The best credit card processing companies have competitive and transparent pricing, accept a variety of payment types and commonly offer point-of-sale (POS) systems.
Here are our picks for the top credit card processing companies and why they stand out.
- Square: Best for all-in-one payment services
- Helcim: Best for volume discounts
- Stripe: Best for global, online transactions
- PayPal: Best for payment flexibility
- National Processing: Best for low, flat-rate processing
- Finix: Best for subscription-based pricing
- Chase Payment Solutions: Best built-in banking partner and direct processor
- Shopify Payments: Best for online retail businesses
- U.S. Bank Merchant Services: Best built-in banking partner with everyday deposits
- Payment Depot: Best for tailored interchange-plus rates
- Payanywhere: Best for payment processor with reputation management tools
- QuickBooks Payments: Best for online invoicing
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small business and personal finance.
75+ categories of best business software selections.
Objective and comprehensive payment processing ratings rubric. (Learn more about our star ratings.)
NerdWallet's small-business software content, including ratings, recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business software, including payment processing, accounting and payroll. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, Yahoo Finance and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
Best Credit Card Processing Companies
Calculate your monthly cost estimate
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Volume discounts | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0.00 | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Helcim's secure website |
Square Learn more on Square's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for All-in-one payment services | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square's secure website | ||
Chase Payment Solutions℠ Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Built-in banking partner and direct processor | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.25 | $0.00 for in-person payments; $9.95 and up for e-commerce payments. | Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website | ||
Stripe Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Global, online transactions | 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 | 4.8/5 Best for Low, flat-rate processing | 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 | 4.0/5 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 | ||
Shopify Payments Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website | 4.2/5 Best for Online retail businesses | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39.00 Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan. | Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website | ||
Finix Learn more on Finix's secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Subscription-based pricing | In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange | $79.00 and up. | Learn more on Finix's secure website | ||
PayPal Learn more on PayPal's secure website | 4.8/5 Best for Payment flexibility | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 2.89% + $0.49 | $0.00 Standard; $5 Payments Advanced; $30 Payments Pro. | Learn more on PayPal's secure website | ||
Payanywhere | 4.0/5 Best for Payment processor with reputation management tools | In-person: 2.69% + $0.00 Online: 3.49% + $0.19 | $0.00 and up. | |||
QuickBooks Payments | 4.0/5 Best for Online invoicing | In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00 | $0.00 QuickBooks subscription required. | |||
U.S. Bank Merchant Services Learn more on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC | 4.1/5 Best for Built-in banking partner with everyday deposits | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 and up. | Learn more on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC |
Our pick for
Volume discounts
Helcim
Learn more
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
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Offers free POS software.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Our pick for
All-in-one payment services
Square
Learn more
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.
Pros
- Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
- Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.
Our pick for
Built-in banking partner and direct processor
Chase Payment Solutions℠
4.5
NerdWallet rating Learn more
on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
for in-person payments; $9.95 and up for e-commerce payments.
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. And, Chase processes payments directly as opposed to some competitors, like U.S. Bank Merchant Services, that use a subsidiary. Simplicity aside, Chase Payment Solutions also has competitive in-person and online processing rates.
Pros
- Two-in-one processor and acquiring bank.
- No PCI compliance or cancellation fees.
- Using your bank as your processor makes deposits convenient.
- 24/7 phone and online support.
Cons
- Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
- No third-party shopping cart integrations.
- Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.
Our pick for
Global, online transactions
Stripe
Learn more
on Stripe Payments' secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Stripe is made especially for online businesses (as opposed to in-person ones) and lets you accept payments in more than 135 currencies from customers in 46 countries. You can use it to embed a checkout portal on your existing website, create payment links and send invoices. Its flat-rate pricing for online transactions is standard among competitors.
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
- No phone or email support.
Our pick for
Low, flat-rate processing
National Processing
Learn more
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.
Pros
- No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
- Works with high-risk merchants.
- New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
- 24/7 phone support.
- Compatible with multiple POS system providers, including Clover.
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.
- Deposits take 2-3 business days for basic plans.
Our pick for
Tailored interchange-plus rates
Payment Depot
Learn more
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 or PCI compliance fees.
- Compatible with several POS hardware providers, including Clover.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Markups vary by business.
- Website doesn’t disclose hardware pricing.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Our pick for
Online retail businesses
Shopify Payments
Learn more
on Shopify Payments' secure website
Monthly fee
$39.00
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
If you own an online retail business and need to create a website for it, Shopify Payments, which integrates with Shopify’s e-commerce platform, is an ideal choice. You can choose from more than 200 website themes with a handful of free template options. Additionally, payment processing rates decrease as you upgrade POS software plans.
Pros
- Hundreds of e-commerce website templates available.
- Can customize checkout page.
- Higher-tier plans offer less expensive online processing rates (as low as 2.5% plus 30 cents).
- No long-term contracts.
Cons
- E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Our pick for
Subscription-based pricing
Finix
4.5
NerdWallet rating Learn more
on Finix's secure website
Monthly fee
$79.00
and up.
Finix is a subscription-based payment processor that charges interchange plus a small additional fee. It’s most cost effective for businesses that process at least $5,000 per month and offers volume discounts to businesses that process more than $1 million in card transactions annually. Finix sells card readers and handheld terminals for in-person transactions, includes invoicing capabilities and offers multiple online transaction options.
Pros
- No long-term contracts.
- Subscription model can help high-volume businesses save money.
- Transparent fee breakdowns.
- 24/7 emergency phone and email support.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Limited POS hardware options.
- Lacks direct accounting software integrations.
Our pick for
Payment flexibility
PayPal
Learn more
on PayPal's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Standard; $5 Payments Advanced; $30 Payments Pro.
PayPal is a leader in developing and accepting payments in innovative ways, including through subsidiary Venmo, QR codes, payment links and buy now, pay later financing. Because it’s such a widely used platform, PayPal integrates with most websites and shopping carts.
Pros
- One of the most commonly used payment processing platforms.
- Easy to use and integrate with website hosts and shopping carts.
- Transparent fixed fees in 25 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- PayPal’s offerings are vast and can be difficult to grasp quickly.
- No offline mode.
- Accepting online transactions involves additional monthly fees, depending on your gateway.
Our pick for
Payment processor with reputation management tools
Payanywhere
Monthly fee
$0.00
and up.
Payanywhere, a payment processor that also offers POS software plans, lets you connect your Payanywhere system to your Google Business Profile to track customer reviews and reply to them in one place. Keeping an eye on feedback is especially important for new businesses or those that have recently rebranded. POS plans range from $0 to $44.95 per month depending on the hardware you choose.
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.
Our pick for
Online invoicing
QuickBooks Payments
Monthly fee
$0.00
QuickBooks subscription required.
QuickBooks Payments is an easy choice if you’re already using QuickBooks Online and transact mostly via invoice. You can accept credit card payments for a flat 2.99% per transaction fee or ask your customers to pay you via ACH, which costs 1% of the total transaction. Plus, every time you send out an invoice or it gets paid, it’s automatically logged into your books.
Pros
- Convenient mobile app.
- Seamless QuickBooks accounting integration.
Cons
- Limited customer support hours.
- Limited hardware options on QuickBooks POS.
Our pick for
Built-in banking partner with everyday deposits
U.S. Bank Merchant Services
Learn more
on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC
Monthly fee
$0.00
and up.
U.S. Bank Merchant Services offers a built-in banking solution, similar to Chase Payment Solutions, and processes payments through Elavon. Businesses with a U.S. Bank checking account are eligible to receive deposits more quickly than they might with competitors, thanks to the company’s Everyday Funding option. This gives you access to free deposits every day of the week, including weekends. Chase, on the other hand, offers same-day deposits every day except Saturdays.
Pros
- Same-day funding seven days per week for U.S. Bank checking account holders.
- No cancellation or PCI compliance fees.
- Free POS software plan available.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- POS system onboarding assistance can be costly.
- Deposit times are not as quick for merchants using third-party bank accounts.
- Virtual terminal costs extra.
Square
Best for all-in-one payment services
Why our editorial team chose 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.
Payment processing fees:
- 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.
Monthly POS software fees:
- $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.
Hardware costs:
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $59 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 volume discounts
Why our editorial team chose 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.
Payment processing fees:
- 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).
Monthly POS software fees:
- $0.
Hardware costs:
- $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 global, online transactions
Why our editorial team chose 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.
Payment processing fees:
- 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.
Monthly POS software fees:
- $0 for standard services.
- $10 for custom domain.
Hardware costs:
- $59 for Stripe Reader M2.
- $249 for BBPOS WisePOS E card reader.
- $349 for Stripe Reader S700.
PayPal
Best for payment flexibility
Why our editorial team chose it: Business owners who value brand familiarity and feel more comfortable going with a company that has a longstanding reputation should look into PayPal. Its in-person processing rates are low compared to the competition, and you can use PayPal to accept mobile wallet and QR code payments. Read our full PayPal review.
Payment processing fees:
- 2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person credit and debit card payments.
- 2.59%-2.99% plus 49 cents for online credit and debit card payments.
- 3.49% plus 49 cents for PayPal Payments transactions (PayPal, Pay Later, Pay with Rewards, Venmo).
Monthly POS software fees:
- $0 for standard service.
- $5 for PayPal Payments Advanced.
- $10 for Advanced Fraud Protection service, buyer authentication service or recurring billing service.
- $19.95 for account monitoring service.
- $30 for Payments Pro, Payments Pro Payflow, Virtual Terminal or recurring payment tool.
Hardware costs:
- $29 for first card reader; additional readers cost $79. Price includes USB cable.
- $199 for terminal only.
- $239 for terminal with barcode scanner built in.
- $229 for Store Kit Mini (tablet stand with card reader and dock).
- $339 for Store Kit Portable kit with mobile card reader and printer.
- $479 for Store Kit Standard (tablet stand, card reader, dock and printer).
- $699 for Store Kit Plus (adds barcode scanner).
National Processing
Best for low, flat-rate processing
Why our editorial team chose 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.
Payment processing fees:
- Basic In-Person Package: 2.5% plus 10 cents per transaction.
- Basic E-Commerce Package: 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction.
- Premium Package: 2.41% plus 10 cents.
Monthly POS software fees:
- $9.95 for Basic In-Person Package, Basic E-Commerce Package.
- $19 and up for Premium Package.
Hardware costs:
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 $835 and up.
- Clover Solo POS system for $1,605 and up.
- Clover Flex handheld system for $585 and up.
- SwipeSimple B250 mobile card reader for $99 and up.
Finix
Best for subscription-based pricing
Why our editorial team chose it: Finix's subscription-based pricing model can help quickly growing small businesses with high-volume transactions save money in processing costs. These types of businesses may also benefit from a more personalized approach to payment processing. Finix offers this by working with you in a one-on-one capacity and matching you with a dedicated implementation manager. Plus, there are no long-term contracts. Read our full Finix review.
Payment processing fees:
- 8 cents plus interchange for card-present transactions.
- 15 cents plus interchange for card-not-present transactions.
Monthly POS software fees:
- $79 and up.
- One-month free trial for NerdWallet readers.
Hardware costs:
Finix offers a variety of handheld terminals, card readers and keypads, but merchants need to reach out to the company for pricing details.
Chase Payment Solutions
Best built-in banking partner and direct processor
Why our editorial team chose 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.
Payment processing fees:
- 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 and invoicing.
Monthly POS software fees:
- $0 per month for in-person payments.
- $9.95 per month and up for e-commerce payments.
Hardware costs:
- $129 for Chase Card Reader and Base bundle.
- $399 for Chase Countertop Terminal.
- $499 for Chase Wireless Terminal.
- $499 for Chase POS Terminal.
Shopify Payments
Best for online retail businesses
Why our editorial team chose 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.
Payment processing fees:
- 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.
Monthly POS software fees:
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.
Hardware costs:
- $49 for Tap & Chip card reader.
- $219 for Tap & Chip countertop kit (iPad not included).
- $349 for Shopify POS terminal.
- $459 and up for POS terminal countertop kits.
U.S. Bank Merchant Services
Best built-in banking partner with everyday deposits
Why our editorial team chose it: U.S. Bank Merchant Services is an especially convenient payment processing solution for small businesses that already have a checking account with the bank, because they’ll get access to Everyday Funding at no extra cost. Additionally, the bank offers a free Ingenico credit card reader for taking payments on the go.
Payment processing fees:
- 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.
Monthly POS software fees:
- $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.
Hardware costs:
Sells a variety of hardware including full POS stations, handheld terminals and customer displays. You can purchase hardware outright or rent for a monthly fee. Monthly rental pricing starts at $15 for a handheld terminal.
Payment Depot
Best for tailored interchange-plus rates
Why our editorial team chose 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.
Payment processing fees:
0.2%-1.95% plus interchange.
Monthly POS software fees:
$0.
Hardware costs:
Quote-based.
Payanywhere
Best for payment processor with reputation management tools
Why our editorial team chose it: If your business is trying to gauge customer satisfaction and keep track of feedback, Payanywhere is a good place to start. The processor’s POS software plans include access to reputation management tools that help point out trends in online reviews of your business. You can also use the feature to create custom quick replies to customers’ feedback. Read our full Payanywhere review.
Payment processing fees:
- 2.69% for in-person transactions.
- 3.49% plus 19 cents for online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.
Monthly POS software fees:
- $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+.
Hardware costs:
- $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+.
QuickBooks Payments
Best for online invoicing
Why our editorial team chose it: QuickBooks Payments makes it easy to accept invoice payments online via credit card or ACH transfer. That way, you don’t have to wait for a paper check to arrive in the mail. If you need the funds right away, you can pay an extra 1.75% of the transaction to access instant deposits. Read our QuickBooks Payments review.
Payment processing fees:
For QuickBooks Online users
- 2.5% for in-person payments.
- 2.99% for online and invoiced payments.
- 3.5% for manually keyed payments.
- 1% for ACH transactions.
For QuickBooks Desktop users
Pay as you go plan (no monthly fee):
- 2.4% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
- 3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
Pay monthly plan ($20 monthly fee):
- 1.6% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
Monthly POS software fees:
- $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.
Hardware costs:
- $39 for QuickBooks charging stand.
- $49 for QuickBooks card reader.
- $79 for QuickBooks card reader with charging stand.
Need a high-risk payment processor?
Not all of the processors listed above work with high-risk businesses that are more susceptible to chargebacks or operate in age-restricted industries. If that describes your business, here are a handful of processors worth looking into:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
💬 From our Nerds: Local credit card processing companies can be an option, too
"The options above serve businesses nationwide, but local processors with offices located near you should be on the table as well. Ask local small businesses in your industry which company they’re working with and whether they’d recommend them.
"In my case, I simply asked my neighbor.
"They work for a credit card processing company in town and said this lets them be on site quickly if there’s an issue. Companies without local offices often include 24/7 phone support, but they likely won’t be able to send someone out in person immediately. That being said, local processors might be compatible with just one POS system provider and, in general, have less resources than nationwide companies that serve thousands of businesses."
In general, credit card processing fees are made up of several different types of costs:
- Interchange fees are paid to the issuing banks.
- Assessment fees are paid to the card networks.
- Payment processor fees are the “cuts” or “markups” that go toward the payment processing company for facilitating the transaction.
- Monthly subscription fees can cost upward of $99, but lots of companies don’t charge them. However, credit card processing companies that charge monthly fees may offer lower processing rates in exchange.
If you aren't sure where to start and budget is top of mind, NerdWallet's list of the cheapest credit card processing companies is a good launching point.
Credit card processing pricing models
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzes payment processors across seven categories and more than 30 subcategories by gathering data from company websites, speaking with company representatives and participating in product demos. We fact-check our data points regularly to ensure accuracy.
The category breakdown:
To evaluate overall cost, we consider payment processing fees (for both in-person and online transactions), POS system costs and additional fees for PCI compliance, setup, chargebacks and account termination.
For convenience’s sake, we recommend payment processors that also offer POS software and hardware options in-house.
Payment processors should be able to process a wide variety of payment types and methods including digital wallets, credit and debit cards, invoice and e-commerce transactions. We also consider deposit timing and whether you can opt for same-day deposits.
This applies to processing fees, monthly subscription fees, hardware costs and additional fees for PCI compliance, setup and account termination.
NerdWallet’s evaluation process favors products that directly integrate with your accounting software and offer additional integrations for shopping carts, POS systems, etc.
Payment processors need to offer phone, chat or email support at a minimum. We give extra points to providers with 24/7 support.
Ideally, payment processors have free trials and month-to-month subscriptions. This isn’t a strict requirement, but providers do get dinged if they don’t offer these.
What our star ratings mean
Payment processors with 5 stars are outstanding. They offer competitive in-person and online processing rates, built-in POS system features and free software plans. Plus, they can accommodate a variety of business types.
Payment processors with 4.0 to 4.9 stars are great to excellent. Typically, they have competitive pricing and robust POS features. However, they may have longer-term contracts or fall short when it comes to integrations and/or pricing transparency.
Payment processors with 3.0 to 3.9 stars may be good for specific types of businesses, but typically aren’t a universally great fit. Whereas 4-star processors are lacking in just a few areas, these processors fall short in more categories.
Payment processors with 2.9 stars or fewer don’t offer competitive rates or include the same core POS features that competitors do. We usually don’t recommend these products for small businesses.
Last updated on February 21, 2025
Methodology
NerdWallet’s ratings of payment processing providers rewards companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including overall cost, hardware and software options, system capabilities, customer service, contract requirements and integrations. Learn more about how we rate payment processing providers.
These ratings are a guide, but fees, hardware, software and contract requirements can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
