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Best Credit Card Processing Companies and Merchant Services Providers in 2024
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What Is a Credit Card Processing Company?
Businesses that accept credit card payments need three things – a merchant account, payment processors, and payment gateways. Simply put, credit card payment processing companies are third-party service providers that process credit card or debit card payments. They act as a link between businesses or merchants, cardholders, and card networks. The processor helps send money from a card user’s account to the merchant’s business bank account.
By partnering with popular merchant account providers, businesses can ensure smooth online payments or help credit card users pay through a physical POS card terminal. If you were to operate a business without a credit or debit card processor, you would have to stick with cash payments. This is certainly not ideal in a digital era where many people use bank cards.
Top 10 Credit Card Payment Processors
As the global credit card market grows in transaction value, so does the number of merchants who need payment processors. Knowing which credit card payment processing companies are available is important for both brick-and-mortar and online businesses. For the best experience, it’s advisable to partner with companies that also offer full merchant accounts.
Credit card processing fees depend on the company, so small business owners should check the applicable charges to avoid choosing costly payment processing services. With that said, let’s explore the leading credit card processors available today.
Worldpay – Best for Platforms, SMBs, and Enterprises
Worldpay has you covered if you want to make, take, or manage local and global payments with credit cards. This is one of the top payment processors and merchant account providers suitable for marketplaces, platforms, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), as well as enterprises. Companies in various industries across the world have already benefited from WorldPay. The payment processor serves the leading retail, airline, digital, gaming, and internet companies globally. Here is a list of the features offered by WorldPay.
- Mobile card machines for paying on the go,
- Payment gateway, virtual terminal, and contactless functionality,
- Complementary rewards and discounts,
- In-store, mobile, and web payments,
- Secure countertop card machine,
- 24/7 dedicated customer service.
WorldPay also accepts 126 currencies and more than 300 payment options in 146 countries. As a result, it’s easy for a cardholder to use their preferred digital wallet, card, and alternative payment methods. Moreover, a simple API integration is all an enterprise needs to process payments with WorldPay. For the drawbacks, we have noticed that many users on different review sites complain about low-quality customer service.
Pricing
The amount you need to pay for using Worldpay’s services depends on the annual card turnover, average transaction value, and your merchant category or industry. You can use an online calculator on the website to determine your online pricing quote.
Stripe – Suitable for Online Businesses
Stripe offers world-class credit card payment processing solutions that suit online businesses. Its software includes numerous integrations with custom pricing plans for merchants with large payment volumes. Stripe also accepts all popular payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and e-wallets. It offers in-person and online payment solutions, making it a great choice for omnichannel businesses. The following features are available to businesses that use Stripe.
- Precertified PCI compliant Stripe card readers,
- Access to over 100 payment methods,
- Custom in-person checkout with APIs and SDKs,
- Banking-as-a-service solutions,
- Sales tax collection in 40+ markets.
Stripe is also a recommended option for companies looking for the best merchant service providers. These include SaaS businesses, platforms, e-commerce sites, marketplaces, enterprises, and startups. The biggest downside is that premium support plans are costly.
Pricing
Stripe offers a standard pay-as-you-go payment system with no setup, hidden, or monthly fees. The platform’s integrated per-transaction pricing model allows users to pay the same price regardless of the payment method. Custom pricing options are also available. Here is a summary of Stripe’s pricing models and fees:
- Standard (pay as you go) – 2.9% + 30¢
- In-person card processing – 2.7% + 5¢ (+1.5% for international cards)
- Card readers – starting at $59.00 for Stripe Reader M2
- Tap to pay – 10¢ per authorisation
- Point-to-point-encryption – 5¢ per authorisation
- International (cross-border) payments – 1% + 30¢ (+ 1% for currency conversion)
Square – Great for Mobile Businesses
Square is one of the top merchant service providers that helps businesses accept payments online using credit cards. It also offers in-store payment solutions. The company’s payment system is best suited for small businesses that need to facilitate safe mobile payments. Let’s see what merchants who partner with Square can expect.
- Mobile card reader and POS,
- Support for chip, PIN, and contactless payments,
- Virtual terminals without a monthly fee,
- Payment links for optimised checkout flow,
- Free invoicing software,
- API integrations for payments.
Restaurants, retailers, and beauty businesses are the top priorities for Square. The company’s financial services are also designed with professional service providers, large businesses, and franchises in mind. With the help of Square, you can build an online store, send invoices or payment links, track inventory, and get your money quickly. However, the pricing is not ideal for merchants with high-volume transactions.
Pricing
There are no setup or monthly fees, but Square charges processing fees. The company offers one rate per payment method. However, merchants who need advanced features can choose the Plus plan and pay $29 on top of processing fees. They can also choose the Premium option for bespoke plans. With that said, here are the applicable charges per transaction:
- In-person – 2.6% + 10¢
- Online – 2.9% + 30¢
- Invoices – 3.3% + 30¢
- Manually entered – 3.5% + 15¢
- Buy now pay later – 6% + 30¢
Zettle by PayPal – Best for Merchants with a PayPal Business Account
Founded in 2010, Zettle by PayPal is among the best credit card processing companies for small businesses. The company was initially known as iZettle and was acquired by PayPal in 2018. It provides an all-in-one point-of-sale system with a feature-packed app. Businesses that can benefit from the company’s POS systems include retailers and merchants in the food and drink industry. See the benefits of using Zettle by PayPal below:
- Customisable POS systems for retailers,
- An easy-to-use point-of-sale application,
- Easy-to-read sales reports,
- Mobile card reader for contactless payments,
- Payment terminal for on-the-spot sales,
- Seamless integration with accounting software,
- Quick e-commerce integrations.
Zettle by PayPal goes beyond basic payment processing. If you are starting a business or running an existing one, this payment processor will help you accept online and in-store payments using your PayPal business account. You can also take advantage of the Tap to Pay feature to accept contactless cards and payments via e-wallets. Although setup charges are reasonable, the fees for payment links and invoices are relatively high for small businesses.
Pricing
Processing fees when using Zettle by PayPal are charged per transaction, depending on the payment type. There are no contracts or recurring fees to worry about. The processing fee for major credit cards and e-wallets is 1.75% per transaction. See more details below:
- The standard rate for cards and e-wallets – 1.75%
- Payment links – 2.5%
- Zettle invoice – 2.5%
- PayPal QR codes – 1.75%
Shopify – Recommended for Online Store Owners and Retailers
Established in 2006, Shopify is a globally recognised e-commerce site that allows you to create an online store. It also acts as a credit card payment processor, making it easy for merchants to accept online payments. The platform is trusted by millions of businesses worldwide and is known for its reliable retail point-of-sale systems. With Shopify Payments, merchants can accept credit cards and other payment methods. Let’s explore the key features:
- A fully customisable website builder,
- An omnichannel POS system,
- Payments via credit card and debit cards,
- Support for tap, chip, and swipe payment methods,
- Buy now, pay later options for customers.
Despite being an e-commerce platform, Shopify also allows merchants to sell products offline. You not only get a chance to build an online business but also gain access to tools to sell in person. Moreover, Shopify partners with Stripe and well-known financial institutions to ensure effective financial management and fast payouts. For the prices, we have noticed that plans with better features are relatively expensive.
Pricing
Shopify allows merchants to try its services free of charge when they sign up. You can also enjoy your first month for $1. After that, you can access the following discounted monthly pricing plans if you choose to be billed once a year. Note that card rates for third-party providers can range from less than 1% to 2%, depending on the plan.
- Basic – $24
- Shopify – $69
- Advanced – $299
- Plus – $2,300
SumUp – For Small Businesses with Low Card Volume
Established in 2012, SumUp appeals to small businesses with low card volume. What started as a card reader is now one of the top credit card payment processors and merchant service providers. More than 4 million businesses from different parts of the world have already used the company’s products. Discover SumUp’s notable features below:
- Contactless payments with QR code,
- Payment gateway services,
- Mobile card reader with Wi-Fi connectivity,
- Tap to pay on your phone,
- All-in-one POS solution,
- SumUp mobile app with virtual terminal,
- Plug-in integrations, APIs, and payment links.
With SumUp, you can also create an online store, get paid conveniently with payment links, and open a business account using your phone. The supported business types include food and drink, retail, quick service restaurants, and enterprises that need scalable POS systems with extra features. Moreover, merchants get the necessary tools to create invoices, receive payments quickly, and easily manage sales. There are no admin or monthly fees, but processing fees are not suitable for high transaction volumes.
Pricing
As with other credit card payment processors, SumUP charges transaction fees. You can choose the pay-as-you-go option or pay for a subscription, depending on your needs. The available pricing plans and costs for POS are as follows.
- Pay as you go (no contact)
- 1.69% for in-person payments (card readers and tap-to-pay)
- 1.49% for in-person payment with the business account
- 2.5% for digital payments (invoice, online store, and payment links)
- SumUp One (subscription for businesses that make £30,000 or more yearly)
- 0.79% for in-person and digital payments
- £19 monthly fee (VAT-exempt)
- £349 one-off hardware cost for POS Lite
- £49.99 for POS Pro
GoCardless – Designed for All Businesses Accepting One-Off and Recurring Credit Card Payments
GoCardless suits all businesses that need to collect one-off and recurring payments from customers. More than 85,000 small businesses, enterprises, and global companies that accept card payments use the payment processor’s services to collect payments locally and internationally. Merchants can safely access data from their customer’s bank accounts. The following impressive features are available to businesses that use GoCardless:
- Integration with business software such as Sage, QuickBooks, and Xero,
- Automated or recurring payments with Instant Bank Pay,
- Direct bank payments without incurring high card fees,
- International payments from more than 30 countries,
- API-first technology with seamless integration.
Both small and large businesses using GoCardless benefit from easy payments, better cash flow, low operational costs, reduced failed payments, and increased conversions. Although it’s great for businesses that need to receive one-off and recurring payments, it may not be suitable for merchants with sophisticated payment requirements.
Pricing
GoCardless is one of the best credit card payment options, with no monthly fees. New users can start using the company’s services without paying transaction fees in the first 90 days. After that, they can choose from the pricing plans listed below:
- Standard: 1% + £/€0.20 capped at £/€4 per transaction or 2% + £0.20 for international transactions.
- Advanced: 1.25% + £/€0.20 capped at £/€5 per transaction or 2.25% + £0.20 for international transactions.
- Pro: 1.4% + £/€0.20 capped at £/€5.60 per transaction or 2.4% + £0.20 for international transactions.
Note: GoCardless charges an additional 0.3% fee on UK Bank Debit payments above £2,000.
Elavon – Best for Global Payments
With over 30 years of experience in payment processing, Elavon is a subsidiary of U.S. Bank. The company is also one of the leading merchant account providers, with millions of customers in 36 different countries. It appeals to businesses of all sizes, including SMBs and large enterprises. Discover the credit card processor’s main features and benefits below:
- In-person, mobile, and online payments,
- Converge, Fusebox, and CenPOS payment gateway options,
- Tap-and-go cards and other contactless payment methods,
- Account management and reporting,
- Wireless and countertop POS terminals,
- PCI DSS compliance validation.
Industries that benefit from Elavon’s credit card processing services include retail, healthcare, governments, restaurants, automotive, hospitality, supply chain, mass transit, and wholesale distribution. Whichever sector you are in, Elavon will help you find and use the right payment processing tools and terminals. However, some clients are not happy with the quality of customer service offered by the company.
Pricing
Elavon has different pricing plans for face-to-face and online payments. This payment processor offers a plan for every phase of your business. You can choose from the following options.
- Face-to-Face Payments
- Start Simple – No monthly fee, from 1.75% fee per transaction, and £19 one-off device cost
- Business Booster (Desktop) – £15 monthly fee, from 0.99% per transaction
- Business Booster (Wireless) – £18 monthly fee, from 0.99% per transaction
- Operate Smarter – £40 monthly fee, from 1% per transaction
- Business Control – £62 monthly fee, from 1.2% per transaction
- Online Payments
- Always Open (Fixed) – £25 monthly gateway fee, from 0.99% per transaction, and 350 free transactions
- Always Open (Pay as You Go) – No monthly fee, £99 one-off joining fee, from 1.99% per transaction, and £0.12 gateway click-fee
Adyen – Ideal for Large Businesses with In-Person and Online payments
Adyen offers credit card payment processing services to various businesses across the globe. It’s a recommended option for large companies that want to process in-person and online payments. The payment processor services platforms, marketplaces, digital, mobility, hospitality, subscription, food, and retail businesses. We have listed its major offerings below:
- Online payments on websites, apps, or personalised payment links,
- In-person payments with POS solutions,
- Access to all payment methods with one integration,
- Smart authentication to optimise payment flow,
- Fraud detection and prevention solutions,
- Business accounts.
Besides the above benefits, Adyen also helps merchants create and manage card programs. This includes creating physical and virtual payment cards with the merchant’s preferred branding, thanks to the company’s cutting-edge and flexible API integration. The cards are safe and compliant to prevent fraud. It’s also worth mentioning that Adyen provides access to real data across various channels. As a result, merchants can understand their customers, gain insights into channel performance, and easily analyse offline and online payments.
Pricing
Adyen charges a €0.11 processing fee for each transaction and an extra fee depending on the payment method used. The Interchange++ pricing model helps to calculate fees before each transaction is completed. Merchants don’t need to worry about setup or monthly fees.
Clover – Best POS Hardware and Credit Card Readers for Small Businesses
If you run a small business that needs POS solutions and credit card payments, Clover is one of the best payment processing companies we recommend. The company caters to service businesses, restaurants, and retailers in several countries. Clover also offers shop systems such as hand-held card readers, a POS for both sides of the counter, an all-in-one self-ordering device, and an unparalleled Clover Kitchen Display System. Check out the major features below:
- In-person, online, and recurring payments,
- Flexible POS systems with the Go card reader and app,
- Customer loyalty rewards with Clover gift cards,
- Offline payments when there’s no Wi-Fi connection,
- Tracking, reporting, and inventory management features,
- Employee and customer management,
- Clover virtual terminal.
With the virtual terminal, you won’t need to worry about missing sales. You can process payments wherever you are by simply logging into your Clover Web Dashboard. Moreover, real-time tracking and reporting features allow merchants to gain insights into customer behaviour and sales trends. Although the company offers numerous benefits, the available pricing plans seem to favour merchants who are willing to pay for long contracts.
Pricing
Clover uses a subscription-based pricing model with Starter, Standard, and Advanced plans. You can pay as little as 2.3% plus 10¢ per transaction. However, the actual amount you need to pay depends on the selected package and type of business. For example, the starting price can be as low as $0+ $14.95/mo for professional services and as high as $1,699+ $89.95/mo for full-service restaurant systems. Note that long-term contracts are cheaper.
Helcim – Best for Small Business Owners in North America
Helcim is one of the top credit card payment processors suitable for small and medium businesses in North America. The company offers in-person, keyed, and online payment solutions with credit cards, debit cards, ACH, and international payments. It helps merchants offering healthcare, automotive, professional, home, and wholesale services accept payments at affordable rates. Businesses that choose Helcim enjoy the following benefits and features:
- Helcim Smart Terminal for your POS needs,
- Card reader for accepting credit and debit card payments,
- Virtual terminal to charge your customers online,
- Customer and inventory management business tools,
- Subscription manager for recurring payments,
- Third-party integration with QuickBooks and Xero,
- Built-in international payment options.
Despite having only two hardware options, Helcim provides business tools and resources for developers. Its merchant statement comparison tool helps you upload processing statements from your providers. This is a great way to get a comprehensive savings comparison based on your fees and rates. For developers, the company helps to streamline business processes with account software and JavaScript integration, as well as the Helcim API.
Pricing
There are no contracts, setup fees, or monthly fees when using Helcim’s card processing technology. The processing fees are as indicated below:
- In-person payments – 1.93% + 8¢ (average)
- Keyed and online transactions – 2.49% + 25¢ (average)
- Average PIN-Debit Rate – 1.01% + 8¢
Keep in mind that you can also pay lower processing fees depending on your monthly credit card volume. The charges can be as low as 0.15% + 6¢ for in-person and 0.15% + 15¢ for keyed and online payments.
Merchant One – Best for Retail and E-Commerce
Merchant One is a great credit card processing service provider for businesses in the retail and e-commerce sectors. The company’s payment system can also be used by restaurants, B2B businesses, and merchants in the hospitality and events industries. It uses advanced technology to help businesses process payments with credit cards. Here are the reasons why you might want to choose Merchant One:
- High-tech terminal for your brick-and-mortar store,
- Virtual terminal with swipe or key-in options,
- iPhone and Android card readers,
- Gift and loyalty card programmes,
- 24/7 support from dedicated account managers,
- Advanced e-commerce solutions,
- APIs and SDKs for online, mobile, in-store, and self-service payments.
For businesses looking for e-commerce solutions, Merchant One offers more than 175 shopping cart integrations, state-of-the-art fraud protection tools, and customer authentication features. Other noteworthy features include payment gateways, a QuickBooks plugin, and hosted checkout with Buy Now buttons. The main disadvantage is that the company is primarily based in the United States.
Pricing
Although there are no setup fees, Merchant One charges a monthly fee. Here are the prices you need to be aware of before picking this credit card payment processor.
- Qualified Swiped Rate – 0.29% to 1.55%
- Qualified Keyed-in Rate – 0.29% to 1.99%
- Monthly fee – $13.99
Types of Businesses that Need Merchant Services
Different types of businesses need merchant services to accept credit card payments. This includes companies that want to process in-person, mobile, and web payments. Having a merchant account is especially important if your business accepts non-cash payments.
Whether you are an online retailer or a gaming site looking for gambling payment gateways, you need merchant services to get paid by your customers. With that said, the following list features the top industries that require the services of merchant account providers.
- Retail – This includes online and physical stores that need to accept payments from customers who purchase products using credit cards.
- Restaurants and Cafes – All food and beverage businesses that prefer card payments.
- E-Commerce Sites – Platforms that sell goods, services, and digital products online.
- Professional Services – Professionals who offer in-person and online services.
- Healthcare – Hospitals, healthcare providers, and health facilities where patients pay for consultations and treatment.
- Gaming – Companies or platforms that offer iGaming or gambling services.
- Hospitality – Hotels and companies with booking services.
- Subscription – Businesses that offer subscription-based services with recurring payments.
The list is endless since most modern-day businesses may need to process payments with credit and debit cards using a merchant account. From small businesses to large enterprises that operate locally and globally, there’s an increased need for merchant services to ensure seamless transactions when customers pay for products or services.
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Important Factors to Evaluate to Choose the Right Payment Processor
As a merchant, it’s extremely important to choose a payment processor that suits your business type, transaction volume, and the needs of your customers. Whether you want to accept credit or debit cards, a good company should provide you with everything you need to get paid quickly and safely. The costs of processing payments and merchant agreement terms should also be favourable. Let’s talk about the key factors merchants should always consider when picking the right credit card processing company.
Transaction Fees and Pricing Structure
Compare the credit card processing fees set by various payment processing companies. The transaction fees, minimum monthly service charges, interchange fees, and other costs incurred by merchants should be as low as possible. Establish if the company uses a flat-rate or percentage pricing model and choose based on your business type and sales volume.
Accepted Payment Methods
Check the available payment options when choosing companies that offer credit card payment processing services. The top processors accept Visa, Mastercard, other major credit cards, debit cards, and alternative payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Remember to look for global and local payment methods, depending on the needs of your customers.
Security and Compliance
Choose payment processors that facilitate secure transactions. All in-person, mobile, and online payments should be protected with advanced security features. These include tokenization and encryption technologies that protect every credit card transaction. Another important consideration is to pick a PCI-compliant payment processor to ensure the safety of the cardholder’s sensitive data.
Integration and Compatibility
Look for reputable payment processors that allow for integration with the most commonly used business software. For instance, compatibility with account software such as QuickBooks and Xero is important for your everyday business operations to run smoothly. Also, a good payment processor should seamlessly integrate with your existing website and POS system.
Customer Support and Service
Carefully examine the quality of customer support service offered by the payment processing company. A reliable processor will provide 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, regardless of your time zone. The support team must also be knowledgeable and readily available to respond to your queries, provide relevant information, and offer the best solution instantly.
Settlement Period and Payout Schedule
Evaluate the payment processor’s settlement period and payout schedule. As a merchant, you should be able to receive your payments as quickly as possible. Faster payments will certainly have a positive impact on your cash flow. Check for any possible delays and make sure that they don’t have potentially harmful effects on your daily business operations.
Scalability and Growth Potential
Pick a credit card payment system provider with the ability to scale as your business expands. Your growing business should be able to accommodate larger transaction volumes and meet the needs of an increasing customer base. If you want to expand your operations to new markets, the payment processor ought to be flexible enough to provide the needed tools, features, or services.
Reputation and Reliability
Keep in mind that not all companies with credit card processing services have a positive brand name. For this reason, you must make sure that the selected company has a good track record. You should consider its experience in processing payments and what merchants who have used the company’s services say. This means reading testimonials on review sites.
Customisation and Additional Features
Analyse the features offered by different payment processors to choose a company whose services align with your business needs. Look for customisation options that allow you to offer tailored banking solutions to your customers. A top-rated payment processing company will also provide you with additional features such as reporting, invoicing, fraud prevention, and inventory management to improve your overall experience.
Contract Terms and Flexibility
Read the terms and conditions presented by the payment processor before signing the contract. All rules and regulations must be fair and flexible. The key factors to bear in mind include the contract duration, fees, data privacy, renewal, and cancellation terms. Due to the changes that your business is likely to experience in the future, the credit card processing company should have flexible terms that can be adjusted accordingly.
Fees that Credit Card Processing Companies Charge
Merchants who accept payments with credit cards have to pay for the services offered by payment processors. Likewise, companies that offer payment gateway services do not do it free of charge. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider the amount of fees you have to pay. Each company has its own pricing plan, so you need to compare your options. The following are the most common charges incurred by merchants who partner with credit card payment processors.
This refers to the processing fee charged by the card network. It is usually expressed as a percentage of the credit or debit card transaction plus a flat rate. The amount charged depends on the payment network, card network, payment method (in-person or online), and card type.
Card networks also charge assessment fees on top of interchange fees. Therefore, merchants have no power to change the amount needed by the payment processor. The assessment fee is usually a small percentage of the amount transacted with a credit or debit card.
A credit card transaction may also attract markup fees, which refer to the actual amount paid to payment processors besides the interchange fee. The markup fee is what determines the processing company’s profits and includes the cost of offering extra services to the merchant.
Companies that offer credit card processing services may charge fees for every completed transaction. The transaction fee could be a flat rate or a percentage of the transaction amount charged for using the processor’s software.
A payment processor may charge a monthly subscription fee in addition to the other charges mentioned in this guide. The fees are often associated with using the company’s platform and services or accessing additional features such as fraud detection, customer support, and maintenance.
Many companies that process credit or debit card payments also charge merchants for using their payment gateways, such as virtual terminals. Usually, business owners are required to pay online payment gateway fees to safely transmit transaction data to the card network.
Merchants and the best processors that facilitate credit card transactions ensure compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) to protect private data when authorising payment. Some processors charge PCI compliance fees to securely store and transmit data collected from cardholders.
If a customer disputes a credit card transaction, the merchant may be required to pay a chargeback fee to resolve the issue. In this case, the processor charges a specified amount to reverse the transaction and cover additional costs such as fines and administrative fees.
Depending on the agreement terms set by the payment processor, merchants may need to sign a contract with the selected company. If, for any reason, a merchant decides to terminate the contract, the card processing company may charge early termination fees.
For global payments that take place outside the merchant’s country, credit card processing companies may apply cross-board fees. International transactions may also attract fees for converting from one currency to another. Merchants who operate globally should evaluate such fees to make sure they are friendly.
Choose a Credit Card Processing Solution That Suits Your Business Needs
If you run or want to start a business and accept payments with cards, partnering with the right credit card processors is crucial. You will also need to find a reliable merchant service provider to get started. Whichever company you choose, it must offer the best rates, process card payments safely, and provide reliable payment gateways. The goal is to get paid fast and securely with all the tools and features needed to complete each transaction.
Feel free to pick from the recommended credit card processors on this page. Just compare the available companies and choose the one you think best suits your business needs. If you want to take your business to the next level with effective marketing strategies, you can get the help you need from an award-winning marketing agency Revpanda. Our team is always available to improve our digital marketing efforts.
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