Payment Gateway for SMEs: Selection Guide and Comparison 2026
A payment gateway is the tool that collects a business's digital payments: for an Italian SME the decision grid starts from four items, real costs, accepted currencies, settlement times (RoxPay within 48 hours, versus 7-14 days of traditional banks) and Italian-language support.
Payment gateways on the Italian market: comparison of the options
| Provider | SEE card rate | Monthly fee | Physical POS | Onboarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RoxPay | €0.15 + 0.35-0.85% (IC++) | €0 (€15 only if inactive) | Free Smart POS (value up to €603) | 24 hours (Italian businesses) |
| Stripe | 1.5% + €0.25 SEE | €0 (Billing +0.7% approx.) | Terminal, limited diffusion in Italy | 3-5 business days |
| Mollie | 1.8% + €0.25 (SEE consumer cards) | €0 (payout fee €0.25 up to €500,000/year) | Limited | week |
| SumUp | 1.95% flat | €0 | hardware on sale from €44 | not disclosed |
| myPOS | 1.2% + €0.05 | €17.90 (Plus package) | POS on sale from €29 | not disclosed |
| Worldline | from 0.95% to 1.75% (Start plan) | varies by plan | POS on free loan | business days |
Sources: public price lists and terms of each provider 2026. An honest comparison also includes RoxPay's limits: extra-SEE currency fees, Amex 2.9%, €25/month minimum billing and a 12-month contract.
What a payment gateway is, explained simply
The payment gateway is the bridge between your customer and your bank: it collects payment data, encrypts it and sends it to the scheme (Visa, Mastercard) for authorisation, then moves the collection to your business account. It is the tool that makes online and in-store collection operational.
In practice: the customer pays by card, wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) or debit, and the transaction runs in three steps: authorisation, acquisition, settlement. The gateway is the technical piece that manages this flow and the relationship with the payment schemes.
For an SME the choice of gateway defines how much it costs to collect every euro: from 0.25% to 0.85% in IC++ (RoxPay) or at higher flat percentages, with add-ons priced separately.
Difference between gateway, PSP and merchant account
Three figures that are often confused:
- Payment gateway: the software that collects and routes the payment (checkout, API, hosted page). It is the technical piece the customer sees at checkout.
- PSP (Payment Service Provider): whoever offers the full authorisation and collection service, often aggregating multiple methods (cards, transfers, wallets). A PSP can rely on an acquirer for settlement.
- Merchant account: the account in your company's name where funds are credited. Some providers use an intermediate wallet, others route funds directly to your IBAN.
The practical point for the SME: choose a provider, not just a gateway. Check who holds the funds, who answers the customer and who carries compliance (PCI DSS L1, 3DS 2.0).
The criteria for choosing the right gateway for an SME
Five checks, in this order, with verifiable market data:
1. Costs: fees, fixed fee, monthly charge. IC++ pricing starts from a low fixed fee and a percentage between 0.35% and 0.85% (RoxPay terms), while flat rates apply a single percentage to every transaction.
2. Currencies and markets: where you collect and in which currency. The EU Interchange Fee Regulation caps interchange on consumer cards, but providers differ on extra-SEE currencies and conversion fees.
3. Settlement times: the Italian banking standard for legacy POS is 2-5 days; gateway solutions typically settle within 48 hours (RoxPay commercial terms).
4. Support: where the support team sits and in which language. Italian-language support shortens resolution times on fund blocks and chargebacks.
5. Integration: e-commerce plugins (WooCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop), REST API, webhooks and sandbox. For those who also sell in store, the POS matters: see the [WooCommerce gateway guide](/en/resources/woocommerce-payment-gateway).
Brief comparison: the options on the market
The grid above summarises the rates of the six providers on the Italian market. Three practical observations, without taking sides:
- Those looking for the physical channel find dedicated POS solutions with their own hardware (myPOS, Worldline) or aggregators (SumUp, Square, Zettle), with fees and monthly charges that differ.
- Stripe remains the reference for developers integrating custom APIs on SaaS and platforms, with e-commerce as the primary channel.
- Italian alternatives offer national agreements with support in Italian, POS and invoicing in the same agreement, with minimums and contractual conditions to verify upfront.
An honest comparison requires reading the commercial terms and price lists of each provider, not just the advertised percentages.
When RoxPay is the better fit in particular
Three profiles where the RoxPay model pays off versus the alternatives:
- Italian SMEs with recurring volume: transparent IC++ pricing with a €0 monthly fee (€15 only if inactive), versus monthly fees or flat percentages. The [fee comparison guide](/en/resources/payment-gateway-fees-comparison) compares costs item by item.
- Physical and online channels together: free Smart POS (value up to €603) with identical rates online and in-store, per the service terms.
- Liquidity and settlement: settlement within 48 hours with T+0 from 0.25% per payout, credited directly to the business account.
For higher-risk categories, the accepted-categories matrix is broader than average, with clear restrictions. The [accepted business verticals guide](/en/resources/business-verticals-accepted-guide) covers the topic with use cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best payment gateway for an Italian SME?
It depends on the channel mix and volume. For an SME collecting online and in-store under one agreement, the market grid shows RoxPay with IC++ pricing (€0.15 + 0.35-0.85%), €0 monthly fee and settlement within 48 hours; alternatives like Stripe and Mollie remain oriented to online e-commerce with percentage rates.
How much does it cost to activate a payment gateway in Italy?
It depends on the provider: with RoxPay the monthly fee is €0 (€15 monthly only in case of inactivity), with a €25/month billing minimum; opening the merchant account has no setup cost. Other providers apply monthly fees or declared minimum billing in their terms.
Do I need a website to use a gateway?
No: payment links allow remote collection without a website, with a hosted checkout of the provider. For the physical channel you need a POS or a virtual terminal. The [payment by link guide](/en/resources/payment-by-link-guide) covers it.
How long does it take to activate a payment gateway?
With RoxPay registration starts from the VAT number with a Companies Register check and approval within 24 hours; collection starts once the merchant account is configured. Providers with traditional bank processes indicate longer times.
Does RoxPay offer Italian-language support?
Yes: the RoxPay team works in Italian, based in Tuscany, and follows onboarding, tailored quotes and chargeback support. Local presence shortens resolution times on fund blocks and chargebacks.
Which business sectors are accepted?
RoxPay serves traditional verticals with dedicated solutions (restaurants, hotels, retail, pharmacies, consulting, workshops) and higher-risk verticals with additional documentation. The [accepted business verticals guide](/en/resources/business-verticals-accepted-guide) covers the conditions.
You might also like
High Risk Payment Gateway
Secure payment processing for high-risk industries with multi-acquirer routing and chargeback protection.
Small Business Payment Solutions
Transparent IC++ pricing, free Smart POS terminal, and 24-hour activation for small businesses.
E-commerce Payment Integrations
One-click plugins for WooCommerce, Magento, and PrestaShop with full API access.
Optimize your payments today
Still unsure which payment gateway to choose? The RoxPay team helps you find the right solution. Contact us at /en/contact.
✓ No monthly fixed costs · ✓ Activation in 24 hours · ✓ Dedicated technical support
