Purchase on account in the Swiss online shop: models, costs and providers at a glance

Swiss online shops can offer purchase on account today in four different ways: as a classic QR-bill with a payment deadline, as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) with risk assumption by providers like Klarna or CembraPay, as TWINT Pay later, or as a traditional invoice by post. Each model differs fundamentally in costs, risk distribution, and conversion effect — the right choice depends on average order value, target group, and risk tolerance.

This guide shows you the four purchase on account models in detail, compares the transaction fees, and helps you choose the right model for your Swiss online shop.

1. What “purchase on account” means in Switzerland today — and why it is no longer just an invoice

In Switzerland, the term “purchase on account” now encompasses significantly more than the classic dispatch of invoices by post. Consumers understand it to mean any payment method where they receive goods first and pay only afterwards — regardless of whether the invoice appears as a QR code in e-banking, is processed via Klarna, or lands as a TWINT notification on their smartphone.

For Comerciantes, this distinction is crucial because behind each model lies a different risk distribution, cost structure, and technical integration. The core question is not “Should I offer purchase on account?”, but “Which purchase on account model suits my business?”

According to the online merchant survey by the ZHAW, around 70 % of Swiss online Comerciantes offer some form of purchase on account. The E-Commerce Stimmungsbarometer by the HWZ confirms that purchase on account remains one of the most requested payment methods among Swiss consumers, with around 70 % popularity.

2. Overview of the four models: Classic invoice, QR-bill, BNPL with risk assumption, TWINT Pay later

The four models differ in one central point: Who bears the risk if the customer does not pay?

Model 1: Classic invoice (own risk)

You send the goods together with an invoice — by post or PDF by email. The customer typically has a payment deadline of 10 to 30 days. You bear the full risk of default and are responsible for dunning and debt collection yourself. There are no transaction fees, but costs arise from payment defaults and administration.

Model 2: QR-bill in checkout

The Swiss QR-bill (Swiss QR Invoice) is offered as a payment method in checkout. Buyers receive a QR-bill after placing their order, which they pay via their e-banking app or by scanning. The payment reconciliation is automated via CAMT.054 messages from the bank. The risk of default lies with you as the Comerciante. The costs via Payrexx Pay are 0.60 % (Free) or 0.50 % (Standard/Premium) without any fixed fee.

Model 3: BNPL with risk assumption (Klarna, CembraPay, POWERPAY)

Buy Now Pay Later providers (BNPL) completely take over the credit check and the risk of default. The customer pays the BNPL provider, and you receive your money guaranteed — minus a transaction fee. Klarna charges 2.40 % + EUR 0.30 (Free/Standard) or 1.60 % + EUR 0.20 (Premium) at Payrexx. CembraPay and POWERPAY are connected as External providers, with separate conditions.

Model 4: TWINT Pay later

TWINT Pay later is a Swiss BNPL product operated by Swissbilling. Buyers select TWINT at checkout and choose the “Pay later” option — they receive a payment deadline of 30 days. The credit check runs in the background. Transaction fees are 2.30 % + EUR 0.30 (Free) or 2.30 % + EUR 0.18 (Standard/Premium).

3. Who bears the risk? Own risk vs. guaranteed payment by third parties

Risk distribution is the central difference between the models. With the classic invoice and the QR-bill, you as the Comerciante bear the full risk of default. If a customer does not pay, you must send reminders yourself, initiate debt collection if necessary, and write off the amount in the worst-case scenario.

With BNPL providers like Klarna, CembraPay, or POWERPAY, as well as with TWINT Pay later, the risk lies with the provider. You receive the invoice amount minus the transaction fee — regardless of whether the customer actually pays in the end. This protection comes at a price: transaction fees are higher than with the QR-bill.

Concretely: For a shopping cart of EUR 120, you pay around EUR 0.60–0.72 in fees with the QR-bill via Payrexx Pay. With Klarna (Standard), the fee is EUR 3.18 (2.40 % + EUR 0.30). However, with Klarna, you bear no risk of default. The question is therefore: How high is your actual default rate, and does it justify the higher BNPL fees?

4. What purchase on account costs the merchant: Fee structure of the different models

The cost structure varies considerably depending on the model. Here is a direct comparison of the fees for Swiss transactions:

For CembraPay, POWERPAY, and Ideal Payment, individual conditions apply, which you negotiate directly with the provider. In addition, when connecting via an external payment provider, a Payrexx markup applies: 1.00 % (Free), 0.50 % (Standard), or 0.25 % (Premium).

Calculation example: With an average shopping cart of EUR 150 and 500 purchase on account orders per month, the cost calculation in the Standard plan looks like this: QR-bill costs you EUR 375 per month (0.50 % × EUR 75,000). Klarna costs EUR 1,950 (2.40 % + EUR 0.30 × 500). The difference of around EUR 1,575 per month is the price for the complete risk assumption by Klarna.

5. Providers in Switzerland: Klarna, CembraPay, POWERPAY, TWINT and others compared

The Swiss market features several established purchase on account providers with different strengths:

Klarna is the internationally most well-known BNPL provider. In Switzerland, Klarna offers purchase on account (14 or 30 days), installment payments, and instant payments. Klarna fully assumes the credit check and default risk. Available in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, and Italy.

CembraPay (Cembra Money Bank) is a Swiss provider that offers purchase on account with and without a fractional payment option. CembraPay targets medium to large shops and offers guaranteed payout. The conditions are agreed individually.

POWERPAY (MF Group AG) is also a Swiss provider focusing on purchase on account and fractional payments. POWERPAY takes over credit checks and debt collection. It is particularly widespread in the Swiss fashion and lifestyle segment.

Ideal Payment is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises that want to agree on individual conditions and tailor processes to their business model. The entry barrier is lower than with CembraPay or POWERPAY.

TWINT Pay later is not an independent BNPL provider, but a feature within the TWINT app operated by Swissbilling. The advantage: buyers do not need to create a new account — they use their existing TWINT app. The reach in Switzerland is correspondingly high.

6. Which model suits which shop? Decision aid by sector and risk profile

The choice of the right model depends on three factors: average order value, target group, and risk tolerance.

Small shopping carts under EUR 50 (e.g. groceries, cosmetics): Here, the fixed fees of BNPL providers eat up a disproportionately large share. The QR-bill or TWINT Pay later without a fixed fee are often more economical.

Medium shopping carts from EUR 50 to 200 (e.g. fashion, books, household): The sweet spot for BNPL. Klarna and TWINT Pay later offer the best compromise between cost and risk protection here. The conversion effect is particularly strong in this segment because customers want to check the goods before paying.

Large shopping carts over EUR 200 (e.g. electronics, furniture, sports): BNPL with installment options (Klarna) becomes a conversion driver. But the QR-bill with a clear payment deadline also works here — provided you have an effective dunning system in place.

Existing customers with a known payment history: The QR-bill or classic invoice is sufficient. The default risk is low, and the fees are minimal.

New customers without purchase history: BNPL with risk assumption. This is where the default risk is highest, and the credit check by Klarna or CembraPay protects you.

Checklist: Setting up purchase on account in a Swiss online shop

• Define your risk profile: Are you willing to bear the risk of default yourself, or do you want to outsource it?

• Check your average shopping cart value: For small amounts under EUR 50, fixed fees are particularly relevant.

• Compare connection and transaction fees: Calculate using your actual order volume, not guidelines.

• Decide whether you want to offer one or more purchase on account methods in parallel — e.g., QR-bill + Klarna.

• Clarify integration: Is your PSP or shop system compatible with the desired providers?

• Set up a dunning process if you offer QR-bills or classic invoices (own risk).

• Test the checkout experience: Is the purchase on account option displayed clearly and comprehensibly?

• Get informed about the credit check: What data is collected, and how does a rejection affect the customer experience?

Payrexx offers Swiss online shops multiple purchase on account models via a single Dashboard: QR-bill and TWINT Pay later are available directly via Payrexx Pay, and Klarna via Payrexx Pay Plus. In addition, CembraPay, POWERPAY, and Ideal Payment can be connected as External providers. All methods can be activated in parallel — Comerciantes do not choose for each order; instead, the customer decides in the checkout which variation they prefer.

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