Best Payment Processing Companies
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Input your business’s monthly transaction details and we’ll help you sort from the best valueProduct | Cost Estimate | Payment processing fees | Cost Estimate | Learn more | ||
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Shopify Payments Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 4.5/5 Best for E-commerce platform integration | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39.00 Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website |
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Overall payment processor | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0.00 | Learn more on Helcim's secure website | ||
Stripe Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Online, international transactions | In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 | Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website | ||
Square Learn more on Square's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for All-in-one payment processor | 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 | ||
Clover POS Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for POS hardware options | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | ||
Stax by Fattmerchant Learn more on Stax by Fattmerchant's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for High-volume sales | In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange | $99.00 and up. | Learn more on Stax by Fattmerchant's secure website | ||
Chase Payment Solutions℠ Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Direct processor | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.25 | $0.00 Monthly fee in some instances. | Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website | ||
PayPal Learn more on PayPal's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Alternative payment methods | 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 | ||
Payline | 4.5/5 Best for High-risk merchants | In-person: 0.4% + $0.10 Online: 0.75% + $0.20 Plus interchange | $10.00 in person; $20 online. | |||
Dharma Merchant Services | 4.5/5 Best for Nonprofits | In-person: 0.15% + $0.08 Online: 0.2% + $0.11 Plus interchange | $15.00 for most industries; $12 for nonprofits. |
Our pick for
E-commerce platform integration
Shopify Payments
on Shopify Payments' secure website
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
Pros
- Accepts a variety of payment methods.
- Can customize checkout page.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Transparent, flat-rate fees.
Cons
- E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
- Charges fee for use of third-party payment gateway.
Our pick for
Overall payment processor
Helcim
on Helcim's secure website
Pros
- Interchange-plus pricing structure can help businesses save money.
- Quick setup; approvals usually take a day.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- Syncs directly with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Doesn’t offer services to businesses in certain high-risk industries.
Our pick for
Online, international transactions
Stripe
on Stripe Payments' secure website
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 phone and chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS terminals.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
Our pick for
All-in-one payment processor
Square
on Square's secure website
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Pros
- Competitive, flat-rate pricing.
- Offers free POS systems with many features and functions.
- No contract or early-termination fees.
Cons
- Lacks advanced POS features.
- Doesn't run on Windows devices.
Our pick for
POS hardware options
Clover POS
on Clover POS's secure website
and up.
Pros
- Free plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- 24/7 phone and email support.
- All restaurant plans include no-fee online ordering, and retail plans let you integrate with existing online stores.
Cons
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- Charges termination fees, though they may be waived in certain cases.
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Popular accounting integrations are only available through third-party apps.
Our pick for
High-volume sales
Stax by Fattmerchant
on Stax by Fattmerchant's secure website
and up.
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Unique add-on features, like custom branding.
- No long-term contracts.
Cons
- Not a good option for businesses with low sales.
- Pricing isn't as transparent as competitors.
Our pick for
Direct processor
Chase Payment Solutions℠
on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website
Monthly fee in some instances.
Pros
- Two-in-one processor and acquiring bank.
- Free monthly plans available.
- Using your bank as your processor makes deposits convenient.
Cons
- Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
- No e-commerce integrations.
- Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.
Our pick for
Alternative payment methods
PayPal
on PayPal's secure website
Standard; $5 Payments Advanced; $30 Payments Pro.
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.
Cons
- PayPal’s offerings are vast and can be difficult to grasp quickly.
- Payment processing can be expensive for small purchases.
- Not ideal for high-risk or high-volume businesses.
Our pick for
High-risk merchants
Payline
in person; $20 online.
Pros
- No long-term contracts or cancellation fees.
- First month or two (depending on the business) is free.
- Works with high-risk merchants.
- No PCI compliance fees.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Separate monthly fees for in-person and online processing.
- Must contact Payline for information on hardware costs.
Our pick for
Nonprofits
Dharma Merchant Services
for most industries; $12 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.
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 best payment processing companies
Helcim: Best overall payment processor
- 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.
Square: Best all-in-one payment processor
- 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.
Clover: Best for POS hardware options
- 2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans, though rates may also vary by hardware type.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter and Professional Services Standard plans, as well as Home & Field Services Standard and Advanced plans.
- 3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
Stripe: Best for online, international transactions
- 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.
PayPal: Best for alternative payment methods
- 2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person credit and debit card payments.
- 2.89% 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).
Shopify Payments: Best for e-commerce platform integration
- 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.
Chase Payment Solutions: Best direct processor
- 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.
Stax (formerly Fattmerchant): Best for high-volume sales
- Interchange plus 8 cents for in-person transactions.
- Interchange plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
Payline: Best for high-risk merchants
- Interchange plus 0.4% and 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- Interchange plus 0.75% and 20 cents for online transactions.
Dharma Merchant Services: Best for nonprofits
- Interchange plus 0.15% + 8 cents for in-person transactions.
- Interchange plus 0.20% + 11 cents for online transactions.
- Interchange plus 0.25% + 8 cents for in-person AmEx transactions.
- Interchange plus 0.30% + 11 cents for online AmEx transactions.