Merchant services, also referred to as payment processors, are a necessary but frustrating part of running a business. The providers in this guide offer fair pricing and transparent practices.
10 Best Merchant Services of 2023
This article is part of a larger series on Payments.
Merchant services allow businesses to accept credit and debit card payments. Many also offer additional tools such as payment gateways, virtual terminals, and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
The best solutions offer competitive rates, month-to-month contracts with no cancellation fees, and flexible solutions for processing in-person and online transactions.
Note that there are several pricing structures for merchant services. To truly compare pricing side-by-side, you should request a quote or use a tool like our calculator below.
The best merchant services for small businesses are:
- Best overall: Square
- Cheapest: Helcim
- Best direct processor: Chase Payment Solutions
- Best with no percentage markup: Payment Depot
- Best for transparency: Dharma
- Best for surcharging: Stax
- Best for online payments: Stripe
- Best for QuickBooks users: QuickBooks
- Best for occasional sales: PayPal
- Best approval odds: PaymentCloud
These processors were selected by Meaghan Brophy and Anna Dizon. Together, we have more than 10 years of experience reviewing payment processors. We evaluated over 30 options across 22 data points. We also considered our own experience using the processors and interacting with customer support and feedback from real small businesses.
Best Merchant Services Compared
Pricing Structure | Monthly Fee | Swipe/Chip Transaction | Online Transaction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Flat rate | $0 | 2.6% + 10 cents | 2.9% + 30 cents |
 | Interchange plus | $0 | Interchange + 0.4% + 8 cents | Interchange + 0.5% + 25 cents |
 | Flat rate or interchange plus | $0 | 2.6% + 10 cents | 2.9% + 25 cents |
 | Subscription | $79 | Interchange + 8 cents | Interchange + 18 cents |
 | Interchange plus | $25 | Interchange + 0.15% + 8 cents | Interchange + 0.2% + 11 cents |
 | Subscription | $99–$199 | Interchange + 8 cents | Interchange + 18 cents |
 | Flat rate | $0 | 2.7% + 5 cents | 2.9% + 30 cents |
 | Flat rate | $0* | 2.4% + 25 cents | 2.9% + 25 cents |
 | Flat rate | $0–$30 | 2.29% + 9 cents** | 2.99% + 49 cents |
 | Varies | $0–$45 | 2%-3.5% | 2.8% - 4.3% |
Enter your typical monthly sales volume and average order value or ticket size to see how much you would pay each month with each processor, along with your effective rate:
Interchange rates are the fees charged by the card-issuing bank to process card transactions. Average interchange rates are typically around 1.8%, although they vary widely based on the type of transaction and card. Learn more about interchange rates.
Quiz: Which Payment Processor Is Right for You?
Square: Best Merchant Services for Small Businesses
Overall Score:
4.49 / 5
Pros
- Transparent, predictable pricing
- Free, user-friendly software
- No application, contract, monthly fees, or minimum requirements
Cons
- Account stability issues
- Automated clearing house (ACH) processing only available through invoicing feature
- Not compatible with high-risk businesses
What we like:
Square is an all-in-one merchant services provider, meaning it can process payments in-store and online as well as via mobile, virtual terminal, invoice, and even quick response (QR) code payments. The simplest merchant account provider to get started with, Square is free to use except for pay-as-you-go transaction fees.
Easy, low-cost, and flexible merchant services, combined with the best free POS software, makes Square the best value for new and small businesses. It is also our leading free merchant account.
As soon as you create your free Square account, you can accept credit card payments, record cash and check sales, process invoices, set up an online checkout or ordering system, and accept contactless payments.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Card-present transaction fee: 2.6% + 10 cents
- Ecommerce and invoice transaction fee: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Card-not-present transaction fee: 3.5% + 15 cents
- Contract length: None, pay-as-you-go billing
- Early termination fee: $0
- Chargeback fee: None, plus up to $250 per month for chargeback protection
- Card reader: $49
Magstripe Reader | Contactless and Chip Reader | Square Terminal |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
First free, additional $10 | $49 | $299 or $27 per month for 12 months |
Accepts payments via magstripe (swiped), available in jack or lightning connector. | Bluetooth reader that accepts EMV (chip), and near-field communications (NFC), such as Apple Pay and Google Pay payments. Optional countertop dock and phone case mount. | Stand-alone mobile POS that can take orders, accept card payments, and issue receipts with built-in printer. |
Square is one of our favorite tools for small businesses. Learn more about all Square has to offer:
- What is Square?
- Square Point-of-Sale (POS) Review
- How to Use Square to Process Credit Cards
- Square Fees & Pricing Guide (+ Calculators)
Helcim: Cheapest Option
Overall Score:
4.46 / 5
Pros
- Interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fee
- No contracts or early termination fees
- Free POS, customer relationship management (CRM), invoicing, and online store software
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations
- Not suitable for brand new or high-risk businesses
- Strict approval process
What we like:
Helcim is an all-in-one merchant account provider. Similar to Square, it comes with free sophisticated sales solutions, including a fully hosted online store, invoicing software, POS app, a mobile payment app, basic inventory tracking, hosted payment pages, and more.
Like Payment Depot and Stax by Fattmerchant, Helcim offers interchange-plus pricing, which is great for businesses doing heavy volume.
Unlike the others, it has no monthly fee and offers automated discounts as you scale. Helcim’s free software, interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fee, and transparent volume discounts make it the best and most affordable choice. In fact, we rated it the cheapest credit card processor for small businesses.cc
New for July 2023: Zero-cost Payment Processing
Helcim is launching a new program called Helcim Fee Saver which allows merchants to pass processing fees over to customers via a “convenience fee” for certain types of transactions like invoices and online payments.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Card-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 0.4% + 8 cents*
- Card-not-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 0.5% + 25 cents*
- Contract length: None, pay-as-you-go billing
- Early termination fee: $0
- Chargeback fee: $15 per lost dispute
- Card readers: $109
- POS terminal: $349
*Starting rates. Volume discounts are automatically applied to businesses processing more than $25,000 monthly.
New for July 2023: Helcim is launching an all-in-one touch-screen Smart Terminal for payment processing, point of sale, inventory, and customer management all in one device. And, it comes with a built-in receipt printer.
Since Square launched its Square Terminal all-in-one device a few years ago, more processors have been releasing similar products, with Helcim being the latest. Stripe is also launching a similar product, which we detail below.
Card Reader | Smart Terminal |
|---|---|
 |  |
$109 | $349 |
Tap, Chip & PIN transactions | Tap, Chip & PIN transactions |
Email receipts, batch history, inventory tracking | Email & print receipts, batch history, inventory tracking, built-in POS, employee logins |
Chase: Best Direct Processor
Overall Score:
4.04 / 5
Pros
- Direct processor
- Same-day funding for Chase Business Checking customers
- Negotiable rates
- Leverages all Chase network data to offer business insights
Cons
- Some plans require long-term contracts
- Not all pricing disclosed on website
- Best value for Chase banking customers
What we like:
Chase Payment Solutions (formerly Chase Merchant Services) offers merchant services for any business looking to work with a traditional bank, especially if your business accounts are with Chase. Having Chase as both the processor and receiving bank in transactions can provide speed and security by removing the intermediary.
Chase Business Checking customers really get the best value from using Chase as a merchant service provider. With a checking account, you can access Chase QuickAccept, a free mobile payments app that includes same-day deposits and dispute management.
Chase is one of the few direct processors that offer flat-rate fees for small businesses. Larger businesses can also negotiate competitive interchange-plus pricing, like you’d find with Helcim.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Card-present transaction fee: 2.6% plus 10 cents
- Card-not-present transaction fee: 2.9% plus 25 cents
- Contract length: Most plans are month-to-month
- Early termination fee: $0
- Chargeback fee: $25
- Card readers: Quoted price
Chase Smart Terminal* | Countertop Terminal | Mobile Terminal | Chase QuickAccept Mobile Card Reader* |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
$399 | $299 | $399 | $49.95 |
Wireless, Wi-Fi-enabled credit card terminal with digital and email receipts, transaction search, and more. | Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection with 24/7 support. Color screens with tipping functions and built-in receipt printers. | Same as the countertop terminal, but with a mobile battery that can power 450 transactions between charges. | Use the Chase Mobile app and optional card reader to accept swipe, chip, and contactless payments on the go. |
Payment Depot: Best for No Percentage Markup
Overall Score:
4.01 / 5
Pros
- Low-cost membership pricing
- No contract or cancellation fee
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Low processing limits on plans
- Limited online support
- US merchants only
What we like:
Payment Depot is a merchant service provider with a membership pricing model that offers payment processing at extremely competitive rates. One membership with Payment Depot includes interchange-plus pricing for card-present, online, virtual terminal, and mobile payments.
Payment Depot is also one of two interchange-plus processors on this list that does not add a percentage markup—just a flat fee of 8 cents for card-present transactions and 18 cents for card-not-present transactions.
Payment Depot’s flexible model with affordable pricing makes it one of the cheapest credit card processors for small established businesses, including retailers, restaurants, salons, auto shops, medical practices, and B2B companies.
- Monthly fee: $79 (for up to $250,000 annual sales volume)
- Card-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 8 cents
- Card-not-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 18 cents
- Contract length: Month-to-month
- Early termination fee: $0
- Chargeback fee: $25
- Card readers: From $49
- Other fees: Payment Depot will charge a $19.99 monthly fee for Payment Card Industry (PCI) noncompliance if you do not keep your business compliant
July 2023 Update
Earlier this year, Payment Depot changed to a single subscription plan of $79. However, there are volume restrictions and businesses processing $21,000 and more per month will pay higher monthly fees.
Payment Depot also no longer offers free equipment reprogramming or same-day funding options. However, since its merger with Stax, Payment Depot subscriptions now come with Stax’s software solutions including invoicing, Text2Pay, recurring payments, an analytics dashboard, and more.
Payment Depot has a wide selection of card readers available, including mobile and countertop solutions from popular brands like Clover, Poynt, and SwipeSimple. Those hardware items have quote-based pricing.
Dharma: Best Merchant Services for Transparent Pricing
Overall Score:
4.00 / 5
Pros
- Affordable and transparent pricing
- Next-day funding options
- Free MX Merchant account
Cons
- Higher markups for American Express transactions
- Not best for mobile
- Strict application process
What we like:
Dharma Merchant Services specializes in working with small businesses and is known for being very transparent and honest in its practices. Every single fee—even account closure fees—is listed on Dharma’s website. In addition to transparency and affordable pricing, Dharma is an eco-friendly company and, to date, has donated over $750,000 to nonprofits.
Dharma offers low-cost interchange-plus pricing to low-risk merchants processing at least $10,000 monthly. Merchants processing more than $100,000 or 5,000 transactions qualify for volume discounts, which are also available on Dharma’s website. There are also special rates for restaurants with low average tickets.
- Monthly fee: $25
- Card-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 0.15% plus 8 cents
- Card-not-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 0.20% plus 11 cents
- American Express card-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 0.25%
- American Express card-not-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 0.3%
- Contract length: Month-to-month
- Account closure fee: $49
- Chargeback fee: $25
- Card readers: $269 to $479 for full terminal
- Clover POS systems available
Verifone Engage V200c Terminal | FD-150 Terminal | Ingenico Desk/5000 for B2B | Dejavoo Z11 |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
$295 | $295 | $369 | $295 |
Accepting swipe, chip, PIN, and contactless payments and print receipts. Compatible with B2B payments, level 2 rates, and multimerchant configuration. | Accept swipe, chip, PIN, and contactless payments. Print receipts and reports and connect optional customer-facing displays. | Swipe, chip, PIN, and contactless payments, including B2B card-present transactions. Hardwire, Wi-Fi, or 4G cellular connectivity. | Swipe, chip, PIN, and contactless payments. Compatible with MX Advantage to program surcharging. |
Dharma has additional terminals available with external-facing PIN pads designed for accepting tips. Additionally, because Dharma is part of the TSYS network, it is compatible with many POS systems. You can also purchase Clover POS hardware, including Clover Flex, Mini, and Station, through Dharma.
Stax: Best for Surcharging & Recurring Billing
Overall Score:
3.89 / 5
Pros
- Membership model interchange-plus pricing
- User-friendly software
- Unique add-on tools
Cons
- Pricey software packages
- Lack of pricing transparency
- Not ideal for new and low-volume businesses
What we like:
Stax (Formerly Fattmerchant) is a popular merchant service provider with dedicated solutions for small and large businesses, as well as SaaS platforms. Similar to Payment Depot, Stax offers membership-based interchange-plus pricing. However, Stax’s pricing plans are targeted more toward growing small businesses processing at least $20,000 per month.
In November 2021, Stax acquired CardX, an automated credit card surcharge platform that passes processing fees through to customers. This feature is now available through Stax where permitted by state and local guidelines. This makes Stax an ideal option for businesses that want to pass along processing fees through surcharging.
Additionally, Stax offers robust invoicing, card-on-file payments, and recurring billing tools—more than what you would find through Helcim or PayPal, for example.
Stax also offers short message service (SMS) text-to-pay solutions, white-label customer portals, and robust reporting, which are also not common offerings. These tools are ideal for growing businesses that primarily collect payments through online billing or invoicing, such as professional services.
- Monthly fee: From $99 (depends on processing volume and software packages)
- Card-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 8 cents
- Card-not-present transaction fee: Interchange plus 18 cents
- Contract length: Month-to-month, 30-days’ notice to cancel
- Early termination fee: $0
- Chargeback fee: $25
- Card readers: Custom quote
Stax hardware is custom-quoted. A selection of BBPOS mobile readers, Z terminals, and PAX terminals are available. We have previously been quoted $100 for mobile readers, $175 to $300 for Z terminals, and $500 to $650 for PAX models. These are available for purchase for a one-time fee, or through monthly fees with protection plans.
Stripe: Best Online Payment Processor
Overall Score:
3.88 / 5
Pros
- Powerful, user-friendly developer tools, and application programming interfaces (APIs)
- Robust security, reporting, and account management tools
- Supports more than 35 countries and 135 currencies
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing
Cons
- Limited functionality for in-person payments
- Best for those with software development skills or resources
What we like:
Stripe is a payment processor with sophisticated software and APIs ideal for online businesses. Stripe’s pre-built integrations make it easy to connect a Stripe checkout to almost any website or software. Besides PayPal, it’s the easiest to integrate for online sales.
One of the best features of Stripe is the number of different payment types it can work with. Accept ACH and echeck payments, WeChat, Klarna, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cross-border payments, and more.
With Stripe, you can configure subscriptions, recurring billing, or one-time payments for different checkout needs, such as per-seat pricing, metered billing, coupons, free trials, prorates, overages, and usage-based fees. You can also update expired or renewed customer card information automatically.
Though custom solutions are what Stripe is best at, it also offers several no-code options like payment links, adding a pricing table to your website, and setting up a basic checkout page.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Card-present transaction fee: 2.7% plus 5 cents
- Card-not-present transaction fee: 2.9% plus 30 cents
- Keyed-in transaction fee: 3.4% plus 30 cents
- 1% additional fee for international cards and currency conversion
- Contract length: None, pay-as-you-go billing
- Early termination fee: $0
- Chargeback fee: $15 per lost dispute
- Chargeback protection and coverage available for 0.4% transaction fee
- Card readers: $59–$349
New for Summer 2023: Stripe Reader S700
Stripe developed a new Android-based smart terminal that is slated to launch in the United States sometime this summer.
Stripe Reader M2 | BBPOS WisePOS E | Stripe Reader S700 |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
$59 | $249 | $349 |
Accept EMV chip, contactless, and mobile wallet payments. This battery-powered reader connects to your POS app via Bluetooth. | Android-based POS with a 5-inch display including PIN functionality. Connects to a third-party POS app via Wi-Fi. | Android-based smart reader for mobile and countertop use. Customize or use pre-built elements. Connects via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. |
Did you know? Stripe makes our list of:
QuickBooks: Best for QuickBooks Users
Overall Score:
3.87 / 5
Pros
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing
- Volume discounts for businesses processing more than $7,500 monthly
- Invoicing and recurring billing tools, including ACH payment processing
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting
Cons
- Only makes sense if you already use QuickBooks
- Limited hardware options
- Not ideal for high volume of card-present transactions or ecommerce payments
What we like:
QuickBooks Payments has a lot of strong features and good rates. If you regularly process over $7,500 a month, you can apply for a discount of up to 40% on transactions. The other processors on our list that offer discounts usually do so at a higher volume.
QuickBooks, along with many others on this list, rank among the best B2B payment solutions. It has Level 2 processing, which gets you cheaper rates for B2B transactions. It also has invoicing tools and lets you designate multiple accounts for deposits. However, you must have a QuickBooks account to use this service.
- Monthly fee: $30 (for QuickBooks Online)
- Card-present transaction fee: 2.4% plus 25 cents
- Invoice transaction fee: 2.9% plus 25 cents
- Keyed-in transaction fee: 3.4% plus 25 cents
- ACH transaction fee: 1%, $10 max
- Contract length: None
- Early termination fee: $0
- Chargeback fee: $25
- Card readers: $49
Note: Lower rates may be available with other QuickBooks plans. QuickBooks also frequently offers promotions on its subscriptions, so you may be able to get a lower initial monthly fee.
QuickBooks Card Reader |
|---|
 |
$49; $79 with Power Stand |
Accept EMV chip, debit, credit, Apple Pay, and Google Pay payments. Connects wirelessly to phone or tablet via Bluetooth for the QuickBooks GoPayment app. Stays charged for up to a week. |
QuickBooks offers a single mobile card reader option that is compatible with QuickBooks’ GoPayment mobile app. Countertop pin pads were previously available through QuickBooks POS, but the QuickBooks POS product is being discontinued.
You can also accept payments directly through the QuickBooks Online accounting software by sending an invoice or manually keying in the payment. Learn more in our tutorial on how to enter credit card transactions in QuickBooks Online.
Did you know?
Fit Small Business has an entire QuickBooks course led by our in-house CPA, Dr. Tim Yoder. See our QuickBooks tutorials for more information.
PayPal: Best for Ecommerce & Occasional Sales
Overall Score:
3.86 / 5
Pros
- Easy to use
- Trusted by customers
- Accept international and PayPal payments
Cons
- Account stability issues
- Monthly fee for virtual terminal
- Complex pricing
What we like:
PayPal is a household name offering user-friendly payment processing for online, mobile, and in-store sales. PayPal offers competitive flat-rate fees and is quick and easy to sign up for. It also has discounted rates for nonprofit organizations.
Plus, adding PayPal as a payment option can increase online store conversions and reduce cart abandonment because shoppers don’t need to type in payment or shipping information. PayPal alone makes this distinction and is often used with other merchant accounts like those on our list.
However, PayPal is not a traditional merchant account. This means business accounts can be flagged and frozen if the company deems anything suspicious, which is problematic for businesses relying on daily deposits. So, PayPal is a recommended option for low-volume and occasional sales or an additional payment option for online stores.
- Monthly fee: $0 to $30
- Card-present transaction fee: 2.29% plus 9 cents through PayPal Zettle (PayPal’s free POS app)
- Online transaction fee: 2.99% plus 49 cents
- PayPal Checkout transaction fee: 3.49% plus 49 cents
- Contract length: None, pay-as-you-go billing
- Early termination fee: $0
- Chargeback fee: $20
- Card readers: $29–$199
PayPal changes its pricing frequently. The rates in this guide were last updated May 2023. Check the PayPal website for current pricing.
PayPal launched Terminal in October 2022. All-in-one portable card readers and POS systems are gaining in popularity. Now Square, PayPal, Helcim, and Stripe offer similar terminal solutions.
PayPal Card Reader | PayPal Terminal |
|---|---|
 |  |
$79 (first one $29) | $199 (model with built-in barcode scanner available for $239) |
Accept chip, PIN, and contactless payments. Connect to Zettle POS app via Bluetooth. Battery lasts eight hours or 100 transactions. Optional charging dock available. | Portable touch-screen POS pre-programmed with PayPal Zettle. Accept chip, PIN, contactless, and QR payments. Battery lasts 12 hours (four to six hours with intensive use).
|
Still deciding if PayPal is right for you? Learn more:
PaymentCloud: Best Approval Odds
Overall Score:
3.78 / 5
Pros
- 98% of high-risk accounts are approved
- Excellent customer support
- Customized high-risk payment gateway
- Crypto and zero-cost processing available for low-risk businesses
Cons
- Pricing not disclosed
- Longer application and approval process
What we like:
PaymentCloud is a popular merchant service provider that specializes in high-risk accounts. The company has relationships with more than 10 banks and a step-by-step application process to help you submit all the documents needed to get approved by one of their partner banks. Even if other merchant account providers have turned you down, PaymentCloud can likely get you approved.
PaymentCloud does offer traditional merchant services in addition to high-risk account services. However, high-risk payment processing is what PaymentCloud is best known for. Many other merchant service providers refer high-risk businesses to PaymentCloud because of its excellent reputation in getting businesses approved.
- Monthly fee: $0–$45
- Typical low-risk transaction fees: 2%–3.1%
- Typical mid-risk transaction fees: 2.25%–3.4%
- Typical high-risk transaction fees: 2.7%–4.3%
- Discounts available for high-volume businesses
- Flat-rate and interchange rates available depending on business needs
- Contract length: None, month-to-month options available
- Early termination fees: Waived
- Chargeback fees: $25–$45
- Cross-border fees: 1%–2%
- 1000+ integrations available, no API required
PaymentCloud has many options for card readers and POS systems. However, PaymentCloud does not disclose specific models or pricing on its site. You’ll need to contact PaymentCloud for a specific quote.
If you’re migrating over to PaymentCloud from a different processor, PaymentCloud will reprogram your existing equipment if possible.
How We Evaluated the Best Merchant Services
We evaluated dozens of payment processors across 22 data points divided into the categories of Pricing and Contract, Payment Types, Account Features, and Expert Score. Anna and I also considered our personal experience using each processor, feedback from small business owners, and our own interactions with customer support for the different systems.
We only considered processors that offer flat-rate, subscription, or interchange-plus pricing and excluded processors that only offer tiered pricing models because they can be misleading for small businesses.
Click through the categories below for our full criteria:
30%
Pricing & Contract
30%
Payment Types
20%
Account Features
20%
Expert Score
30% of Overall Score
Transaction fees weighed heavily here. We also awarded points for month-to-month or pay-as-you-go billing and no monthly, cancellation, or chargeback fees. and only included providers that offer competitive and predictable flat-rate or interchange-plus pricing. We also awarded points to processors that offer volume discounts.
30% of Overall Score
The best merchant accounts can accept various payment types, including POS and card-present transactions, mobile payments, contactless payments, ecommerce transactions, and ACH and echeck payments, and offer free virtual terminal and invoicing solutions for phone orders, recurring billing, and card-on-file payments.
20% of Overall Score
20% of Overall Score
*Percentages of overall score
Meet the Experts
 | Meaghan Brophy has about five years of experience evaluating payment processors at Fit Small Business, including testing systems first-hand and interviewing small businesses on their experiences. Previously, Meaghan has 10+ years of experience working in independent retail. |
 | Anna Dizon has over five years of experience evaluating payment processors for Fit Small Business. Before that, she worked for PayPal and handled payments automation for a risk mitigation company. |
Applying for Your Merchant Account
Choosing the merchant services you want for your business is just the beginning. Depending on the solution you choose, you’ll need to submit an application.
Our guide walks you through the application process, the documents you’ll need, red flags to watch out for, and tips for negotiating lower rates.
Thank you for downloading!
Merchant Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Anything under 2.5% is good and under 3% is average.
Small businesses typically pay between 1.9% to 3.75% per transaction, with online and card-not present transactions being more expensive.
550 is the minimum credit score you’ll likely need for a dedicated merchant account. Aggregate payment processors (like Square or PayPal) don’t require a credit check. However, aggregate processors aren’t compatible with all businesses. It’s possible to get a merchant account with bad credit, you just may need to work with a dedicated high-risk processor.
Square is the best option for many businesses. Helcim offers low pricing, and PaymentCloud is excellent if you’re having trouble getting approved.
No. In some cases, you can pass along the fees to your customers through surcharging, cash discounting, or convenience fees, but there is no way to accept credit or debit payments without a fee.
Bottom Line
Choosing the right merchant account provider can save your business lots of money in fees each month. The best payment processors are also easy to use, offer good value with business solutions, and integrate with popular software. Plus, merchant accounts should be transparent and reliable.
Visit Square, our top pick, to see if it’s a good fit for your business.
