6 Cheapest Payment Gateways of June 2025
Accepting payments online with these low-cost payment gateways can save you money.
Payment gateways are a must, especially for businesses that sell online, but you’ll want to understand the total cost associated with them before committing to one. To find the cheapest payment gateway, look for competitive processing fees and low-cost (or even free) monthly software plans. And try to avoid products that charge additional fees for things like setup.
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Here are some of the cheapest payment gateways for your small business.
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Cheapest Payment Gateways
| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Helcim on Helcim's secure website | Transparent interchange-plus pricing | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0 | on Helcim's secure website | |
 Square on Square's secure website | All-in-one payments solution | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | on Square's secure website | |
 Chase Payment Solutions℠ on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website | Quick payouts | 4.5
/5
| In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.25 | $0 for in-person payments; $9.95 and up for e-commerce payments. | on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website |
 Stripe on Stripe Payments' secure website | Customized checkout pages | In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 | on Stripe Payments' secure website | |
 Stax on Stax's secure website | High sales volumes | In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange | $99 and up. | on Stax's secure website | |
 Adyen | Payment gateway for larger businesses | 0.6% + $0.13 Plus interchange for Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + $0.23 for AmEx. | $0 |
Cheapest Payment Gateways
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
Learn moreon Helcim's website
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.
Helcim
Best for Transparent interchange-plus pricing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
on Helcim's website
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Ability to use Square to build a website from scratch, or use Square Checkout as the payment page for your existing site.
- Transparent pricing structure with no contract or cancellation fees.
- Square also supports in-person sales with its capable POS system.
Cons
- Limited options for international payments.
- If you don’t use Square or other supported ecommerce sites to host your website, Square likely won’t work for you.
Square
Best for All-in-one payments solution
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Ability to use Square to build a website from scratch, or use Square Checkout as the payment page for your existing site.
- Transparent pricing structure with no contract or cancellation fees.
- Square also supports in-person sales with its capable POS system.
Cons
- Limited options for international payments.
- If you don’t use Square or other supported ecommerce sites to host your website, Square likely won’t work for you.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.25
Online: 2.9% + $0.25
Monthly fee
$0
for in-person payments; $9.95 and up for e-commerce payments.
on Chase's website
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.
Chase Payment Solutions℠
Best for Quick payouts
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.25
Online: 2.9% + $0.25
Monthly fee
$0
for in-person payments; $9.95 and up for e-commerce payments.
on Chase's website
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's website
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.
Stripe
Best for Customized checkout pages
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's website
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$99
and up.
on Stax's website
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Unique add-on features, like custom branding.
- No long-term contracts.
- Compatible with POS system providers, such as Clover.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Not ideal for businesses with low-volume sales.
- Pricing isn't as transparent as competitors.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Stax
Best for High sales volumes
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$99
and up.
on Stax's website
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Unique add-on features, like custom branding.
- No long-term contracts.
- Compatible with POS system providers, such as Clover.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Not ideal for businesses with low-volume sales.
- Pricing isn't as transparent as competitors.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Payment processing fees
0.6% + $0.13
Plus interchange for Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + $0.23 for AmEx.
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No monthly subscription or termination fees.
- Consolidate data across multiple online and in-person sales channels.
- Global payment options available.
Cons
- Pricing models differ by card, which can be confusing.
- No accounting integrations.
- Must give at least two months’ notice before terminating contract.
- Must reach out for hardware costs.
Adyen
Best for Payment gateway for larger businesses
Payment processing fees
0.6% + $0.13
Plus interchange for Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + $0.23 for AmEx.
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No monthly subscription or termination fees.
- Consolidate data across multiple online and in-person sales channels.
- Global payment options available.
Cons
- Pricing models differ by card, which can be confusing.
- No accounting integrations.
- Must give at least two months’ notice before terminating contract.
- Must reach out for hardware costs.
Our picks for cheapest payment gateways
Adyen: Best payment gateway for larger businesses
Why we like it: Adyen's slim margin on top of standard bank and card network fees is among the lowest we've seen. However, there are monthly transaction volume minimums, and you'll need to contact Adyen to see if you qualify. Read NerdWallet's complete Adyen review
Monthly cost
Payment processing fees
Helcim: Best for transparent interchange-plus pricing
Why we like it: Helcim offers low interchange rates, and its website shows exactly what you'll pay for any card a customer uses. Helcim’s Online Checkout feature helps merchants set up an e-commerce store and accept payments online. It also includes other capabilities, like inventory management, reporting, customer logins and shipping options. Read NerdWallet's complete Helcim review
Monthly cost
Payment processing fees
Stripe: Best for customized checkout pages
Why we like it: Stripe combines payment processing and customizable payment gateway tools into a single service. It’s an especially good choice for business owners who want to tailor their online payments platform to match the rest of their site’s branding (and have the coding experience to do so). Read NerdWallet's complete Stripe Payments review
Monthly cost
Payment processing fees
Stax: Best for high sales volumes
Why we like it: Stax's rate doesn't add a percentage margin to the interchange rate — it adds only a fee of either 8 cents for in-person transactions or 15 cents for manually keyed transactions. However, there's a monthly fee that can be hefty for some. On the other hand, it could be cost-effective if you're spreading it across a high sales volume. Read NerdWallet's complete Stax review
Monthly cost
Payment processing fees
Chase Payment Solutions: Best for quick payouts
Why we like it: This payment gateway combines Chase and Authorize.net services. It's a nickel cheaper per transaction compared with working directly with Authorize.net. In addition, if you use a Chase business checking account, you'll get your money the next day — faster than the industry standard of two business days. Read NerdWallet's complete Chase Payment Solutions review
Monthly cost
Payment processing fees
Square: Best all-in-one payments solution
Why we like it: Square’s free POS software plans and competitive processing rates make it an ideal choice for business owners prioritizing convenience and affordability. While it’s a good choice for retail stores and restaurants alike, freelancers and very small businesses with a smaller online presence can also benefit from its range of free features. Read NerdWallet’s full Square POS review
Monthly cost
Payment processing fees
How much are payment gateway fees?
Payment gateways are typically bundled with payment processing services and usually involve a monthly subscription fee and a per-transaction fee. Subscription fees can cost anywhere from $0 to $99 or more each month. Per-transaction fees can be flat-rate or interchange-plus.
Under a flat-rate pricing model, you’ll typically pay a percentage of the total transaction cost plus a fixed amount. For example, with a fee of 2.9% + 30 cents per online transaction, you'd pay $3.20 to process a customer's $100 online order.
Other companies use an interchange-plus pricing structure. This model is more complicated, as prices vary based on so-called interchange fees
Interchange-plus pricing is more transparent because you can see where processors are charging markups. It may also be cheaper for your business depending on your underlying transactions, but you’ll have to do some math to be sure.
What is the cheapest payment gateway?
The cheapest payment gateway for your business will depend on the product’s pricing type (flat rate or interchange-plus) and your business’s monthly sales volume, among other factors. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all option.
Here are some additional tips to help you track down the right solution:
Know what type of service you need
Not all payment gateways work the same way. Some will redirect customers away from your site to the gateway's site for payment, which can negatively affect completion rates. Others have pre-built payment gateways you can embed directly on your website. White-label gateways
It's important to confirm that the gateway will work the way you expect and have a price tag you're comfortable with.
Look for transparency
It's easiest to compare prices when they're published. A company that uses custom pricing or requires you to call for a quote might have a reasonable price, but it takes more time to compare. Aside from monthly and processing fees, look for other fees that could impact your costs.
Avoid those extra fees (most of the time)
There's no getting around paying a per-transaction fee. But most businesses can avoid companies that charge additional fees, like fees for setup or PCI compliance
However, not all fees should be avoided equally. Before you rule out every payment gateway that charges a monthly fee for service, consider the total costs. Companies with monthly fees sometimes offer great per-transaction fees. Depending on your sales information, you might come out ahead, even after paying a monthly fee. The only way to know for sure is to run your numbers. Use this calculator to estimate your costs:
Frequently Asked Questions
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