To compare online payment options, add up transaction fees, fixed charges, software, setup and maintenance. Use the same sales volume, average order value and card types for every offer. A low headline percentage does not tell you the full cost.
This guide covers payments on your website. If you need a card terminal for a physical shop, request a separate quote rather than assuming the terms are the same.
What to include in your comparison
| Cost | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Percentage fee | Which cards and transactions does it apply to? |
| Fixed transaction fee | Is this charged on top of the percentage? |
| Regular charges | What do the bank, software and other services cost? |
| Setup | Does it include installation, store integration and testing? |
| Other transactions | What are the terms for refunds, currencies and disputes? |
| Maintenance | Who handles problems, and what support is included? |
Record the date, conditions and source of each figure. If a charge is missing from the quote, ask about it rather than entering zero. Our guide to MoraBanc, Creand and Andbank helps you prepare comparable requests.
A worked example
These are fictional prices, not bank tariffs. Assume 100 sales of €50, all charged at the same rate: €5,000 in total payments.
| Fictional offer | Monthly calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1% of €5,000 + €0.10 × 100 + €20 fixed charge | €80 |
| B | 1.2% of €5,000 + €10 fixed charge | €70 |
Here, the lower percentage produces the higher total. Setup, taxes, refunds and other charges are excluded. For a first-year estimate, add one-off costs to twelve months of running costs using the same assumptions.
Recalculate when order volume or average order value changes. A fixed charge per transaction has a different effect on many small purchases than on a few large ones.
What does “free” actually cover?
It might mean no signup fee, no monthly charge or a temporary promotion. Ask which cost is waived, for how long and under what conditions. The headline alone does not describe what your business will pay.
Check the fit before choosing
The service must work with your platform, payment methods and order process. A cheaper rate will not solve an incompatibility with subscriptions or refunds.
Comparing payment options for your store? Tell us what you sell, which platform you use and which bank you work with. We can discuss what your quote needs to cover.