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Sponsored partner picks for
Best Merchant Services
Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
on Helcim's secure website | High-volume businesses | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0 | on Helcim's secure website | |
on Square POS's secure website | Brick-and-mortar retail stores | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 and up. | on Square POS's secure website | |
on Stripe Payments' secure website | Subscription-based businesses | In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 | on Stripe Payments' secure website | |
on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website | Built-in banking partner | 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 |
on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC | Fast deposits | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 and up. | on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC | |
on National Processing's secure website | Free terminal | In-person: 2.5% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $15 for Basic In-Person Package. | on National Processing's secure website | |
on Payment Depot's secure website | Tailored interchange-plus rates | 0.2% + $0.00 to 1.95%, plus interchange. | $0 | on Payment Depot's secure website | |
on Finix's secure website | Quickly growing businesses | 4.8
/5
| In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange | $79 and up. | on Finix's secure website |
on Shopify POS's secure website | Online retail businesses | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39 and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89. | on Shopify POS's secure website | |
on Toast POS's secure website | Full-service restaurants | 2.49% + $0.15 if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option. | $0 Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan. | on Toast POS's secure website | |
on PaymentCloud's secure website | High-risk businesses | 2.4% + $0.10 to 3.5% + $0.25 on average. | $0 to $50. | on PaymentCloud's secure website | |
Nonprofits | In-person: 0.15% + $0.08 Online: 0.2% + $0.11 Plus interchange | $20 for most industries; $15 for nonprofits. |
Best Merchant Services
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
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.
Helcim
Best for High-volume businesses
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
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.
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
and up.
on Square's website
Pros
- Free plan option available.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Can’t run on Windows devices.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Square POS
Best for Brick-and-mortar retail stores
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
and up.
on Square's website
Pros
- Free plan option available.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Can’t run on Windows devices.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
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 Subscription-based businesses
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
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.
Online: 2.9% + $0.25
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 Built-in banking partner
Online: 2.9% + $0.25
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.
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
and up.
on U.S. Bank's website, Member FDIC
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.
U.S. Bank Merchant Services
Best for Fast deposits
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
and up.
on U.S. Bank's website, Member FDIC
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.
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
for Basic In-Person Package.
on National Processing's website
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.
National Processing
Best for Free terminal
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
for Basic In-Person Package.
on National Processing's website
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.
to 1.95%, plus interchange.
on Payment Depot's website
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.
Payment Depot
Best for Tailored interchange-plus rates
to 1.95%, plus interchange.
on Payment Depot's website
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.
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
and up.
on Finix's website
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.
Finix
Best for Quickly growing businesses
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
and up.
on Finix's website
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.
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89.
on Shopify's website
Pros
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include an online store.
- Built specifically for online sellers.
- 24/7 chat support.
Cons
- No free plan options.
- Cannot process cards in offline mode.
Shopify Retail POS
Best for Online retail businesses
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89.
on Shopify's website
Pros
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include an online store.
- Built specifically for online sellers.
- 24/7 chat support.
Cons
- No free plan options.
- Cannot process cards in offline mode.
if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.
Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.
on Toast's website
Pros
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- 24/7 phone and web messaging support.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll and team management software, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- Built specifically for restaurants with in-house delivery platform available, among other industry-specific features.
Cons
- Requires a two-year contract and charges early termination fees.
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Charges setup fee, and offline mode includes hidden cost of backup router.
- Online ordering and accounting integrations cost extra.
Toast POS
Best for Full-service restaurants
if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.
Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.
on Toast's website
Pros
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- 24/7 phone and web messaging support.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll and team management software, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- Built specifically for restaurants with in-house delivery platform available, among other industry-specific features.
Cons
- Requires a two-year contract and charges early termination fees.
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Charges setup fee, and offline mode includes hidden cost of backup router.
- Online ordering and accounting integrations cost extra.
to 3.5% + $0.25 on average.
to $50.
on PaymentCloud's website
Pros
- Works with high-risk businesses.
- New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Website isn’t transparent about processing rates.
- May charge PCI compliance fees.
- Some plans require a contract and charge steep termination fees.
PaymentCloud
Best for High-risk businesses
to 3.5% + $0.25 on average.
to $50.
on PaymentCloud's website
Pros
- Works with high-risk businesses.
- New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Website isn’t transparent about processing rates.
- May charge PCI compliance fees.
- Some plans require a contract and charge steep termination fees.
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Plus interchange
for most industries; $15 for nonprofits.
Pros
- Reduced processing rates for nonprofits.
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- No long-term contracts.
- No PCI compliance fees.
- Compatible with Clover POS systems.
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.
Dharma Merchant Services
Best for Nonprofits
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Plus interchange
for most industries; $15 for nonprofits.
Pros
- Reduced processing rates for nonprofits.
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- No long-term contracts.
- No PCI compliance fees.
- Compatible with Clover POS systems.
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.
Our picks for the best merchant services
Helcim
Square
Stripe
Finix
Toast
Shopify
U.S. Bank Merchant Services
Limited time offer
Chase Payment Solutions
Payment Depot
Dharma Merchant Services
PaymentCloud
National Processing
What are merchant services?
What do merchant services include?
POS hardware
POS software
Payment processing services
Merchant accounts
Extra features
Merchant services vs. merchant accounts
How to choose the best merchant services provider
- 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 providers' 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.