Mollie vs SumUp
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Payment Gateways fits you best.
🔍 Independently researched ·
📊 Data-driven
66/100
Free tier
European ecommerce and SaaS businesses that primarily sell to Dutch, Belgian, or German customers and want a simple, low
★ Best
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
No monthly fee, but transaction fees are higher than the Standard plan (e.g., 2.9% + €0.30 for credit cards vs 1.5% + €0.25).
Fee notes:
- Credit card (Visa/Mastercard) - Standard plan: 1.5% + €0.25 per transaction
- Credit card (Visa/Mastercard) - Pay-as-you-go: 2.9% + €0.30 per transaction
- iDEAL and Bancontact: flat €0.29 per transaction (both plans)
- SOFORT: 1.5% + €0.30 per transaction (both plans)
- Non-EU/International card surcharge: +1% additional fee (e.g., 2.5% + €0.25 on Standard)
⚠ Watch for:
- Non-EU card surcharge: roughly +1% on top of standard rates
- Chargeback fee of €20 is charged even if you win the dispute
- Currency conversion markup (2%) applies when transaction currency differs from your account currency
- Refunded transactions do not get the original processing fee back
🔧 Features
✓ Free Tier✓ European Focus✓ Transparent Pricing✓ Local Methods✓ Api Simple
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- One of Mollie's biggest strengths is its pricing model. There are no monthly fees or setup costs, which is a huge relief for small businesses and startups. You only pay when a transaction is successful, and the rates are clearly listed on their website. This transparency makes it easy to estimate costs and avoid surprises, especially when compared to competitors that have complex tiered pricing or hidden fees.
- Mollie offers native support for all major Benelux payment methods, including iDEAL, Bancontact, and SOFORT. This is a critical feature for merchants targeting Dutch and Belgian consumers, as these local methods often account for the majority of online payments. By integrating Mollie, you can ensure a seamless checkout experience for these customers, reducing cart abandonment and increasing conversion rates. Mollie's local acquiring also means you benefit from better success rates and lower fees for these methods.
- The developer experience at Mollie is excellent. The API is well-documented, with clear examples and a test mode that lets you simulate transactions without real money. There are official plugins and SDKs for all major e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and PrestaShop. This means you can have Mollie integrated into your online store in a matter of hours, even if you're not a seasoned developer. The API also supports recurring payments via SEPA Direct Debit, which is a plus for subscription-based businesses.
- Mollie provides a sleek and customizable payment page that you can brand with your own logo and colors. This helps maintain a consistent brand experience throughout the checkout process. The payment page is also responsive and works well on mobile devices, which is essential in today's mobile-first shopping landscape. You can also choose to embed the payment fields directly into your own checkout flow for a more integrated experience, if you prefer.
- Because Mollie holds a full banking license (via its partnership with AIB and other European banks) and is regulated by the Dutch Central Bank, you get a level of security and reliability that's crucial for handling customer payments. All transaction data is encrypted and the platform is PCI-DSS compliant, so you can trust that your customers' financial information is handled securely. This also means you don't have to worry about the complexities of PCI compliance yourself.
⚠ Watch out for
- Mollie's biggest weakness is its geographic focus on Europe, particularly the Benelux. While it supports international credit cards, the acquiring network and localized payment methods are heavily Euro-centric. If you sell to customers in the US, Asia, or other non-European regions, you'll likely find that Mollie doesn't offer the same level of support or payment method coverage as global competitors like Stripe or Adyen. This could lead to higher transaction costs or a subpar checkout experience for international buyers.
- For larger enterprises, Mollie may lack some advanced features. The platform offers basic fraud prevention tools, but they are not as sophisticated as what you'd get from dedicated enterprise solutions like Adyen or Braintree. Custom risk rules, detailed analytics, and complex marketplace payout structures are either missing or limited. If your business needs these kinds of capabilities, you'll quickly outgrow Mollie.
- Credit card transaction fees at Mollie can be slightly higher than some competitors. For example, while iDEAL transactions have a flat low fee, credit card fees are based on a percentage (around 1.8% to 2.2%) plus a fixed fee of €0.25 or so. This is okay for small volumes, but if you process a high volume of credit card transactions, these costs can add up, making Mollie less cost-effective than processors like Stripe, which may offer comparable rates but with volume discounts.
- The dashboard and reporting tools are functional, but they are not as detailed as some rivals. Mollie provides basic transaction reports and settlement summaries, but you won't find deep analytics or granular data exports that larger businesses might need for accounting or forecasting. If you rely heavily on data to drive decisions, you might find this lacking.
- Onboarding and approval process can be a hurdle for some. Mollie requires a manual approval process, and while it's usually quick, it can take a few days. They also require a valid business registration and may ask for additional documents. For very small or informal businesses, this could be a deterrent, especially compared to processors that offer instant signup without a review.
🎯 Best for
European ecommerce and SaaS businesses that primarily sell to Dutch, Belgian, or German customers and want a simple, low-cost payment gateway with true local payment methods.
🚫 Who should skip
High-volume enterprises, US/Asia-focused stores, or businesses needing complex risk management and marketplace payout infrastructure should consider more comprehensive platforms.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal for standard checkout integrations via plugins; moderate if you want custom API flows, but the documentation is clear and test mode helps.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Mollie is the ideal payment gateway for small to mid-sized businesses operating in the Benelux or broader European market, offering an excellent balance of local payment support, transparent pricing, and developer experience. If you're a global enterprise needing advanced features, you should look e
54/100
Free tier
Solo entrepreneurs and small businesses that need a cheap, flexible way to accept card payments in person, whether at a
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
Pay-as-you-go plan has $0 monthly fee, but transaction fees are higher (2.65% card-present, 3.65% card-not-present). No monthly commitment, but no reduced rates. Hardware sold separately.
Fee notes:
- Card-present transaction fee on Pay-as-you-go: 2.65% per transaction (swipe, chip, contactless).
- Card-not-present transaction fee on Pay-as-you-go: 3.65% per transaction (online payments, invoices, payment links, manually keyed entries).
- Plus plan: $19/month + 2.05% card-present / 3.05% card-not-present per transaction.
- Premium plan: $29/month + 1.95% card-present / 2.95% card-not-present per transaction.
- Chargeback fee: $20.00 per chargeback (US).
⚠ Watch for:
- Chargeback fees: $20 per chargeback, plus potential retrieval fees of $15.
- Instant payout fee: 1.0% (minimum $0.50) for same-day bank transfers.
- Transaction fees on refunds are not reimbursed.
- Hardware costs: card readers are not automatically free; SumUp Air reader costs around $49.
🔧 Features
✓ Free Tier✓ Pos Hardware✓ Mobile Pos✓ Small Business✓ Payment Links✓ Invoicing
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- No monthly fees or long-term contracts: SumUp operates on a pay-per-transaction model, which is a breath of fresh air for small businesses with sporadic cash flow. You only pay when you make a sale, and there are no hidden charges for account maintenance, PCI compliance, or statement fees. This makes it incredibly easy to start accepting cards with zero ongoing financial commitment.
- Hardware is affordable and easy to set up: The card readers are competitively priced, often promotional deals bring entry costs below $30. Setup is a matter of charging the device, pairing it via Bluetooth with the free SumUp app, and you're done. The readers are compact and portable, designed to slip into a pocket or tote, making them perfect for businesses on the move. The contactless and chip support covers the vast majority of modern payment methods.
- Free POS app and invoicing tools: The SumUp app is genuinely free and provides a solid suite of features for basic sales management. You can view daily sales summaries, issue refunds, and generate quick reports. The invoicing feature lets you create professional-looking invoices from the app and send them via email or share a payment link, which is incredibly useful for freelancers who want to get paid faster without needing a separate invoicing software.
- Fast setup and quick payouts with options: You can be up and running within minutes of downloading the app. The first payout typically arrives within 1-2 business days, and SumUp offers a 'SumUp One' plan that provides instant payouts to your bank account for a monthly fee, which can be a lifesaver for businesses that need immediate cash flow. The straightforward approval process (no lengthy credit checks) is a plus for new businesses.
⚠ Watch out for
- Higher per-transaction fees: SumUp charges a flat rate of 2.65% per card transaction (sometimes discounted with volume). This is significantly higher than interchange-plus pricing from traditional processors, which can be as low as 1.5% + cents. For low-margin businesses like grocery stores or wholesale suppliers, this can eat into profits. Even Square's standard rate is 2.6% + 10 cents, which is comparable, but SumUp's rate is not negotiable unless you're doing large volumes.
- No inventory management or CRM: SumUp's app is basic. There is no inventory tracking, no customer relationship management, no employee management, and no advanced reporting. For businesses that need to track stock levels, manage customer loyalty, or run complex sales analytics, this is a significant shortfall. Competitors like Square and Zettle offer these features in their free apps, making SumUp feel less capable for businesses that intend to grow.
- Slower standard payouts: The default payout time is 1-2 business days, which is typical but not instant. Many competitors, including Square, offer instant transfers for a fee (usually 1% of the amount). SumUp only offers instant payouts if you subscribe to 'SumUp One' (which costs around $19/month), which may not be worth it for occasional sellers. If you rely on same-day cash, this is a drawback.
- Customer support can be limited: While SumUp provides email and phone support, response times can be slow. There is no 24/7 live chat. Many users report waiting days for email responses, which can be frustrating for a business that needs immediate help during a transaction issue. The help center is fairly comprehensive, but the lack of round-the-clock support is a downside compared to some competitors.
🎯 Best for
Solo entrepreneurs and small businesses that need a cheap, flexible way to accept card payments in person, whether at a counter, on the go, or at events — without monthly commitments.
🚫 Who should skip
High-volume retailers or growing businesses that need advanced inventory management, substantial recurring billing, or competitive interchange-based pricing may outgrow SumUp’s simple fee structure and limited features.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — the app is straightforward, and most first-time merchants can start taking payments within 15 minutes of unboxing a reader.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
SumUp is an excellent choice for mobile businesses, pop-ups, and freelancers who need a simple, low-cost way to accept card payments without ongoing commitments. However, if you require advanced features like inventory tracking or CRM, or if you process high volumes and need lower fees, consider Squ
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
Use CaseMollieSumUp
Dutch ecommerce stores accepting iDEAL98—
iDEAL is the dominant payment method in the Netherlands and Mollie's integration
Belgian online businesses with Bancontact96—
Mollie is based in the Benelux and provides native Bancontact support, which is
EU subscription services using SEPA Direct Debit85—
Mollie handles SEPA Direct Debit payments with simple API endpoints and supports
Pan-European marketplaces or multi-country stores88—
Mollie supports multiple European payment methods under one contract and offers
Small shops using WooCommerce or Shopify for local EU sales90—
Official plugins plus fast payout and local payment methods make it easy for sma
Pop-up retail shops and markets—95
SumUp's small card readers and mobile POS app are ideal for pop-up stalls where
Food trucks and mobile vendors—90
Battery-operated readers with built-in receipt printers (or Bluetooth printers)
Freelancers and sole proprietors invoicing clients—85
SumUp's free invoicing tool is easy to use, and clients can pay directly through
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Mollie if...
- You are: European ecommerce and SaaS businesses that primarily sell to Dutch, Belgian, or German customers and want a simple, low
- 👍 No monthly subscription or setup fees — you only pay per successful transaction, which is ideal for
- 👍 Strong native support for Benelux methods like iDEAL, Bancontact, and SOFORT, with local acquiring a
- 👍 Developer-friendly API with clear documentation, test mode, and official plugins for all major ecomm
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Not a global gateway — Mollie's checkout experience and acquiring are optimized
Choose SumUp if...
- You are: Solo entrepreneurs and small businesses that need a cheap, flexible way to accept card payments in person, whether at a
- 👍 No monthly fees or long-term contracts — you only pay per transaction.
- 👍 Simple, portable card readers that are inexpensive to buy and quick to set up.
- 👍 Accepts contactless, chip, and mobile wallet payments via a companion app on iOS and Android.
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Per-transaction fees are higher than some interchange-plus or premium merchant a
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mollie really free?
Mollie has no monthly subscription or setup fee, so it's free to install. You pay a per-transaction fee only when you successfully process a payment, with fees varying by payment method and country.
What payment methods does Mollie support?
Mollie supports all major European payment methods including iDEAL, Bancontact, SOFORT, giropay, Klarna, Apple Pay, PayPal, credit cards, and SEPA Direct Debit. This makes it one of the most complete local-payment options in the Benelux region.
Can I use Mollie outside Europe?
Mollie focuses on European businesses and local payment methods. If your business and customers are primarily outside Europe, you'll be better served by a more globally distributed gateway like Stripe or Adyen.
What are Mollie's transaction fees?
Fees vary by payment method and country. For example, iDEAL and Bancontact are typically a flat per-transaction fee, while card payments usually charge a percentage plus a fixed fee. You'll see exact pricing in your Mollie dashboard before going live.
🔗 More Payment Gateways Comparisons
🔀 Explore Alternatives
📧 Save this comparison
We'll email you a link to this comparison. No spam.