No other factor decides as directly whether a purchase is abandoned as the payment methods. If the preferred payment method is missing, the cart is gone. In this comparison I show you which WooCommerce payment methods genuinely make sense for Austrian shops – and what I look out for when it comes to fees, setup and data protection.
Which payment methods do customers in Austria expect?
The expectation is clear: at least credit card, PayPal, instant bank transfer/EPS and ideally purchase on invoice. Eurobarometer and retail data have shown the same trend for years: anyone who offers only one method loses out. So the question is less about “which” and more about “through which provider”.
The two big processors: Stripe and Mollie
For most WooCommerce shops the decision comes down to Stripe or Mollie. Both bundle many payment methods into a single integration. I have written up the direct comparison in detail: Stripe vs. Mollie.
Stripe – strong for cards and international
Stripe is technically first-class, especially for card payments and recurring subscriptions. The fee structure is transparent, but needs some explaining in detail – I have broken it down here: Stripe Costs and Fees. Why I often recommend Stripe is explained in The Advantages of Stripe.
Mollie – simple, European, fair per transaction
Mollie charges per transaction rather than a monthly fee, which makes it particularly attractive for smaller shops. The setup is pleasantly simple. More on this in The Advantages of Mollie and – especially for sole traders – in Mollie for Small Businesses.
Compare fees honestly
When comparing fees, I always calculate with your typical cart value and volume, not with headline percentages. Rule of thumb:
- Many small transactions → the fixed fee per transaction weighs more heavily.
- Few large amounts → the percentage matters more.
- International cards → watch out for foreign and currency surcharges.
Purchase on invoice – the conversion booster with a catch
Buying on invoice noticeably increases conversion, but it means a risk of default. Providers such as Riverty (formerly AfterPay) or Klarna take on that risk in exchange for a higher fee. For many B2B shops in Austria this is the single most important method.
Don’t forget data protection
Payment service providers process personal data – this belongs properly in your privacy policy and ideally in a data processing agreement. How securely the providers handle data is something I have examined using the example of Mollie: Mollie: Security and Data Protection.
My recommendation in brief
- Small shop, low volume: Mollie – fair per transaction, quick to set up.
- Growth, subscriptions, international: Stripe – maximum flexibility.
- B2B: additionally offer purchase on invoice.
- Always included: PayPal as a trust anchor.
FAQ – WooCommerce Payment Methods
How many payment methods should I offer?
Three to five relevant methods are ideal. Too many options confuse, too few cost you sales.
Stripe or Mollie – which is cheaper?
That depends on your volume. For small, frequent amounts Mollie is usually cheaper; for large or international volume, often Stripe.
Do I need a separate plugin for each payment method?
No. Stripe and Mollie each bundle several methods into a single integration through their official WooCommerce plugin.
Unsure which to choose?
I set up WooCommerce payments for shops on a regular basis and, in a WordPress training session, I explain the setup directly on your own shop – including test payments and legally compliant integration.