Payment Gateways for Czech and Slovak E-Shops: Fee Comparison and What Actually Works
Payments are one of the first things you need to solve when launching an online store. And this is where the gap between a global perspective and local market reality becomes obvious.
Why Stripe Alone Isn’t Enough
Stripe is an excellent payment gateway. Reliable documentation, strong card payment support, Apple Pay, Google Pay. For tech-savvy founders it’s the default choice.
But Czech and Slovak shoppers have different habits. Research consistently shows that 20–35% of online shoppers in the CZ/SK region prefer bank transfer or QR-based payment over card. That’s a meaningful segment you’ll miss if you only offer card payments.
Payment Gateway Comparison
All gateways listed below are natively integrated in Merzio — you can set them up in minutes without a developer.
| Gateway | Transaction Fee | Fixed Fee | Local Methods | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 1.5% (EU cards) + 0.25% | €0.25 | No (cards only) | Global sales, cards |
| GoPay | from 1.3% | €0.30 | Yes (bank transfer, QR) | CZ/SK market, local methods |
| Comgate | from 1.2% | €0.25 | Yes (bank transfer) | Czech market, low fees |
| Finby | from 1.4% | €0.20 | Yes (SK banks) | Slovak market, fast setup |
| Pay24 | from 1.5% | €0.25 | Yes | CZ/SK market, simple API |
Note: Fees vary by transaction volume and individual contract. Contact gateways directly for accurate pricing.
What You’ll Actually Pay
Scenario: 100 orders/month, average order value €35 (€3,500/month revenue):
| Gateway | Monthly Transaction Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | ~€78 (1.5% + €0.25×100) | ~€936 |
| GoPay | ~€71 (1.3% + €0.30×100) | ~€852 |
| Comgate | ~€67 (1.2% + €0.25×100) | ~€804 |
| Finby | ~€69 (1.4% + €0.20×100) | ~€828 |
At €3,500/month revenue, the difference between gateways can be €130/year. At higher volumes the gap grows significantly.
How Many Gateways Do You Need?
For most Czech and Slovak e-shops, two gateways is the right answer:
- Primary card gateway (Stripe or GoPay) — covers cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Local gateway with bank transfer (GoPay, Comgate, or Finby) — for buyers who prefer bank transfer or QR payment
Cash on delivery remains relevant for certain segments (higher-value orders, buyers in smaller towns), and can be configured directly through your shipping carrier settings.
Practical Tips When Choosing
Check the chargeback fee. Every gateway charges €15–25 per dispute or refund. For certain product categories (electronics, luxury goods) this can add up quickly.
Verify payout timing. Most gateways pay out within 3–7 business days. Some offer faster payouts for an extra fee.
Watch for monthly minimums. Some gateways charge a minimum monthly fee (e.g., €10–20), even with no transactions. This matters for seasonal stores.
Setting Up in Merzio: Step by Step
The process is the same for all five supported gateways:
- Register on the gateway’s website and verify your identity (ID, business documents)
- Generate API keys in the gateway dashboard (Merchant ID + Secret / API key)
- In Merzio: Settings → Payments → [Gateway] → enter your keys → save
- Run a test transaction (every gateway has a sandbox/test mode)
- Switch to production mode
The full setup including testing takes 20–30 minutes with no technical knowledge required.
Don’t leave payment setup for after launch. A customer who doesn’t find their preferred payment method will leave — and usually won’t come back.
If you want all these gateways ready from day one, see Merzio pricing plans or try Merzio free.