Best Merchant Services
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Input your business’s monthly transaction details and we’ll help you sort from the best valueProduct | Cost Estimate | Payment processing fees | Cost Estimate | Learn more | ||
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Square POS Learn more on Square POS's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Flat-rate option | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 and up. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Square POS's secure website |
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Interchange-plus processing | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0.00 | Learn more on Helcim's secure website | ||
Stripe Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Flat rate for online sales | In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 | Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website | ||
National Processing Learn more on National Processing's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Free terminal | In-person: 2.5% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $9.95 for Basic In-Person Package. | Learn more on National Processing's secure website | ||
Payment Depot Learn more on Payment Depot's secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Tailored interchange-plus rates | 0.2% + $0.00 to 1.95%, plus interchange. | $0.00 | Learn more on Payment Depot's secure website | ||
U.S. Bank Merchant Services | 4.5/5 Best for Fast deposits | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 and up. | |||
Chase Payment Solutions℠ Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Built-in banking partner | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.25 | $0.00 Monthly fee in some instances. | Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website | ||
PaymentCloud | 4.5/5 Best for High-risk businesses | 2.4% + $0.10 to 3.5% + $0.25 on average. | $0.00 to $50. | |||
Dharma Merchant Services | 4.5/5 Best for Nonprofits | In-person: 0.15% + $0.08 Online: 0.2% + $0.11 Plus interchange | $15.00 for most industries; $12 for nonprofits. | |||
QuickBooks Payments | 4.5/5 Best for QuickBooks loyalists | In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00 | $0.00 QuickBooks subscription required. |
Our pick for
Flat-rate option
Square POS
on Square POS's secure website
and up.
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Low transaction rates.
- No long-term contracts.
- Quick setup.
- Free card reader.
- Free virtual terminal.
- Free dispute management services for chargebacks.
- No processing fees on customer refunds.
Cons
- 24/7 live phone support is not available for payments.
- Readers are not compatible with Windows devices.
Our pick for
Interchange-plus processing
Helcim
on Helcim's secure website
Pros
- Low processing fees.
- Transparent pricing.
- Volume discounts.
- No contracts.
- No monthly fees.
- No cancellation fees.
- Free virtual terminal.
- Fully hosted online store options.
Cons
- Customer support isn't available 24/7.
- No free card reader.
Our pick for
Flat rate for online sales
Stripe
on Stripe Payments' secure website
Pros
- No monthly fees.
- Low transaction rates.
- Supports over 135 currencies.
- Your account can be terminated at any time.
- Developer platform.
- Support is available 24/7 by phone request, chat and email.
- Tools to customize payment flows on your website.
Cons
- No free reader.
- Virtual terminal allows the customer to enter card information but not the merchant.
Our pick for
Free terminal
National Processing
on National Processing's secure website
for Basic In-Person Package.
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.
Our pick for
Tailored interchange-plus rates
Payment Depot
on Payment Depot's secure website
to 1.95%, plus interchange.
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.
Our pick for
Fast deposits
U.S. Bank Merchant Services
and up.
Pros
- No long-term contracts.
- No cancellation fees.
- No PCI fees.
- Variety of monthly plans available, including a free option.
Cons
- No free trial period.
- No free setup help.
- Hardware costs are buried on website; you need to contact the bank directly for purchase pricing.
Our pick for
Built-in banking partner
Chase Payment Solutions℠
on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website
Monthly fee in some instances.
Pros
- Two-in-one processor and acquiring bank.
- On the cheaper end of flat-rate prices available.
- Next-day payouts available.
Cons
- Requires use of Chase checking for quickest deposits — not a bad thing, unless you’d prefer to bank elsewhere.
- Unclear POS pricing.
Our pick for
High-risk businesses
PaymentCloud
to 3.5% + $0.25 on average.
to $50.
Pros
- Specializes in high-risk merchant accounts.
- Cancellation fees are waived.
- Free rate review and analysis.
- 24/7 customer support.
- Chargeback prevention tools.
Cons
- Processing rates and monthly costs are not readily available on its website.
- Monthly volume limit may apply.
Our pick for
Nonprofits
Dharma Merchant Services
for most industries; $12 for nonprofits.
Pros
- Low processing rates.
- Pricing transparency.
- Reduced rates for large monthly processing volume.
- 24-hour help lines.
- Virtual terminal included.
Cons
- Monthly fee.
- Account closure fee.
Our pick for
QuickBooks loyalists
QuickBooks Payments
QuickBooks subscription required.
Pros
- No contract.
- No cancellation fees.
- Competitive pricing.
- Instant deposits are available for an extra 1% fee.
- Invoice formatting lets customers pay online.
Cons
- QuickBooks Desktop users and new customers may pay higher fees.
- 24/7 phone support is not available.
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Helcim: Best for interchange-plus processing
- 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.
- $99 for a mobile card reader (with stand).
- $329 for a stand-alone terminal with built-in thermal printer.
Square: Best flat-rate option
- 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 POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant Plus plan.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
- $89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
- Custom pricing for Square Retail and Square Restaurant Premium plans.
- $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).
Dharma Merchant Services: Best for nonprofits
- 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.
- $12 for nonprofits.
- $15 for business to business, e-commerce, hospitality, retail and restaurant.
- $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.
Stripe: Best flat rate for online sales
- 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.
- $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).
- $59 for Stripe Reader M2.
- $249 for BBPOS WisePOS E card reader.
- $349 for Stripe Reader S700.
Payment Depot: Best for tailored interchange-plus rates
PaymentCloud: Best for high-risk businesses
- 2.4% plus 10 cents for low-risk retail merchants.
- 2.8% plus 25 cents for medium-risk businesses, like e-commerce shops.
- 3.5% plus 25 cents for high-risk merchants.
National Processing: Best for free terminal
- 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.
- $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.
QuickBooks Payments: Best for QuickBooks loyalists
- 2.5% for in-person payments.
- 2.99% for online and invoiced payments.
- 3.5% for manually keyed payments.
- 1% for ACH transactions.
- 2.4% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
- 3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
- 1.6% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
- $0 if you already have a QuickBooks Online plan.
- $30 ($15 for first three months) for Simple Start plan for new QuickBooks users.
- $60 ($30 for first three months) for Essentials plan for new QuickBooks users.
- $90 ($45 for first three months) for Plus plan for new QuickBooks users.
- $200 ($100 for first three months) for Advanced plan for new QuickBooks users.
- QuickBooks Desktop users pay an annual subscription fee for the accounting software.
- $39 for QuickBooks charging stand.
- $49 for QuickBooks card reader.
- $79 for QuickBooks card reader with charging stand.
U.S. Bank Merchant Services: Best for fast deposits
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for keyed payments.
- $0 for Mobile plan.
- $15 for Terminal plan.
- $29 for Starter plan.
- $69 for Standard plan.
- $99 for Premium plan.
- $15-$29 for each additional software license.
Chase Payment Solutions: Best for built-in banking partner
- 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.
- $79 for Chase card reader.
- $499 for Chase card terminal.
POS hardware
POS software
Payment processing services
Merchant accounts
Extra features
- Variety of payment types accepted: Make sure your merchant services provider supports all of the payment methods and types your business plans to accept. These may include online and in-person payments, contactless payments, digital wallets, QR codes and PayPal.
- Cost: Consider the upfront costs associated with POS hardware as well as the ongoing subscription costs associated with POS software plans. Similarly, compare different provider’s per-transaction rates and fees. There could also be fees for PCI compliance, chargebacks, setup and merchant account maintenance.
- POS system compatibility: It’s most convenient to use a merchant services provider that can offer POS systems and payment processing services under the same umbrella. If that’s not an option, make sure the processor integrates with your POS system and, preferably, your accounting software.
- Customer service: Think about which days and times you accept the highest volume of transactions and check to see if live customer support is available then. Live chat and phone support are ideal so that you can reach a representative immediately. Some merchant services providers also assign businesses dedicated account managers for one-on-one support.