Cheapest Credit Card Processing for 2024
Square is one of the cheapest credit card processing companies, followed by Helcim and Stripe. Read on for the full list.
© CreditDonkey |
The cheapest credit card processing companies are:
- Square for new and small businesses
- Helcim for quickly growing businesses
- Stripe for large online businesses
- Payment Depot for midsize businesses processing $15,000+/mo
- Stax for large US-only businesses
- PaymentCloud for high-risk businesses
- Chase Payment Solutions for Chase Business Complete Banking clients
- Dharma Merchant Services for high-volume businesses
- National Processing for businesses with physical locations
- Host Merchant Services for the best customer service
- PayPal for e-commerce businesses
Credit card processing fees can be confusing and expensive. Since there are different fee structures, finding the cheapest payment processor is not as simple as finding the lowest price.
But that's what this guide is for. At the end of this article, you can find the most affordable way for your business to accept credit cards and debit card payments. Read on.
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
Save Up to 40%
- Flat Monthly Subscription Price, Starting at $99
- 0% Markup on Direct-Cost Interchange
- 24/7 Support
- How We Came Up With The List
We made sure to carefully analyze the best credit card processing companies and compare all their fees to determine the cheapest options. There needs to be little to no miscellaneous fees that can pile up the cost of processing.
They should also offer month-to-month contracts unless it's a high-risk payment processor. This way, you can easily switch processors when one no longer serves your needs. Long-term contracts with cancellation fees also drive up the cost.
So you can get the most value for your money, the processor also needs to provide other features apart from cheap payment processing. You may be offered tools for inventory management, employee management, free reprogramming of equipment, etc.
Cheapest Credit Card Processing Companies
Payment processors have varying pricing models, which is what will determine the affordable option for your business.
New and small businesses may be better off with flat-rate (pay-as-you-go) pricing. Businesses with larger sales volume, on the other hand, may get to save more with interchange-plus pricing or subscription pricing.
Payment Processors | Pricing Model | Transaction Fee | Company Highlights |
---|---|---|---|
Square | Flat-rate pricing | Starts at 2.6% + $.10 per transaction | Easy to use interface & free card reader available |
Helcim | Interchange-plus pricing | Starts at Interchange rate + 0.40% + $0.08 (for processing up to $50,000/mo; discounts for larger volume) | Automatically lowers your processing fees |
Stripe | Flat-rate pricing | Starts at 2.7% + $0.05 per transaction | Accept global payments (supports over 135 currencies) |
Payment Depot | Subscription pricing starting at $79/mo | Starts at Interchange rate + $0.08 per transaction | Save up to 40% or up to $600 on processing fees |
Stax | Subscription pricing starting at $99/mo | Starts at Interchange rate + $0.08 per transaction | All-in-one platform for US-only businesses |
PaymentCloud | Custom pricing | Custom pricing | Surcharge your customers as a high-risk business |
Chase Payment Solutions | Flat-rate pricing | Starts at 2.6% rate +10¢ per tap, dip and swiped transaction | Established brand handling over 50% of all e-commerce payments |
Dharma Merchant Services | Interchange-plus | Starts at Interchange + 0.15% + $0.08 per transaction | Businesses processing over $100k per month gets offered discounted rates |
National Processing | Flat-rate pricing | Starts at 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction (Basic In-person Package), 2.41% + $0.10 per transaction (Advanced Package) | Offers one of the lowest in-person flat rates |
Host Merchant Services | Interchange-plus | Starts at 0.25% + $0.10 per transaction (retail); 0.20% + $0.09 per transaction (restaurant) | Merchant account provider with prompt and reliable customer service |
PayPal | Flat-rate or interchange-plus plus | Starts at Starts at 2.29% + $0.09 per transaction | Offers a variety of online payment options, such as PayPal, Venmo, and crypto |
If you're just starting out, Square can be a good option.
First Month Free
- Flat Monthly Subscription Price, Starting at $99
- 0% Markup on Direct-Cost Interchange
- 24/7 Support
Get $500 If National Processing Can't Beat Your Current Rates*
*For merchants processing over $10k/month
U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - 2.50% Back Monthly Through the End of 2025
- When you open a new Payment Solutions account with U.S. Bank, you'll receive 2.50% back on transaction fees each month through the end of 2025. No minimums or maximums – the more credit and debit card transactions you accept, the more you get back.
- Promotional offer is available for establishment of a new payment processing account to new and existing U.S. Bank customers not currently using Elavon for merchant processing services.
- To qualify for the 2.50% Back Monthly offer, you must open a new U.S. Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Account by August 31, 2024 and accept and settle a payment transaction by October 31, 2024.
- The monthly 2.50% back on transaction fees will end on December 31, 2025, and the final credit will appear on the December 2025 billing cycle.
- U.S. Bank and/or Elavon, a U.S. Bank company, reserves the right in its sole discretion to modify, suspend or terminate the promotion at any time. Restrictions may apply.
Square: For New and Small Businesses
CreditDonkey Rating | (4.5/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Flat-rate |
Monthly Fee | No monthly fees (Free Plan) |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | 2.6% + $.10 |
Online Transactions | 2.9% + $0.30 |
Full Review of Square |
Square works great for new and small businesses because it's a flat-rate payment processor. There are no monthly fees, and you can get a free Square reader, which means you can basically start for free.
All accounts get a free virtual terminal, payment gateway, and an online store. Plus, you don't need to worry about hidden fees.
In fact, Square does not even charge a chargeback fee for disputes. You'll also get a month-to-month contract with no cancellation fee.
In addition, the Square Point of Sale (POS) app is one of the most powerful, making it a great choice for mobile payment processing.
You can set discounts, issue refunds, send invoices, get detailed reporting, manage your customer database, and handle employee and inventory management, all on the app.
- Square Pricing:
Square offers a free plan, so you can get started right away. If you need more features, you can upgrade to the Plus plan for $29+/mo.
Square's processing fees are:
- Swipe or chip transactions: 2.6% + $.10
- Online transactions: 2.9% + $0.30
- Keyed-in transactions: 3.5% + 15¢
- Invoices: 3.3% + 30¢
- ACH payments: 1% ($1 minimum)
- Afterpay: 6% + 30¢
All card payments are charged the same processing costs, whether it's credit cards or debit cards, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express cards.
This makes card processing rates simple, but they may not be the cheapest for larger businesses.
In comparison, Helcim charges differently per card type due to varying interchange rates. This can mean more savings due to certain card brands.[1] - Swipe or chip transactions: 2.6% + $.10
- Square Features:
Regardless of your business type, Square lets you:
- Accept online, in-person, and over-the-phone payments
- Accept payments in offline mode
- Send invoices
- Manage multiple store locations
- Customize the checkout experience
- Manage inventory
- Get detailed reporting
- Sell on Instagram, Facebook, and Google
- Offer local delivery, shipping, and curbside pickup
- Manage employees and set permissions
- Create personalized marketing and loyalty campaigns
Square also offers business-specific features for retail, restaurants, and professional services like consultants. You may be able to use Square's Kitchen Display System, print barcodes automatically, schedule recurring classes, etc.
Square Add-ons
Square offers more business tools like Payroll, Loyalty, Marketing, and Banking. You can integrate these features into your POS, but they will come with separate pricing. Some add-ons offer a free trial for 30 days. - Accept online, in-person, and over-the-phone payments
- Square Equipment:
Square offers a free magstripe card reader to help you get started. Additional magstripe readers cost $10 each. You can choose one with a headset jack or one with a lightning connector.
There are also lots of other POS equipment to choose from:
- Square register: $799 or $34/mo for 24 months
- Square terminal: $299 or $27/mo for 12 months
- Square stand and Square stand mount: each costs $149 or $14/mo for 12 months[2] [3]
- Square reader for contactless and chip: 1st generation costs $49, while 2nd generation costs $59
All equipment comes with free 30-day returns. You also get a 2-year limited warranty for the Square register and a 1-year limited warranty for other Square hardware.
- Square register: $799 or $34/mo for 24 months
- Square Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- Pay-as-you-go pricing
- No hidden fees
- No long-term contracts
- Free Square reader
- Easy-to-use POS
- Next business day transfer
- Instant bank transfer (1.75% fee)
- Accept payments with no internet connection
- Square App Marketplace for integrations
Cons:
- Pricey for high-volume businesses
- Limited customer support
- Account is susceptible to holds or freezes
- Not for high-risk businesses
- Pay-as-you-go pricing
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
If your business is no longer new and you're looking to scale, Helcim may be the better (and still affordable) option.
Helcim: For Quickly Growing Businesses
CreditDonkey Rating | (4.3/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Interchange plus |
Monthly Fee | No monthly fees |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | Interchange rate + 0.40% + $0.08 (for processing up to $50,000/mo; discounts for larger volume) |
Online Transactions | Interchange rate + 0.50% + $0.25 (for processing up to $50,000/month; discounts for larger volume) |
Full Review of Helcim |
Helcim is the most transparent a payment processor can get. It offers interchange-plus pricing. And it breaks down the interchange rates, card brand fees, and processor markup, so you know exactly how much you're paying.
It's best for quickly growing businesses because you don't need to haggle for lower processing fees. When you grow your sales volume, the processor markup lowers automatically, giving you cheaper rates.
Just like Square, Helcim has no monthly fee, and you get free access to all of Helcim's tools. You'll get to use the POS (Helcim Payments App), hosted payment page, virtual terminal, etc.
However, Helcim is a merchant account provider. So expect an underwriting process.
- Helcim Pricing:
Helcim offers interchange-plus pricing. The average cost of in-person transactions is 1.93% + 8¢. For keyed and online transactions, the average is 2.49% + 25¢.[4]
Here are the rates you can expect as you grow your sales volume:
Monthly Volume In-person Transactions Online and Keyed Transactions $0 - $50,000 Interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ Interchange + 0.50% + 25¢ $50,001 - $100,000 Interchange + 0.35% + 7¢ Interchange + 0.45% + 20¢ $100,001 - $500,000 Interchange + 0.25% + 7¢ Interchange + 0.35% + 20¢ $500,001 - $1,000,000 Interchange + 0.20% + 6¢ Interchange + 0.25% + 15¢ $1,000,001+ Interchange + 0.15% + 6¢ Interchange + 0.15% + 15¢ Your pricing tier is automatically applied based on your three-month processing average. So there's no need to call Helcim and negotiate a discount as your business grows.
There are no monthly fees, cancellation fees, setup fees, deposit fees, user fees, and PCI compliance fees.
- Helcim Features:
With a free Helcim account, you can:
- Accept debit and credit card payments
- Take contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Use the Helcim app for mobile payments
- Use the virtual terminal on any smart device
- Accept QR code payments
- Send unlimited invoices
- Set up recurring billing
- Take ACH payments (no extra signup needed)
- Manage inventory
- Create unlimited employee accounts
- See reports and sales trends
- Build a new online store
- Integrate with popular shopping carts and business software like WooCommerce and QuickBooks
Take note that Helcim lets you accept USD and CAD payments. It might not be the best option for international businesses.
- Accept debit and credit card payments
- Helcim Equipment:
Unlike its competitors, there are only 2 POS hardware options with Helcim. You can opt for their smart terminal or card reader.
- Helcim Smart Terminal: $329
The smart terminal is a standalone terminal that uses the Helcim POS app. You can accept tap and chip payments, digital wallet payments, and take keyed-in payments with the device. There's also a built-in printer for your receipts.The device connects to WiFi and is easy to charge through the dock that comes with it.
- Helcim Card Reader: $99
The card reader connects to any device, such as iOS, Mac, Android, or Windows. And it's available in different colors, like purple, pink, and orange.You can use the card reader to accept tap, chip, and debit payments. You can also take contactless payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Helcim Smart Terminal: $329
- Helcim Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- Interchange-plus pricing with volume discounts
- No monthly fees
- No long-term contracts
- No early termination fees
- No hidden fees
- Unlimited access to all payment solutions
- 1-2-day funding
- Highly praised customer service
Cons:
- Underwriting process
- Only 2 equipment options
- Limited third-party integrations
- Doesn't accept high-risk businesses
- No 24/7 customer support
- Interchange-plus pricing with volume discounts
Start Accepting Payments Fast
- Interchange Plus Pricing
- No Monthly Fees
- No Contracts
Now, moving on from Helcim, let's check out the processor that work for companies dealing with money globally.
Stripe: For Large Online Businesses
CreditDonkey Rating | (4/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Flat-rate |
Monthly Fee | No monthly fee |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | 2.7% + $0.05 |
Online Transactions | 2.9% + $0.30 |
Full Review of Stripe |
Stripe is one of the most flexible payment processors for internet-only businesses. It's ideal for larger e-commerce businesses, in-app purchases, and online stores that accept global payments.
Stripe supports over 30 languages, 135+ currencies, and over 100 payment methods. Checkout also dynamically changes the payment methods and uses the ones likely to improve conversion. It's no surprise that it's used by companies like Amazon and Shopify.
This payment processor is also known for a lot of advanced API developer tools. It allows you to completely customize the checkout experience with a variety of programming languages. That said, you'd have to have a developer.
- Stripe Pricing:
Stripe offers flat-rate pricing, like Square. There are no monthly fees, so you only pay when you make a sale.
Here are Stripe's processing fees per transaction:[5]
- In-person transactions: 2.7% + $0.05
+ 1.5% for international cards - Online transactions: 2.9% + $0.30
- Keyed-in transactions: 3.4% + 30¢
- International payments: Additional 1%; + 1% if currency conversion is required
- Invoicing: 0.4% per paid invoice
- Recurring billing (invoices and subscriptions): 0.5%
- ACH Direct Debit: 0.8%; $5.00 cap
- Instant payouts: 1%; minimum fee of 50¢
- Tap to Pay: 10¢ per authorization
- Chargeback protection: 0.4% per transaction
- Disputes: $15.00 per dispute
Note that the prices are the same regardless of the card or digital wallet used by your customers. You can also opt for custom pricing if you have a high sales volume, high-value transactions, or have a unique business model.
You can issue partial or full refunds to your customers. But these may come with fees depending on your agreement with Stripe.
- In-person transactions: 2.7% + $0.05
- Stripe Features:
With a Stripe account, you can:
- Accept one-time, recurring, or pay-what-you-want payments
- Integrate with online shopping carts like Shopify and WooCommerce
- Use a pre-built checkout optimized to convert
- Use a one-click checkout for returning customers
- Send shareable payment links
- Use automatic currency conversion
- Set up promo codes or coupons for your customers
- Set up extra authentication for high-risk payments
- Access chargeback protection features
- Access free and advanced reporting
- Work with Stripe Experts to make the setup easier
You can choose to embed Checkout into your website, so customers don't need to be redirected to a different page. But a Stripe-hosted page is also available for more security. - Accept one-time, recurring, or pay-what-you-want payments
- Stripe Equipment:
Although Stripe is ideal for e-commerce businesses, it also offers POS hardware for when your business is on the go.
- BBPOS WisePOS E (terminal): $249; up to 12 hours of active use
- Stripe Reader S700: $349; up to 15 hours of active use
- Stripe Reader M2: $59; up to 28 hours of active use
The Stripe terminal unifies your customers' payments online and in person. You can email customers their receipts.
The terminal also comes with end-to-end encryption, cloud-based ordering, and remote management and monitoring.
If you need smaller devices that fit in your pocket, Stripe card readers are available as well. Or you can just opt for Tap to Pay on iPhone or Android.
- BBPOS WisePOS E (terminal): $249; up to 12 hours of active use
- Stripe Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- Month-to-month contract
- No setup fees, monthly fees, or hidden fees
- No cancellation fee
- Highly customizable with advanced APIs
- Pre-built payment UIs for if you don't need to customize
- One-click checkout available
- Supports 135+ currencies
- Extensive security features
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- May get confusing for small business owners
- Needs developers to maximize the platform
- Pricey for larger businesses due to flat-rate pricing
- Plenty of miscellaneous fees
- Month-to-month contract
What if you don't have a lot of customers abroad? If you have at least $15,000 in monthly sales, try for the next option.
Payment Depot: For Midsize Businesses
CreditDonkey Rating | (3.75/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Subscription |
Monthly Fee | Starts at $79/month |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | Interchange rate + $0.08 |
Online Transactions | Interchange rate + $0.18 |
Full Review of Payment Depot |
For midsize businesses with a sales volume of around $15,000 to $20,000+ per month, Payment Depot offers the cheapest credit card processing fees. It offers membership-based pricing, but you can get your first month for free.
Payment Depot suggests membership plans depending on your industry. Some supported industries include retail, restaurant, B2B, healthcare, hair and beauty, and service businesses.
This can lead to significant savings for your business. Healthcare businesses, for example, can save up to $600+ per month. Pet Groomers, on the other hand, save an average of $400 per month.
There's also a variety of hardware options for purchase (including the popular Clover POS system). But you can ask Payment Depot to reprogram your existing processing equipment for free.
- Payment Depot Pricing:
Payment Depot doesn't state how much its plans are. But this is what you'll find on the processor's website:
- Start at $79/month (Process up to $250,000/yr)
- Custom quote (Process more than $250,000/yr)
You'll also be charged a very low per-transaction fee with no percentage markup.
- Swiped payments: Interchange rate + $0.08
- Online payments: Interchange rate + $0.18
- Keyed-in payments: Interchange + 18¢
Payment Depot recommends certain plans depending on your industry. For example, a B2B company may do well with its Executive or Premier plans. This may be due to the features that come with these plans. - Payment Depot Features:
A membership plan with Payment Depot can get you:
- E-commerce payment processing
- Mobile payment processing
- A virtual terminal for keyed-in payments
- Next-day deposits
- Chargeback and risk monitoring features
- Business software integrations like Shopify, QuickBooks, and WooCommerce
If you opt for the Clover POS System, you'll also get features for inventory management, loyalty program, reporting, taxes, etc.
- E-commerce payment processing
- Payment Depot Equipment:
Payment Depot offers standard terminals and smart terminals. You can choose from Clover, Dejavoo, and SwipeSimple products.
- Clover Flex: handheld POS (smart terminal)
- Clover Mini: all-in-one POS; compact but powerful
- Clover Station: all-in-one POS; comes with a cash drawer and receipt printer
- Clover Station Pro: all-in-one POS with a customer-facing display
- QD2 and QD4 Dejavoo terminals: smart terminals; QD2 is a wireless terminal while QD4 is a countertop terminal
- SwipeSimple B250: card reader; use with your iOS or Android device; optional base stand available
You'll have to contact Payment Depot for the price.
- Clover Flex: handheld POS (smart terminal)
- Payment Depot Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- No early termination fee
- Low per-transaction fee; no percentage markup
- Next-day funding available
- Third-party hardware options
- Can reprogram existing equipment
Cons:
- Not for high-risk businesses
- Can be expensive for small businesses
- Plans and monthly fees are not transparent
- 20% restocking fee for returned equipment
- No early termination fee
Save 40% or More
- Wholesale Rates
- Membership Fee Model
- No Cancellation Fees
Payment Depot is a Stax company, which is why you'll find their processing fees similar. But you may get more features with Stax.
Stax: For Large and Established Businesses
CreditDonkey Rating | (3.5/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Subscription |
Monthly Fee | Starts at $99 per month |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | Interchange rate + $0.08 |
Online Transactions | Interchange rate + $0.18 |
Full Review of Stax |
Stax has no processor percentage markup. You only pay direct interchange costs with a flat fee per transaction, plus the monthly fee. This can make it the cheapest option for larger businesses.
Also, Stax offers a good combination of technology and price. It offers an excellent integrated payments platform with a lot of robust tools.
You can handle mobile and online payments, invoicing/recurring billing, customer database, inventory, and employee management.
In addition, it has advanced analytic tools to identify and compare sales trends. You can even use developer APIs to create custom shopping carts on your website or app.
- Stax Pricing:
You'll be getting the same features with Stax regardless of your membership plan. The monthly fee only changes based on your sales volume.[6]
- $99/mo: if you process up to $250,000/year
- $199/mo: if you process $250,000-$500,000/year
- Custom pricing: if you process over $500,000/year
Here's how much each transaction may cost you:
- In-store transactions: Interchange rate + $0.08
- Online transactions: Interchange rate + $0.18
- Keyed-in transactions: Interchange + $0.18
- $99/mo: if you process up to $250,000/year
- Stax Features:
In every Stax subscription, you can:
- Accept in-person, online, over-the-phone, mobile, and contactless payments
- Manage inventory
- Send digital invoices
- Set up recurring invoices and scheduled payments
- Send website-hosted payment links
- Set up a one-click shopping cart
- Access reporting and analytics through the dashboard
- Securely store your customers' information (card on file)
- Sync with QuickBooks Online
If these aren't enough, you can also purchase add-ons like ACH payment processing, terminal protection, next-day funding, and digital gift cards.
You can even pass on the credit card fees to your customers through CardX. It's a payment solution from Stax that makes surcharging easier and your business fully compliant.
- Accept in-person, online, over-the-phone, mobile, and contactless payments
- Stax Equipment:
You can choose from a variety of cloud-based smart terminals, specifically Clover, Dejavoo, and SwipeSimple products.
But you'll have to contact Stax to know how much these costs:
- Clover Flex: a handheld POS system
- Clover Mini: all-in-one POS system
- Clover Station Solo: all-in-one POS system that comes with a receipt printer and a cash drawer
- Clover Station Duo: all-in-one POS with a customer-facing display
- QD2 and QD4 Dejavoo: Android terminals
- SwipeSimple B250 Reader: card reader
Technically, you don't really need a credit card machine to accept payments with Stax. The Stax mobile app, available for Android and iOS, lets you scan credit cards with your phone camera to take payments.
That said, opting for these terminals may help you save on processing fees.
- Clover Flex: a handheld POS system
- Stax Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- Month-to-month contract
- No early cancellation fees
- Integrated payment platform
- No processor markup
- In-house customer and technical support
- All-in-one package
- Same-day deposit
Cons:
- Underwriting process
- Pricey for small businesses
- Add-ons can add up to the total cost of your monthly subscription
- Month-to-month contract
Save Up to 40%
- Flat Monthly Subscription Price, Starting at $99
- 0% Markup on Direct-Cost Interchange
- 24/7 Support
If you're a high-risk business, Stax may not be the best option. But PaymentCloud may gladly work with you.
PaymentCloud: For High-risk Businesses
CreditDonkey Rating | (3.2/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Customized |
Contract | Depends on your agreement; potentially long-term contracts for high-risk businesses |
Full Review of PaymentCloud |
PaymentCloud is one of the best merchant account providers for high-risk businesses. You'll get offered customized pricing based on the payment solutions your business needs.
Aside from accepting debit and credit card payments, you can also take ACH, eCheck, and cryptocurrency payments.
That said, if you're a high-risk business, it may be unlikely that you'll get "cheap" processing rates. Being in a risky industry inherently makes your rates more expensive than average due to higher possibilities of fraud.
But aside from traditional payment processing, PaymentCloud also offers a zero-cost processing solution, in which you pass on the credit card fees to your customers even as a high-risk business.[7] This can mean significant savings on your end.
- Processing history (if any)
- Credit history
- Sales volume
- Chargeback ratio
- Merchant Category Code (MCC)
- Accepted mode of payment (this affects your level of risk)
- PaymentCloud Pricing:
PaymentCloud doesn't explicitly state its fees on its website since it offers customized solutions for businesses. Your rates will depend on your business type (industry and risk level).
The merchant account provider will perform a side-by-side cost savings analysis. This will help you understand the products and services you need.
Depending on the result, you may be offered interchange-plus pricing, flat-rate pricing, or tiered pricing.
You also have the option to surcharge your customers. Surcharging will get you a month-to-month contract.
The merchant agreement should include all the fees in detail. So be sure to read the fine print. Make sure there are no hidden fees. And if possible, negotiate. - PaymentCloud Features:
With a merchant account from PaymentCloud, you can:
- Accept payments internationally
- Use the virtual terminal to take keyed-in payments
- Send personalized payment pages
- Accept QR code payments through Paysley
- Customers can pay through text message
- Send invoices and set up recurring billing
- Implement a cash discount program
- Access chargeback and fraud prevention tools
- Integrate with various payment gateways and shopping carts like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce
PaymentCloud offers amazing customer support, too. You get a dedicated account manager to help you with your concerns.
Plus, support is available 24/7. Many business owners report high satisfaction and even attest to great customer service.
Since PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider, expect an underwriting process. That's unless you opt for the ACH processing solution, in which case, you can create an account and start processing right away. - Accept payments internationally
- PaymentCloud Equipment:
PaymentCloud works with Clover, Verifone, Ingenico, and Dejavoo. You can choose from wireless card readers, full point-of-sale systems, mobile readers, and payment accessories.
You can even get a free terminal if you're a low-risk business.[8] You can visit the PaymentCloud Shop for the pricing of these POS equipment.
- PaymentCloud Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- Free terminal for low-risk businesses
- Dedicated account manager
- Easy to start accepting ACH payments
- Surcharge-compliant card terminals
- Works with low-risk to high-risk businesses
- Hundreds of integrations available
Cons:
- Underwriting process
- Need to contact for a quote
- Possible long-term contracts for high-risk businesses
- Free terminal for low-risk businesses
High Risk? No Problem
- Competitive Options for Payment Processing at All Risk Levels
- Fast Funding
- No Setup/Hidden Fees
- No Minimum Credit Score
- All Industries Accepted
This next affordable payment processor is best suited for a niche group of business owners.
Chase Payment Solutions: For Chase Business Complete Banking Account Holders
CreditDonkey Rating | (3/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Flat-rate |
Monthly Fee | No monthly fees |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | 2.6% rate +10¢ per tap, dip and swiped transaction |
Online Transactions | 2.90% + 25¢ per ecommerce transaction |
Full Review of Chase Payment Solutions |
Over 5 million businesses use Chase, making it an established and trusted credit card processing company. You also get "relationship" pricing and access to many branches and ATMs.
If you already have a business checking account with Chase, you can check out Chase Payment Solutions to have everything under one roof. It offers payment processing for in-person, online, and over-the-phone payments.
If you're a Chase Business Complete Banking account holder, you also get exclusive features like Tap to Pay on iPhone and same-day deposits with no fee.
With same-day deposits, you don't need to wait around for funds to clear and can keep the money flowing. This can be especially beneficial for small business owners.
According to the company, Chase Payment Solutions handles 50% of all e-commerce payment processing. That means about half of all online transactions!
- Chase Payment Solutions Pricing:
Chase Payment Solutions offers flat-rate pricing with no monthly fees. Here are the rates:[9]
- In-person: 2.6% rate +10¢ per tap, dip and swiped transaction
- Online: 2.90% + 25¢ per ecommerce transaction
- Keyed-in: 3.5% rate +10¢ per keyed transaction
Interchange-plus pricing is also available depending on your transaction volume. You can contact Chase for custom pricing.
- In-person: 2.6% rate +10¢ per tap, dip and swiped transaction
- Chase Payment Solutions Features:
Here's what you can do with Chase:
- Accept credit and debit card payments in-store, online, or on the go
- Accept contactless payments like Apple Pay
- Use the Chase Mobile app to accept payments
- Send secure payment links to customers
- Use Authorize.net as your payment gateway
- Issue refunds and track disputes
- Access real-time monitoring and alerts for fraud protection
- Set up recurring billing
- Create a product catalog
- Manage customer information + review customer insights
Chase Payment Solutions also integrates with various business tools, like BigCommerce and FreshBooks. You can even get deals like a 15-day free trial for BigCommerce and 50% off FreshBook's Premium plan.
Similar to PaymentCloud, Chase gets you a payments advisor you can contact for support. Customer support is available 24/7.
Chase Payment Solutions Supported Industries:- Retail
- Restaurants
- Professional Services
- E-commerce
- Healthcare
- Accept credit and debit card payments in-store, online, or on the go
- Chase Payment Solutions Equipment:
Chase Payment Solutions primarily highlights mobile payment processing. So you can count on it to offer credit card terminals and mobile payment options.
- Countertop terminal: $299
- Mobile terminal: $399; one charge can take up to 450 transactions
- Chase QuickAccept mobile card reader: $49.95
- Chase card reader and base: $149; pocket-sized card reader; use in tandem with the POS app
- Countertop terminal: $299
- Chase Payment Solutions Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- Established and trusted payment processing company
- No hidden fees
- 24/7 customer support
- Payments Advisor available
- No-fee same-day deposits (with Chase Business Complete Banking)
- Perks from integrations due to being a Chase customer
Cons:
- Limited integrations
- Limited hardware options
- Authorize.net is the only option for a third-party payment gateway
- Established and trusted payment processing company
Chase Payment Solutions℠
- Never miss a sale with powerful new ways to accept credit cards, anytime, anywhere. Accept payments multiple ways – in person, online, or over the phone
- Fast funding at no additional cost. Get deposits as soon as the same day1.
- Enjoy fair and transparent pricing with no hidden or monthly fees. 2.6% rate +10¢ per tap, dip and swiped transaction. 2.90% + 25¢ per ecommerce transaction. 3.5% rate +10¢ per keyed transaction2
- Trusted security – As technology advances, our industry-leading systems help keep your payments safe
- Accept cards in person – Take payments quickly with our easy to use point-of-sale devices and mobile app3
- Accept cards online or over the phone – Choose from pre-built payment integrations with leading eCommerce platforms, virtual terminal and a payment gateway
- Over 5 million businesses of all types and sizes trust financial solutions from Chase
Maybe you're not a Chase banking client. But do you have a large monthly sales volume? If so, check out Dharma instead.
Dharma Merchant Services: For High-Volume Businesses
CreditDonkey Rating | (3/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Interchange plus |
Monthly Fee | Starts at $15/month (may vary depending on your account type) |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | Interchange + 0.15% + $0.08 |
Online Transactions | Interchange + 0.20% + $0.11 |
Full Review of Dharma Merchant Services |
Dharma Merchant Services charges some of the lowest credit card processing rates on the market. However, they only work with merchants with higher transaction volumes.
If you process more than $100,000/mo, you can get even more discounts. For example, rates for card-present transactions start at 0.15% + $0.08 plus interchange fees. But this can get reduced to as low as 0.10% + $0.11 plus interchange.
Many businesses that make the switch from their current processor to Dharma see a reduction of 20% to 40% from their current rates. That said, you'll still want to watch out for Dharma's monthly fees and consider them on your budget.
- Dharma Pricing:
Dharma charges a monthly fee of $15. That said, there are no long-term agreements that will tie you to the processor.
Here are the rates you can expect with your account:
Card-present transactions
(VISA, Mastercard, Discover)[10][11][12]Interchange + 0.15% + $0.08 Card-present transactions
(American Express)[13]Interchange + 0.25% + $0.08 Card-not-present transactions
(VISA, Mastercard, Discover)[12]Interchange + 0.20% + $0.11 Card-not-present transactions
(American Express)[13]Interchange + 0.30% + $0.11 Watch out for other miscellaneous fees:[14][15]
- Closure fee: $49
- Chargeback fee: $25/instance
- B2B app (app that can be used by B2B businesses to get lower interchange rates): $20/mo
- Merchant Insights app for detailed reporting: $10/mo
- ACH monthly fee: $25/mo
- Invoice and recurring billing: $10/mo
- Account updater for cards-on-file: $10/mo
- e|tab for online ordering, pick-up, or delivery: $49/mo
Dharma doesn't charge annual fees, monthly minimums, PCI-compliance fees, batch fees, and fees for the virtual terminal.
- Closure fee: $49
- Dharma Features:
MX Merchant, or Merchant Exchange, is an account that comes with your Dharma merchant account.
It comes with a virtual terminal that qualifies you for lower interchange rates. Plus, you get other essential tools such as mobile processing, online reporting, customer database, online payment links, and next-day funding.
Depending on the equipment you use, you may get additional POS features, too. Dharma supports a variety of point-of-sale systems, including Clover. You can accept swipe, chip, and contactless payment depending on your equipment.
In addition, you can integrate your merchant account to ACH.com to access ACH processing. This is how you can set up recurring ACH payments, which can be more affordable to process than credit card payments.
The underwriting process for an ACH processing account is different from your merchant account. Approval can take up to 10 days. You may also be asked for additional documents with your application. - Dharma Equipment:
Dharma supports a variety of terminals. You can choose from Verifone, Dejavoo, Ingenico, First Data, and Clover products. Prices range from $295 to $480 (but the price for Clover POS may differ).
You can use these terminals to accept swipe, chip, and contactless payments. Bluetooth swipers are also available in case your business is on the go and needs something wireless and compact.
That said, be sure to inquire about the compatible MX apps for each terminal. For example, Ingenico Desk/5000 ($369), requires an MX B2B App to be used, which means you'll need to pay an additional $20/mo for the app.
On the other hand, Dejavoo Z11 ($295) is what you'll have to use to surcharge your customers. It's compatible with the MX Advantage Surcharging app.
- Dharma Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- Free consultation
- No long-term contracts
- No setup fees
- 24-hour tech support
- 24-hour funding
- You can surcharge your customers
- Mobile POS app available
Cons:
- Miscellaneous fees
- Not suitable for newer small businesses
- Rates vary per card type
- Free consultation
Not quite convinced with Dharma? This next option can be another affordable processor, especially for brick-and-mortar stores.
National Processing: For Businesses with Physical Locations
CreditDonkey Rating | (2.75/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Flat-rate pricing |
Monthly Fee | Starts at $9.95/mo; custom pricing starts at $9.95+/mo |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction (Basic In-person Package), 2.41% + $0.10 per transaction (Advanced Package) |
Online Transactions | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction |
Full Review of National Processing |
National Processing is a merchant account provider that offers low in-person transaction fees. Its flat rate even beats the in-person rates of Stripe, Square, and Chase.
There are no long-term contracts or monthly minimums. You'll also access everything you need to process payments, like POS systems, mobile processing, virtual terminals, and payment gateways.
That said, National Processing is nearer to the bottom of our list because flat rates can be pricier than other pricing models. Plus, you'll have to pay monthly fees with your account.
In comparison, Square charges a flat rate with no monthly fee (free plan). Dharma charges interchange-plus pricing with monthly fees. Depending on your sales volume, National Processing can be pricier than the two.
- National Processing Pricing:
National Processing offers 4 plans:
- Basic in-person package: $9.95/mo; you can get a free mobile reader or terminal, and a free gateway setup
- Basic eCommerce package: $9.95/mo; aside from free equipment and gateway setup, you can also integrate with eCommerce platforms
- Advanced package: $19+/mo; you can choose from various POS systems and reprogram existing equipment
- Premium package: $9.95+/mo; custom rates; for businesses with over $30,000 in monthly sales
Here are the processing rates per transaction:
- In-person transactions: 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction (Basic In-person Package), 2.41% + $0.10 per transaction (Advanced Package)
- Online transactions: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
- Keyed-in transactions: 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction
There's no termination fee for Basic and Advanced plans.[16] But there will be a termination fee if you choose to switch processors without giving National Processing the chance to beat the competitor's rates.
If you apply as a high-risk business, then you may be required a long-term contract. Long-term contracts may come with termination fees.
- Basic in-person package: $9.95/mo; you can get a free mobile reader or terminal, and a free gateway setup
- National Processing Features:
National Processing offers a lot of payment processing solutions, such as:
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment processing
- Virtual terminal
- ACH payment processing
- Payment gateways
- Software integrations
POS systems include Pax, Clover, and SwipeSimple. Some of the features you'll get include invoicing, recurring payments, and reporting. You can also use the virtual terminal if you mostly take over-the-phone payments.
As for payment gateways, you get 2 options: National Processing Gateway and Authorize.net. Both can work great for accepting online payments, even international currencies.
And if your business works with multiple software, you may find that you can integrate them with your merchant account. National Processing works with multiple accounting tools, eCommerce tools, and CRMs.
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems
- National Processing Equipment:
You can get a free mobile reader or terminal with National Processing. But you can also purchase terminals if you need more. Free equipment is available for the Basic plans.
Advanced and Premium plans let you choose from various POS systems, like Pax, Clover, and SwipeSimple. There are also smart terminals available for when you accept payments on the go.
Pricing can range from $345 to $2,000. If you already have equipment of your own, National Processing can reprogram them if you opt for the Advanced plan.
- National Processing Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- No long-term contracts
- No monthly minimums
- 4 flexible pricing plans to choose from
- Free equipment available
- Can reprogram existing equipment
Cons:
- Underwriting process
- Monthly fees with flat-rate pricing
- Can get pricey with larger sales volume
- Additional fees with the Clover software
- No long-term contracts
Get $500 If National Processing Can't Beat Your Current Rates*
*For merchants processing over $10k/month
What if your main priority is the processor's effectiveness in supporting your business? Check out this next option.
Host Merchant Services: Best Customer Service
CreditDonkey Rating | (2.5/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Interchange-plus |
Monthly Fee | $14.99/mo |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | 0.25% + $0.10 per transaction (retail); 0.20% + $0.09 per transaction (restaurant) |
Online Transactions | 0.35% + $0.10 per transaction |
Host Merchant Services is another merchant account provider offering interchange-plus pricing. It prides itself on its customer service, boasting that you'll never have to wait in line to get your concerns addressed.
And if you make a call, a real person will also get to you in just 3 rings! The company has received an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in ConsumerAffairs, which could testify to this.
In addition, Host Merchant Services supports a variety of industries, including retail, restaurants, eCommerce, and even high-risk industries.
Rates vary depending on your industry. But because you'll be paying interchange fees, the rates are significantly cheaper than flat rates. You may even get processing equipment for free!
- Host Merchant Services Pricing:
Host Merchant Services charges a monthly fee of $14.99/mo. Your processing rates depend on your industry type:
- Retail Storefront (in-person transactions): 0.25% + $0.10 per transaction
- Restaurant: 0.20% + $0.09 per transaction
- eCommerce (online): 0.35% + $0.10 per transaction
Note that there are other fees to budget for:
- Batch fee: $0.20 per batch
- Voice authorization: $0.75
- Gateway fee: $5/mo (optional)
- Annual 1099 reporting fee: $24/year
Host Merchant Services supports other industries like medical, construction, and automotive. Be sure to inquire about the respective processing rates if you belong to these industries.
- Retail Storefront (in-person transactions): 0.25% + $0.10 per transaction
- Host Merchant Services Features:
Host Merchant Services offers all the tools you need to accept and process payments.
Some of these tools include:
- Payment gateways
- Virtual terminals
- Online shopping carts
- Business tools integration
You can accept credit card payments in person through a terminal or your own mobile device. There are wireless terminals available, too, so you can accept payments on the floor.
To use your Android or Apple device, just download the free HMSPay app. But you can also purchase a tablet if you need one.
In addition, Host Merchant Services works with 100+ payment gateways, including Authorize.NET, so you can accept payments in your online store.
As for the virtual terminal, you can use it from your PC or Mac, which is most convenient if you take over-the-phone payments.
Some of Host Merchant Services' supported shopping carts include WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, and Wix. - Payment gateways
- Host Merchant Services Equipment:
Host Merchant Services offers a variety of point-of-sale systems, which come with their own set of POS equipment.
You can choose from:
- Clover POS
- Vital POS
- SwipeSimple
- Bonsai POS
These POS systems have their own features, too. For example, you may get features on inventory management and employee management.
The price to budget for equipment depends on the system you go for. You could choose a complete workstation or limit your purchase to a smart terminal.
- Clover POS
- Host Merchant Services Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- Free consultation
- Free equipment available
- No contracts
- No cancellation fees
- No upfront or hidden fees
- 24/7 customer service
- Works with high-risk businesses
Cons:
- Locked-in rates (although it won't increase, that also means it won't decrease, unlike with other interchange-plus competitors like Helcim)
- Miscellaneous fees like batch fees, voice authorization, and gateway fees
- Free consultation
You've reviewed most of the processors on this list. Still looking for the most trusted brand of them all? It's PayPal.
PayPal: For E-commerce Businesses
CreditDonkey Rating | (2.3/5) |
---|---|
Pricing Model | Flat-rate and Interchange-plus |
Monthly Fee | Free account (monthly fees for features start at $5/mo) |
Contract | Month-to-month |
Swipe or Chip Transactions | Starts at 2.29% + $0.09 per transaction |
Online Transactions | Starts at 2.59% + $0.49 per transaction |
PayPal is one of the trusted brands when it comes to making and accepting payments. There's a reason why it's used by over 30 million merchants!
Your customers can pay through credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal, and Pay Later options. If you're an e-commerce business, you even get to sell to customers worldwide since you can accept over 120 currencies.
PayPal works with many popular e-commerce platforms, too, such as BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and GoDaddy.
The downside is that there are a lot of rates and monthly fees to consider. Although you can open a free PayPal business account, that doesn't mean all the other tools are free.
You can get significant conversion rates with PayPal. Through the platform, you can have a:
- 30% increase in checkout conversion
- 30% more repeat customers
- 43% higher spend from customers
Additionally, 69% of customers feel that their payments are more secure if a business accepts PayPal. Offering that PayPal button at checkout may just increase your brand's trustworthiness.
- PayPal Pricing:
PayPal has a lot of fees. It's why the processor is the last on our list. These fees should be disclosed in your contract, specifically, since they may vary depending on the services you opt for.
PayPal Processing Rates:[17]
- Card-present transactions: 2.29% + $0.09
- QR code transactions: 2.29% + $0.09
- PayPal Standard (online): 2.99% + $0.49
- PayPal Advanced (online): 2.59% + $0.49
- Keyed-in transactions (through PayPal Zettle):
3.49% + $0.09 - Keyed-in transactions (through the virtual terminal):
3.09% + $0.49 - Pay with Venmo: 3.49% + $0.49
- Invoicing: 2.99% + $0.49
That said, there are a lot of other fees to consider, so be sure to read the fine print. International transactions will have an additional 1.50% added to the fee. Fees for donations differ.
PayPal "Standard" and PayPal "Advanced" refer to your PayPal Checkout option. PayPal Standard only includes simple PayPal payment buttons. PayPal Advanced lets you build and customize payment forms.Other Fees To Consider:
- Virtual Terminal: $30/mo
- Recurring Billing: $10
- Chargeback Fee: $20
- Chargeback Protection: 0.40% to 0.60% per transaction
- Dispute Fee: $15
- High-volume dispute fees: $30
- Instant withdrawal fee: 1.50% of the amount transferred
If you're hoping to get more affordable rates, you can try PayPal Card Payment Services' Interchange Plus Plus fee structure. Eligible credit and debit card payments will be charged interchange + 0.49% + $0.39 per transaction.
- Card-present transactions: 2.29% + $0.09
- PayPal Features:
Your customers won't need a PayPal account to pay for their purchases. And aside from accepting over 100 currencies, you can also accept local payment methods from different locations.
Here are some of PayPal's main features:
- Online checkout (option to custom code available)
- Point-of-sale system
- Virtual terminal
- Recurring payments and subscriptions
- Estimates and invoicing
- E-commerce integrations
Apart from accepting credit and debit card payments, you can accept PayPal, Venmo, digital wallets, installments, and cryptocurrencies.
If your customer chooses a Pay Later option, you still get paid upfront at no extra cost. And if they check out with crypto, you'll still be getting cash as payment.
PayPal's POS system offers the essentials, like inventory management, reporting, employee management, etc. You can set prices and stock levels, note your best-selling products, manage employee shifts, and more.
PayPal offers financial services, too, if you need them. You can apply for credit cards, debit cards, and business loans. - Online checkout (option to custom code available)
- PayPal Equipment:
PayPal offers a card reader and an all-in-one terminal for when you accept in-person card payments. You can also simply use your mobile device to take contactless payments through Tap to Pay (through the PayPal Zettle app).
- Wireless card reader: $29 for the first reader; additional readers cost $79
You can use the card reader together with your mobile phone. It syncs with your phone through the PayPal Zettle app. And it's available in white and black.The card reader's battery lasts up to 8 hours or 100 transactions, so you'll want to be sure that this is enough for a shift. You'll have to get another hardware otherwise.
- All-in-one terminal: $199
With PayPal's smart terminal, the PayPal Zettle app is already built-in. You won't need to connect your smartphone or tablet with it.The battery can last for up to 12 hours, but this can be cut short to 4 if used intensely. The terminal also comes with a SIM card and is available in dark gray.
You can purchase the terminal with a built-in barcode scanner ($239) or one with a printer and dock ($269).
PayPal also offers accessories, like receipt printers, registers, and barcode scanners. Ready-made kits are available, too.
- Wireless card reader: $29 for the first reader; additional readers cost $79
- PayPal Pros + Cons:
Pros:
- Trusted brand
- No setup fees
- Mobile-friendly
- Use with other credit card processors
- Accept payments even without a website
- Accept Venmo, Pay Later, and cryptocurrency payments
- Discounted rates for donations
Cons:
- Long list of fees can get confusing
- Charge for features that competitors provide for free
- Trusted brand
Given all of these processors' pricing, how do you know if the rates aren't too much? Keep scrolling.
What is a Reasonable Credit Card Processing Fee?
© CreditDonkey |
Credit card processing fees generally range from 1.5%-2.9% for in-person swiped transactions. Online transaction fees are a little higher at 3.5% due to higher risks of fraud.
These transaction fees have three components:
- Interchange fees:
These are fees charged by credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), and they go to the issuing bank. Interchange rates are non-negotiable. And they are the same no matter what processor you're using. - Assessment fees:
Assessments are charged by the card networks and take up a very small percentage. - Processor markup fees:
This is the fee charged by your card processor. The cost will vary and can be negotiated. This is the fee you should be comparing when comparing cheap credit card processors.
Some providers separate the interchange and markup fees, while others blend them all together into a flat-rate fee. Some processors include them in a monthly membership fee.
Calculate Your Effective Rate
If you're shopping for the cheapest credit card processing company, calculating your effective rate can help you get the best deal. The formula is (total processing fees / total sales volume) x 100.
Let's say your payment processor charges you $125 for processing fees. If your monthly sales are at $5,000, then you get a rate of 2.5%. That said, a processing fee that's 2.5% or less can work great for your small business.
If your effective rate is high, it's time to look for a cheaper credit card processor.
How to Choose the Cheapest Credit Card Processing Company
It's not always about finding who has the cheapest price. It's more on spotting who offers the best value for your money.
Consider these factors:
- Pricing Model
The pricing model determines whether a processor is "cheap" for a specific business type. Flat-rate pricing may be cheap for small businesses but end up really expensive for larger ones. - Monthly Fees and Miscellaneous Fees
Many flat-rate processors don't charge monthly fees. They can be a good starting point if you don't have the budget outright. But watch out for additional fees, such as setup fees, PCI compliance fees, batch fees, and statement fees.Some companies charge a fee if you don't meet the minimum processing volume. New businesses may be better off finding a processor with no minimum requirements. - Accepted Payment Methods
Aside from credit and debit card payments, you may also be able to take ACH payments, contactless payments, digital wallet payments, etc. - Payment Processing Equipment
Consider the point-of-sale equipment offered by your processor if you take in-person payments.If you already have an existing equipment, check if the processor can reprogram the equipment. If you primarily take over-the-phone payments, then a virtual terminal may suffice.
- Contract Terms
Beware of long-term commitment and termination penalties. Luckily, many of the credit card processing companies today offer month-to-month contracts, so you have the flexibility to cancel without having to commit for life. - Security Features
Since you'll be dealing with payments, security features are of utmost importance. Check for PCI compliance support, fraud detection tools, and dispute management features.
Now, let's say you found the cheapest credit card processing company for your business. Don't forget to try these other ways to reduce your rates.
How to Lower Your Credit Card Processing Fees
Credit card processing fees can be expensive, but there are ways you can lower them. Here's how:
- Surcharge your customers
Surcharging is passing on the credit card fees to your customers. Let's say your customer made a purchase for $100. A surcharge of 2% will mean an additional payment of $2.Note that surcharging is only allowed for credit card payments. You cannot surcharge debit cards. Read our article on Credit Card Surcharges to learn more about surcharging rules. - Set up a cash discounting program
You can reward customers with a discount when they pay in cash. Your customers will save money while you save on processing fees.That said, your base price will be the price with processing fees considered. This way, you don't have to lose profit.
- Negotiate with your creditors
You can negotiate the processor markup and other fees set by the processor. This can include monthly fees, payment gateway fees, equipment fees, etc.The more valuable client you are, the more negotiation power you get to have. And you're a valuable client if you have a high sales volume, a good account history, and few chargebacks. - Choose scalable plans
It makes sense to switch processors if it will save you on processing fees. But a payment processor that lets you access cheaper rates as your business grows can be convenient. - Accept alternative payment methods
Some payment processors let you take ACH payments, eChecks, and cryptocurrencies, which may offer cheaper processing costs. Card-present transactions are also more affordable than online payments.
Frequently Asked Questions on Credit Card Processing
- Can you process credit cards without a fee?
You can avoid credit card processing fees if you surcharge your customers. This means you'll pass on the credit card fees to them, provided surcharging is legal in your state.
That said, you cannot surcharge debit card payments. So, you'll still be paying processing fees for these payments. In addition, your payment processor may also charge monthly fees, PCI compliance fees, chargeback fees, etc.
- Who charges least credit card fees?
You may get the cheapest processing fees from Square if you're a small or seasonal business. The pay-as-you-go pricing ensures that you only pay when you make a sale. Plus, Square offers a free plan, so you don't need to worry about monthly fees.
However, midsize and larger businesses will do better with interchange-plus pricing from Helcim or membership pricing from Stax. Flat-rate pricing gets more and more expensive the larger your sales volume.
- How do small businesses take card payments?
Small businesses can accept credit and debit card payments through payment processors. You may get POS equipment to take in-person card payments. You can also use the processor's virtual terminal to take keyed-in payments, which is suitable if you take orders over the phone.
And if your small business has an online store, processors work with payment gateways so you can accept card payments online.
- What is the cheapest way to take card payments?
Going for payment processors suitable for your business size can be the cheapest way to accept debit and credit card payments. Accepting in-person card payments will also be cheaper than taking online payments.
- What is the cheapest card machine?
You can typically get card readers for free. The cheapest credit card processing companies offer them as a bonus for signing up for an account.
- Which credit card processing is cheapest for small business?
Square is the cheapest credit card processing company for small businesses. You get no monthly fee with the free plan.
Plus, since you get pay-as-you-go pricing, you only pay when you make a sale. You can even get a free magstripe reader from Square.
Bottom Line
Processing fees will cut into your profit. So, the cheapest credit card processing company can provide a breather. But "cheap" isn't the same for all types of businesses.
For example, if you're a new or seasonal business, you're better off with a flat-rate processor like Square. That way, you get to skip paying monthly fees.
A large and established business, on the other hand, may save the most with processors like Stax or Payment Depot. You do get monthly fees. But you'll only pay low interchange rates per transaction and avoid hefty processor markups.
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
Save Up to 40%
- Flat Monthly Subscription Price, Starting at $99
- 0% Markup on Direct-Cost Interchange
- 24/7 Support
Save 40% or More
- Wholesale Rates
- Membership Fee Model
- No Cancellation Fees
References
- ^ Helcim. Pricing, Retrieved 11/29/23
- ^ Square. Stand, Retrieved 12/7/23
- ^ Square. Stand Mount, Retrieved 12/7/23
- ^ Helcim. Pricing, Retrieved 11/27/23
- ^ Stripe. Pricing, Retrieved 11/27/23
- ^ Stax. Pricing, Retrieved 11/28/23
- ^ PaymentCloud. Free Credit Card Processing, Retrieved 12/01/23
- ^ PaymentCloud. Shop, Retrieved 11/29/23
- ^ Chase. Accept payments the way your customers want to pay, Retrieved 12/7/23
- ^ Dharma Merchant Services. Retail Small Business Rates, Retrieved 02/08/2024
- ^ Dharma Merchant Services. Restaurant Rates, Retrieved 02/08/24
- ^ Dharma Merchant Services. B2B Processing Rates, Retrieved 02/08/24
- ^ Dharma Merchant Services. American Express OptBlue, Retrieved 02/08/24
- ^ Dharma Merchant Services. MX Merchant, Retrieved 02/08/24
- ^ Dharma Merchant Services. Is there a closure fee?, Retrieved 02/14/24
- ^ National Processing. FAQ, Retrieved 02/06/24
- ^ PayPal. PayPal Merchant Fees, Retrieved 02/13/2024
Write to Kim P at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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