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· By TicketPayGo
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iDEAL vs Credit Card: Which Payment Method Converts Better?

If you're organizing events in the Netherlands, your choice of payment methods is crucial for conversion. Dutch consumers are remarkably loyal to their preferred payment method. In this article, we compare iDEAL with credit cards and show you which method delivers the best results, including the impact of the upcoming transition to Wero.

iDEAL: The Undisputed Number 1 in the Netherlands

According to research platform Cross-Border Magazine, 60-70% of online transactions in the Netherlands are paid with iDEAL. This bank-based method is trusted and offers immediate payment confirmation. Credit and debit cards account for only 14% of transactions, while international wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay make up approximately 11%. If you don't optimize your checkout for iDEAL, you're leaving money on the table.

Benefits of iDEAL for Organizers

  • Higher conversions: Dutch visitors recognize iDEAL and trust it. By offering iDEAL as the first option, you lower barriers and increase your conversion rate.
  • Lower costs and instant payouts: iDEAL works via bank transfers; costs are often lower than credit card transactions, and the money arrives quickly in your account.
  • No chargebacks: Because the payment goes directly through the bank, you can't get chargebacks like with credit cards.

When Credit Cards and Stripe Are Still Useful

Credit cards remain important for international visitors and large purchases. For cross-border customers, a credit card may be the only option. Additionally, Stripe offers a popular and reliable way to accept both iDEAL and credit cards through one integration. Stripe is particularly useful if you want to do business internationally, with support for over 135 currencies and local payment methods worldwide. Therefore, make sure to offer credit card payments and Stripe as secondary options - this way you won't miss out on international revenue.

Wero: The Next Step in European Payments

The European Payments Initiative (EPI) has announced that iDEAL, Payconiq, Giropay, and Paylib will merge into one digital wallet: Wero. iDEAL will remain active until 2028, but eventually all local A2A payment methods in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands will be replaced. Wero is mobile-first and designed for fast, cross-border payments. For organizers, this means that with one integration, you'll be able to accept most European bank payments.

What Should You Do Now?

  1. Keep offering iDEAL: As long as iDEAL is active, it deserves priority in your checkout.
  2. Monitor the Wero rollout: Follow developments and choose a ticketing platform that's ready for Wero.
  3. Offer multiple options: A combination of iDEAL, credit cards, Stripe, and wallets ensures both local visitors and international guests can pay. This minimizes drop-off in your payment flow.

How TicketPayGo Helps

TicketPayGo supports iDEAL, Stripe, and credit card payments. Our checkout displays iDEAL as the default first payment option for Dutch visitors, resulting in higher conversions. Additionally, credit cards and Stripe are available for international visitors. We closely follow the introduction of Wero and ensure organizers can switch seamlessly once this new method is rolled out.