Best Merchant Services of June 2025
Factor in overall cost, terms, customer support and integrations to find the best merchant services for your business.
The best merchant services have competitive processing fees and enable your business to accept a range of payment types. Many times, you can get most — if not all — of the merchant services you need (e.g., POS systems
Here are some of our top merchant services picks, followed by a longer list of options, what type of business they’re best for and the features that make them stand out.
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Best Merchant Services
| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Helcim 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 | |
 Square POS 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 | |
 Stripe 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 | |
 Chase Payment Solutions℠ 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 |
 U.S. Bank Merchant Services 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 | |
 National Processing 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 | |
 Payment Depot 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 | |
 Finix 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 |
 Shopify Retail POS 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 | |
 Toast POS 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 | |
 PaymentCloud 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 | |
 Dharma Merchant Services | Nonprofits | In-person: 0.15% + $0.08 Online: 0.2% + $0.11 Plus interchange | $20 for most industries; $15 for nonprofits. |
Best Merchant Services
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 High-volume businesses
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
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
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
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.
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 Subscription-based businesses
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: 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 Built-in banking partner
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: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
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
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$15
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
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$15
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.
Payment processing fees
0.2% + $0.00
to 1.95%, plus interchange.
Monthly fee
$0
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
Payment processing fees
0.2% + $0.00
to 1.95%, plus interchange.
Monthly fee
$0
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 processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$79
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
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$79
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
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
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
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.
Payment processing fees
2.49% + $0.15
if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.
Monthly fee
$0
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
Payment processing fees
2.49% + $0.15
if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.
Monthly fee
$0
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.
Payment processing fees
2.4% + $0.10
to 3.5% + $0.25 on average.
Monthly fee
$0
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
Payment processing fees
2.4% + $0.10
to 3.5% + $0.25 on average.
Monthly fee
$0
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.15% + $0.08
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$20
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
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.15% + $0.08
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$20
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
Best for high-volume businesses
Why we like it: It's easy to sign up for a Helcim account online by providing some basic information about your business. Funds from your transactions are deposited within two business days. Customer support is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. You can sync data with both QuickBooks Desktop and Online Helcim review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
Square
Best for brick-and-mortar retail stores
Why we like it: Square’s free retail POS software plan and payment plans for hardware help new retail shops get on their feet and start accepting payments without high upfront costs. As your store grows, you can upgrade from the free plan to the Plus or Premium plan and access additional features like cost-of-goods sold reports, stock forecasts, purchase order management and cross-location returns. Read our full Square review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
Stripe
Best for subscription-based businesses
Why we like it: Stripe’s billing option for subscription-based businesses makes it easy to to charge customers on a recurring basis. You can customize how often each customer is charged, establish your own renewal rules (e.g., automatically renew subscriptions) and automatically remind customers to pay their subscription payment. You don’t have to do your own coding to use the product, but you can access the API to further customize your workflows if you’d like. Read our full Stripe review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
Finix
Best for quickly growing businesses
Why we like it: Finix is a versatile payment services provider that supports small businesses as well as larger ones processing over $1 million in card transactions each year. That said, it’s best for businesses processing at least $5,000 per month because of its subscription-based model. There are no extra fees for PCI compliance or setup, and contracts are month-to-month. Read our full Finix review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
Toast
Best for full-service restaurants
Why we like it: Toast’s spill-proof hardware options and array of add-on features make it a popular merchant services solution for businesses in the restaurant industry. And if your restaurant doesn’t have the cash on hand to pay for the handheld terminals or other hardware devices you need to operate most efficiently, you can opt for higher processing fees to cover your upfront costs. Read our full Toast review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
Shopify
Best for online retail businesses
Why we like it: While Shopify can also accommodate brick-and-mortar retailers, its focus on e-commerce features makes it best for retail businesses that mostly sell online. There are no free plan options, but online plans do come with significant shipping discounts and processing rates decrease as you upgrade to higher plan tiers. You can subscribe month to month or commit to a yearly subscription for a smaller monthly fee. Read our full Shopify review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
U.S. Bank Merchant Services
Best for fast deposits
Why we like it: U.S. Bank offers business banking, payment processing and point-of-sale solutions for small businesses. With a variety of monthly plans, transaction rates that are on par with other merchant services providers, no long-term contract, no cancellation fees and no PCI compliance fees, U.S. Bank Merchant Services may be an appealing option for businesses, especially if you’re looking for a single provider for payment processing, business banking and/or a POS solution. Free same-day funding is available if you have a U.S. Bank business checking account.
Limited time offer
Earn up to $1,000 in merchant fees refunded over three months when you open and are approved for a new U.S. Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Account by June 30, 2025. The account must be actively accepting and settling card payments at the time the statement credit is issued. Member FDIC.
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
Chase Payment Solutions
Best for built-in banking partner
Why we like it: Chase Payment Solutions is a direct processor, meaning it operates as both the payment processor and the acquiring bank that establishes the merchant’s bank account. You’ll get your money the next business day, which is faster than the two-day norm with many other processors, provided you use a Chase business checking account. Additionally, Chase offers 24/7 service and has no monthly fees. It has payment processing solutions for service-based businesses, health care companies, restaurants, retail stores and e-commerce shops. Read NerdWallet’s Chase Payment Solutions review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
Payment Depot
Best for tailored interchange-plus rates
Why we like it: Payment Depot, which is owned by Stax Payment Depot review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
Dharma Merchant Services
Best for nonprofits
Why we like it: With Dharma Merchant Services, nonprofits benefit from reduced transaction rates and partnership with a provider that’s been committed to doing good from its inception. Additionally, businesses with monthly card sales over $100,000 or more than 5,000 transactions may qualify for volume discounts, as well as restaurants with average ticket amounts of less than $25. Funding is guaranteed in two business days. Customer support to process your card transactions is available 24 hours a day. Read our full Dharma Merchant Services review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
PaymentCloud
Best for high-risk businesses
Why we like it: PaymentCloud's payment processing is available for in-person, online, mobile, keyed and cryptocurrency transactions. It has multiple banking relationships that can be used to secure a merchant account for high-risk businesses in industries including firearms, tobacco, credit repair, telemedicine and other industries. The platform integrates with QuickBooks and many shopping carts including BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Shopify and Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento). Read our full PaymentCloud review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
National Processing
Best for free terminal
Why we like it: National Processing offers processing services for some high-risk businesses. You can expect to receive your funds in two days with an opportunity for next-day deposits. Phone support is available 24/7. Integrations are offered for popular business apps including QuickBooks, WooCommerce, Ecwid National Processing review
Payment processing
Monthly software fees
Hardware cost
What are merchant services?
Merchant services comprise a range of products that let your business accept payments in store, online or both. These services include credit card processing, merchant accounts and POS systems. Credit card processing companies POS hardware
In addition to offering basic payment processing services, merchant services for online transactions may include e-commerce platforms payment gateways credit card readers
What do merchant services include?
To enable businesses to accept a variety of payment types, merchant services usually include some combination of the following:
POS hardware
POS hardware is crucial for accepting payments in person. Retail shops with a brick-and-mortar location, for example, may choose a countertop POS system setup with a cash register POS terminals
POS software
Paired with POS hardware, POS software collects in-depth sales data, runs reports, syncs information with your business’s accounting software and helps you manage employees. POS systems
Payment processing services
Payment processing services, which are often available through your POS system provider, work behind the scenes to facilitate the transfer of money from your customers’ accounts to your business’s account. They may include additional tools, like invoicing and reporting, too.
Merchant accounts
When you complete a credit card transaction, those funds go to a merchant account payment service providers Square Stripe
Alternatively, you can apply for your own merchant account that is tailored specifically to your business’s needs. Compared to a PSP, individual merchant account providers typically require a more involved application process, meaning you may need to wait longer to begin accepting payments. Though there could be some upfront setup costs, payment processing fees are sometimes negotiable.
Extra features
Merchant services also refers to tools and capabilities that are intertwined with the payments process, like gift cards, loyalty programs, fraud protection, integrations with the rest of your business software ecosystem, reporting and online website features that help you securely accept payments online.
Merchant services vs. merchant accounts
Merchant services often include merchant accounts in some capacity, but the two terms aren’t synonymous. Merchant services are made up of a range of products and services — think merchant accounts, payment processing services and POS systems — that help your business accept payments. Some offer individual merchant accounts and others (PSPs) hold multiple businesses’ funds in a single account until they’re transferred to your business’s individual bank account.
How to choose the best merchant services provider
Before committing to a merchant services provider, consider the following factors:
- 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.