Card payment fees in comparison: What merchants need to know

Card payment fees in comparison: What merchants need to know

Card payment fees in comparison: What merchants need to know

What card payment fees can merchants expect? Our comparison shows costs, differences, and advantages, with specific scenarios for brick-and-mortar stores and omnichannel providers.

What card payment fees can merchants expect? Our comparison shows costs, differences, and advantages, with specific scenarios for brick-and-mortar stores and omnichannel providers.

Jun 30, 2025

Christopher Henke

Sales Lead DACH bei Mollie

Overview: Card payment fees

  • Merchants pay fixed and variable fees per transaction

  • Debit cards are usually cheaper than credit cards

  • Fee models vary greatly depending on the provider

  • Additional costs arise for terminals or refunds, for example

  • Omnichannel solutions reduce effort and bundle costs

  • Mollie offers transparent prices and easy integration

  • Merchants pay fixed and variable fees per transaction

  • Debit cards are usually cheaper than credit cards

  • Fee models vary greatly depending on the provider

  • Additional costs arise for terminals or refunds, for example

  • Omnichannel solutions reduce effort and bundle costs

  • Mollie offers transparent prices and easy integration

  • Merchants pay fixed and variable fees per transaction

  • Debit cards are usually cheaper than credit cards

  • Fee models vary greatly depending on the provider

  • Additional costs arise for terminals or refunds, for example

  • Omnichannel solutions reduce effort and bundle costs

  • Mollie offers transparent prices and easy integration

  • Merchants pay fixed and variable fees per transaction

  • Debit cards are usually cheaper than credit cards

  • Fee models vary greatly depending on the provider

  • Additional costs arise for terminals or refunds, for example

  • Omnichannel solutions reduce effort and bundle costs

  • Mollie offers transparent prices and easy integration

These costs arise for debit and credit card payments

If you offer card payments in your online shop or brick-and-mortar store, you will incur various types of costs. In addition to the actual transaction fees, technical equipment and additional services also play a role. The fees vary depending on the type of card – especially between EC cards (debit cards) and credit cards.

Card payments with EC cards: cheaper, but not always transparent

For payments with EC cards – technically referred to as debit cards – many providers use simple fee models. As a rule, you pay a fixed fee per transaction or a percentage of the transaction amount.

Note for merchants:

The Girocard is still widely used in brick-and-mortar stores, especially at savings banks and cooperative banks. Many of these cards now carry a Visa or Mastercard co-badge, but often continue to function as Girocards in everyday use. This can make a difference for merchants: payments made using the debit functions of Visa or Mastercard can usually be used internationally, online, and are billed uniformly. Card payment fees also vary depending on the system—an important point for merchants with an omnichannel focus.

At Mollie, Visa and Mastercard debit cards are billed significantly cheaper at the POS than real credit cards. For you as a merchant, this means more clarity, lower fees, and no nasty surprises when you settle your account.

In addition, there are often costs for the EC card device, which you can either buy or rent. The acquisition costs for such devices are usually between $40 and $400. Rental devices start at around €5 per month.

In addition to the device costs, there are variable transaction fees. These are often between 0.2% and 0.5% of sales – in some cases, a small fixed fee is also charged.

Credit card payments: more service, higher fees

The fees for credit card payments are usually higher. The reason: credit card payments pass through international networks as part of the acquiring process, involve security checks, and offer additional functions – for example, for recurring payments or sales abroad.

Transaction fees of between 1.5 percent and 3 percent are typical, depending on the card used (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) and the customer's country of origin. For online payments, additional costs may be incurred for chargebacks or authentication procedures.

If you want to accurately estimate the costs of card payments for your business, it is worth considering debit and credit cards separately – especially with regard to your target group and sales volume.

Cash payments at the POS: Costs retailers should be aware of

In addition to card payments, cash still accounts for a large proportion of revenue. Unlike card payments, there are no transaction costs at first glance. However, a study by the Bundesbank shows that an average of 1.797 percent in fees are incurred per cash transaction. This includes all costs, such as labor (counting money, packaging, taking it to the bank), deposit fees, and costs for obtaining change.

If you offer card payments in your online shop or brick-and-mortar store, you will incur various types of costs. In addition to the actual transaction fees, technical equipment and additional services also play a role. The fees vary depending on the type of card – especially between EC cards (debit cards) and credit cards.

Card payments with EC cards: cheaper, but not always transparent

For payments with EC cards – technically referred to as debit cards – many providers use simple fee models. As a rule, you pay a fixed fee per transaction or a percentage of the transaction amount.

Note for merchants:

The Girocard is still widely used in brick-and-mortar stores, especially at savings banks and cooperative banks. Many of these cards now carry a Visa or Mastercard co-badge, but often continue to function as Girocards in everyday use. This can make a difference for merchants: payments made using the debit functions of Visa or Mastercard can usually be used internationally, online, and are billed uniformly. Card payment fees also vary depending on the system—an important point for merchants with an omnichannel focus.

At Mollie, Visa and Mastercard debit cards are billed significantly cheaper at the POS than real credit cards. For you as a merchant, this means more clarity, lower fees, and no nasty surprises when you settle your account.

In addition, there are often costs for the EC card device, which you can either buy or rent. The acquisition costs for such devices are usually between $40 and $400. Rental devices start at around €5 per month.

In addition to the device costs, there are variable transaction fees. These are often between 0.2% and 0.5% of sales – in some cases, a small fixed fee is also charged.

Credit card payments: more service, higher fees

The fees for credit card payments are usually higher. The reason: credit card payments pass through international networks as part of the acquiring process, involve security checks, and offer additional functions – for example, for recurring payments or sales abroad.

Transaction fees of between 1.5 percent and 3 percent are typical, depending on the card used (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) and the customer's country of origin. For online payments, additional costs may be incurred for chargebacks or authentication procedures.

If you want to accurately estimate the costs of card payments for your business, it is worth considering debit and credit cards separately – especially with regard to your target group and sales volume.

Cash payments at the POS: Costs retailers should be aware of

In addition to card payments, cash still accounts for a large proportion of revenue. Unlike card payments, there are no transaction costs at first glance. However, a study by the Bundesbank shows that an average of 1.797 percent in fees are incurred per cash transaction. This includes all costs, such as labor (counting money, packaging, taking it to the bank), deposit fees, and costs for obtaining change.

If you offer card payments in your online shop or brick-and-mortar store, you will incur various types of costs. In addition to the actual transaction fees, technical equipment and additional services also play a role. The fees vary depending on the type of card – especially between EC cards (debit cards) and credit cards.

Card payments with EC cards: cheaper, but not always transparent

For payments with EC cards – technically referred to as debit cards – many providers use simple fee models. As a rule, you pay a fixed fee per transaction or a percentage of the transaction amount.

Note for merchants:

The Girocard is still widely used in brick-and-mortar stores, especially at savings banks and cooperative banks. Many of these cards now carry a Visa or Mastercard co-badge, but often continue to function as Girocards in everyday use. This can make a difference for merchants: payments made using the debit functions of Visa or Mastercard can usually be used internationally, online, and are billed uniformly. Card payment fees also vary depending on the system—an important point for merchants with an omnichannel focus.

At Mollie, Visa and Mastercard debit cards are billed significantly cheaper at the POS than real credit cards. For you as a merchant, this means more clarity, lower fees, and no nasty surprises when you settle your account.

In addition, there are often costs for the EC card device, which you can either buy or rent. The acquisition costs for such devices are usually between $40 and $400. Rental devices start at around €5 per month.

In addition to the device costs, there are variable transaction fees. These are often between 0.2% and 0.5% of sales – in some cases, a small fixed fee is also charged.

Credit card payments: more service, higher fees

The fees for credit card payments are usually higher. The reason: credit card payments pass through international networks as part of the acquiring process, involve security checks, and offer additional functions – for example, for recurring payments or sales abroad.

Transaction fees of between 1.5 percent and 3 percent are typical, depending on the card used (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) and the customer's country of origin. For online payments, additional costs may be incurred for chargebacks or authentication procedures.

If you want to accurately estimate the costs of card payments for your business, it is worth considering debit and credit cards separately – especially with regard to your target group and sales volume.

Cash payments at the POS: Costs retailers should be aware of

In addition to card payments, cash still accounts for a large proportion of revenue. Unlike card payments, there are no transaction costs at first glance. However, a study by the Bundesbank shows that an average of 1.797 percent in fees are incurred per cash transaction. This includes all costs, such as labor (counting money, packaging, taking it to the bank), deposit fees, and costs for obtaining change.

If you offer card payments in your online shop or brick-and-mortar store, you will incur various types of costs. In addition to the actual transaction fees, technical equipment and additional services also play a role. The fees vary depending on the type of card – especially between EC cards (debit cards) and credit cards.

Card payments with EC cards: cheaper, but not always transparent

For payments with EC cards – technically referred to as debit cards – many providers use simple fee models. As a rule, you pay a fixed fee per transaction or a percentage of the transaction amount.

Note for merchants:

The Girocard is still widely used in brick-and-mortar stores, especially at savings banks and cooperative banks. Many of these cards now carry a Visa or Mastercard co-badge, but often continue to function as Girocards in everyday use. This can make a difference for merchants: payments made using the debit functions of Visa or Mastercard can usually be used internationally, online, and are billed uniformly. Card payment fees also vary depending on the system—an important point for merchants with an omnichannel focus.

At Mollie, Visa and Mastercard debit cards are billed significantly cheaper at the POS than real credit cards. For you as a merchant, this means more clarity, lower fees, and no nasty surprises when you settle your account.

In addition, there are often costs for the EC card device, which you can either buy or rent. The acquisition costs for such devices are usually between $40 and $400. Rental devices start at around €5 per month.

In addition to the device costs, there are variable transaction fees. These are often between 0.2% and 0.5% of sales – in some cases, a small fixed fee is also charged.

Credit card payments: more service, higher fees

The fees for credit card payments are usually higher. The reason: credit card payments pass through international networks as part of the acquiring process, involve security checks, and offer additional functions – for example, for recurring payments or sales abroad.

Transaction fees of between 1.5 percent and 3 percent are typical, depending on the card used (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) and the customer's country of origin. For online payments, additional costs may be incurred for chargebacks or authentication procedures.

If you want to accurately estimate the costs of card payments for your business, it is worth considering debit and credit cards separately – especially with regard to your target group and sales volume.

Cash payments at the POS: Costs retailers should be aware of

In addition to card payments, cash still accounts for a large proportion of revenue. Unlike card payments, there are no transaction costs at first glance. However, a study by the Bundesbank shows that an average of 1.797 percent in fees are incurred per cash transaction. This includes all costs, such as labor (counting money, packaging, taking it to the bank), deposit fees, and costs for obtaining change.

Fee models: Why not all card payments are the same

Fee models vary considerably depending on the provider, which often makes comparisons difficult. Some providers combine fixed basic fees with variable transaction costs, while others offer all-in-one rates or volume-based discounts. What may seem cheap at first glance can turn out to be a cost trap in the long run—especially if additional costs are not clearly stated.

Here is an overview of some typical models:

  • Flat rates: monthly basic fee, regardless of transaction volume

  • Mixed calculation: fixed percentage per transaction – often including refund or service fees

  • Interchange plus: transparent breakdown by card type, but complex billing

  • Transaction-based: fees only for successful card payments – simple, flexible, and scalable

The latter in particular offers merchants the advantage that they only pay when sales are actually generated. This form of billing creates planning security – without minimum sales, basic fees, or long-term contractual commitments.

For EC card payments, many providers charge a combination of device rental and transaction fees. The exact amount varies greatly depending on the provider, device type, and scope of services. If you are thinking long term, you should not only pay attention to the individual price, but also to transparency and flexibility.

A fair fee model focuses on the needs of merchants: It clearly shows which fees apply to card payments and enables processes to be designed efficiently both online and at the point of sale.

Fee models vary considerably depending on the provider, which often makes comparisons difficult. Some providers combine fixed basic fees with variable transaction costs, while others offer all-in-one rates or volume-based discounts. What may seem cheap at first glance can turn out to be a cost trap in the long run—especially if additional costs are not clearly stated.

Here is an overview of some typical models:

  • Flat rates: monthly basic fee, regardless of transaction volume

  • Mixed calculation: fixed percentage per transaction – often including refund or service fees

  • Interchange plus: transparent breakdown by card type, but complex billing

  • Transaction-based: fees only for successful card payments – simple, flexible, and scalable

The latter in particular offers merchants the advantage that they only pay when sales are actually generated. This form of billing creates planning security – without minimum sales, basic fees, or long-term contractual commitments.

For EC card payments, many providers charge a combination of device rental and transaction fees. The exact amount varies greatly depending on the provider, device type, and scope of services. If you are thinking long term, you should not only pay attention to the individual price, but also to transparency and flexibility.

A fair fee model focuses on the needs of merchants: It clearly shows which fees apply to card payments and enables processes to be designed efficiently both online and at the point of sale.

Fee models vary considerably depending on the provider, which often makes comparisons difficult. Some providers combine fixed basic fees with variable transaction costs, while others offer all-in-one rates or volume-based discounts. What may seem cheap at first glance can turn out to be a cost trap in the long run—especially if additional costs are not clearly stated.

Here is an overview of some typical models:

  • Flat rates: monthly basic fee, regardless of transaction volume

  • Mixed calculation: fixed percentage per transaction – often including refund or service fees

  • Interchange plus: transparent breakdown by card type, but complex billing

  • Transaction-based: fees only for successful card payments – simple, flexible, and scalable

The latter in particular offers merchants the advantage that they only pay when sales are actually generated. This form of billing creates planning security – without minimum sales, basic fees, or long-term contractual commitments.

For EC card payments, many providers charge a combination of device rental and transaction fees. The exact amount varies greatly depending on the provider, device type, and scope of services. If you are thinking long term, you should not only pay attention to the individual price, but also to transparency and flexibility.

A fair fee model focuses on the needs of merchants: It clearly shows which fees apply to card payments and enables processes to be designed efficiently both online and at the point of sale.

Fee models vary considerably depending on the provider, which often makes comparisons difficult. Some providers combine fixed basic fees with variable transaction costs, while others offer all-in-one rates or volume-based discounts. What may seem cheap at first glance can turn out to be a cost trap in the long run—especially if additional costs are not clearly stated.

Here is an overview of some typical models:

  • Flat rates: monthly basic fee, regardless of transaction volume

  • Mixed calculation: fixed percentage per transaction – often including refund or service fees

  • Interchange plus: transparent breakdown by card type, but complex billing

  • Transaction-based: fees only for successful card payments – simple, flexible, and scalable

The latter in particular offers merchants the advantage that they only pay when sales are actually generated. This form of billing creates planning security – without minimum sales, basic fees, or long-term contractual commitments.

For EC card payments, many providers charge a combination of device rental and transaction fees. The exact amount varies greatly depending on the provider, device type, and scope of services. If you are thinking long term, you should not only pay attention to the individual price, but also to transparency and flexibility.

A fair fee model focuses on the needs of merchants: It clearly shows which fees apply to card payments and enables processes to be designed efficiently both online and at the point of sale.

Two example scenarios: How fees affect your business

The costs of card payments depend heavily on the business model, sales volume, and preferred payment methods of the customer base. The following two scenarios show how different the fee structure can be. We only consider the proportion of card payments and do not take cash into account.

Scenario 1: Brick-and-mortar boutique with many EC card payments

A fashion retailer runs a small store in Stuttgart. Sales are made exclusively on site, with around 80 percent of customers paying by EC card.

Initial situation:

  • Turnover: around 10,000 € per month

  • EC card payments dominate

  • Online sales not currently planned, but conceivable in the long term

  • Focus on low fixed costs and ease of use

In this scenario, EC card fees are particularly relevant. Providers with low flat rates per transaction or volume-based rates offer good conditions here.

Is Mollie a good choice for this scenario?

Mollie is competitively priced and scores particularly well in terms of future viability: if an online shop is added later, the existing infrastructure can be seamlessly expanded—without new contracts or additional systems.

Scenario 2: Omnichannel coffee roaster—Mollie is the perfect fit

A growing coffee business sells through an online shop and its own café, and also delivers to subscription customers in the US and within the EU. Around 60 percent of payments are made online, with the rest via a POS terminal and Tap to Pay in the café.

Initial situation:

This is where traditional POS providers quickly reach their limits – either in terms of functionality or the cost of card payments for merchants.

Is Mollie a good choice for this scenario?

Mollie offers exactly the combination that matters here: omnichannel capability, flexible integration, support for international payment methods—and, above all, transparent card payment fees that only apply to successful payments. There are no hidden additional costs for features such as subscription payments or EU transactions.

The costs of card payments depend heavily on the business model, sales volume, and preferred payment methods of the customer base. The following two scenarios show how different the fee structure can be. We only consider the proportion of card payments and do not take cash into account.

Scenario 1: Brick-and-mortar boutique with many EC card payments

A fashion retailer runs a small store in Stuttgart. Sales are made exclusively on site, with around 80 percent of customers paying by EC card.

Initial situation:

  • Turnover: around 10,000 € per month

  • EC card payments dominate

  • Online sales not currently planned, but conceivable in the long term

  • Focus on low fixed costs and ease of use

In this scenario, EC card fees are particularly relevant. Providers with low flat rates per transaction or volume-based rates offer good conditions here.

Is Mollie a good choice for this scenario?

Mollie is competitively priced and scores particularly well in terms of future viability: if an online shop is added later, the existing infrastructure can be seamlessly expanded—without new contracts or additional systems.

Scenario 2: Omnichannel coffee roaster—Mollie is the perfect fit

A growing coffee business sells through an online shop and its own café, and also delivers to subscription customers in the US and within the EU. Around 60 percent of payments are made online, with the rest via a POS terminal and Tap to Pay in the café.

Initial situation:

This is where traditional POS providers quickly reach their limits – either in terms of functionality or the cost of card payments for merchants.

Is Mollie a good choice for this scenario?

Mollie offers exactly the combination that matters here: omnichannel capability, flexible integration, support for international payment methods—and, above all, transparent card payment fees that only apply to successful payments. There are no hidden additional costs for features such as subscription payments or EU transactions.

The costs of card payments depend heavily on the business model, sales volume, and preferred payment methods of the customer base. The following two scenarios show how different the fee structure can be. We only consider the proportion of card payments and do not take cash into account.

Scenario 1: Brick-and-mortar boutique with many EC card payments

A fashion retailer runs a small store in Stuttgart. Sales are made exclusively on site, with around 80 percent of customers paying by EC card.

Initial situation:

  • Turnover: around 10,000 € per month

  • EC card payments dominate

  • Online sales not currently planned, but conceivable in the long term

  • Focus on low fixed costs and ease of use

In this scenario, EC card fees are particularly relevant. Providers with low flat rates per transaction or volume-based rates offer good conditions here.

Is Mollie a good choice for this scenario?

Mollie is competitively priced and scores particularly well in terms of future viability: if an online shop is added later, the existing infrastructure can be seamlessly expanded—without new contracts or additional systems.

Scenario 2: Omnichannel coffee roaster—Mollie is the perfect fit

A growing coffee business sells through an online shop and its own café, and also delivers to subscription customers in the US and within the EU. Around 60 percent of payments are made online, with the rest via a POS terminal and Tap to Pay in the café.

Initial situation:

This is where traditional POS providers quickly reach their limits – either in terms of functionality or the cost of card payments for merchants.

Is Mollie a good choice for this scenario?

Mollie offers exactly the combination that matters here: omnichannel capability, flexible integration, support for international payment methods—and, above all, transparent card payment fees that only apply to successful payments. There are no hidden additional costs for features such as subscription payments or EU transactions.

The costs of card payments depend heavily on the business model, sales volume, and preferred payment methods of the customer base. The following two scenarios show how different the fee structure can be. We only consider the proportion of card payments and do not take cash into account.

Scenario 1: Brick-and-mortar boutique with many EC card payments

A fashion retailer runs a small store in Stuttgart. Sales are made exclusively on site, with around 80 percent of customers paying by EC card.

Initial situation:

  • Turnover: around 10,000 € per month

  • EC card payments dominate

  • Online sales not currently planned, but conceivable in the long term

  • Focus on low fixed costs and ease of use

In this scenario, EC card fees are particularly relevant. Providers with low flat rates per transaction or volume-based rates offer good conditions here.

Is Mollie a good choice for this scenario?

Mollie is competitively priced and scores particularly well in terms of future viability: if an online shop is added later, the existing infrastructure can be seamlessly expanded—without new contracts or additional systems.

Scenario 2: Omnichannel coffee roaster—Mollie is the perfect fit

A growing coffee business sells through an online shop and its own café, and also delivers to subscription customers in the US and within the EU. Around 60 percent of payments are made online, with the rest via a POS terminal and Tap to Pay in the café.

Initial situation:

This is where traditional POS providers quickly reach their limits – either in terms of functionality or the cost of card payments for merchants.

Is Mollie a good choice for this scenario?

Mollie offers exactly the combination that matters here: omnichannel capability, flexible integration, support for international payment methods—and, above all, transparent card payment fees that only apply to successful payments. There are no hidden additional costs for features such as subscription payments or EU transactions.

Card payment comparison: 9 providers put to the test

The fees merchants pay for card payments depend heavily on the provider they choose and the distribution model. The two scenarios outlined above – a brick-and-mortar store and a growing omnichannel business – show how different the total monthly costs can be.

A direct comparison makes it clear that providers with a purely percentage-based pricing structure, such as SumUp or Zettle, offer an easy entry point for smaller businesses with manageable sales volumes. SumUp's card payment fees are 1.39 percent – which sounds attractive at first, but can quickly become more expensive as volumes grow. Orderbird also charges merchants a flat rate of 1.75 percent – Orderbird's card payment fees are therefore easy to calculate, but offer little scope for scaling.

The picture is quite different for providers such as Mollie or Adyen. They work with transaction-based models, where only successful payments are charged – at transparent, comprehensible conditions. Especially in scenario 2, with a strong online presence and high monthly turnover, merchants benefit from predictable cost structures without rigid contractual commitments or additional fees for international payments, subscriptions, or POS integration.

Comparison table: POS fees for EC payments (examples, rounded)

Provider

EC-fees*

Fixed costs/month

Term

Rating
(Trustpilot, as of April 2025)

Mollie

From 0.7 %

20 € per terminal

0 € with Tap to Pay

None

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4,5 out of 5)

SumUp

1.39 %

0 €

None

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4,0 out of 5)

Zettle by PayPal

From 0.95 %

0 €

None

⭐⭐⭐(3,0 out of 5)

Nexi (Concardis)

From 1.19 %

From 15.95 € per terminal

From 7,95 € for Tap to Pay

48 months

⭐⭐(2,3 out of 5)

Shopify POS

1,5 %

ab 25 € (Basic subscription)

None

⭐ (1,3 out of 5)

Orderbird

1,75 %

39 €

1 month

⭐⭐⭐(2,6 out of 5)

Adyen

ca. 0,95 % + 0,11 € 

0 €

None

⭐ (1,4 out of 5)

Stripe Terminal

From 1.4 % + 0.10 €

0 €

None

⭐⭐(2,1 out of 5)

Payone

0.24 % + 0.08 €

8.90 €

Variable, up to 48 months

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3,9 out of 5)

credit card payment

1.52 % (average value)

Depends on provider

Depends on provider


*Fees depend on volume, industry, card type, and services used. No guarantee.

Fees in practice: Two scenarios in a cost comparison

The fees listed above show how different the cost structure is depending on the provider. In the next step, we compare the total monthly costs for the two merchant profiles from the scenarios – once with a focus on brick-and-mortar sales and once with a strong online presence.

Total monthly costs by use case

Provider

Scenario 1: Boutique (POS)

Scenario 2: Coffee roaster (Omnichannel)

Mollie

110 €

346,50 €

Adyen

106,00 €

416,10 €

Nexi

134,95 €

577,45 €

Payone

65,90 €

438,20 €

SumUp

113,90 €

719,60 €

Zettle (POS)

PayPal (Online)

131,00 €

818,90 €

Orderbird

214 €

Shopify POS

175 €

736,00 €

Stripe

150 €

617,00 €

Note: The figures are rounded examples for typical merchant profiles in Germany. Online fees are based on publicly available terms and conditions (as of April 2025).

Calculations in detail (per provider and scenario)

Scenario 1: Boutique (POS, 10,000 € turnover)

  • 80 % EC payment (8,000 €)

  • 20 % credit card payment (2,000 €)

  • Average POS receipt: 100 €, i.e. 100 transactions

Scenario 2: Coffee roaster (POS & online, 35,000 € turnover)

  • 40 % POS (14,000 €)

  • 60 % online (21,000 €)

  • Average POS receipt: 25 €, i.e. 560 transactions

  • Average online shopping basket: approx. 105 €, i.e. around 200 transactions

Mollie

  • POS: 0,7 %, credit card: 1,7 %, Online:  1,8 % + 0,25 €
    Boutique total: 20,00 € (Tap-Terminal) + (8.000 € × 0,7 %) + (2.000 € × 1,7 %) = 20,00 + 56,00 € + 34,00 € = 110 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 20,00 € + (14.000 € × 0,7 %) = 118,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 € × 1,8 %) + (200 × 0,25 €) = 228,50€
    Coffee roaster total: 346,50 €

Adyen

  • POS & Online: 0,95 % + 0,11 €
    Boutique total: (10.000 × 0,95 %) + (100 × 0,11 €) = 106,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 0,95 %) + (560 × 0,11) = 194,60 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 0,95 %) + (200 × 0,11) = 221,50 €
    Coffee roaster total: 416,10 €

Nexi

  • POS: 1,19 %, Online: 1,69 % + 0,20 €
    Boutique POS: (8.000 € + 2.000 €) × 1,19 % = 119,00 € + 15,95 € (Terminal)
    Boutique total: 134,95 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 15,95 € (Terminal) + (14.000 × 1,19 %) = 182,55 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,69 %) + (200 × 0,20 €) = 394,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 577,45 €

Payone

  • POS: EC: 0,24 % + 0,08 €, credit card: 1,49 % + 0,08 €
    Online: credit card: 1,49 % + 0,09 € + 20 € fixed costs
    Boutique POS: EC (8.000 € × 0,24 %) + (80 × 0,08 €) = 25,60 €
    credit card: (2.000 € × 1,49 %) + (20 × 0,08 €) = 31,40 €
    Fixed costs: 8,90 €
    Boutique total: 65,90 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 0,24 %) + (560 × 0,08 €) + 8,90 € =  87,30 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,49 %) + (200 × 0,09 €) + 20,00 € = 350,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 438,20 €

SumUp

  • POS: 1,39 %, Online: 2,5 %
    Boutique total: 10.000 € × 1,39 % = 139,00 €
    Discount assumed for larger volumes, 113.90 € realistic
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 14.000 € × 1,39 % = 194,60 €
    Coffee roaster Online: 21.000 € × 2,5 % = 525,00 €
    Coffee roaster total: 719,60 €

Zettle (POS) & PayPal (Online)

  • POS: EC 0,95 %, KK 2,75 %, Online: 2,99 % + 0,29 €
    Boutique: (8.000 € × 0,95 %) = 76,00 €
    (2.000 € × 2,75 %) = 55,00 €
    Boutique total: 131,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 € × 0,95 %) = 133 €
    Coffee roaster Online: 21.000 € × 2,99 % + (200 × 0,29 €) = 685,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 818,90 €

Orderbird

  • POS: Einheitlich 1,75 %
    Boutique: 10.000 € × 1,75 % = 175,00 € + 39,00 € Grundgebühr
    Boutique total: 214,00 €
    Coffee roaster not available

Shopify POS

  • POS: 1,5 %, Online: 2,1 % + 0,30 €
    Boutique: 10.000 € × 1,5 % = 150,00 € + 25,00 € (Basic-Abo)
    Boutique total: 175,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 1,5 %) + 25,00 € (Basic-Abo) = 235,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 2,1 %) + (200 × 0,30 €) = 501,00 €
    Coffee roaster total:  736,00 €

Stripe

  • POS: 1,4 % + 0,10 €, Online: 1,5 % + 0,25 €
    Boutique total: EC 112,00 € + KK 38,00 € = 150,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 1,4 %) + (560 × 0,1 €) = 252,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,5 %) + (200 × 0,25 €) = 365,00 €
    Coffee roaster total: 617,00 €

The fees merchants pay for card payments depend heavily on the provider they choose and the distribution model. The two scenarios outlined above – a brick-and-mortar store and a growing omnichannel business – show how different the total monthly costs can be.

A direct comparison makes it clear that providers with a purely percentage-based pricing structure, such as SumUp or Zettle, offer an easy entry point for smaller businesses with manageable sales volumes. SumUp's card payment fees are 1.39 percent – which sounds attractive at first, but can quickly become more expensive as volumes grow. Orderbird also charges merchants a flat rate of 1.75 percent – Orderbird's card payment fees are therefore easy to calculate, but offer little scope for scaling.

The picture is quite different for providers such as Mollie or Adyen. They work with transaction-based models, where only successful payments are charged – at transparent, comprehensible conditions. Especially in scenario 2, with a strong online presence and high monthly turnover, merchants benefit from predictable cost structures without rigid contractual commitments or additional fees for international payments, subscriptions, or POS integration.

Comparison table: POS fees for EC payments (examples, rounded)

Provider

EC-fees*

Fixed costs/month

Term

Rating
(Trustpilot, as of April 2025)

Mollie

From 0.7 %

20 € per terminal

0 € with Tap to Pay

None

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4,5 out of 5)

SumUp

1.39 %

0 €

None

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4,0 out of 5)

Zettle by PayPal

From 0.95 %

0 €

None

⭐⭐⭐(3,0 out of 5)

Nexi (Concardis)

From 1.19 %

From 15.95 € per terminal

From 7,95 € for Tap to Pay

48 months

⭐⭐(2,3 out of 5)

Shopify POS

1,5 %

ab 25 € (Basic subscription)

None

⭐ (1,3 out of 5)

Orderbird

1,75 %

39 €

1 month

⭐⭐⭐(2,6 out of 5)

Adyen

ca. 0,95 % + 0,11 € 

0 €

None

⭐ (1,4 out of 5)

Stripe Terminal

From 1.4 % + 0.10 €

0 €

None

⭐⭐(2,1 out of 5)

Payone

0.24 % + 0.08 €

8.90 €

Variable, up to 48 months

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3,9 out of 5)

credit card payment

1.52 % (average value)

Depends on provider

Depends on provider


*Fees depend on volume, industry, card type, and services used. No guarantee.

Fees in practice: Two scenarios in a cost comparison

The fees listed above show how different the cost structure is depending on the provider. In the next step, we compare the total monthly costs for the two merchant profiles from the scenarios – once with a focus on brick-and-mortar sales and once with a strong online presence.

Total monthly costs by use case

Provider

Scenario 1: Boutique (POS)

Scenario 2: Coffee roaster (Omnichannel)

Mollie

110 €

346,50 €

Adyen

106,00 €

416,10 €

Nexi

134,95 €

577,45 €

Payone

65,90 €

438,20 €

SumUp

113,90 €

719,60 €

Zettle (POS)

PayPal (Online)

131,00 €

818,90 €

Orderbird

214 €

Shopify POS

175 €

736,00 €

Stripe

150 €

617,00 €

Note: The figures are rounded examples for typical merchant profiles in Germany. Online fees are based on publicly available terms and conditions (as of April 2025).

Calculations in detail (per provider and scenario)

Scenario 1: Boutique (POS, 10,000 € turnover)

  • 80 % EC payment (8,000 €)

  • 20 % credit card payment (2,000 €)

  • Average POS receipt: 100 €, i.e. 100 transactions

Scenario 2: Coffee roaster (POS & online, 35,000 € turnover)

  • 40 % POS (14,000 €)

  • 60 % online (21,000 €)

  • Average POS receipt: 25 €, i.e. 560 transactions

  • Average online shopping basket: approx. 105 €, i.e. around 200 transactions

Mollie

  • POS: 0,7 %, credit card: 1,7 %, Online:  1,8 % + 0,25 €
    Boutique total: 20,00 € (Tap-Terminal) + (8.000 € × 0,7 %) + (2.000 € × 1,7 %) = 20,00 + 56,00 € + 34,00 € = 110 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 20,00 € + (14.000 € × 0,7 %) = 118,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 € × 1,8 %) + (200 × 0,25 €) = 228,50€
    Coffee roaster total: 346,50 €

Adyen

  • POS & Online: 0,95 % + 0,11 €
    Boutique total: (10.000 × 0,95 %) + (100 × 0,11 €) = 106,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 0,95 %) + (560 × 0,11) = 194,60 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 0,95 %) + (200 × 0,11) = 221,50 €
    Coffee roaster total: 416,10 €

Nexi

  • POS: 1,19 %, Online: 1,69 % + 0,20 €
    Boutique POS: (8.000 € + 2.000 €) × 1,19 % = 119,00 € + 15,95 € (Terminal)
    Boutique total: 134,95 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 15,95 € (Terminal) + (14.000 × 1,19 %) = 182,55 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,69 %) + (200 × 0,20 €) = 394,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 577,45 €

Payone

  • POS: EC: 0,24 % + 0,08 €, credit card: 1,49 % + 0,08 €
    Online: credit card: 1,49 % + 0,09 € + 20 € fixed costs
    Boutique POS: EC (8.000 € × 0,24 %) + (80 × 0,08 €) = 25,60 €
    credit card: (2.000 € × 1,49 %) + (20 × 0,08 €) = 31,40 €
    Fixed costs: 8,90 €
    Boutique total: 65,90 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 0,24 %) + (560 × 0,08 €) + 8,90 € =  87,30 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,49 %) + (200 × 0,09 €) + 20,00 € = 350,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 438,20 €

SumUp

  • POS: 1,39 %, Online: 2,5 %
    Boutique total: 10.000 € × 1,39 % = 139,00 €
    Discount assumed for larger volumes, 113.90 € realistic
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 14.000 € × 1,39 % = 194,60 €
    Coffee roaster Online: 21.000 € × 2,5 % = 525,00 €
    Coffee roaster total: 719,60 €

Zettle (POS) & PayPal (Online)

  • POS: EC 0,95 %, KK 2,75 %, Online: 2,99 % + 0,29 €
    Boutique: (8.000 € × 0,95 %) = 76,00 €
    (2.000 € × 2,75 %) = 55,00 €
    Boutique total: 131,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 € × 0,95 %) = 133 €
    Coffee roaster Online: 21.000 € × 2,99 % + (200 × 0,29 €) = 685,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 818,90 €

Orderbird

  • POS: Einheitlich 1,75 %
    Boutique: 10.000 € × 1,75 % = 175,00 € + 39,00 € Grundgebühr
    Boutique total: 214,00 €
    Coffee roaster not available

Shopify POS

  • POS: 1,5 %, Online: 2,1 % + 0,30 €
    Boutique: 10.000 € × 1,5 % = 150,00 € + 25,00 € (Basic-Abo)
    Boutique total: 175,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 1,5 %) + 25,00 € (Basic-Abo) = 235,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 2,1 %) + (200 × 0,30 €) = 501,00 €
    Coffee roaster total:  736,00 €

Stripe

  • POS: 1,4 % + 0,10 €, Online: 1,5 % + 0,25 €
    Boutique total: EC 112,00 € + KK 38,00 € = 150,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 1,4 %) + (560 × 0,1 €) = 252,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,5 %) + (200 × 0,25 €) = 365,00 €
    Coffee roaster total: 617,00 €

The fees merchants pay for card payments depend heavily on the provider they choose and the distribution model. The two scenarios outlined above – a brick-and-mortar store and a growing omnichannel business – show how different the total monthly costs can be.

A direct comparison makes it clear that providers with a purely percentage-based pricing structure, such as SumUp or Zettle, offer an easy entry point for smaller businesses with manageable sales volumes. SumUp's card payment fees are 1.39 percent – which sounds attractive at first, but can quickly become more expensive as volumes grow. Orderbird also charges merchants a flat rate of 1.75 percent – Orderbird's card payment fees are therefore easy to calculate, but offer little scope for scaling.

The picture is quite different for providers such as Mollie or Adyen. They work with transaction-based models, where only successful payments are charged – at transparent, comprehensible conditions. Especially in scenario 2, with a strong online presence and high monthly turnover, merchants benefit from predictable cost structures without rigid contractual commitments or additional fees for international payments, subscriptions, or POS integration.

Comparison table: POS fees for EC payments (examples, rounded)

Provider

EC-fees*

Fixed costs/month

Term

Rating
(Trustpilot, as of April 2025)

Mollie

From 0.7 %

20 € per terminal

0 € with Tap to Pay

None

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4,5 out of 5)

SumUp

1.39 %

0 €

None

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4,0 out of 5)

Zettle by PayPal

From 0.95 %

0 €

None

⭐⭐⭐(3,0 out of 5)

Nexi (Concardis)

From 1.19 %

From 15.95 € per terminal

From 7,95 € for Tap to Pay

48 months

⭐⭐(2,3 out of 5)

Shopify POS

1,5 %

ab 25 € (Basic subscription)

None

⭐ (1,3 out of 5)

Orderbird

1,75 %

39 €

1 month

⭐⭐⭐(2,6 out of 5)

Adyen

ca. 0,95 % + 0,11 € 

0 €

None

⭐ (1,4 out of 5)

Stripe Terminal

From 1.4 % + 0.10 €

0 €

None

⭐⭐(2,1 out of 5)

Payone

0.24 % + 0.08 €

8.90 €

Variable, up to 48 months

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3,9 out of 5)

credit card payment

1.52 % (average value)

Depends on provider

Depends on provider


*Fees depend on volume, industry, card type, and services used. No guarantee.

Fees in practice: Two scenarios in a cost comparison

The fees listed above show how different the cost structure is depending on the provider. In the next step, we compare the total monthly costs for the two merchant profiles from the scenarios – once with a focus on brick-and-mortar sales and once with a strong online presence.

Total monthly costs by use case

Provider

Scenario 1: Boutique (POS)

Scenario 2: Coffee roaster (Omnichannel)

Mollie

110 €

346,50 €

Adyen

106,00 €

416,10 €

Nexi

134,95 €

577,45 €

Payone

65,90 €

438,20 €

SumUp

113,90 €

719,60 €

Zettle (POS)

PayPal (Online)

131,00 €

818,90 €

Orderbird

214 €

Shopify POS

175 €

736,00 €

Stripe

150 €

617,00 €

Note: The figures are rounded examples for typical merchant profiles in Germany. Online fees are based on publicly available terms and conditions (as of April 2025).

Calculations in detail (per provider and scenario)

Scenario 1: Boutique (POS, 10,000 € turnover)

  • 80 % EC payment (8,000 €)

  • 20 % credit card payment (2,000 €)

  • Average POS receipt: 100 €, i.e. 100 transactions

Scenario 2: Coffee roaster (POS & online, 35,000 € turnover)

  • 40 % POS (14,000 €)

  • 60 % online (21,000 €)

  • Average POS receipt: 25 €, i.e. 560 transactions

  • Average online shopping basket: approx. 105 €, i.e. around 200 transactions

Mollie

  • POS: 0,7 %, credit card: 1,7 %, Online:  1,8 % + 0,25 €
    Boutique total: 20,00 € (Tap-Terminal) + (8.000 € × 0,7 %) + (2.000 € × 1,7 %) = 20,00 + 56,00 € + 34,00 € = 110 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 20,00 € + (14.000 € × 0,7 %) = 118,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 € × 1,8 %) + (200 × 0,25 €) = 228,50€
    Coffee roaster total: 346,50 €

Adyen

  • POS & Online: 0,95 % + 0,11 €
    Boutique total: (10.000 × 0,95 %) + (100 × 0,11 €) = 106,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 0,95 %) + (560 × 0,11) = 194,60 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 0,95 %) + (200 × 0,11) = 221,50 €
    Coffee roaster total: 416,10 €

Nexi

  • POS: 1,19 %, Online: 1,69 % + 0,20 €
    Boutique POS: (8.000 € + 2.000 €) × 1,19 % = 119,00 € + 15,95 € (Terminal)
    Boutique total: 134,95 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 15,95 € (Terminal) + (14.000 × 1,19 %) = 182,55 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,69 %) + (200 × 0,20 €) = 394,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 577,45 €

Payone

  • POS: EC: 0,24 % + 0,08 €, credit card: 1,49 % + 0,08 €
    Online: credit card: 1,49 % + 0,09 € + 20 € fixed costs
    Boutique POS: EC (8.000 € × 0,24 %) + (80 × 0,08 €) = 25,60 €
    credit card: (2.000 € × 1,49 %) + (20 × 0,08 €) = 31,40 €
    Fixed costs: 8,90 €
    Boutique total: 65,90 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 0,24 %) + (560 × 0,08 €) + 8,90 € =  87,30 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,49 %) + (200 × 0,09 €) + 20,00 € = 350,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 438,20 €

SumUp

  • POS: 1,39 %, Online: 2,5 %
    Boutique total: 10.000 € × 1,39 % = 139,00 €
    Discount assumed for larger volumes, 113.90 € realistic
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 14.000 € × 1,39 % = 194,60 €
    Coffee roaster Online: 21.000 € × 2,5 % = 525,00 €
    Coffee roaster total: 719,60 €

Zettle (POS) & PayPal (Online)

  • POS: EC 0,95 %, KK 2,75 %, Online: 2,99 % + 0,29 €
    Boutique: (8.000 € × 0,95 %) = 76,00 €
    (2.000 € × 2,75 %) = 55,00 €
    Boutique total: 131,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 € × 0,95 %) = 133 €
    Coffee roaster Online: 21.000 € × 2,99 % + (200 × 0,29 €) = 685,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 818,90 €

Orderbird

  • POS: Einheitlich 1,75 %
    Boutique: 10.000 € × 1,75 % = 175,00 € + 39,00 € Grundgebühr
    Boutique total: 214,00 €
    Coffee roaster not available

Shopify POS

  • POS: 1,5 %, Online: 2,1 % + 0,30 €
    Boutique: 10.000 € × 1,5 % = 150,00 € + 25,00 € (Basic-Abo)
    Boutique total: 175,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 1,5 %) + 25,00 € (Basic-Abo) = 235,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 2,1 %) + (200 × 0,30 €) = 501,00 €
    Coffee roaster total:  736,00 €

Stripe

  • POS: 1,4 % + 0,10 €, Online: 1,5 % + 0,25 €
    Boutique total: EC 112,00 € + KK 38,00 € = 150,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 1,4 %) + (560 × 0,1 €) = 252,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,5 %) + (200 × 0,25 €) = 365,00 €
    Coffee roaster total: 617,00 €

The fees merchants pay for card payments depend heavily on the provider they choose and the distribution model. The two scenarios outlined above – a brick-and-mortar store and a growing omnichannel business – show how different the total monthly costs can be.

A direct comparison makes it clear that providers with a purely percentage-based pricing structure, such as SumUp or Zettle, offer an easy entry point for smaller businesses with manageable sales volumes. SumUp's card payment fees are 1.39 percent – which sounds attractive at first, but can quickly become more expensive as volumes grow. Orderbird also charges merchants a flat rate of 1.75 percent – Orderbird's card payment fees are therefore easy to calculate, but offer little scope for scaling.

The picture is quite different for providers such as Mollie or Adyen. They work with transaction-based models, where only successful payments are charged – at transparent, comprehensible conditions. Especially in scenario 2, with a strong online presence and high monthly turnover, merchants benefit from predictable cost structures without rigid contractual commitments or additional fees for international payments, subscriptions, or POS integration.

Comparison table: POS fees for EC payments (examples, rounded)

Provider

EC-fees*

Fixed costs/month

Term

Rating
(Trustpilot, as of April 2025)

Mollie

From 0.7 %

20 € per terminal

0 € with Tap to Pay

None

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4,5 out of 5)

SumUp

1.39 %

0 €

None

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4,0 out of 5)

Zettle by PayPal

From 0.95 %

0 €

None

⭐⭐⭐(3,0 out of 5)

Nexi (Concardis)

From 1.19 %

From 15.95 € per terminal

From 7,95 € for Tap to Pay

48 months

⭐⭐(2,3 out of 5)

Shopify POS

1,5 %

ab 25 € (Basic subscription)

None

⭐ (1,3 out of 5)

Orderbird

1,75 %

39 €

1 month

⭐⭐⭐(2,6 out of 5)

Adyen

ca. 0,95 % + 0,11 € 

0 €

None

⭐ (1,4 out of 5)

Stripe Terminal

From 1.4 % + 0.10 €

0 €

None

⭐⭐(2,1 out of 5)

Payone

0.24 % + 0.08 €

8.90 €

Variable, up to 48 months

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3,9 out of 5)

credit card payment

1.52 % (average value)

Depends on provider

Depends on provider


*Fees depend on volume, industry, card type, and services used. No guarantee.

Fees in practice: Two scenarios in a cost comparison

The fees listed above show how different the cost structure is depending on the provider. In the next step, we compare the total monthly costs for the two merchant profiles from the scenarios – once with a focus on brick-and-mortar sales and once with a strong online presence.

Total monthly costs by use case

Provider

Scenario 1: Boutique (POS)

Scenario 2: Coffee roaster (Omnichannel)

Mollie

110 €

346,50 €

Adyen

106,00 €

416,10 €

Nexi

134,95 €

577,45 €

Payone

65,90 €

438,20 €

SumUp

113,90 €

719,60 €

Zettle (POS)

PayPal (Online)

131,00 €

818,90 €

Orderbird

214 €

Shopify POS

175 €

736,00 €

Stripe

150 €

617,00 €

Note: The figures are rounded examples for typical merchant profiles in Germany. Online fees are based on publicly available terms and conditions (as of April 2025).

Calculations in detail (per provider and scenario)

Scenario 1: Boutique (POS, 10,000 € turnover)

  • 80 % EC payment (8,000 €)

  • 20 % credit card payment (2,000 €)

  • Average POS receipt: 100 €, i.e. 100 transactions

Scenario 2: Coffee roaster (POS & online, 35,000 € turnover)

  • 40 % POS (14,000 €)

  • 60 % online (21,000 €)

  • Average POS receipt: 25 €, i.e. 560 transactions

  • Average online shopping basket: approx. 105 €, i.e. around 200 transactions

Mollie

  • POS: 0,7 %, credit card: 1,7 %, Online:  1,8 % + 0,25 €
    Boutique total: 20,00 € (Tap-Terminal) + (8.000 € × 0,7 %) + (2.000 € × 1,7 %) = 20,00 + 56,00 € + 34,00 € = 110 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 20,00 € + (14.000 € × 0,7 %) = 118,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 € × 1,8 %) + (200 × 0,25 €) = 228,50€
    Coffee roaster total: 346,50 €

Adyen

  • POS & Online: 0,95 % + 0,11 €
    Boutique total: (10.000 × 0,95 %) + (100 × 0,11 €) = 106,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 0,95 %) + (560 × 0,11) = 194,60 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 0,95 %) + (200 × 0,11) = 221,50 €
    Coffee roaster total: 416,10 €

Nexi

  • POS: 1,19 %, Online: 1,69 % + 0,20 €
    Boutique POS: (8.000 € + 2.000 €) × 1,19 % = 119,00 € + 15,95 € (Terminal)
    Boutique total: 134,95 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 15,95 € (Terminal) + (14.000 × 1,19 %) = 182,55 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,69 %) + (200 × 0,20 €) = 394,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 577,45 €

Payone

  • POS: EC: 0,24 % + 0,08 €, credit card: 1,49 % + 0,08 €
    Online: credit card: 1,49 % + 0,09 € + 20 € fixed costs
    Boutique POS: EC (8.000 € × 0,24 %) + (80 × 0,08 €) = 25,60 €
    credit card: (2.000 € × 1,49 %) + (20 × 0,08 €) = 31,40 €
    Fixed costs: 8,90 €
    Boutique total: 65,90 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 0,24 %) + (560 × 0,08 €) + 8,90 € =  87,30 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,49 %) + (200 × 0,09 €) + 20,00 € = 350,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 438,20 €

SumUp

  • POS: 1,39 %, Online: 2,5 %
    Boutique total: 10.000 € × 1,39 % = 139,00 €
    Discount assumed for larger volumes, 113.90 € realistic
    Coffee roaster
    POS: 14.000 € × 1,39 % = 194,60 €
    Coffee roaster Online: 21.000 € × 2,5 % = 525,00 €
    Coffee roaster total: 719,60 €

Zettle (POS) & PayPal (Online)

  • POS: EC 0,95 %, KK 2,75 %, Online: 2,99 % + 0,29 €
    Boutique: (8.000 € × 0,95 %) = 76,00 €
    (2.000 € × 2,75 %) = 55,00 €
    Boutique total: 131,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 € × 0,95 %) = 133 €
    Coffee roaster Online: 21.000 € × 2,99 % + (200 × 0,29 €) = 685,90 €
    Coffee roaster total: 818,90 €

Orderbird

  • POS: Einheitlich 1,75 %
    Boutique: 10.000 € × 1,75 % = 175,00 € + 39,00 € Grundgebühr
    Boutique total: 214,00 €
    Coffee roaster not available

Shopify POS

  • POS: 1,5 %, Online: 2,1 % + 0,30 €
    Boutique: 10.000 € × 1,5 % = 150,00 € + 25,00 € (Basic-Abo)
    Boutique total: 175,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 1,5 %) + 25,00 € (Basic-Abo) = 235,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 2,1 %) + (200 × 0,30 €) = 501,00 €
    Coffee roaster total:  736,00 €

Stripe

  • POS: 1,4 % + 0,10 €, Online: 1,5 % + 0,25 €
    Boutique total: EC 112,00 € + KK 38,00 € = 150,00 €
    Coffee roaster
    POS: (14.000 × 1,4 %) + (560 × 0,1 €) = 252,00 €
    Coffee roaster Online: (21.000 × 1,5 %) + (200 × 0,25 €) = 365,00 €
    Coffee roaster total: 617,00 €

Beware of additional costs: When the POS system becomes a cost trap

At first glance, providers that only offer stationary payment options often appear to be inexpensive. In many cases, card payment fees are flat rates and therefore easy to calculate – especially for smaller retailers. However, as sales grow or new requirements arise, it quickly becomes apparent that many costs are not immediately apparent or increase disproportionately.

Typical hidden or overlooked additional costs:

  • Fees for refunds or chargebacks: usually not included in the standard price

  • Restricted payment methods: for example, no credit cards or digital wallets

  • No access to online trading: online shop integration is often only possible via additional systems

  • Lack of scalability: percentage-based fee models quickly become expensive with higher turnover

  • Contractual commitment: many providers rely on long contract terms with limited flexibility

The fees for EC card payments also appear to be predictable at first glance. However, additional costs for device rental, limited card acceptance or service packages can quickly change the picture.

Those who are committed to long-term efficiency and growth should therefore choose a model that supports both stationary and digital payments – with uniform administration, a transparent price structure and fair fees for card payments that are based on the company's actual turnover across all channels.

At first glance, providers that only offer stationary payment options often appear to be inexpensive. In many cases, card payment fees are flat rates and therefore easy to calculate – especially for smaller retailers. However, as sales grow or new requirements arise, it quickly becomes apparent that many costs are not immediately apparent or increase disproportionately.

Typical hidden or overlooked additional costs:

  • Fees for refunds or chargebacks: usually not included in the standard price

  • Restricted payment methods: for example, no credit cards or digital wallets

  • No access to online trading: online shop integration is often only possible via additional systems

  • Lack of scalability: percentage-based fee models quickly become expensive with higher turnover

  • Contractual commitment: many providers rely on long contract terms with limited flexibility

The fees for EC card payments also appear to be predictable at first glance. However, additional costs for device rental, limited card acceptance or service packages can quickly change the picture.

Those who are committed to long-term efficiency and growth should therefore choose a model that supports both stationary and digital payments – with uniform administration, a transparent price structure and fair fees for card payments that are based on the company's actual turnover across all channels.

At first glance, providers that only offer stationary payment options often appear to be inexpensive. In many cases, card payment fees are flat rates and therefore easy to calculate – especially for smaller retailers. However, as sales grow or new requirements arise, it quickly becomes apparent that many costs are not immediately apparent or increase disproportionately.

Typical hidden or overlooked additional costs:

  • Fees for refunds or chargebacks: usually not included in the standard price

  • Restricted payment methods: for example, no credit cards or digital wallets

  • No access to online trading: online shop integration is often only possible via additional systems

  • Lack of scalability: percentage-based fee models quickly become expensive with higher turnover

  • Contractual commitment: many providers rely on long contract terms with limited flexibility

The fees for EC card payments also appear to be predictable at first glance. However, additional costs for device rental, limited card acceptance or service packages can quickly change the picture.

Those who are committed to long-term efficiency and growth should therefore choose a model that supports both stationary and digital payments – with uniform administration, a transparent price structure and fair fees for card payments that are based on the company's actual turnover across all channels.

At first glance, providers that only offer stationary payment options often appear to be inexpensive. In many cases, card payment fees are flat rates and therefore easy to calculate – especially for smaller retailers. However, as sales grow or new requirements arise, it quickly becomes apparent that many costs are not immediately apparent or increase disproportionately.

Typical hidden or overlooked additional costs:

  • Fees for refunds or chargebacks: usually not included in the standard price

  • Restricted payment methods: for example, no credit cards or digital wallets

  • No access to online trading: online shop integration is often only possible via additional systems

  • Lack of scalability: percentage-based fee models quickly become expensive with higher turnover

  • Contractual commitment: many providers rely on long contract terms with limited flexibility

The fees for EC card payments also appear to be predictable at first glance. However, additional costs for device rental, limited card acceptance or service packages can quickly change the picture.

Those who are committed to long-term efficiency and growth should therefore choose a model that supports both stationary and digital payments – with uniform administration, a transparent price structure and fair fees for card payments that are based on the company's actual turnover across all channels.

How retailers can find the right fee model

If you want to accept payments in-store and online, you should not rely solely on individual prices or promises. It is much more important to find a provider that suits your current situation and can grow with your business. Card payment fees play a key role here, as they directly affect your margins.

A good payment provider not only offers low entry costs, but also a pricing model that remains fair in the long term. This applies to brick-and-mortar retailers as well as companies with a growing e-commerce share. If you want to control your card payment costs, you need transparency and flexibility.

You should pay particular attention to the following:

  • Cross-channel billing: Uniform fees for card payments, with no distinction between online and POS

  • Transparent pricing structure: No hidden fees, no minimum turnover

  • Scalability: The fee model should remain viable even as volumes grow

  • International payment methods: Credit cards, wallets and local payment methods must be covered

  • Recurring payments: Ideal for subscriptions and long-term customer loyalty

  • Technical integration: The simpler the connection, the more efficient the operation

It is particularly important to take a close look when choosing an omnichannel provider: How do card payment fees develop when new channels are added? How do card payment costs change when you sell internationally or introduce subscription models?

A modern pricing model grows with your business – without hidden additional costs or complicated fee structures. Merchants who think long term therefore not only compare the current price, but also pay attention to how card payment fees develop in the context of their overall business model.

How much do merchants pay in fees for card payments?

The fees for card payments depend on the provider, the payment method and the sales channel. For debit cards, they are usually between 0.8 and 1.5 %, for credit cards between 1.2 % and 3 %.

What costs do merchants incur when accepting card payments?

Card payments incur both variable and fixed costs. The costs of card payments consist of transaction fees, possible basic fees and surcharges for refunds, terminals or special payment types. Online payments are often more expensive than stationary payments.

What advantages does Mollie offer for POS payments?

Mollie offers easy integration, no contract commitment and transparent fees for card payments – even for POS payments. Merchants only pay for successful transactions, regardless of the channel. Tap to Pay even works without additional hardware, making it ideal for small and growing businesses.

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MollieGrowthCard payment fees in comparison: What merchants need to know
MollieGrowthCard payment fees in comparison: What merchants need to know
MollieGrowthCard payment fees in comparison: What merchants need to know