The verdict in three sentences
At EUR 1.2 million collected per year, Stripe stays the easiest to integrate but becomes the most expensive, at around EUR 20,500 in annual fees. A bank acquiring contract or an interchange++ PSP like Adyen brings the bill down to EUR 9,000 to 12,500, at the cost of heavier integration and negotiation. Moving recurring customers to SEPA Direct Debit at 0.35% is often the most profitable lever.
2026 pricing grids compared
| Criterion | Stripe (standard) | Bank (acquiring + gateway) | Interchange++ PSP (Adyen, Mollie) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard European card | 1.5% + EUR 0.25 | 0.6 to 1.2% | Interchange + scheme + markup, i.e. 0.8 to 1.1% |
| Fixed fee per transaction | Included above | EUR 0.05 to 0.15 | EUR 0.10 to 0.13 |
| Monthly subscription | EUR 0 | EUR 20 to 60 gateway | EUR 0, minimum invoice possible |
| Non-European card | 3.25% + EUR 0.25 | 1.8 to 2.8% | 2 to 3% |
| SEPA Direct Debit | 0.35% (order of magnitude) | EUR 0.20 to 0.50 per debit | EUR 0.25 to 0.35 or 0.35% |
| Payout delay | D+2 to D+7 | D+1 to D+2 | D+1 to D+3 |
| Setup time | 1 to 3 days | 3 to 6 weeks | 2 to 6 weeks |
Bank and PSP rates are negotiable: they depend on your volume, average basket and dispute rate. The figures above are 2026 orders of magnitude for an SME of this size.
Annual simulation for EUR 1.2 million and 10,000 transactions
Assumption: EUR 120 average basket, standard European cards only.
| Scenario | Estimated annual fees (EUR) | Integration cost (EUR excl. VAT) | Year 1 cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe 100% card | 20,500 | 1,500 to 3,000 | 22,000 to 23,500 |
| Bank 100% card at 0.8% | 11,300 | 4,000 to 8,000 | 15,300 to 19,300 |
| Interchange++ PSP 100% card | 12,500 | 5,000 to 10,000 | 17,500 to 22,500 |
| Stripe 70% card, 30% SEPA | 15,600 | 3,000 to 5,000 | 18,600 to 20,600 |
| Bank 70% card, 30% SEPA | 9,300 | 6,000 to 10,000 | 15,300 to 19,300 |
From year two, the gap between Stripe alone and bank plus SEPA exceeds EUR 11,000 per year. Below EUR 400,000 of annual volume, however, Stripe is hard to beat once internal time is counted.
3-D Secure, disputes and cash flow: the hidden costs
- 3-D Secure 2: mandatory under PSD2 for most card payments in Europe. A poorly integrated flow loses 3 to 8% of payments. Stripe and PSPs handle exemptions (amounts under EUR 30, risk analysis) better than most bank gateways.
- Disputes: expect EUR 15 to 25 per chargeback, whatever the provider.
- Cash flow: on EUR 1.2 million, getting paid at D+7 instead of D+2 permanently ties up about EUR 16,000.
- Reconciliation: a clean export to your accounting software can save 2 to 4 hours a month.
Mini case study
Niamh, managing director of an SME selling lab equipment online in Dublin, collects EUR 1.2 million a year on Stripe, i.e. EUR 20,500 in fees. 30% of revenue comes from business customers ordering every month.
- Bank contract negotiated at 0.8% + EUR 0.10 on cards (EUR 840,000, 7,000 transactions): EUR 8,020 including gateway.
- SEPA Direct Debit at 0.35% for recurring customers (EUR 360,000): EUR 1,260.
- Integration and 3-D Secure testing: EUR 6,000, one-off.
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Year 1 total: EUR 15,280 versus EUR 20,500. Savings of EUR 5,220 in year one, then EUR 11,220 per year after that.
FAQ
Should we leave Stripe to save money?
Not necessarily. Above EUR 1 million in volume, Stripe will negotiate custom pricing, often 0.3 to 0.5 points below the standard grid. Ask for an offer before starting a migration.
Is SEPA Direct Debit suitable for a B2B SME?
Yes, for recurring customers. At 0.35% or EUR 0.35 per debit, it costs 3 to 4 times less than a card, with 2 to 5 business days to settle.
How long does a bank acquiring contract take?
Allow 3 to 6 weeks between application, risk review and integration. Also plan 3-D Secure tests on at least 5 real cards.
Is Adyen better than a bank?
An interchange++ PSP brings many payment methods and detailed reporting. It becomes relevant above EUR 2 to 3 million or if you sell in several countries.
Can we combine several providers?
Yes, for instance Stripe for non-European cards and the bank for domestic cards. The extra integration cost is around EUR 2,000 to 4,000.
Let's scope your project. Send us your annual volume, average basket and current provider, and we will price a bank, PSP or SEPA integration between EUR 3,000 and 10,000 with the expected savings. 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.
