04.06.2026
Whether in stores or online shops: transaction costs are incurred when collecting payments. Many SMEs pay particular attention to the fees per payment. But there are also costs for terminals, payment processing and administration. If you consider these costs as a whole, you can better compare payment solutions and avoid unnecessary expenditure. Even minor differences can add up to several thousand francs per year for SMEs.
Generally speaking, transaction costs are the costs incurred when buying or selling a good or service. When we look at payment processing, we include expenses such as:
When companies look at their transaction costs for payment collection, it’s usually the transaction fees that stand out first. Transaction fees are the fees that companies have to pay when customers pay for purchases online or in store at the point of sale (POS) using electronic payment methods such as cards, mobile wallet or TWINT. They are collected to cover expenses for the secure processing of payments at terminals or in online shops, communication between banks and fraud prevention.
We make the following assumptions for a café that has numerous transactions with low amounts per guest:
Transaction fee per sale: CHF 10 x 1.34% = CHF 0.134
Costs per day: 200 x CHF 0.134 = CHF 26.80
Costs per year: CHF 9,782
This shows that small fees can quickly amount to several thousand francs per year in the case of large numbers of payments. Companies with small shopping baskets in particular – such as cafés, takeaways or retailers – should therefore regularly review their fee structure.
But how do these fees arise, and who benefits from them? Card payments typically involve several parties, each of which receives a share of the transaction fee:
The fee comprises the following components:
How these costs are bundled together and passed on depends on the selected fee model. There are generally three established payment models – depending on the size of the company and transaction volumes, one of them usually has a clear advantage. Important information: as a retailer, you actively choose which model and provider is best suited to your business.
Fixed fee (as a percentage of the amount) for all transactions, regardless of the payment method and other variables, including processing fees.
= Ideal for smaller companies with smaller volumes, because the costs are easy to calculate and no complex fee structure needs to be managed.
At PostFinance, this fee model is used as part of the Checkout All in One payment solutions.
Different fees are charged for the payment methods included in the payment solution depending on the payment method (fixed per payment method or negotiable); in addition, there is a fixed processing fee per transaction.
= Ideal for medium-sized and large companies with higher volumes, because they benefit from more attractive conditions per payment method than with a fixed fee for all payment methods.
At PostFinance, this fee structure is used as part of the POS bundle and e-com bundle services.
The payment methods can be freely selected and the transaction costs depend on the selected acceptance partners and payment methods. Thanks to the transparency of the fee structure, the overall costs can be managed in an ideal way.
= Ideal for large companies with high transaction volumes, because they can optimize, negotiate and benefit from attractive conditions for individual payment methods thanks to transparent cost components.
At PostFinance, this fee model is used as part of the Checkout Flex services.
It is important to choose the right fee model. However, for SMEs it’s worth comparing not just the transaction fees. The actual costs of a payment solution often go much further than that.
Transaction fees only account for part of the costs incurred for payment. The terminal, support and all related processes from payment to entry also result in expenses. The more that needs to be done manually, the higher the costs for SMEs. Inefficient processes, different systems and a lack of integration between payment processing, accounting and the business account can be costly. This is precisely why it's worth looking at the total transaction costs, and not just at individual percentages.
Tip: It pays to reduce manual work in payment, as working time is expensive in Switzerland and more efficient processes can reduce costs.
Many SMEs now sell in stores at the point of sale (POS) and in online shops at the same time. This means that customers pay at both the payment terminal and in the online shop.
If the payments now go through different providers, systems and accounts, unnecessary transaction costs are incurred – such as:
Integrated payment solutions can help to simplify these processes. If payment processing, accounting and reporting are linked together, administrative expenses can be reduced and transaction costs can be better controlled and even reduced.
PostFinance bundles the most important components of a payment solution together into an integrated infrastructure: payments at the terminal and in the online shop, payment processing for all payment methods and the business account work together and are handled by a single provider. For SMEs, this means fewer interfaces, transparent invoicing and a direct route for payments to the business account. This means you always have an overview of all payments, fees and other costs. For SMEs in particular, this integrated structure can simplify payment transactions considerably – from payment collection to outpayment – and offer a real option for cost savings.
Transaction costs can be calculated systematically or at least estimated realistically if the following costs are known:
The following breakdown shows an example of how such an approximate calculation works. It helps to make the most important cost drivers visible and to develop a sense of which solution is actually cheaper in everyday life. However, it is important to note that a calculation based solely on the variable fees remains incomplete.
Variable costs
Transaction fees (incl. a PSP processing fee for online payments)
= revenue x average fee
Example:
+ any fixed costs
(e.g. terminal rental, subscriptions, support)
Time per day for administrative tasks related to payment collection x hourly rate x 365
Example:
10 minutes per day at CHF 80/h x 365 days per year
= around CHF 4,900 per year
Total costs = variable costs (transaction fees) + fixed costs + process costs
For SMEs, it's worth making a comprehensive cost comparison – and not just considering the individual percentage values for the transaction fees. There is often a great deal of savings potential in more efficient processes and integrated solutions.
Companies can systematically reduce their transaction costs by regularly reviewing their payment processes.
Integrated solutions therefore help companies to reduce administrative processes for payments and to keep track of payments and revenue. At the same time, controlling is made easier, as payment data are available centrally.
What you need is a partner like PostFinance that offers you the appropriate solutions and interfaces and supports you with their implementation. With PostFinance’s Checkout solutions, for example, you have a single back office tool that you can use to manage and view all your in-store and online sales.
The fees may vary significantly depending on the pricing model and payment method. Debit cards are often cheaper than credit cards, while other payment methods can sometimes incur higher fees. That’s why it’s worth checking your own payment method mix from time to time. Here’s a brief guide:
It’s important to note that customers today expect a range of payment options. The aim is therefore not to abolish certain payment methods, but to ensure conscious monitoring of the payment method mix and keep an eye on the cost structure. At PostFinance, you can decide for yourself which payment methods you wish to offer, depending on the solution.
At PostFinance, you’ll find not only the right payment collection solution, but also professional advisors who understand your business and the challenges you face. Get personal advice on payment collection and let us answer your questions.
Transaction fees in Switzerland are dependent on various factors. Decisive factors include the payment method, the payment service provider, the sales volume and whether the payment is made in the store at the POS or in the online shop. The origin of the card also plays a role: payments with Swiss cards are often cheaper than those with foreign or commercial cards.
Debit cards, such as the PostFinance Card, are typically among the cheaper payment methods. TWINT is often in the middle range, while credit cards often incur higher fees. Depending on the provider and payment method, the fees for card payments often vary between around 0.2 and 2.5 percent per transaction. For PostFinance Pay, for example, the commission is 1.3 percent per sale or return. Individual conditions are possible for larger volumes.
Important: It’s not just the percentage fee that determines the actual costs. Minimum fees, monthly fixed costs, processing fees and additional accounting expenses also have an impact on total transaction costs.
Not necessarily. Cash may appear cheaper at first glance, but in practice it causes additional indirect costs. These include cashing up, counting and controlling cash, inpayments to a business account and security and storage expenses. Cash register discrepancies and manual accounting work also incur costs.
Card payments and digital payment methods, on the other hand, are processed and documented automatically. This often reduces administrative expenses and sources of error. For SMEs in particular, it’s therefore worth not only comparing fees per payment, but also considering the total process costs for payment collection.
The costs of a card payment are made up of several components. These include the interchange fee, fees charged by card organizations such as Visa or Mastercard, and costs charged by the acquirer or payment service provider (PSP). In some cases, additional processing fees are charged.
The actual costs vary depending on the payment method and provider. For a purchase of CHF 100, the fees in Switzerland are typically between CHF 0.23 and CHF 2.50, depending on the payment method and provider.
The PostFinance Card is one of the most inexpensive payment methods on the Swiss market. As PostFinance operates independently of international card organizations, there are no classic interchange fees. This can reduce transaction costs for retailers.
Debit cards such as the PostFinance Card are often among the cheaper payment methods. TWINT and credit cards may incur higher fees, but they offer additional advantages for customers.
Such models can be useful for companies with very few transactions. Solutions with fixed costs are often cheaper for higher payment volumes.
It is helpful to carry out regular evaluations by payment method and transaction. This makes it clear what costs are actually incurred.
