The verdict in three sentences
For a B2B service firm the real issue is not accepting cards but cutting DSO without upsetting clients. The winning setup in 2026 combines a pay link on every invoice, SEPA Direct Debit for recurring contracts and instant transfers for large amounts. With 2,000 to 6,000 EUR of integration, a firm invoicing 1.2 million EUR a year frees on average 12 days of cash.
Real fees by payment method
On a B2B services invoice, cards get expensive above 3,000 EUR, while direct debit and bank transfer stay almost free. The right choice depends on amount and recurrence.
| Payment method (public 2026 rates, order of magnitude) | Fees | Cost on 800 EUR | Cost on 5,000 EUR | Cost on 15,000 EUR | Settlement time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU card via Stripe | 1.5% + 0.25 EUR | 12.25 EUR | 75.25 EUR | 225.25 EUR | D+2 to D+7 |
| Corporate or non-EU card via Stripe | 2.5% to 3.25% + 0.25 EUR | 20 to 26 EUR | 125 to 163 EUR | 375 to 488 EUR | D+2 to D+7 |
| Card via Adyen | interchange++ + about 0.11 EUR + method fee | 6 to 10 EUR | 30 to 55 EUR | 90 to 160 EUR | D+1 to D+3 |
| SEPA Direct Debit via GoCardless | about 1% + 0.20 EUR, capped depending on plan | 8.20 EUR | 4 to 50 EUR | 4 to 150 EUR | D+3 to D+5 |
| SEPA Instant transfer (business bank) | included or under 1 EUR | 0 to 1 EUR | 0 to 1 EUR | 0 to 1 EUR | 10 seconds |
| Standard transfer | 0 EUR | 0 EUR | 0 EUR | 0 EUR | D+1 to D+3, but paid at 45 days |
The takeaway is simple: cards suit the client who wants to settle a small invoice now, direct debit suits retainers and maintenance contracts, instant transfer suits large deposits.
Stripe, GoCardless or Adyen: the comparison
| Criterion | Stripe | GoCardless | Adyen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main strength | cards, Apple Pay, pay links | recurring SEPA Direct Debit | interchange++ pricing at volume |
| Pay link on invoice | native (Payment Links, Invoicing) | via SEPA mandate | Pay by Link |
| Integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage) | connectors available | connectors available | mostly API |
| Failed payment handling | automatic dunning | automatic retry | configurable |
| Minimum volume | none | none | usually high, suited to larger firms |
| Integration effort | 2,000 to 4,000 EUR | 2,000 to 3,500 EUR | 4,000 to 6,000 EUR |
Adyen becomes attractive above a few million euros of card volume a year. Below that, Stripe plus GoCardless covers most Irish service firms with less setup.
What integration costs
- Simple setup (2,000 to 3,000 EUR): Stripe link on invoices from your billing tool, branded payment page, automatic reconciliation.
- Full setup (4,000 to 6,000 EUR): Stripe for cards, GoCardless for recurring contracts, automatic reminders at D-3, D+7 and D+15, DSO dashboard.
- Maintenance: 50 to 150 EUR a month for API updates and incident monitoring.
Mini case study
Aoife, managing director of a 14-person HR consulting firm in Dublin, invoices 1.2 million EUR a year with a DSO of 52 days. Her receivables therefore stand at about 171,000 EUR.
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After a 4,500 EUR integration (Stripe on invoices under 3,000 EUR, GoCardless for 40 monthly retainers, automatic reminders), DSO falls to 40 days. Receivables drop to about 132,000 EUR, freeing 39,000 EUR of cash. At a 6% annual financing cost, the saving is 2,340 EUR a year, plus 6 fewer hours of chasing per month for her assistant. Payment fees of around 4,800 EUR a year are partly offset by a removed early-payment discount, and the investment pays back in under 18 months.
FAQ
Stripe or GoCardless for a service firm?
They complement each other. Stripe excels at cards at 1.5% + 0.25 EUR and pay links, GoCardless at SEPA Direct Debit at about 1% + 0.20 EUR, ideal for monthly retainers.
Can we pass card fees on to clients?
Surcharging card payments is restricted in the EU and badly received in B2B. It is better to steer large invoices towards bank transfer or direct debit.
How many DSO days can we gain?
Service firms often gain 8 to 15 days, with an observed average around 12 days, thanks to one-click payment and automatic reminders.
When does Adyen make sense?
Usually above several million euros of annual card volume, where interchange++ pricing beats Stripe's blended 1.5% + 0.25 EUR. Below that, setup effort outweighs the saving.
How long does setup take?
Allow 2 to 4 weeks, including one week of testing on 20 real invoices before rolling out.
Let's scope your project. Share your billing software, annual volume and current DSO: we will scope the payment integration between 2,000 and 6,000 EUR, live within 4 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.
