The verdict in three sentences
For an SME processing 1.2M EUR a year online with an average basket of 180 EUR, a bank acquirer or Adyen on interchange++ pricing is the cheapest on pure fees (about 14,500 to 16,500 EUR a year all-in), versus about 22,000 EUR at Stripe on standard pricing. Stripe compensates with faster integration, no minimum invoice and built-in fraud tools that protect the 3-D Secure acceptance rate. At this volume, the right move is often to negotiate: Stripe offers custom pricing above roughly 1M EUR a year.
2026 price lists side by side
The three options bill differently. Stripe is a payment service provider (PSP) with blended pricing that bundles acquiring, gateway and fraud screening. Adyen is a PSP and acquirer that bills interchange++ plus a fixed processing fee. A bank acquirer separates the acquiring contract from the payment gateway, which you contract separately.
| Criterion | Stripe | Adyen | Bank acquirer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard European card fee | 1.5% + 0.25 EUR | Interchange++ + about 0.6% markup + 0.11 EUR | 0.6 to 1.2% (negotiable) |
| Monthly fee | 0 EUR | Minimum invoice, often about 1,000 EUR a month | 20 to 40 EUR (gateway and contract) |
| Fixed fee per transaction | Included in the 0.25 EUR | 0.11 EUR processing fee | 0.05 to 0.15 EUR depending on bank |
| Non-EEA cards | 3.25% + 0.25 EUR | Higher interchange, passed through | 0.5 to 1.5 point surcharge |
| Setup fee | 0 EUR | 0 EUR | 0 to 300 EUR |
| Payout delay | 2 business days standard | 1 to 2 days, configurable | 1 to 3 days depending on bank |
| Fraud tools | Radar included (advanced optional) | RevenueProtect included | Gateway module, sometimes paid |
| Commitment | None | Contract, sales-qualified onboarding | 12 months common |
These are 2026 estimates observed on the European market. Premium and corporate cards, common in B2B, cost more at Stripe (1.9% + 0.25 EUR), which matters if most of your buyers are businesses.
The real annual cost for 1.2M EUR processed
With a 180 EUR average basket, the SME handles about 6,667 transactions a year. Here is the estimated total cost, assuming 90% standard European cards and 10% premium or non-EEA cards.
| Annual item | Stripe | Adyen | Bank acquirer |
|---|---|---|---|
| European card fees (1.08M EUR) | 17,867 EUR | about 11,500 EUR (1.0% all-in + 0.11 EUR) | 9,300 EUR (0.8% + 0.10 EUR) |
| Premium and non-EEA surcharge (120k EUR) | 2,600 EUR | 1,900 EUR | 1,800 EUR |
| Monthly fees | 0 EUR | Covered by minimum invoice | 360 EUR |
| Integration and module maintenance | 1,500 EUR | 2,000 to 3,000 EUR | 3,000 to 5,000 EUR |
| Disputes (chargeback fees) | 15 EUR per dispute | about 20 EUR per dispute | 10 to 25 EUR per dispute |
| Estimated total | about 22,000 EUR | about 15,000 to 16,500 EUR | about 14,500 to 16,500 EUR |
The 5,500 to 7,500 EUR yearly gap shrinks if integration is complex or the acceptance rate drops. One conversion point lost on 1.2M EUR equals 12,000 EUR of revenue, more than the fee savings.
PSD2, 3-D Secure and acceptance rate
Under PSD2, 3-D Secure strong authentication is the rule for card payments in Europe, with exemptions for low amounts (under 30 EUR) and low-risk transactions (PSP risk analysis). Stripe and Adyen automatically request these exemptions when their risk engine allows it, reducing checkout drop-off. With a bank acquirer, the setup depends on the gateway and is often more conservative: systematic 3-D Secure, so 3 to 8% extra drop-off on mobile according to market estimates.
Mini case study
Julia, managing director of a lab equipment SME in Amsterdam, processes 1.2M EUR a year online. She paid 22,000 EUR a year at Stripe on standard pricing. She compared three options: stay with Stripe on negotiated pricing (1.2% + 0.20 EUR), move to Adyen, or open a bank acquiring contract at 0.75% + 0.10 EUR.
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The negotiated Stripe rate brings the cost down to about 16,600 EUR, with no development. The bank acquirer comes out at about 14,200 EUR (fees, gateway and maintenance) plus 4,000 EUR of integration in year one, so 18,200 EUR. Adyen lands near 13,400 EUR in fees but requires a commercial onboarding and a 2,500 EUR integration, so about 15,900 EUR in year one. Julia chooses the Stripe renegotiation: she saves 5,400 EUR in year one, keeps 2-day payouts and avoids conversion risk. Adyen becomes attractive once her volume exceeds 3M EUR.
FAQ
At what volume can you negotiate with Stripe?
In practice, Stripe reviews custom pricing from about 80,000 to 100,000 EUR processed per month. For 1.2M EUR a year, a 0.2 to 0.4 point fee reduction is a realistic estimate.
Does Adyen accept small SMEs?
Adyen targets mid-market and enterprise merchants and usually applies a minimum monthly invoice, often around 1,000 EUR. Below roughly 1M EUR a year, Stripe is generally simpler and comparable in cost.
Does a bank acquirer require a commitment?
Often yes, with a 12-month contract and 20 to 40 EUR a month for the gateway. Also check termination fees and reserve conditions on settlements.
How long does switching providers take?
Plan 2 to 4 weeks for Stripe with a standard module, 4 to 8 weeks for Adyen or a bank acquirer (contract, gateway testing). Saved cards for subscriptions must be migrated with both PSPs' cooperation.
Can you combine several solutions?
Yes. Many SMEs keep a bank acquirer for European cards and Stripe for international cards, wallets or SEPA Direct Debit. Routing costs 3,000 to 8,000 EUR of development.
Let's scope your project. We audit your payment fees and integrate the most profitable setup (Stripe, Adyen, bank acquirer or a combination) for an indicative budget of 1,500 to 8,000 EUR, in 2 to 6 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.
