The verdict in three sentences
For an SMB processing between EUR 20,000 and EUR 200,000 a month online, the fee gap between Stripe, Adyen and a bank acquiring offer can reach 0.5 to 1 percentage point, which means thousands of euros per year. The headline rate matters less than your real card mix (European, premium, non-EU), the fixed fee per transaction and the cost of disputes. Above roughly EUR 100,000 a month, negotiating or moving to Interchange++ pricing almost always pays off.
What you actually pay on each transaction
A payment provider invoice adds up four lines a CFO must isolate:
- Percentage fee: 1.2 to 2.9% depending on card origin and type.
- Fixed fee per transaction: EUR 0.10 to 0.30, heavy on small baskets.
- Monthly subscription: none for online players on standard pricing, EUR 20 to 60 per month for traditional bank offers.
- Extra fees: disputes (EUR 15 to 25 each), currency conversion (1 to 2%), refunds, instant payouts.
Add the payout delay, from D+2 to D+7, which carries a real cash-flow cost as volume grows.
2026 fee comparison for a European SMB
| Line item (2026 order of magnitude) | Stripe (standard pricing) | Adyen (Interchange++) | Bank acquiring offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard European cards | 1.5% + EUR 0.25 | Interchange++ + about 0.6% + EUR 0.11 | 0.8 to 1.5% + EUR 0.10 to 0.20, negotiable |
| Non-EU cards | 3.25% + EUR 0.25, plus conversion | Interchange++ (higher interchange) + markup | 2 to 3% depending on contract |
| Monthly subscription | EUR 0 | Monthly minimum invoice often required | EUR 20 to 60 |
| Dispute fee | About EUR 20 | EUR 15 to 25 | EUR 15 to 25 |
| Payout delay | D+2 to D+7 depending on account | D+1 to D+3 | D+1 to D+3 |
| Integration | API and ready plugins, fast | Powerful API, more setup | Heavier, often dated 3D Secure kits |
These are 2026 market benchmarks, to be checked against public price lists and commercial proposals. Negotiated rates often differ from published ones from EUR 50,000 a month.
Simulation: annual cost by volume
Assumption: average basket EUR 120, 85% European cards, 15% non-EU cards, 0.1% disputes.
| Monthly volume | Stripe standard (estimate) | Adyen IC++ (estimate) | Negotiated bank (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR 20,000 | EUR 4,960 per year | Often below minimum invoice | EUR 3,900 per year, subscription included |
| EUR 50,000 | EUR 12,400 per year | EUR 9,800 per year | EUR 8,900 per year |
| EUR 100,000 | EUR 24,800 per year | EUR 18,500 per year | EUR 17,200 per year |
| EUR 200,000 | EUR 49,600 per year, negotiable | EUR 36,000 per year | EUR 33,800 per year |
| Disputes (0.1%) | About EUR 400 per year at EUR 100,000 monthly | Similar | Similar |
The gap between the most and least expensive option is 0.6 to 0.7 point of online revenue. Weigh it against integration and maintenance cost: a poorly integrated bank offer can lose 1 to 3% checkout conversion, which quickly wipes out the saving.
How to decide as a CFO
Three questions settle most cases. What is your average basket? Under EUR 30, the fixed fee weighs more than the percentage. What share of foreign or premium cards? Above 20%, Interchange++ becomes attractive. How much technical time can you commit? A modern PSP cuts integration to a few days, a bank solution often needs 2 to 4 weeks of development.
If your store or portal is built with Kolonell, integrating the chosen provider is part of the application scope, and maintenance falls under our Basic, Standard or Premium monthly plans (35,000, 75,000 or 120,000 FCFA, i.e. EUR 50, 110 or 180).
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Mini case study
Lena, CFO of a professional equipment SMB in Rotterdam (illustrative persona), processes EUR 90,000 a month online with an average basket of EUR 340 and 25% premium or non-EU cards. On standard pricing, her effective rate is about 1.9%, or EUR 20,500 per year.
By renegotiating with two providers and comparing an Interchange++ offer at 1.35% effective:
- Estimated annual fees: EUR 14,600, a saving of EUR 5,900 per year.
- Migration cost: 3 days of development and testing, about EUR 2,400.
- Payback: about 5 months.
FAQ
Is Stripe's standard pricing negotiable?
Yes, usually from EUR 80,000 to 100,000 processed per month. Discounts typically range from 0.2 to 0.5 point on the percentage.
What is Interchange++?
It is pricing that separates the interchange fee, scheme fees and the provider's margin. It pays off when more than 20% of transactions go through premium or foreign cards.
How much does a dispute cost?
Between EUR 15 and 25 per dispute, sometimes even when you win it. Above 0.75% disputes, card schemes can place the merchant under monitoring.
Does the payout delay really matter?
Yes: at EUR 150,000 a month, moving from D+7 to D+2 frees about EUR 25,000 of cash permanently. It is a negotiation lever just like the rate.
Can we use two providers in parallel?
Yes, many SMBs keep a primary PSP and a backup or one for specific payment methods. The extra integration effort is often 2 to 5 days of development.
Let's scope your project. Share your monthly volume, average basket and current provider: we will price the integration, indicative budget and switch-over timeline. 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.
