The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, integrating online payments for an SME costs 0 to 3,000 EUR (excl. tax) in setup depending on the solution, with fees of 1.2% to 2.9% + 0.25 EUR per transaction. The choice isn't just the rate: 3-D Secure, reconciliation and accounting integration often matter more than 0.2 points of commission. The right fit depends on your volume, average order and market (France, Europe, international).
Provider comparison
Providers differ on pricing, geographic coverage and integration. Stripe leads on technical flexibility, PayPlug appeals to French SMEs, Mollie to Europe's multi-payment-method market.
| PSP | EU card fee | Fixed/txn | Setup | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 1.5% + 0.25 EUR | 0.25 EUR | 0 | API, international, subscriptions |
| PayPlug | 1.2 - 2.9% | 0.25 EUR | 0 | French SMEs, local support |
| Mollie | 1.8% + 0.25 EUR | 0.25 EUR | 0 | EU payment methods |
| PayPal | 2.49% + 0.35 EUR | 0.35 EUR | 0 | brand trust, fast checkout |
| Adyen | ~1.1% + 0.11 EUR | 0.11 EUR | negotiated | high volume, omnichannel |
What matters beyond the rate
A low fee is useless if 8% of payments fail. 3-D Secure v2 (PSD2 strong authentication) is mandatory but, poorly tuned, it tanks conversion. Reconciliation (matching payouts to orders) and accounting integration (export to Sage, Pennylane, QuickBooks) determine the admin time saved.
| Criterion | Impact | Check for |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | High | > 92% after 3DS |
| 3-D Secure v2 (PSD2) | High | low-risk exemptions on |
| Auto reconciliation | Medium | order/payout matching |
| Accounting export | Medium | Pennylane/Sage connector |
| Payout delay | Medium | D+2 to D+7 by PSP |
| Dispute handling | Medium | chargebacks, 15 EUR/dispute |
Mini case study
Karim runs an SME selling car accessories in Toulouse: 4,500 transactions/year, average order 65 EUR, i.e. 292,500 EUR in volume. With PayPal at 2.49% + 0.35 EUR, he pays about 8,860 EUR/year in fees. Switching to Stripe at 1.5% + 0.25 EUR, the bill drops to 5,510 EUR/year.
Direct saving: 3,350 EUR/year. By optimizing 3-D Secure (exemptions under 30 EUR), acceptance rises from 90% to 94%, recovering about 11,700 EUR of revenue previously lost. The integration cost (1,800 EUR) pays back in under 3 months.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Stripe or PayPlug for a French SME?
Stripe for technical depth, international reach and subscriptions. PayPlug if you value French-speaking support and negotiable pricing from a few tens of thousands of euros in monthly volume.
Does 3-D Secure hurt my sales?
Misconfigured, yes: up to 10% abandonment. Well tuned with PSD2 exemptions (small amounts, trusted customers), it protects against unpaid orders without penalizing conversion.
How much does technical integration cost?
From 0 EUR (no-code plugin on Shopify/Woo) to 3,000 EUR for a custom integration with automated reconciliation and accounting export.
How do we handle disputes and chargebacks?
Each dispute costs about 15 EUR in fees plus the contested amount. A good PSP provides evidence tools; keep the chargeback rate under 0.5% to avoid network penalties.
Do we need several payment methods?
Offering card + one wallet (PayPal, Apple Pay) lifts conversion by 5-12% depending on the basket. Beyond that, stacking complicates reconciliation without net gain.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your annual volume, average order and market, and we'll price the optimal PSP and accounting integration. 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.
