Cost depends on the number of payment methods, checkout customisation and compliance needs. 2026 orders of magnitude in Europe.
| Scope | Integration cost (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Simple card payment (hosted) | 2,000 - 4,000 | 2 - 3 weeks |
| Custom checkout + 3D Secure | 4,000 - 6,000 | 3 - 4 weeks |
| Multi-method (cards, wallets, transfer) | 5,000 - 8,000 | 4 - 5 weeks |
| Instalment payment (BNPL) | +2,000 - 4,000 | +1 - 2 weeks |
| Subscriptions / recurring payments | +3,000 - 6,000 | +2 - 3 weeks |
The fees that erode your margins
Beyond development, transaction fees run on every sale. Compare before you sign: a few tenths of a percent add up over volume.
| Provider | EU card fee | Fixed fee | Specificity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 1.4 - 2.9% | 0.25 EUR | Full API, wallets |
| PayPal | 1.9 - 2.9% | 0.35 EUR | Brand trust, disputes |
| Bank acquirer | 0.8 - 1.8% | 0.10 - 0.25 EUR | Negotiated on volume |
| BNPL (3x/4x) | 2.5 - 4.5% | Variable | Higher average basket |
Mini case study
Karim runs a sports equipment shop in Lille with 90,000 EUR of online revenue/month and a 9% payment failure rate. He invests 5,500 EUR in a checkout overhaul: smoother 3D Secure, automatic retry, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
The failure rate falls to 7.6% (-15%). On 90,000 EUR/month, that recovers about 1,260 EUR of revenue/month, i.e. 15,000 EUR/year previously lost. The integration pays back in under 5 months, not counting the conversion lift from wallets. Maintenance (8%/year) runs at 440 EUR/year: negligible against the gain.
FAQ
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What is PCI-DSS compliance and does it apply to me?
Any business accepting cards is concerned. In practice, if you use a checkout hosted by Stripe or an equivalent provider, you never store card numbers and compliance is largely simplified (SAQ A questionnaire).
Does 3D Secure hurt sales?
Poorly implemented, yes: it adds friction. Well implemented (authentication exempted on small amounts, smooth flow), it cuts fraud and unpaid orders without denting conversion.
Should we offer instalment payment?
On baskets above 100-150 EUR, BNPL often lifts average basket and conversion. Fees are higher (2.5 to 4.5%) but the volume gain usually offsets them.
How long to integrate a payment?
2 to 5 weeks depending on scope. A simple hosted card payment ships in 2 to 3 weeks; a multi-method checkout with subscriptions takes 4 to 5 weeks.
What maintenance budget should we plan?
Around 8% of the integration cost per year, i.e. 160 to 640 EUR. This covers API updates, security changes and compatibility with new payment methods.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your monthly volume, the payment methods you want and your current failure rate: we will size an integration that recovers revenue. 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.