The verdict in three sentences
For an SMB taking 1.2 million EUR a year online, choosing between Stripe, Adyen and a bank acquirer such as Elavon or AIB Merchant Services moves fees from roughly 13,000 to 20,700 EUR a year. The cheapest option on paper is not always the most profitable: one extra point of acceptance rate is worth 12,000 EUR of revenue, more than the commission gap. The right choice weighs fees, acceptance rate, 3-D Secure handling and payout delay.
2026 pricing grids compared
| Criterion | Stripe | Adyen | Bank acquirer + gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| European card fee | 1.5 % + 0.25 EUR | Interchange++ (about 0.6 to 1.0 %) + 0.11 EUR | 0.8 to 1.2 % + 0.10 EUR gateway |
| Non-EU and commercial cards | 2.5 to 3.25 % + 0.25 EUR | Interchange++, higher on non-EU cards | 1.5 to 2.5 % depending on acquirer |
| Subscription | 0 EUR | 0 EUR, minimum volumes may apply | 30 to 60 EUR/month + terminal or gateway |
| Chargeback | 20 EUR per dispute | About 15 EUR per dispute | 10 to 20 EUR depending on acquirer |
| Payout delay | 2 to 7 days | 1 to 3 days | Next business day |
| Onboarding | Immediate | 1 to 3 weeks (volume review) | 3 to 6 weeks (bank approval) |
Public or observed 2026 rates, to be confirmed during negotiation. Above 1 million EUR a year, Stripe and most providers will negotiate a custom grid.
Annual fee simulation on 1.2 million EUR
Assumptions: average basket of 300 EUR, or 4,000 transactions a year, with 90 % standard European cards and 10 % non-EU or commercial cards.
| Item | Stripe | Adyen (0.9 % blended) | Bank acquirer (0.9 %) |
|---|---|---|---|
| European card fees (1,080,000 EUR) | 16,200 EUR | 9,720 EUR | 9,720 EUR |
| Non-EU card fees (120,000 EUR) | 3,300 EUR | 2,400 EUR | 2,400 EUR |
| Fixed fee per transaction | 1,000 EUR | 440 EUR | 400 EUR |
| Annual subscriptions | 0 EUR | 0 EUR | 360 to 720 EUR |
| Disputes (12 a year) | 240 EUR | 180 EUR | 180 EUR |
| Estimated annual total | 20,740 EUR | 12,740 EUR | 13,060 to 13,420 EUR |
The maximum gap reaches about 7,500 to 8,000 EUR a year. That saving should be weighed against integration cost (2,000 to 4,000 EUR) and the time spent on onboarding.
Beyond fees: acceptance, 3-D Secure and tooling
| Criterion | Impact on 1.2 million EUR | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (+ 1 point) | + 12,000 EUR of sales | Observed rate in your sector, automatic retry on declines |
| 3-D Secure 2 and exemptions | Abandonment halved on small baskets | Low-value exemption under 30 EUR, transaction risk analysis |
| Buy now pay later (Klarna) | + 10 to 20 % average basket | Merchant fees of 2.5 to 4 % |
| SEPA transfer and direct debit for trade buyers | Fees of 0.35 to 0.8 % | Deposits and B2B invoice handling |
| Dashboard and accounting reconciliation | 2 to 4 h saved per month | Export compatible with Xero or Sage |
| Fraud prevention | Chargebacks cut by 3 | Custom rules, block lists |
For an SMB that also sells to trade customers (boatyards, charter companies), SEPA direct debit and payable online invoices sharply reduce the cost per transaction on large amounts.
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Ciarán, managing director of a marine equipment SMB in Dún Laoghaire near Dublin, takes 1.2 million EUR a year through Stripe, about 20,740 EUR in fees. Moving to a bank acquirer at 0.9 % brings fees down to 13,240 EUR, a 7,500 EUR saving, for an integration costing 3,000 EUR: paid back in 5 months. In parallel, he enables 3-D Secure exemptions and retries on declined payments, raising the acceptance rate from 94 % to 95.5 %: 18,000 EUR of recovered sales a year, more than twice the commission saving.
FAQ
What does Stripe charge an Irish SMB in 2026?
The standard grid is 1.5 % + 0.25 EUR for European cards and 2.5 to 3.25 % + 0.25 EUR for non-EU cards. Above 1 million EUR a year, a negotiated grid is possible.
Is Adyen cheaper than Stripe?
Often yes for large volumes, thanks to interchange++ pricing around 0.6 to 1.0 % plus a small processing fee. Onboarding is more selective and can take 1 to 3 weeks.
Why use a bank acquirer?
A bank merchant rate of 0.8 to 1.2 % is among the lowest for high volumes, with next-day payouts. In return, setup takes 3 to 6 weeks and requires an application with the bank.
How much does a chargeback cost?
From 10 to 20 EUR per dispute depending on the provider, on top of the refunded amount if the dispute is lost. 3-D Secure shifts fraud liability to the issuing bank.
How much does integrating a new payment gateway cost?
From 2,000 to 4,000 EUR on an existing site (WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento or custom), testing and go-live included. Plan 1 to 3 weeks of work.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your annual volume, average basket and platform: we will simulate your fees across three providers and price the integration, between 2,000 and 4,000 EUR, delivered in 1 to 3 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.
