Chase Payment Solutions Review: Fees, Pros & Cons

Chase Payment Solutions offers small-business owners payment processing with a familiar name. But limited hardware options and the company’s reseller program could make alternatives such as Square and Clover better options for some businesses.

Chase Payment Solutions is a payments processor and an acquiring bank in merchant transactions. These kinds of providers — often called direct processors — offer small businesses a two-in-one experience that can streamline the steps toward successfully getting paid.

» MORE: What is a third-party payment processor?

Payment processing fees

Monthly fees

Chase Payment Solutions typically doesn't charge monthly fees or have long-term contracts. However, there may be exceptions for the following types of businesses:

• Businesses that need to process multiple currencies.

• Businesses that process over $5 million in credit and debit sales.

• Businesses that have specific software or connectivity requirements.

Those businesses may be subject to additional terms and conditions, which might include early termination fees.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best small-business apps

Hardware cost

Here’s an overview of the POS products Chase Payment Solutions offers:

• Chase card reader and base bundle: This card reader pairs with your smartphone and allows you to take payments on the go. You can buy the card reader plus a countertop base for $109.

• Stand-alone terminals: In addition to house-branded card readers, compatible card readers from Ingenico and Verifone are available. Chase doesn't offer more traditional POS setup kits with countertop monitors, kitchen-display systems, cash drawers or other common POS components.

• Virtual terminals: This is necessary for processing payments online if you run an e-commerce business. But you can also use this solution to process card payments made by phone or mail. Chase has its own virtual terminal, called Orbital, and also partners with Authorize.net for a virtual terminal solution.

» MORE: See our picks for the best POS systems

Chase Payment Solutions integrates with popular platforms, including:

• BigCommerce.

• FreshBooks.

Big name

Chase is a global brand that also offers business credit cards, business lending and other services. That can be an advantage for small-business owners who don’t want to juggle a bunch of financial relationships.

Two-in-one processor and acquiring bank

Most payment processing systems have to connect with a separate acquiring bank during each transaction. But because Chase is both a payments processor and an acquiring bank, there will be fewer handoffs in the process and fewer stakeholders that need to get paid.

Reseller programs

Chase Payment Solutions has an independent reseller program, which means other companies will bundle Chase Payment Solutions with their own merchant services and potentially mark them up.

It's easy to avoid the reseller program by buying straight from Chase Payment Solutions, but it throws uncertainty and complication into the mix of finding the right merchant services for your business.

Unclear pricing

Chase Payment Solutions posts its transaction fees on its website, but there is still some lack of transparency on its POS options. You may need to speak to a payment specialist to complete your transaction.

Square

Pricing:

Why we like it: Square point-of-sale systems offer up more features than what Chase offers — you’ll be able to manage employees, manage inventory, create a streamlined checkout process and sell gift cards to customers. In addition, Square’s point-of-sale devices include more than a card reader; you can also get a stand and register. Square also offers Tap to Pay on iPhone, which lets merchants accept card payments using only a regular iPhone with the Square POS app. Read our full Square POS review.

Clover

Pricing:

Why we like it: If you want a wider range of point-of-sale device options than you can get from Chase, consider Clover. It offers the Clover Go, the Clover Flex, the Clover Mini and the Clover Station. Only the Clover Go requires a smart device to process payments, while the other options come fully equipped. Clover also offers up more point-of-sale software options with features and pricing geared toward specific types of businesses. Read our full Clover POS review.

PayPal

Pricing:

Why we like it: Chase requires you to open a dedicated merchant account to accept credit card transactions, but it can take a long time to apply for and set up your own merchant account. However, PayPal uses an aggregated merchant account, which can speed up that process if you need to start accepting payments quickly.

PayPal is also a great option for small businesses processing a lot of online payments because it’s built specifically for online. PayPal Zettle provides a card reader for in-person transactions. Read our full PayPal Business review.