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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe lowest-cost setup is rarely one payment provider or one advertised rate. Match the method to the sale: use a card-present reader or Tap to Pay for a shop counter, hosted checkout or payment links for online orders, invoices for remote sales, and ACH when a customer will pay directly from a bank account. Then calculate your effective cost—including fixed fees, software, hardware, refunds and chargebacks—on your own transaction mix.
US rates and rules change by provider, plan, transaction type and date. The examples below are published US figures and decision steps, not a promise that any provider is universally cheapest.
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Start with the cheapest method for each sales channel
Payment providers price transactions according to how the customer pays and how the payment is captured. A card tapped at your counter is generally treated differently from a card number typed into a virtual terminal. A bank transfer can have a lower percentage cost, but it may create more customer friction or settle on a different timetable.
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In-store purchases
Use a contactless chip reader, a conventional card reader, or a compatible phone with Tap to Pay. Keeping the card and customer present reduces manual entry and makes the checkout flow easier to explain. Cash and checks can have no processing fee, but they require counting, storage, deposit controls and a plan for returned checks.
#1 Best Overall
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Get set up quickly with no long-term commitments. Download the Square Point of Sale app for free, create an account, and start taking payments anywhere.
- Run your business all in one place with the free Square Point of Sale app. Track your sales, manage inventory, accept tips, send receipts digitally, and more.
- Works with Apple devices with a Lightning connector.
Online orders
Use a hosted checkout page, an integrated checkout, or a payment link. These are card-not-present transactions and normally carry a higher percentage and fixed fee than an in-person tap. A hosted page also avoids storing card data in your own systems, although you still need to configure shipping, refunds and fraud controls correctly.
Remote or custom sales
Invoices and payment links work for phone orders, deposits, repairs and other sales where the customer is not at the counter. Keying a card number into a virtual terminal is convenient, but manual-entry rates can be higher and the transaction may be more exposed to disputes.
Larger or recurring invoices
Offer ACH when the customer is comfortable authorizing a bank transfer. On a large invoice, a percentage-only fee can be materially lower than a card percentage plus a fixed fee. Check the provider’s minimum, cap, settlement timing, return process and whether recurring debits are supported before making ACH your default.
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What actually makes up a processing fee
The Federal Trade Commission describes a card payment chain involving the cardholder, issuing bank, merchant, acquirer or processor, and payment-card network. The merchant discount taken from a sale includes interchange and other processing charges. Your statement may therefore show several line items even when the provider advertises one blended rate.
That distinction matters when comparing offers. A flat-rate plan is easy to forecast at low volume, while interchange-plus or a negotiated arrangement can be more economical once your volume and card mix justify the extra statement detail. Ask the processor to identify every recurring and per-event charge rather than comparing only the headline percentage.
Rank #2
- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
- Accept contactless payments, chip cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from anywhere, with improved connectivity, extended battery life, and enhanced security. Pay one low rate for every tap or dip.
- No long-term commitments or contracts, no monthly fees- and with offline payments, keep taking payments for up to 24 hours.
- Safely and securely accepts payments anywhere. Plus, get data security, 24/7 fraud prevention, and payment-dispute management at no extra cost.
- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
Published US examples to use as a starting point
The following figures are examples published for the United States. Square notes that its rates can change and vary by plan. PayPal publishes separate tables by payment type, currency and service, so a single PayPal percentage would be misleading. Stripe explains that its pricing generally combines a percentage with a fixed amount, but the applicable price depends on the product and account terms.
| Payment route | Published example or structure | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Square, card-present | 2.6% + 15¢, 2.5% + 15¢ or 2.4% + 15¢, depending on plan | Which plan applies, eligible card types, refunds, chargebacks and any negotiated rate |
| Square, online/API | 3.3% + 30¢ or 2.9% + 30¢ | Checkout product, API terms, recurring billing and dispute fees |
| Square, manual entry or card on file | 3.5% + 15¢ | Whether your virtual-terminal or stored-card workflow is classified this way |
| Square, ACH | 1%, with a $1 minimum and caps shown on the provider’s fee page | The current cap, settlement timing, returns and customer authorization flow |
| Square, cash or check | No payment-processing fee | Cash handling, deposit controls and returned-check risk |
| PayPal | Separate US fee tables for QR, invoicing, alternative payment methods, ACH disbursements, crypto and other services | The exact service, currency, funding source, dispute treatment and payout terms |
| PayPal, Pay with Crypto | 0.99% through July 31, 2026; 1.5% on or after August 1, 2026, according to the dated US fee information | Whether the transaction date, service and region match the published table |
| Stripe | Generally a percentage plus a small fixed amount; product-specific pricing applies | The exact Stripe product, payment method, currency, disputes, refunds and payout schedule |
Square says its Free plan has no monthly subscription cost and that a business can accept payments without buying hardware through invoices, payment links, a virtual terminal, Tap to Pay on iPhone or Tap to Pay on Android. It also says businesses processing more than $250,000 per year can ask about custom pricing and processing fees. Treat those as the provider’s stated US options and thresholds, not as a guarantee for every account.
Stripe reported that swipe fees cost US businesses more than $198 billion in 2025. That is Stripe’s 2026 figure and should not be read as an independent government estimate.
Calculate your effective cost before choosing a plan
Use this formula for each channel:
Effective cost = (processing fees + software + hardware amortization + chargebacks) ÷ sales.
Separate card-present, online, manually keyed and ACH volume. Combining them can hide the fact that a low in-person rate is being offset by expensive online orders or keyed payments.
Rank #3
- With Square Terminal, you can ring up sales, accept payments, and print receipts, all with one device. Use it at the counter or ring up customers anywhere in your store.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one low rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts.
- Process chip cards in just two seconds.
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
Worked example: a $35 in-store ticket
Suppose a shop processes 2,000 in-person card sales a month, averaging $35 each, for $70,000 in sales. At 2.6% + 15¢, the fee is $1.06 per transaction ($0.91 percentage fee plus $0.15), or $2,120 for the month. The effective rate is 3.03%.
At 2.4% + 15¢, the same ticket costs $0.99, or $1,980 monthly, producing a 2.83% effective rate. The 0.2-percentage-point headline difference saves $140 in this example; whether a higher-priced plan is worthwhile depends on its subscription and features.
Worked example: online checkout and ACH
At 3.3% + 30¢, a $35 online order costs $1.455, or about $2,910 for 2,000 orders. That is a 4.16% effective rate before software, refunds or disputes.
For a $200 invoice, a 1% ACH fee would be $2 if the provider’s minimum and cap do not change the calculation. A 2.6% + 15¢ card-present fee on the same amount would be $5.35. ACH can therefore be attractive for high-value invoices, but the customer must accept a bank transfer and you must understand return and settlement rules.
Eight steps to lower payment costs
- Export three months of transactions. Record channel, average ticket, card type, refunds, disputes, payout timing and monthly sales. Include software and hardware costs.
- Price each channel separately. Request card-present, online, keyed, card-on-file and ACH pricing rather than one blended estimate.
- Ask about debit routing. FTC guidance says merchants should ask their acquirer or processor whether eligible debit transactions can use a lower-cost network, review the invoice together and shop around.
- Compare flat-rate and interchange-plus offers. For irregular or modest volume, a no-monthly-fee plan may be easier to control. At material volume, request an interchange-plus or custom quote and compare the effective result.
- Demand a complete fee sheet. Get monthly software, PCI, gateway, refund, chargeback, retrieval, terminal, statement and early-termination fees in writing.
- Test before buying equipment. If sales are small, seasonal or mobile, try invoices, payment links, a virtual terminal or phone-based Tap to Pay before purchasing a full POS terminal.
- Price ACH for suitable orders. Use it for customers who already trust your business and for larger invoices where the fixed card fee is significant. Display authorization instructions and a card alternative.
- Recheck annually and after volume changes. A plan that was economical at $10,000 a month may not be best at $70,000, and a custom quote may become available after your business crosses the provider’s stated volume threshold.
Choosing a reader, phone or no hardware
Contactless chip reader
A reader is the most direct physical checkout option for a store. It lets customers tap or insert a card and is easier to share across staff than one employee’s phone. Confirm supported phones, connection type, receipt options, battery life, replacement policy and offline behavior before purchase.
Rank #4
- Pay one transparent rate per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
- Works in conjunction with most downloadable Square point-of-sale apps on your device. Customers can pay, tip and sign directly on your device. Track payments in cash, gift cards and more. Also lets you send receipts via e-mail or text message, makes it easy to apply discounts, keeps a data and sales history log and more.
- Accepts magstripe credit card payments, including those from Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express (fees apply).
- App sends deposits to your bank account within 1 to 2 business days, or enjoy instant deposits (fees apply).
Tap to Pay on a phone
Tap to Pay can eliminate an upfront reader for compatible iPhone or Android devices. It is useful for markets, curbside pickup, appointments and a shop with only occasional card volume. Confirm operating-system compatibility, device security requirements, contactless-card support and what happens when connectivity is interrupted.
Hosted links and invoices
These require no counter hardware and can be sent by email or message. They are practical for deposits and remote orders, but the resulting transaction is online or card-not-present, so compare its rate with the in-person rate rather than assuming the same economics.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Operational and compliance issues that can erase savings
Refunds and chargebacks
Ask whether a refunded transaction returns the original processing fee. Also ask about dispute fees, evidence deadlines and whether fraud screening is included or billed separately. A small rate advantage can disappear if your product category has frequent disputes.
Payout timing and cash flow
Compare when funds become available, weekend and holiday handling, reserve policies and ACH settlement. A cheaper method that delays payroll cash may cost more through overdrafts or short-term borrowing.
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Offline mode can keep a checkout moving during a connectivity outage, but it may leave you responsible if an offline transaction is later declined. Confirm limits, reconnection requirements and liability in the provider agreement before enabling it.
Best Value
- With Square Handheld, you can accept payments, take tableside orders, or scan barcodes anywhere. With a slim design and comfortable grip, the POS is easy to carry in your palm or pocket. Square Handheld is designed to withstand water splashes and dust. Add an optional protective case for accidental drops. A long-lasting battery and offline payments let you keep selling.
- Slim, pocketable, and lightweight so you can accept payments wherever your customers are.
- Take tableside orders, bust lines, or use the built-in barcode scanner, all with one sleek device.
- A battery that can power through your shift and offline payments let you keep selling, even if your internet is down.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one simple rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts required.
PCI and customer data
Use hosted checkout or a certified reader to reduce the systems that handle card data, but do not assume compliance is automatic. Keep devices updated, restrict staff access, retain receipts securely and complete any required PCI self-assessment.
Discounts and minimums
FTC guidance says US merchants may offer clearly disclosed discounts and may set a credit-card minimum of up to $10 under the conditions described in its guidance. Surcharges, debit treatment, signage and minimums can also be governed by state law, country rules, card-network requirements and your processor contract. Check all four before changing prices at the register.
Questions to put in every provider quote
- What is the all-in rate for my card-present, online, keyed and ACH volumes?
- Are there monthly, annual, PCI, gateway, statement or software charges?
- What are the hardware price, warranty, replacement and compatibility requirements?
- How are refunds, partial refunds, chargebacks and retrieval requests billed?
- When do funds settle, and are reserves or rolling holds possible?
- Can eligible debit transactions route over another network?
- What integrations, receipts, inventory features and support channels are included?
- Does the system support offline transactions, and who bears the risk of a later decline?
- What are the geographic, currency and card-type limitations?
- Is custom pricing available at my annual volume, and can the provider lock the quoted terms?
A practical decision rule
Choose the method that minimizes your measured effective cost without creating unacceptable checkout friction. For a small shop with occasional card sales, a no-subscription plan and phone-based Tap to Pay can avoid unnecessary hardware. For a busy counter, compare the fixed fee at your average ticket and consider a dedicated contactless reader. For online or remote orders, price the card-not-present rate separately. For high-value invoices, calculate ACH after applying its minimum, cap and settlement conditions.
Recalculate whenever your average ticket, online share, annual volume or dispute rate changes. The cheapest digital-payment strategy is a channel-by-channel policy backed by your own numbers, not a single advertised percentage.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
