9 Best Payment Processing Companies of November 2025
We looked at more than 25 payment processing companies to find the best options. Our top picks not only have fair rates. They also offer useful features, helpful customer service and solid integrations.
Hillary Crawford writes about small-business software at NerdWallet and is certified in QuickBooks Online and web design. Her previous roles include news writer and associate West Coast editor at Bustle Digital Group, where she helped shape news and tech coverage. She's appeared on Cheddar News and also worked as a policy contributor for GenFKD. Hillary earned a bachelor's degree with high honors in political science from the University of Michigan.
Email: <a href="mailto:hcrawford@nerdwallet.com">hcrawford@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Karrin Sehmbi is an editor and content strategist on the small-business team. She has covered small-business software and lending since 2022 and has more than sixteen years of editorial experience in the fields of educational publishing, content marketing and medical news. She has also held roles as a teacher and a tutor.
Hillary Crawford writes about small-business software at NerdWallet and is certified in QuickBooks Online and web design. Her previous roles include news writer and associate West Coast editor at Bustle Digital Group, where she helped shape news and tech coverage. She's appeared on Cheddar News and also worked as a policy contributor for GenFKD. Hillary earned a bachelor's degree with high honors in political science from the University of Michigan.
Email: <a href="mailto:hcrawford@nerdwallet.com">hcrawford@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Karrin Sehmbi is an editor and content strategist on the small-business team. She has covered small-business software and lending since 2022 and has more than sixteen years of editorial experience in the fields of educational publishing, content marketing and medical news. She has also held roles as a teacher and a tutor.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
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.
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.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Hillary Crawford writes about small-business software at NerdWallet and is certified in QuickBooks Online and web design. Her previous roles include news writer and associate West Coast editor at Bustle Digital Group, where she helped shape news and tech coverage. She's appeared on Cheddar News and also worked as a policy contributor for GenFKD. Hillary earned a bachelor's degree with high honors in political science from the University of Michigan.
Email: <a href="mailto:hcrawford@nerdwallet.com">hcrawford@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Karrin Sehmbi is an editor and content strategist on the small-business team. She has covered small-business software and lending since 2022 and has more than sixteen years of editorial experience in the fields of educational publishing, content marketing and medical news. She has also held roles as a teacher and a tutor.
Hillary Crawford writes about small-business software at NerdWallet and is certified in QuickBooks Online and web design. Her previous roles include news writer and associate West Coast editor at Bustle Digital Group, where she helped shape news and tech coverage. She's appeared on Cheddar News and also worked as a policy contributor for GenFKD. Hillary earned a bachelor's degree with high honors in political science from the University of Michigan.
Email: <a href="mailto:hcrawford@nerdwallet.com">hcrawford@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Karrin Sehmbi is an editor and content strategist on the small-business team. She has covered small-business software and lending since 2022 and has more than sixteen years of editorial experience in the fields of educational publishing, content marketing and medical news. She has also held roles as a teacher and a tutor.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
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.
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.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
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.
Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
With simple flat-rate processing, free point-of-sale software, solid hardware options and accounting integrations, Square is an excellent choice for brick-and-mortar business owners who value convenience and want an all-in-one system.
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.
Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
With simple flat-rate processing, free point-of-sale software, solid hardware options and accounting integrations, Square is an excellent choice for brick-and-mortar business owners who value convenience and want an all-in-one system.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Using your bank as your processor makes deposits convenient.
24/7 phone and online support.
Cons
Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.
Chase Payment Solutions is a safe bet for businesses that prefer to work with a bank that communicates directly with card networks. Businesses that already have a business bank or credit card account with Chase will also appreciate the familiar name and streamlined banking and processing experience. Its pricing is flat rate, and monthly fees vary.
Using your bank as your processor makes deposits convenient.
24/7 phone and online support.
Cons
Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.
Chase Payment Solutions is a safe bet for businesses that prefer to work with a bank that communicates directly with card networks. Businesses that already have a business bank or credit card account with Chase will also appreciate the familiar name and streamlined banking and processing experience. Its pricing is flat rate, and monthly fees vary.
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 specializes in processing online card transactions and is an especially great fit for businesses with customers located internationally. The payment processing company supports more than 135 currencies, works in 46 countries and allows you to embed checkout portals on existing websites. It’s not built for any one industry in particular, but it’s ideal for online retailers transacting via website checkout portals and freelancers or service-based businesses sending online invoices to customers. Stripe is a flat-rate processor and doesn’t charge a monthly fee for its basic Payments plan.
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 specializes in processing online card transactions and is an especially great fit for businesses with customers located internationally. The payment processing company supports more than 135 currencies, works in 46 countries and allows you to embed checkout portals on existing websites. It’s not built for any one industry in particular, but it’s ideal for online retailers transacting via website checkout portals and freelancers or service-based businesses sending online invoices to customers. Stripe is a flat-rate processor and doesn’t charge a monthly fee for its basic Payments plan.
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 is an all-in-one solution for banking, payment processing and POS software. 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.
There is also currently this welcome bonus: Earn up to $1,000 in statement credits over 3 months when you open and are approved for a new U.S. Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Account by December 31, 2025. The account must be actively accepting and settling card payments at the time the monthly statement credits are being calculated and applied in order to receive the rebate. Merchant account must be in good standing with no outstanding recovery balance. Get merchant fees refunded up to $1,000 over three months. Member FDIC.
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 is an all-in-one solution for banking, payment processing and POS software. 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.
There is also currently this welcome bonus: Earn up to $1,000 in statement credits over 3 months when you open and are approved for a new U.S. Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Account by December 31, 2025. The account must be actively accepting and settling card payments at the time the monthly statement credits are being calculated and applied in order to receive the rebate. Merchant account must be in good standing with no outstanding recovery balance. Get merchant fees refunded up to $1,000 over three months. Member FDIC.
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 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. Its starting monthly subscription pricing is less expensive than Stax, another subscription-based processor. And unlike Stax, it offers free trials for NerdWallet readers.
Its major downfall is its lack of accounting integrations – if you want your payments data to automatically sync with your QuickBooks Online account right out of the box, Stax may be the better option.
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 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. Its starting monthly subscription pricing is less expensive than Stax, another subscription-based processor. And unlike Stax, it offers free trials for NerdWallet readers.
Its major downfall is its lack of accounting integrations – if you want your payments data to automatically sync with your QuickBooks Online account right out of the box, Stax may be the better option.
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.
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 Premium plan for POS systems, those rates drop to 2.41% plus 10 cents. New merchants may also qualify for a free terminal.
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.
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 Premium plan for POS systems, those rates drop to 2.41% plus 10 cents. New merchants may also qualify for a free terminal.
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.
If you’re in the market for an online payment processing company and a customizable e-commerce platform, Shopify Payments is a solid option. It’s not the least expensive necessarily, but it has more than 200 website templates that make it easy to design an on-brand, aesthetically pleasing website. Shopify charges a flat-rate payment processing fee and a separate monthly fee for your online website and POS software features.
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.
If you’re in the market for an online payment processing company and a customizable e-commerce platform, Shopify Payments is a solid option. It’s not the least expensive necessarily, but it has more than 200 website templates that make it easy to design an on-brand, aesthetically pleasing website. Shopify charges a flat-rate payment processing fee and a separate monthly fee for your online website and POS software features.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
With simple flat-rate processing, free point-of-sale software, solid hardware options and accounting integrations, Square is an excellent choice for brick-and-mortar business owners who value convenience and want an all-in-one system.
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.
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.
Using your bank as your processor makes deposits convenient.
24/7 phone and online support.
Cons
Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.
Chase Payment Solutions is a safe bet for businesses that prefer to work with a bank that communicates directly with card networks. Businesses that already have a business bank or credit card account with Chase will also appreciate the familiar name and streamlined banking and processing experience. Its pricing is flat rate, and monthly fees vary.
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 specializes in processing online card transactions and is an especially great fit for businesses with customers located internationally. The payment processing company supports more than 135 currencies, works in 46 countries and allows you to embed checkout portals on existing websites. It’s not built for any one industry in particular, but it’s ideal for online retailers transacting via website checkout portals and freelancers or service-based businesses sending online invoices to customers. Stripe is a flat-rate processor and doesn’t charge a monthly fee for its basic Payments plan.
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 is an all-in-one solution for banking, payment processing and POS software. 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.
There is also currently this welcome bonus: Earn up to $1,000 in statement credits over 3 months when you open and are approved for a new U.S. Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Account by December 31, 2025. The account must be actively accepting and settling card payments at the time the monthly statement credits are being calculated and applied in order to receive the rebate. Merchant account must be in good standing with no outstanding recovery balance. Get merchant fees refunded up to $1,000 over three months. Member FDIC.
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 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. Its starting monthly subscription pricing is less expensive than Stax, another subscription-based processor. And unlike Stax, it offers free trials for NerdWallet readers.
Its major downfall is its lack of accounting integrations – if you want your payments data to automatically sync with your QuickBooks Online account right out of the box, Stax may be the better option.
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.
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 Premium plan for POS systems, those rates drop to 2.41% plus 10 cents. New merchants may also qualify for a free terminal.
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.
If you’re in the market for an online payment processing company and a customizable e-commerce platform, Shopify Payments is a solid option. It’s not the least expensive necessarily, but it has more than 200 website templates that make it easy to design an on-brand, aesthetically pleasing website. Shopify charges a flat-rate payment processing fee and a separate monthly fee for your online website and POS software features.
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.
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.
How we choose the best payment processing companies
Our writers and editors analyze more than 30 data points for each payment processing company we rate. This includes details about:
Overall cost: We don’t consider just payment processing fees (for both in-person and online transactions). We also look at POS system costs and additional fees for PCI compliance, setup, chargebacks and account termination. All of these prices should be clearly disclosed on the provider’s website.
Capabilities: We recommend payment processors that offer POS software and hardware in-house. Additionally, they should be able to process a variety of payment types and methods (e.g., digital wallets, credit and debit cards, invoice and e-commerce transactions). We also consider deposit timing and integrations with accounting software and shopping carts.
Customer friendliness: Payment processors must offer phone, chat or email support at a minimum. We give extra points to providers with 24/7 support. Ideally, they offer free trials and month-to-month subscriptions, too.
We speak with company representatives and fact-check these data points regularly to ensure accuracy.
Payment processing companies must earn at least 4 stars to make our list.
⭐ 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.
What payment processing companies we consider
NerdWallet’s editorial team has evaluated more than 25 payment processing companies. Our focus is on big names in various industries, like retail and e-commerce. We also look at companies that offer both payment processing services and POS systems, like Shopify and Square.
In some cases, we’ll review popular payment gateways and payment transfer services, like Braintree and Venmo, too.
Ultimately, our writers and editors choose which payment processing companies to cover. We base these decisions on conversations with business owners, online trends and other research.
≡ Full list of payment processing companies
Our writers and editors have covered or considered these payment processing companies:
NerdWallet has a full-time team of small-business writers and editors. Here's how we monitor the payment processing company landscape:
Reviewing data points regularly: We do a full audit annually. This involves fact-checking product info and reaching out to providers if needed. Some updates happen off-cycle. We make those changes as soon as they happen.
Assessing usability: We lurk on Reddit and other social channels, and our team frequently interviews business owners. We ask what payment processing companies they use and why. When possible, we also schedule product demos with company representatives.
Following news and trends: The market for payment processing companies is always evolving. For example, Stripe introduced a new integration with OpenAI that lets customers make purchases within ChatGPT. We rely on Google Alerts, emails from PR reps and more to stay informed.
💬 From our Nerds: Convenience can be worth the cost
"Price point is one of the most important considerations you’ll make when comparing payment processing companies, but convenience is paramount, too. My husband is opening a brewery this year, and I ultimately recommended he choose Square as his payment processor.
"Its pricing is certainly competitive — but not necessarily the least expensive. However, employees will likely be familiar with its software, meaning there will be less of a learning curve. And it has a solid line of POS hardware options, so he’ll only need to deal with one company for the brewery’s payments needs. Time is money, and Square’s convenience will hopefully save him enough time to make it worth the cost.
"The most convenient payment processing companies for your business should integrate with your accounting software, offer POS hardware options that are a good fit for your needs and have easy-to-use POS software. And I highly recommend testing that software before you commit."
Payment processing companies work behind the scenes to facilitate card transactions and move funds from your customer's card account to your merchant account. While there are several steps to this process, it all takes place within a matter of seconds. Funds are typically available to the merchant within a day or two.
In addition to their core function, payment processing companies may fulfill additional merchant services by providing POS hardware, POS software and merchant accounts all under the same roof. Most of them also offer invoicing options, reporting dashes and tools for fraud protection and PCI compliance.
To narrow down your options, start by following these steps:
1. Decide whether you want an individual merchant account or PSP
Dedicated merchant account providers and payment service providers (PSPs) have their pros and cons. The former sets you up with your own account. The latter pools multiple businesses’ card funds into a shared account.
PSPs, like Square or Stripe, let you start accepting payments almost instantaneously. They’re convenient all-in-one solutions for businesses just getting up and running.
Other payment processing companies, like National Processing, offer payment processing services plus individual merchant accounts. Businesses with individual merchant accounts are less susceptible to account freezes, but the setup and approval process can take longer.
2. Confirm that it works with your POS system
Lots of payment processing companies offer their own in-house POS systems or sell ones from providers like Clover. In fact, there’s quite a bit of overlap between our picks for best POS systems and best payment processing companies. If your business handles in-person sales, make sure your payment processing company offers countertop POS setups, card readers and any other accessories you might need (e.g., barcode scanners, receipt printers).
3. Make sure pricing is competitive
It can be hard to wrap your head around just how quickly credit card processing fees add up. Confirm that your payment processing company has competitive rates for both in-person and online transactions. They should look something like this:
In-person processing rates: 2.6% plus 15 cents or less.
Online processing rates: 2.9% plus 30 cents or less.
4. Look for quick deposit times
Deposit timing has a direct impact on your business’s cash flow. Do you need your credit card funds by the next business day or can your business typically wait two full days? Verify how long each of your top picks takes to deposit those funds into your business’s bank account where they’re accessible.
5. Make sure it accommodates online and in-person transactions
Your payment processing company should specialize in processing the type of transaction your business confronts most often, whether that’s in-person, online or both. We don’t recommend using separate processors for each transaction type. It can make it significantly more difficult to predict payouts and track processing costs.
6. Check for extra hidden costs
Some payment processing companies charge extra for things like PCI compliance, setup, chargebacks and account terminations. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. But ideally, PCI compliance and setup costs are included for free and contracts are month-to-month.
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.
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