Pricing
Processing pricing, decoded.
Where your money goes
Every transaction has three parts.
Whoever your provider is, each card payment's cost is made up of the same building blocks.
Interchange
Paid to the card-issuing bank
The largest part of the cost. Rates are set by the card networks and vary by card type (debit, rewards, business), how the card is accepted and your industry.
Network fees
Paid to the card brands
Assessments and per-transaction fees charged by the card networks. Like interchange, they're the same no matter which processor you use.
Processor markup
Paid to your provider
What your merchant services provider charges on top. This is the part that differs between providers — and the part a statement review focuses on.
Pricing models
Same costs, different packaging.
Providers bundle those costs in different ways. During your review we'll identify which model you're on and walk you through the options available for your business.
Interchange-plus
Passes interchange and network fees through at cost and adds a disclosed markup. The most transparent model and easy to compare.
Often suits: Established businesses that want visibility
Flat rate
One blended rate for most transactions. Simple to understand, though it can cost more as volume grows.
Often suits: New or low-volume businesses that value simplicity
Tiered
Transactions are grouped into buckets such as qualified, mid-qualified and non-qualified. Hard to predict and compare.
Often suits: Common on older accounts — worth reviewing
Cash discount & surcharging
Programs that offset some processing cost to card-paying customers. They must follow card-brand rules and state law.
Often suits: Businesses where it's permitted and fits their customers
Read your statement
Fees worth a second look.
Not every fee below is unreasonable — but each one is worth understanding. If you see these on your statement and don't know why, send it to us.
- Monthly, statement or account fees
- Monthly minimum processing fees
- PCI non-compliance fees
- Non-qualified or mid-qualified surcharges
- Equipment leases with long, non-cancellable terms
- Early termination or cancellation fees
- Annual or semi-annual fees
- Rate increases buried in statement notices
FAQ
Pricing questions
What is an effective rate?
Your effective rate is your total processing fees for a month divided by your total card volume. It's the simplest way to compare what you pay across different pricing models.
Why don't you list rates on your website?
Processing costs depend on your industry, card mix, average ticket, monthly volume and how you accept cards. Listing a single rate would be misleading, so we quote after reviewing your business.
Can you lower interchange?
No provider can change interchange rates — they're set by the card networks. What can change is your provider's markup and fees, and sometimes how transactions are processed so they qualify for the correct interchange category.
Is the statement review really free?
Yes. There's no cost and no obligation. If we can't offer a better fit for your business, we'll tell you.
Free Statement Review
Ready for payments that make sense?
Send us a recent processing statement — or tell us about your new business — and we'll show you exactly what you're paying and what we'd recommend.