What is the best way to compare payment processing fees?

Compare providers using your own card volume, transaction count, average sale and payment channels. Check in-person, online and keyed rates, fixed transaction charges, monthly fees and ACH caps. A headline percentage alone does not show the complete cost.

Does the lowest advertised card rate mean the lowest total bill?

No. Transaction charges, recurring fees, payment method mix and contract terms can change the total. Use the provider pages and calculators to compare published charges, then check your own agreement and statement.

Can Pavado review my actual processing statement?

Yes. Pavado offers a free merchant statement review for potential overpayments, recurring charges and questions to raise with your provider. The review uses your statement and agreement rather than assuming a published rate applies to your account.

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Payment processing fees, compared

The short answer

Published flat card rates on the 12 flat-rate providers below run from 2.29% to 2.9% plus, for most, a fixed fee per transaction; interchange-plus providers are listed with their markup. The gap between providers often matters less than how each payment is taken: tapped, keyed, sent as a link, or moved to ACH, where some providers cap the fee and others charge an uncapped percentage. Each page lists one provider's published rates, its fee traps, and a calculator for your own volume.

Published rates do not show your complete bill. Get your statement and agreement reviewed for potential overpayments, recurring charges and questions to raise with your provider.

Request a free statement review

Restaurant POS

Provider	In person	Online	ACH
Toast	Not published	Not published	Not published
SpotOn	2.45% + 15¢	Not published	Not published
Lightspeed Restaurant	2.6% + 10¢	Not published	Not published

Restaurant POS fee pages

Payment processor

Provider	In person	Online	ACH
Square	2.6% + 15¢	3.3% + 30¢	1%, capped at $10
Clover	2.3% + 10¢	Not published	Not published
Stripe	2.7% + 5¢	2.9% + 30¢	0.8%, capped at $5
Helcim	Interchange + 0.4% + 8¢	Interchange + 0.5% + 25¢	0.5% + $0.25, capped at $6
PayPal (incl. PayPal Point of Sale)	2.29% + 9¢	2.99% + 49¢	1%, capped at $10
Moneris	2.65% + 10¢	2.85% + 30¢	Not published

Payment processor fee pages

Invoicing and accounting

Provider	In person	Online	ACH
QuickBooks Payments	2.5%	2.99%	1%, no published cap
Wave Payments	Not published	2.9% + 60¢	1%, no published cap

Invoicing and accounting fee pages

Field service software

Provider	In person	Online	ACH
Jobber Payments	2.7% + 30¢	2.9% + 30¢	1%, no published cap
Housecall Pro Payments	2.59%	2.99%	1%, no published cap
ServiceTitan Payments	Not published	Not published	Not published

Field service software fee pages

Salon and spa software

Provider	In person	Online	ACH
Vagaro	2.6% + 10¢	Not published	Not published

Salon and spa software fee pages

Salon and spa softwareVagaro feesVagaro charges 2.6% + 10 cents per dip or tap and 3.5% + 19 cents keyed if you process under $4,000 a month, with no monthly processing fee....

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to compare payment processing fees?: Compare providers using your own card volume, transaction count, average sale and payment channels. Check in-person, online and keyed rates, fixed transaction charges, monthly fees and ACH caps. A headline percentage alone does not show the complete cost.
Does the lowest advertised card rate mean the lowest total bill?: No. Transaction charges, recurring fees, payment method mix and contract terms can change the total. Use the provider pages and calculators to compare published charges, then check your own agreement and statement.
Can Pavado review my actual processing statement?: Yes. Pavado offers a free merchant statement review for potential overpayments, recurring charges and questions to raise with your provider. The review uses your statement and agreement rather than assuming a published rate applies to your account.