Credit Card Processing Rates
A comprehensive comparison of processing rates from every major provider, plus a breakdown of how pricing models work so you know exactly what you're paying for.
Side-by-Side Rate Comparison
| Processor | Pricing Model | In-Person | Online | International | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Flat-rate | 2.7% + $0.05 | 2.9% + $0.30 | +1.5% | None |
| Square | Flat-rate | 2.6% + $0.10 | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3.3% + $0.30 | None (free POS plan) |
| PayPal | Flat-rate | 2.29% + $0.09 (Zettle) | 3.49% + $0.49 | +1.5% | None |
| Adyen | Interchange-plus | Interchange + $0.12 | Interchange + $0.12 | Interchange + $0.12 + scheme fees | None (minimum invoice $120/mo) |
| Fiserv (First Data) | Interchange-plus or Tiered | Varies (interchange-plus or tiered) | Varies (interchange-plus or tiered) | Varies | $0–$100+ depending on plan |
| Worldpay (FIS) | Interchange-plus (negotiated) | Varies (custom pricing) | Varies (custom pricing) | Custom | Custom |
| Chase Payment Solutions | Flat-rate | 2.6% + $0.10 | 2.9% + $0.25 | Varies | None |
| Helcim | Interchange-plus | Interchange + 0.3% + $0.08 | Interchange + 0.5% + $0.25 | Interchange + markup | None |
Rates current as of April 2026. Always verify with the processor directly. "Interchange +" rates will vary based on card type and transaction method.
Understanding Pricing Models
Flat-Rate Pricing
The simplest model: you pay the same percentage + fixed fee on every transaction, regardless of card type. Stripe (2.9% + $0.30 online) and Square (2.6% + $0.10 in-person) are classic examples.
Pros
- Simple and predictable
- No monthly fees or minimums
- Easy to understand statements
Cons
- More expensive at higher volumes
- You overpay on debit card transactions
- No volume discounts
Best for: Businesses processing under $25K/month, those who value simplicity, startups.
Interchange-Plus Pricing
The most transparent model. You pay the actual interchange fee (set by the card networks) plus a fixed markup from your processor. For example, "interchange + 0.3% + $0.10" means you pay whatever Visa/MC charges plus the processor's small markup.
Pros
- Most cost-effective at volume
- Full transparency into costs
- Save on debit card transactions
Cons
- Variable monthly costs
- Complex statements to read
- May have monthly minimums
Best for: Businesses processing $25K+/month, cost-conscious merchants, anyone willing to read their statements.
Tiered Pricing
Transactions are bucketed into tiers — typically "qualified," "mid-qualified," and "non-qualified" — each with different rates. The processor decides which tier each transaction falls into.
We generally recommend avoiding tiered pricing. The processor controls which tier your transactions land in, making it difficult to predict costs and easy to overpay. Interchange-plus provides better transparency at similar or lower cost.
Subscription / Membership Pricing
You pay a fixed monthly fee plus a small per-transaction fee (e.g., $79/month + interchange + $0.08). This eliminates the percentage markup, which can save significant money for high-volume merchants. Payment Depot and Stax are examples of this model.
Best for: High-volume businesses ($100K+/month) where the monthly fee is easily offset by per-transaction savings.
What Determines Your Actual Rate?
Even with the same processor, your effective rate depends on:
- Card type: Debit cards have lower interchange than credit cards. Rewards cards cost more than basic cards. Corporate cards cost more than consumer cards.
- Transaction method: Card-present (swiped/tapped) costs less than card-not-present (keyed/online) due to lower fraud risk.
- Merchant category: Interchange rates vary by industry. Grocery stores and gas stations have special lower rates.
- Transaction size: The fixed per-transaction fee hurts more on small transactions (a $0.30 fee on a $5 sale is 6%).
- Volume: Higher monthly processing volume gives you leverage to negotiate better markup rates.
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