The best credit card processing companies have competitive and transparent pricing, accept credit card payments plus a range of other payment methods, have accessible customer service options and commonly offer point-of-sale (POS) systems as well.
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Here are our top choices for the best credit card processing companies and what makes them stand out.
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Our pick for
All-in-one payment services
Square
5.0
NerdWallet rating
on Square's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Square is a convenient all-in-one solution that provides straightforward credit card processing services and a variety of user-friendly POS systems under one roof. Its flat-rate pricing model is simple to understand and allows you to budget for a fixed monthly cost, although your actual cost may be higher than what you’d pay with interchange-plus pricing.
Read full review
Pros
Quick setup.
Offers all-in-one system, including hardware, point-of-sale software, a payment gateway and payment processing.
Funds are available instantly for a fee of 1.5% of the amount.
Customer support is available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time for free subscription; 24/7 customer support is available for paid subscriptions.
Integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero accounting software through a third-party app.
Cons
Doesn’t provide services for businesses in certain industries.
Doesn't work on Windows devices.
Read full review
Our pick for
Interchange-plus pricing
Helcim
5.0
NerdWallet rating
on Helcim's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Unlike flat-rate payment processors that charge the same transaction fee across different types of credit cards, Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model. This means your business saves when a customer uses a card with low interchange rates. Helcim also offers volume discounts if you process more than $50,000 monthly, which is a plus for high-volume businesses. And if you need hardware for taking payments in-person, the company sells its own smart terminal and mobile card reader, too.Read full review
Pros
- Interchange-plus pricing structure can help businesses save money.
- Quick setup; approvals usually take a day.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- Syncs directly with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Doesn’t offer services to businesses in certain high-risk industries.
Read full review
Our pick for
Low, flat-rate processing
National Processing
5.0
NerdWallet rating
on National Processing's secure website
Monthly fee
$9.95
for Basic In-Person Package.
At 2.5% plus 10 cents per in-person transaction, National Processing’s payment processing rates are especially low compared to other flat-rate competitors. If you subscribe to the Advanced plan for POS systems, those rates drop to 2.41% plus 10 cents. New merchants may also qualify for a free terminal.
Read full review
Pros
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- Works with high-risk merchants.
- New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Fees may be higher if you process less than $10,000 per month.
- Basic plans for processing in-person and online transactions are separate.
- Mobile card reader is pricier than some competitors.
Read full review
Our pick for
E-commerce businesses
Stripe
5.0
NerdWallet rating
on Stripe Payments' secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Stripe stands out from the competition because its suite of developer-friendly tools allows you to customize the online payment experience for your e-commerce business. With no monthly fees, pay-as-you-go pricing and volume discounts, Stripe is a solid option for businesses of any size.
Read full review
Pros
Quick setup.
24/7 phone, chat and email support is available.
Syncs with QuickBooks Online.
Instant payout option available for 1% fee (minimum fee of 50 cents).
Cons
Services aren’t available to businesses in certain industries.
Requires some technical knowledge to fully take advantage of all features.
Read full review
Our pick for
Shopify e-commerce users
Shopify Payments
4.5
NerdWallet rating
on Shopify Payments' secure website
Monthly fee
$39.00
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
Shopify Payments accepts multiple payment methods and offers competitive processing fees. Because it’s a fully integrated service offering an e-commerce platform, a point-of-sale system, and payment processing services, e-commerce businesses can simplify and streamline their sales and transactions.
Read full review
Pros
- Accepts a variety of payment methods.
- Can customize checkout page.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Transparent, flat-rate fees.
Cons
- E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
- Charges fee for use of third-party payment gateway.
Read full review
Our pick for
Membership-style pricing
Stax by Fattmerchant
4.0
NerdWallet rating
on Stax by Fattmerchant's secure website
Monthly fee
$99.00
and up.
Stax offers plans starting at $99 per month that give businesses access to 0% markup on interchange fees, plus a low fixed fee per transaction. That makes it a strong choice for businesses with high sales volumes.
Read full review
Pros
0% markup charged on top of interchange fees.
Same-day funding available for 1% fee.
Lowest-tier plan includes a free terminal or mobile reader.
In-house customer support is available 24/7.
Cons
Longer setup time than a payment service provider, typically 48 hours.
Not all pricing plans include QuickBooks Online sync.
Doesn’t offer services to businesses in certain industries.
Read full review
Our pick for
Tailored interchange-plus rates
Payment Depot
4.5
NerdWallet rating
on Payment Depot's secure website
Payment processing fees
0.2% + $0.00
to 1.95%, plus interchange.
Monthly fee
$0.00
Payment Depot is a payment processor owned by Stax, a membership-style payment processing platform. But as opposed to offering monthly subscription pricing like Stax, it uses an interchange-plus pricing model and charges no monthly fee. The margin Payment Depot charges on top of interchange varies, so businesses must reach out directly for specifics.Read full review
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- No cancellation fees.
- Compatible with several POS hardware providers, including Clover.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Markups vary by business
- Website doesn’t disclose hardware pricing.
Read full review
Our pick for
High-risk businesses
PaymentCloud
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Payment processing fees
2.4% + $0.10
to 3.5% + $0.25 on average.
Monthly fee
$0.00
to $50.
PaymentCloud caters to small businesses that work in high-risk industries and may be struggling to find traditional payment processors that are willing to work with them. Some of these industries include CBD, debt collection and consolidation, nutraceuticals and pawn shops. PaymentCloud provides both a dedicated merchant account as well as payment processing services to these types of businesses.
Read full review
Pros
Provides merchant accounts to high-risk businesses, such as those that have elevated rates of credit card fraud or chargebacks, or those that sell age-restricted products.
24/7 customer support is available.
Integrates with QuickBooks Online.
Cons
Pricing is not transparent.
You can generally get approved within 48 hours, but it can take longer depending on how quickly you submit the required documents.
Read full review
Our pick for
Built-in banking partner
Chase Payment Solutions℠
4.5
NerdWallet rating
on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Monthly fee in some instances.
There’s something convenient about banking and processing payments through the same, well-known company. If you’re having trouble with deposits, for example, you only have to deal with one company instead of two. Simplicity aside, Chase Payment Solutions also has competitive in-person and online processing rates.
Pros
- Two-in-one processor and acquiring bank.
- Free monthly plans available.
- Using your bank as your processor makes deposits convenient.
Cons
- Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
- No e-commerce integrations.
- Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.
Payline
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Monthly fee
$10.00
in person; $20 online.
Most credit card processing companies allow you to accept online payments in some capacity, but Payline gives you multiple options. You can sync it with your existing website, use a third-party payment gateway or integrate with other shopping carts, like Shopify and BigCommerce.
Read full review
Pros
- No long-term contracts or cancellation fees.
- First month or two (depending on the business) is free.
- Works with high-risk merchants.
- No PCI compliance fees.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Separate monthly fees for in-person and online processing.
- Must contact Payline for information on hardware costs.
Read full review
Our pick for
Nonprofits
Dharma Merchant Services
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Monthly fee
$15.00
for most industries; $12 for nonprofits.
Dharma Merchant Services is an interchange-plus credit card processing company that offers special rates for nonprofits. It charges nonprofits 0.10% plus 8 cents on top of interchange, whereas other retail businesses pay 0.15% plus 8 cents and interchange. It also sells Clover POS hardware for businesses with a brick-and-mortar location.
Read full review
Pros
- Reduced processing rates for nonprofits.
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- No long-term contracts.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Charges account closure fee.
- Requires separate accounts for online and in-person payments.
- Recurring billing and online invoicing cost an extra $10 per month.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
Read full review
Our pick for
Review management tools
Payanywhere
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Monthly fee
$0.00
and up.
In addition to providing straightforward, flat-rate payment processing, higher-tier Payanywhere plans include reputation management software for keeping track of customer reviews and quickly responding to them. You can also see competitors’ customer feedback and set up notifications to let you know when someone leaves a new review.
Read full review
Pros
- In-house payment processing.
- Simple pricing model.
- Free next-day funding. Option for free same-day funding in some cases.
- Offers a virtual terminal.
Cons
- Limited integrations.
- Potential early termination fees.
- Doesn't work with some business types.
Read full review
Our picks for best credit card processing companies
Square: Best for all-in-one payment services
Why we like it: Square stands apart from the competition with its flat-rate pricing and end-to-end payment processing solution. This means it handles most aspects of a credit card transaction, so you don’t need to purchase a payment gateway (a payment processing portal) or point-of-sale system from separate providers. Square provides a free credit card reader that works with its free app and a smartphone or tablet. Read our full Square review.
$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium and Square Restaurants Plus plans.
$89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
$165 for Square Restaurant Premium plan.
Custom pricing for Square Retail plan.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
$0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
$49 and up for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
$149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included; monthly financing available).
$299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
$799 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).
Helcim: Best for interchange-plus pricing
Why we like it: Helcim's pricing model is transparent, with no hidden fees. It uses interchange-plus pricing with volume-based discounts, making it a particularly cost-effective option for businesses with high monthly sales. The company has customer support available by phone, as well as comprehensive support resources on its website. Read our full Helcim review.
$0.
Interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online or manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments (capped at $6).
$99 for a mobile card reader (with stand).
$329 for a stand-alone terminal with built-in thermal printer (or 12 monthly payments of $30).
Stripe: Best for e-commerce businesses
Why we like it: Stripe enables your business to accept a wide range of online payment methods, including mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Alipay. It also lets you offer financing options to customers through "buy now, pay later" companies like Klarna and Afterpay. Read our full Stripe review.
$0 for standard Stripe Connect.
$2 per account for Stripe Express (for marketplaces) or Stripe Custom (the white-label option that allows businesses to customize the checkout process).
2.7% plus 5 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.4% plus 30 cents for manually keyed transactions.
4.4% plus 30 cents for international card transactions.
$59 for Stripe Reader M2.
$249 for BBPOS WisePOS E card reader.
$349 for Stripe Reader S700.
National Processing: Best for low, flat-rate processing
Why we like it: With low processing fees, no long-term contracts and lots of integration options, National Processing can be a good option for businesses looking for a flat-rate processor. Just make sure to speak with a representative before signing up to find out whether you qualify for perks like a free terminal or other promotions. Read our full National Processing review.
$9.95 for Basic In-Person Package, Basic E-Commerce Package.
$9.95 and up for Premium Package (for businesses with monthly sales volumes exceeding $30,000).
$19 and up for Advanced Package.
Basic In-Person Package: 2.5% plus 10 cents per transaction.
Basic E-Commerce Package: 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction.
Advanced Package: 2.41% plus 10 cents.
Premium Package: quote-based.
Offers a variety of third-party POS systems, handheld terminals and a mobile card reader. Here are some of the choices:
Pax E700 POS solution for $1,000 and up (must be subscribed to the Advanced or Premium plan).
Clover Solo POS system for $1,900 and up (must be subscribed to the Advanced or Premium plan).
Clover Flex handheld system for $700 and up (must be subscribed to the Advanced or Premium plan).
SwipeSimple B250 mobile card reader for $99 and up.
Payment Depot: Best for tailored interchange-plus rates
Why we like it: Whereas some interchange-plus competitors implement a consistent markup across the board, Payment Depot’s rates might be more negotiable, since they’re tailored to each individual business. Additionally, there are no setup or cancellation fees. Read our full Payment Depot review.
$0.
0.2%-1.95% plus interchange.
Quote-based.
PaymentCloud: Best for high-risk businesses
Why we like it: PaymentCloud works with businesses in high-risk industries, including those selling age-restricted products like tobacco and firearms; businesses that have high chargeback rates, such as electronics resellers; or those that may face a higher risk of fraud, such as finance companies. PaymentCloud also provides seven-days-a-week customer support for businesses in these industries. Read our full PaymentCloud review.
$10 and up.
2.7-4.3% on average for high risk transactions.
Quote-based.
» MORE: Best payment processors for high-risk merchants
Dharma Merchant Services: Best for nonprofits
Why we like it: Dharma Merchant Services describes itself as a “socially responsible” merchant services provider. It makes sense, then, with the company’s commitment to sustainability and charitable giving, that it also offers discounted monthly and payment processing fees to registered nonprofits. Dharma is also fully transparent with its pricing, which isn’t true for all credit card processing companies. Read our full Dharma Merchant Services review.
$12 for nonprofits.
$15 for business to business, e-commerce, hospitality, retail and restaurant.
Interchange plus 0.15% + 8 cents for in-person transactions.
Interchange plus 0.20% + 11 cents for online transactions.
Interchange plus 0.25% + 8 cents for in-person AmEx transactions.
Interchange plus 0.30% + 11 cents for online AmEx transactions.
$149 for Walker 2 chip, swipe and NFC card reader.
$295 for First Data FD-150, Verifone Engage V200c, Ingenico Desk/3500 or Dejavoo Z11 terminals.
$369 for Ingenico Desk/5000 terminal.
$480 for FD-150, Desk/3500, V200c or Z11 terminals plus a separate pinpad.
$649 for Clover Flex mobile card reader with printer.
$899 for Clover Mini POS device.
$1,649 for Clover Station Solo POS bundle.
$1,999 for Clover Station Duo POS bundle.
Shopify Payments: Best for Shopify e-commerce users
Why we like it: Shopify Payments has competitive rates for payment processing and integrates directly with Shopify. Because you must have a paid Shopify plan to use its payment processing and POS solutions, Shopify Payments is a great fit for a business that already has a Shopify plan for e-commerce. Read our full Shopify Payments review.
Shopify e-commerce plans:
$29 for Shopify Basic when billed annually (or $39 when paid monthly).
$79 for regular Shopify when billed annually (or $105 when paid monthly).
$299 for Shopify Advanced when billed annually (or $399 when paid monthly).
Custom pricing for Shopify Plus.
All e-commerce plans come with POS Lite for selling in-person. Upgrading to POS Pro for brick-and-mortar businesses costs an extra $89 per location.
Shopify’s alternative solutions for mainly selling in-person:
$5 for Starter plan, which includes one POS Lite location.
$79 (when billed annually) for Retail plan, or $89 when paid monthly; includes one POS Pro location.
2.5%, 2.7% or 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
2.4%, 2.5% or 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
$49 for Tap & Chip card reader.
$219 for Tap & Chip countertop kit (iPad not included).
$299 for Shopify POS Go mobile device.
$349 for Shopify POS terminal.
$459 and up for POS terminal countertop kits.
Chase Payment Solutions: Best for built-in banking partner
Why we like it: If you already have a business bank account through Chase, processing payments through the company can be a convenient option. Plus, you get access to same-day deposits when you use Chase’s Smart Terminal. Read our full Chase Payment Solutions review.
$0.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 25 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 10 cents for keyed transactions.
Chase lists pricing for some products, like its terminals and card reader, but hardware costs aren’t readily available for other options. Instead, you’ll have to fill out an online form for more information.
$79 for Chase card reader.
$499 for Chase card terminal.
Payline: Best for shopping cart integrations
Why we like it: Payline is transparent with its monthly and payment processing fees and is one of the rarer credit card processing companies that work with high-risk merchants. It also integrates with many popular shopping carts, including Shopify, WooCommerce and BigCommerce, to enable you to easily take payments through your online store. Read our full Payline review.
$10 for in-person sales.
$20 for online sales.
Interchange plus 0.4% and 10 cents for in-person transactions.
Interchange plus 0.75% and 20 cents for online transactions.
Quote-based.
Payanywhere: Best for review management tools
Why we like it: Payanywhere’s reputation management software can help businesses monitor and respond to customer feedback on their Google Business Profile and social media accounts. This is especially useful for newer businesses trying to build a customer base. Read our full Payanywhere review.
$0 if using only the 3-in-1 reader.
$14.95 per device if using the Smart Terminal, Smart Terminal Mini or Smart Keypad.
$24.95 per device if using the Smart PINPad Pro or Smart Flex.
$44.95 per device if using the Smart POS+.
2.69% for in-person transactions.
3.49% plus 19 cents for online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.
$59.95 for the 3-in-1 reader.
$249.95 for the Smart Keypad.
$299.95 for the Smart Terminal Mini.
$349.95 for the Smart Terminal.
$449.95 plus one-time setup fee of $49.95 for the Smart PINPad Pro.
$549.95 plus one-time setup fee of $49.95 for the Smart Flex.
$949.95 plus one-time setup fee of $99.95 for the Smart POS+.
Stax: Best for membership-style pricing
Why we like it: Stax's membership pricing model can save some businesses enough money to justify the monthly fee, especially if they have high sales volumes. Stax offers same-day funding for an additional fee. Phone-based support and an online knowledge base also make it a solid choice. Read our full Stax review.
$99 if you process less than $150,000 per year.
$139 if you process between $150,000 and $250,000 per year.
$199 and up if you process more than $250,000 per year.
Interchange plus 8 cents for in-person transactions.
Interchange plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
Quote-based.
What is credit card processing?
Credit card processing involves authorizing and transferring funds between a customer’s issuing bank and a business’s merchant bank to complete a sale. It only takes a few seconds to authorize a customer’s credit card information, but the process doesn’t stop at the checkout line. After the card reader lets you know the customer’s credit card information has been approved, money moves from bank to bank via the settlement process, which usually takes at least one business day to complete.
Brick-and-mortars need software and hardware to accept credit card payments in-person — lots of credit card processing companies offer both. Square, for example, sells card readers and POS systems, plus monthly software plans that start at $0. As opposed to a physical card reader, online businesses need a payment gateway that lets customers securely enter their credit card information online and get it authorized. These generally come bundled together with payment processing services, too.
How much does credit card processing cost?
Expect to pay for a monthly subscription and per-transaction costs for credit card processing fees. Some monthly subscriptions are free while others cost upwards of $99. Credit card processing companies also charge a per-transaction fee that may vary depending on the card type and payment method (in-person or online).
Most of the time, that per-transaction fee will look something like 2.6% plus 15 cents, for example. Per-transaction costs are made up of three components: interchange fees, which are paid to the issuing bank; assessment fees, which are paid to the card networks; and payment processor fees.
Credit card processing companies that charge higher monthly subscription fees may offer lower processing fees — you’ll need to evaluate your business’s monthly sales volume and average sales cost to determine whether that model will save you money. Others have volume discounts, meaning you’ll pay less per transaction if you do more than $50,000 in sales per month, for example.
If you aren't sure where to start, NerdWallet's list of the cheapest credit card processing companies is a good launching point.
How to choose a credit card processing company
Starting out, look for credit card processing companies that can accommodate payments within each of your sales channels, whether those are online, in-person or both. If you prefer an all-in-one payment processor and POS system provider, rule out companies that don’t sell their own hardware (POS terminals, card readers, etc.).
Here are some additional factors to consider to choose the right credit card processing company for you.
Cost: On top of weighing payment processing fees and monthly subscription costs, look for credit card processing companies that don’t charge extra fees for setup, termination or PCI compliance.
Deposit timing: Ideally, a credit card processing company will offer same-day or next-day deposits. That way, you don’t have to wait long for customers’ payments to show up in your bank account.
Contracts: Switching credit card processing companies can be a pain, but you still want to leave the option open. Try to narrow your choices down to companies that don’t require you to sign a long-term contract.
Customer service: Consider live chat and phone support options, as well as which days and times they’re available. If your business is open outside of normal business hours, it might be convenient to go with a product that offers around-the-clock support.
Integrations: If your credit card processing company offers its own POS software, make sure it integrates seamlessly with your accounting system and any additional programs you use for other tasks, like inventory management. Also determine whether you need to integrate with e-commerce software and online shopping carts.