> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.form.gov.sg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.form.gov.sg/user-guides/advanced-guide/payments/cost-and-benefits.md).

# Cost and benefits

FormSG payments is free to use. You only need to pay for transaction fees to Stripe and discounted rates are provided under government bulk tender (applicable to healthcare).

<figure><img src="/files/z7i0SzCjt5JHqgnKKENv" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

We work with financial institutions, regulators, payment networks so government agencies who run on FormSG payments don't have to.

|                           | ✔️ Use FormSG payments                                                    | Build from scratch                                                                  |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Development cost**      | ✔️ Only transaction fees paid to payment processor                        | Development, maintenance, training, transactional, and operational costs ($XXX,XXX) |
| **Time to market**        | ✔️ Complete onboarding in days, start accepting payments in minutes       | Require development work, usually take months                                       |
| **New Features**          | ✔️ Access to new features without additional work                         | <p>Require ongoing development and updates</p><p><br></p>                           |
| **Reliability and Trust** | ✔️ Established and trusted platform for government agencies and citizens. | Requires building and establishing trust                                            |
| **Vendor Management**     | ✔️ Minimal vendor management required                                     | Need to identify, hire, and manage vendors                                          |
| **Scalability**           | ✔️ Built-in scalability and infrastructure                                | Need to plan and implement scalable architecture                                    |
| **Regulatory Compliance** | ✔️ OGP handles compliance requirements                                    | Need to ensure compliance with industry regulations                                 |
| **Security**              | ✔️ 3D Secure 2 for enhanced security and annual security assessments.     | Requires building and implementing security measures                                |

{% hint style="info" %}
Jump to our launch [checklist](https://go.gov.sg/formsg-payments-checklist) if you like what you see.
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://guide.form.gov.sg/user-guides/advanced-guide/payments/cost-and-benefits.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.