The verdict in three sentences
For an SMB taking 40,000 EUR per month online, the choice of payment gateway weighs between 7,000 and 12,000 EUR in fees per year. Stripe (1.5% + 0.25 EUR for a European card) wins on large baskets and international sales, PayPlug (1.2 to 2.5% depending on the plan) becomes the cheapest with a volume-appropriate subscription, and SumUp (1.95%) stays simple but costs more above 20,000 EUR per month. Over a year, the typical gap is 1,500 to 4,000 EUR, for 1 to 3 weeks of integration.
2026 pricing side by side
Public rates change regularly and become negotiable above certain volumes. The table below gives 2026 orders of magnitude for a French SMB.
| Criterion (2026 order of magnitude) | Stripe | PayPlug | SumUp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard European card | 1.5% + 0.25 EUR | 1.2 to 2.5% by plan (+ possible fixed fee) | 1.95% |
| Non-EU card | about 3.25% + 0.25 EUR | higher, by plan | higher |
| Monthly subscription | 0 EUR | 0 to 50 EUR by plan | 0 EUR |
| Payout delay | 2 to 7 days | 2 to 5 days | 1 to 3 business days |
| Instalments and alternative methods | Wide range (Klarna, SEPA, Apple Pay) | Pay in instalments, Apple Pay | More limited |
| In-store terminal | Yes (Terminal) | Yes | Historical strength |
| Custom integration (API) | Extensively documented | Good, France-focused | Adequate |
Three factors often change the bill: the share of business or non-EU cards (more expensive everywhere), the average basket (the 0.25 EUR fixed fee weighs heavily on small baskets) and dispute fees of 15 to 20 EUR per chargeback.
Simulation: 40,000 EUR collected per month
Assumptions: standard European cards only, PayPlug volume plan at 1.2% + 0.25 EUR with a 40 EUR monthly subscription.
| Profile | Stripe per year | PayPlug volume plan per year | SumUp per year | Maximum gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 EUR average basket (1,000 payments a month) | 10,200 EUR | 9,240 EUR | 9,360 EUR | 960 EUR |
| 120 EUR average basket (333 payments a month) | 8,200 EUR | 7,240 EUR | 9,360 EUR | 2,120 EUR |
| 200 EUR average basket (200 payments a month) | 7,800 EUR | 6,840 EUR | 9,360 EUR | 2,520 EUR |
| 120 EUR basket with 15% non-EU cards | 9,460 EUR | 8,400 EUR (estimate) | 10,200 EUR (estimate) | 1,800 EUR |
| PayPlug entry plan at 2.5% (120 EUR basket) | 8,200 EUR | 12,000 EUR | 9,360 EUR | 3,800 EUR |
Key lesson: the wrong plan costs more than the wrong provider. An SMB left on a 2.5% entry plan while collecting 40,000 EUR a month loses close to 4,000 EUR a year.
3D Secure, integration and timeline
Since the PSD2 directive, 3D Secure strong customer authentication is mandatory for card payments in Europe, with possible exemptions (small amounts under 30 EUR, low-risk transactions). All three providers handle it natively. The stake is conversion: a poorly configured 3D Secure flow loses 3 to 8% of payments.
| Integration type | Timeline | Indicative budget excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce, PrestaShop or Shopify module | 1 week | 500 to 1,500 EUR |
| API integration on a custom site | 2 to 3 weeks | 2,500 to 6,000 EUR |
| Recurring payments or subscriptions | 2 to 3 weeks | 3,000 to 7,000 EUR |
| Switching provider (stored cards) | 2 weeks | 1,500 to 4,000 EUR |
| Automated accounting reconciliation | 1 to 2 weeks | 1,000 to 3,000 EUR |
Mini case study
Thomas, owner of a garden equipment SMB in Nantes, collects 40,000 EUR a month online with a 120 EUR average basket. He has used SumUp since opening his physical store.
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- Current SumUp fees: 40,000 EUR × 1.95% = 780 EUR a month, or 9,360 EUR a year.
- Switching to the PayPlug volume plan: 480 EUR + 333 × 0.25 EUR + 40 EUR = 603 EUR a month, or 7,240 EUR a year.
- Saving: 2,120 EUR a year, for a 2,000 EUR integration on his custom site.
Payback is about 11 months, then the saving is net. Thomas keeps his SumUp terminal in store, where volume remains low.
FAQ
Can Stripe fees be negotiated?
Yes. Above roughly 80,000 to 100,000 EUR collected per month, Stripe offers custom pricing. Below that, the public 1.5% + 0.25 EUR rate applies.
Should we keep several gateways?
For an SMB at 40,000 EUR a month, one online gateway is enough. A backup makes sense above 150,000 EUR a month, when a one-hour outage costs more than 200 EUR of sales.
Does 3D Secure reduce sales?
It can cost 3 to 8% of conversion when triggered systematically. Properly configured with exemptions, the loss falls below 1 to 2%.
How long does switching provider take?
Plan 1 to 3 weeks depending on the integration. Cards stored for subscriptions can be migrated, so you do not have to ask customers for their card details again.
Are fees tax-deductible?
Yes, they are deductible financial expenses. Providers issue a monthly invoice, and automated reconciliation saves 2 to 4 hours of bookkeeping per month.
Let's scope your project. We audit your real fees, pick the gateway and plan that fit your volume, then integrate payments in 1 to 3 weeks for an indicative budget of 500 to 6,000 EUR excl. VAT. 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.
