How much does electronic payment really cost?

At first glance, many quotes for payment solutions seem difficult to compare. One quotes a low flat fee per Bancontact transaction, while another uses a percentage, a monthly plan, or a bundle. If you focus only on the most eye-catching price, you’ll often overlook the costs that make a difference on an annual basis.

The Five Cost Categories

The total cost typically consists of hardware, fixed subscription fees, transaction fees, connectivity, and service. For e-commerce, gateway, plugin, or refund fees may also apply. Would you like to compare hardware and contracts in more detail? Then check out Buy or Rent a Payment Terminal. With a point-of-sale integration, you may have to pay for installation, licensing, or maintenance of the interface.

Ask each supplier to disclose the same components. Only then can you fairly compare their formulas side by side.

  • Purchase or rental of a terminal and any necessary point-of-sale hardware
  • Monthly software, service, or SIM card fees
  • Transaction fees by payment method and card type
  • Installation, activation, integration, and training
  • Cancellations, replacements, chargebacks, refunds, and additional services

Your card mix matters more than you think

A business that primarily processes Belgian debit card payments has a different cost profile than one that handles a lot of tourist transactions, corporate credit cards, or online transactions. Request a report from your current provider or use representative monthly data to determine your mix.

Next, calculate not only an average transaction cost, but also scenarios for busy and slow months. A fixed monthly fee carries more weight when transaction volume is low, while percentage-based rates become more significant when the average purchase value is higher.

Payments and reporting also have value

When funds are deposited into your account depends on the provider, payment method, banking business days, risk, and contract. A quick payout can be important for your cash flow, but be sure to compare the specific settlement schedule rather than relying on a general promise.

Good reporting also saves time. You need to be able to match payments with transactions, expenses, returns, and, if necessary, different locations. A low-cost solution that requires manual research every month isn’t actually cost-effective from an operational standpoint.

Service only becomes apparent when something goes wrong

Check availability, remote support, replacement terms, and potential service call costs. Ask who is responsible when the point-of-sale system, terminal, and provider all point to each other. Having a single point of contact who understands the entire setup minimizes downtime and frustration.

For business owners who generate revenue on weekends or in the evenings, support hours are a commercial requirement, not just a minor detail. OmEs Pay offers technical support daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Here's How to Make a Fair Year-Over-Year Comparison

  • Use twelve months of actual or realistic transaction data.
  • Break down payment methods and card types instead of guessing a single average.
  • Include all fixed costs, hardware, and one-time installation fees.
  • Include the contract term, indexation, and cancellation terms.
  • Take into account the time lost due to manual data entry, reconciliation, and limited support.
  • Have growth or an additional payment point analyzed as a second scenario.

Making the right choice starts with how you operate

A payment plan is only cost-effective if the total cost aligns with your usage volume and the solution is reliable enough for your day-to-day operations. Transparency regarding all components allows you to make a better decision than relying on a single promotional rate. Also check out our

Payment solutions that fit the way your business really works.

Request a payment estimate based on your actual figures

OmEs pay compares your current costs and workflow with suitable alternatives. You’ll get an overview of rates, fixed costs, payouts, integrations, and support before you make a decision.