Best Merchant Services
Calculate your monthly cost estimate
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 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Processing Learn more on National Processing's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Free terminal | 2.5% + $0.10 for Basic In-Person Package. | $9.95 for Basic In-Person Package. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on National Processing's secure website |
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for No contracts | 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 Flat rate for online sales | In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 | Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website | ||
Square POS Learn more on Square POS's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Flat-rate option | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 and up. | Learn more on Square POS's secure website | ||
Payment Depot Learn more on Payment Depot's secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Tailored interchange-plus rates | 0.2% + $0.00 to 1.95%, plus interchange. | $0.00 | Learn more on Payment Depot's secure website | ||
U.S. Bank Merchant Services Learn more on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Fast deposits | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 and up. | Learn more on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website | ||
Chase Payment Solutions℠ Learn more on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Built-in banking partner | 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 | ||
PaymentCloud | 4.5/5 Best for High-risk businesses | 2.4% + $0.10 to 3.5% + $0.25 on average. | $0.00 to $50. | |||
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. | |||
QuickBooks Payments | 4.5/5 Best for QuickBooks loyalists | In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00 | $0.00 QuickBooks subscription required. |
Our pick for
Free terminal
National Processing
on National Processing's secure website
for Basic In-Person Package.
for Basic In-Person Package.
Pros
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- Works with high-risk merchants.
- Integrates with popular POS systems, e-commerce platforms and accounting products.
- 24/7 phone support.
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.
- Mobile card reader is pricier than some competitors.
Our pick for
No contracts
Helcim
on Helcim's secure website
Pros
- Low processing fees.
- Transparent pricing.
- Volume discounts.
- No contracts.
- No monthly fees.
- No cancellation fees.
- Free virtual terminal.
- Fully hosted online store options.
Cons
- Customer support isn't available 24/7.
- No free card reader.
Our pick for
Flat rate for online sales
Stripe
on Stripe Payments' secure website
Pros
- No monthly fees.
- Low transaction rates.
- Supports over 135 currencies.
- Your account can be terminated at any time.
- Developer platform.
- Support is available 24/7 by phone request, chat and email.
- Tools to customize payment flows on your website.
Cons
- No free reader.
- Virtual terminal allows the customer to enter card information but not the merchant.
Our pick for
Flat-rate option
Square POS
on Square POS's secure website
and up.
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Low transaction rates.
- No long-term contracts.
- Quick setup.
- Free card reader.
- Free virtual terminal.
- Free dispute management services for chargebacks.
- No processing fees on customer refunds.
Cons
- 24/7 live phone support is not available for payments.
- Readers are not compatible with Windows devices.
Our pick for
Tailored interchange-plus rates
Payment Depot
on Payment Depot's secure website
to 1.95%, plus interchange.
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- No cancellation fees.
- Compatible with several POS hardware providers, including Clover.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Markups vary by business
- Website doesn’t disclose hardware pricing.
Our pick for
Fast deposits
U.S. Bank Merchant Services
on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website
and up.
Pros
- No long-term contracts.
- No cancellation fees.
- No PCI fees.
- Variety of monthly plans available, including a free option.
Cons
- No free trial period.
- No free setup help.
- Hardware costs are buried on website; you need to contact the bank directly for purchase pricing.
Our pick for
Built-in banking partner
Chase Payment Solutions℠
on Chase Payment Solutions℠'s secure website
Monthly fee in some instances.
Pros
- Two-in-one processor and acquiring bank.
- On the cheaper end of flat-rate prices available.
- Next-day payouts available.
Cons
- Requires use of Chase checking for quickest deposits — not a bad thing, unless you’d prefer to bank elsewhere.
- Unclear POS pricing.
Our pick for
High-risk businesses
PaymentCloud
to 3.5% + $0.25 on average.
to $50.
Pros
- Specializes in high-risk merchant accounts.
- Cancellation fees are waived.
- Free rate review and analysis.
- 24/7 customer support.
- Chargeback prevention tools.
Cons
- Processing rates and monthly costs are not readily available on its website.
- Monthly volume limit may apply.
Our pick for
Nonprofits
Dharma Merchant Services
for most industries; $12 for nonprofits.
Pros
- Low processing rates.
- Pricing transparency.
- Reduced rates for large monthly processing volume.
- 24-hour help lines.
- Virtual terminal included.
Cons
- Monthly fee.
- Account closure fee.
Our pick for
QuickBooks loyalists
QuickBooks Payments
QuickBooks subscription required.
Pros
- No contract.
- No cancellation fees.
- Competitive pricing.
- Instant deposits are available for an extra 1% fee.
- Invoice formatting lets customers pay online.
Cons
- QuickBooks Desktop users and new customers may pay higher fees.
- 24/7 phone support is not available.
Got feedback on these products?
Tell our Nerds what you think about the offerings here to help us refine our product evaluations.
Helcim: Best overall option
- 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.
- $99 for a mobile card reader (with stand).
- $329 for a standalone terminal with built-in thermal printer.
Square: Best flat-rate option
- 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.
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant Plus plan.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
- $89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
- $192 and up for Square Restaurant Essentials Bundle.
- Custom pricing for Square Retail Premium plan.
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $49 and up for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
- $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included; monthly financing available).
- $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
- $799 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).
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.
- $12 for nonprofits.
- $15 for business to business, e-commerce, hospitality, retail and restaurant.
- $149 for Walker 2 chip, swipe and NFC card reader.
- $295 for First Data FD-150, Verifone Engage V200c, Ingenico Desk/3500 or Dejavoo Z11 terminals.
- $369 for Ingenico Desk/5000 terminal.
- $480 for FD-150, Desk/3500, V200c or Z11 terminals plus a separate pinpad.
- $649 for Clover Flex mobile card reader with printer.
- $899 for Clover Mini POS device.
- $1,649 for Clover Station Solo POS bundle.
- $1,999 for Clover Station Duo POS bundle.
Stripe: Best flat rate for online sales
- 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.
- $0 for standard Stripe Connect.
- $2 per account for Stripe Express (for marketplaces) or Stripe Custom (the white-label option that allows businesses to customize the checkout process).
- $59 for Stripe Reader M2.
- $249 for BBPOS WisePOS E card reader.
- $349 for Stripe Reader S700.
Payment Depot: Best for tailored interchange-plus rates
- 0.2%-1.95% plus interchange.
PaymentCloud: Best for high-risk businesses
- 2.4% plus 10 cents for low-risk retail merchants.
- 2.8% plus 25 cents for medium-risk businesses, like e-commerce shops.
- 3.5% plus 25 cents for high-risk merchants.
National Processing: Best for free terminal
- Basic In-Person Package: 2.5% plus 10 cents per transaction.
- Basic E-Commerce Package: 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction.
- Advanced Package: 2.41% plus 10 cents.
- Premium Package: quote-based.
- $9.95 for Basic In-Person Package, Basic E-Commerce Package.
- $9.95 and up for Premium Package (for businesses with monthly sales volumes exceeding $30,000).
- $19 and up for Advanced Package.
QuickBooks Payments: Best for QuickBooks loyalists
- 2.5% for in-person payments.
- 2.99% for online and invoiced payments.
- 3.5% for manually keyed payments.
- 1% for ACH transactions.
- 2.4% plus 30 cents per swiped transaction.
- 3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
- 1.6% plus 30 cents per swiped transaction.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
- $0 if you already have a QuickBooks Online plan.
- $30 ($15 for first three months) for Simple Start plan for new QuickBooks users.
- $60 ($30 for first three months) for Essentials plan for new QuickBooks users.
- $90 ($45 for first three months) for Plus plan for new QuickBooks users.
- $200 ($100 for first three months) for Advanced plan for new QuickBooks users.
- QuickBooks Desktop users pay an annual subscription fee for the accounting software.
- $39 for QuickBooks charging stand.
- $49 for QuickBooks card reader.
- $79 for QuickBooks card reader with charging stand.
U.S. Bank Merchant Services: Best for fast deposits
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for keyed payments.
- $0 for Mobile plan.
- $15 for Terminal plan.
- $29 for Starter plan.
- $69 for Standard plan.
- $99 for Premium plan.
- $29 for each additional software license.
Chase Payment Solutions: Best for built-in banking partner
- 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.
- $79 for Chase card reader.
- $499 for Chase card terminal.