Compare fixed pricing against percentage checkout fees.
Model Cottage CMS Pro against Hotplate-style customer fees. Adjust order volume, average order value, annual billing, and how much of the customer fee you absorb.
The hidden cost of fees can show up in tips.
When customers see unexpected fees added at checkout, they often reduce or skip tipping altogether. They have already paid more than expected, so they feel less generous. With fee-free checkout, customers are more likely to tip — and tip well — because the total matches what they anticipated.
Cost Calculator
Adjust the sliders to match your business
How much of the 5% + $0.55 do you cover?
Net on Cottage CMS
$12,819
Net on Hotplate
$13,019
With Cottage CMS Your Customers Save
$840/year
Net benefit: $640 after your $200/year subscription
Hotplate looks $200 cheaper — but at what cost?
Your customers pay $840 in surprise fees. That leads to abandoned carts, smaller tips, and frustrated customers who don't come back. The real cost of percentage-based fees is impossible to calculate.
Subscription cost
$200/year
Understanding the Fee Structures
Here's exactly how each platform charges you and your customers
Cottage CMS
Fixed pricing model
Platform Fee
$20/mo or $200/year
Payment Processing (Square)
2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
You pay · Customers pay nothing extra
Clean checkout experience
Your customers see exactly what they expect to pay
Hotplate
Percentage-based model
Merchant Fees (You Pay)
2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Customer Fees (They Pay)
5% + $0.55 per transaction
Added at checkout · You can absorb some/all
Surprise at checkout
A $50 order becomes $53.05 for your customer
It's About Customer Experience
Beyond the numbers, consider how your customers feel when they see unexpected fees at checkout.
Build Trust
Transparent pricing builds customer confidence. No surprises means more completed purchases.
Repeat Customers
Customers who have a smooth checkout experience are more likely to order again.
Better Tips
Customers who feel nickel-and-dimed by fees are less likely to tip generously at checkout.
Word of Mouth
Happy customers tell their friends. Hidden fees create frustration they'll share too.
Give customers a checkout total they can trust.
Start free with Cottage CMS, then upgrade to Pro when fixed subscription pricing, custom domains, and growth tools make more sense than a percentage fee model.