Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
We evaluated the most popular merchant services and picked our favorites. They can help you accept credit card payments and some even provide hardware and point-of-sale systems. The right option for you depends on your business's sales volume and preferred payment methods. Some providers support in-person business, while others only support e-commerce. Make sure the provider services your industry and the pricing structure fits your budget.
| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 U.S. Bank Merchant Services POS | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 and up. Varies dependent upon account setup. | on U.S. Bank Merchant Services POS's secure website, Member FDIC | ||
 Chase Payment Solutions℠ | 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 | ||
 Helcim | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0 | on Helcim's secure website | ||
 Stripe | In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 | on Stripe Payments' secure website | ||
 Square POS | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 3.3% + $0.30 | $0 and up. | on Square POS's secure website |
U.S. Bank Merchant Services POS
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up. Varies dependent upon account setup.
Learn more on U.S. Bank's website, Member FDIC
Pros
- No termination fees.
- Free plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- 24/7 phone support, plus a dedicated customer account manager.
- Provides in-house banking services.
Cons
- Must contact the bank for full POS system pricing.
- May charge setup fee, depending on installation needs.
- Online ordering and accounting integrations are only available in Standard and Premium plans.
- Offline mode isn’t standard for all plans.
Chase Payment Solutions℠
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.
Cons
- Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
- Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.
Helcim
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Stripe
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.
Best overall POS system
Square POS
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
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Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up. Varies dependent upon account setup.
on U.S. Bank's website, Member FDIC
Pros
- No termination fees.
- Free plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- 24/7 phone support, plus a dedicated customer account manager.
- Provides in-house banking services.
Cons
- Must contact the bank for full POS system pricing.
- May charge setup fee, depending on installation needs.
- Online ordering and accounting integrations are only available in Standard and Premium plans.
- Offline mode isn’t standard for all plans.
U.S. Bank Merchant Services POS
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up. Varies dependent upon account setup.
on U.S. Bank's website, Member FDIC
Pros
- No termination fees.
- Free plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- 24/7 phone support, plus a dedicated customer account manager.
- Provides in-house banking services.
Cons
- Must contact the bank for full POS system pricing.
- May charge setup fee, depending on installation needs.
- Online ordering and accounting integrations are only available in Standard and Premium plans.
- Offline mode isn’t standard for all plans.
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.
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℠
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.
Cons
- Some hardware pricing is not readily available.
- Chase’s Business Complete checking account comes with a $15 monthly service fee for some merchants.
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Helcim
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
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
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.
Best overall POS system
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Best overall POS system
Square POS
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.