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Best Credit Card Processing Companies November 2024
Simplify payments for your business
Grow your small business by accepting credit card payments in-person or online with a credit card processor.
Compare our top-rated providers today!
Last Updated November 2024
Best Payment Processors For
Small Businesses of 2024
Compare the best credit card processing companies and easily
accept credit card payments. Choose the best provider and grow
your business today!
Last Updated November 2024
Best Payment Processors
For Small Businesses of 2024
Compare top-rated payment processing services, find
the best for you and easily accept credit card payments.
Last Updated November 2024
1
Top Payment Processor
9.3
Excellent
User Engagement
Based on the past 7 days
9.9
Brand Visibility
Based on digital performance
8.8
Products & Services
8.6
  • FREE card payment equipment included
  • Industry-low rates starting at 0.15%
  • Save on processing fees or get $200 back
  • 98% application approval rate in 24hrs
  • 24/7 top-rated customer support
2
8.8
Very Good
User Engagement
Based on the past 7 days
8.4
Brand Visibility
Based on digital performance
9.3
Products & Services
9.0
  • A simpler, smarter way to process payments
  • Competitive rates & next-day funding
  • Dedicated customer support
  • Customized account for your business
3
9.3
Excellent
User Engagement
Based on the past 7 days
9.0
Brand Visibility
Based on digital performance
9.9
Products & Services
9.2
  • Wireless terminals for mobile payments
  • No monthly fees, 24/7 support
  • Integrates with major cards & banks
  • Continuously upgraded features
4
9.0
Excellent
User Engagement
Based on the past 7 days
8.7
Brand Visibility
Based on digital performance
9.7
Products & Services
9.0
  • Compatible with multiple devices
  • Contains stacks of e-commerce feature
  • Standard rate: 2.6% + $0.10
  • Sleek, high-quality equipment
5
8.6
Very Good
User Engagement
Based on the past 7 days
7.5
Brand Visibility
Based on digital performance
9.8
Products & Services
9.4
  • Create and share simple payment links
  • Generate quotes & invoices quickly
  • Automate recurring invoices and payments
  • Extensive customer support options
6
8.6
Very Good
User Engagement
Based on the past 7 days
8.1
Brand Visibility
Based on digital performance
9.2
Products & Services
8.8
  • Seamlessly accept every payment type
  • 0% markup payment processing
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Trusted by 30,000+ merchants
7
8.1
Very Good
User Engagement
Based on the past 7 days
7.8
Brand Visibility
Based on digital performance
8.8
Products & Services
7.8
  • Simple and clear credit card processing
  • Pricing customized for your business
  • Accept all payment types
  • Best for minimizing fees
Our Top Choice
1
High Approval Rating
9.3
Excellent
User Engagement
Based on the past 7 days
9.9
Brand Visibility
Based on digital performance
8.8
Products & Services
8.6
  • FREE card payment equipment included
  • Industry-low rates starting at 0.15%
  • Save on processing fees or get $200 back
  • 98% application approval rate in 24hrs
  • 24/7 top-rated customer support

What is Payment Processing?

Credit card processing companies (also known as merchant services companies, merchant accounts providers, credit card processors, payment processors, or online payment processing companies) are companies that allow you to accept credit card payments. Credit card processors act as intermediaries between your business and your customer’s credit card/debit card provider, making this the quickest and best way to take credit card payments.

Here’s how the top credit card processors help you realize your goal of accepting credit card payments:

  • The customer swipes their credit/debit card or enters their card information to make a purchase from your business.
  • Your point-of-sale software sends the data to your credit card processor.
  • The credit card processor contacts your customer’s credit/debit card provider to confirm the customer has enough credit for the transaction.
  • The credit/debit card provider checks with the customer’s bank to confirm the transaction.
  • The credit card processor confirms the transaction and issues you a receipt to give to the customer.

The best credit card processer companies can make this happen in the blink of an eye.

What are Merchant Services Companies?

Not all credit card processors offer merchant services, but all merchant services companies offer credit card processing. The top merchant services companies offer a range of services to merchants (businesses), including: credit card processing, business financing, gift card programs, loyalty programs, online payment gateways, and website design. The terms ‘merchant services provider’ and ‘credit card processor’ are used interchangeably, but it’s important to remember that credit card processing is only one of many services offered by the best online merchant services providers.

If you’re the sort of business owner who enjoys the convenience of a one-stop shop, then the best credit card processor for you may be one also that offers a variety of merchant services. But if you only need to accept credit card payments, then you can freely choose from the best credit card processor companies without having to worry about whether they offer additional services.

Our Top 3 Credit Card Processors

#1
Visit Site
Pros
  • Caters to all types of industries
  • Specializes in serving high-risk merchants
  • Wide selection of third-party hardware
Cons
  • high cancellation fees
Leaders Merchant Services is a credit card processor specializing in serving high-risk merchants (i.e. merchants at high risk of chargeback). It caters to companies of all sizes, from all types of industries, in all 50 states. It offers a wide selection of terminals and POS systems from third-party suppliers like Clover, Verifone, and more.
#2
Visit Site
Pros
  • Prepaid paysafecard supports cash payments
  • Make payments to customers instantly
  • Works with iGaming and crypto industries
  • Supports custom payment integrations
Cons
  • Pricing is not transparent
  • Poor reviews from paysafecard users
Paysafe is a global payment processor that goes beyond just accepting credit card payments. With Paysafe, you can enable customers to pay for online purchases with cash, a digital wallet, or a bank account. You can also pay out money to customers in real-time. Paysafe works with several industries that other payment providers blacklist, including the iGaming and crypto industries.
#3
Visit Site
Pros
  • Machine learning helps improve conversion and retention
  • Continuously upgraded features
  • Direct integrations with major card networks and banks
Cons
  • Requires coding expertise
  • Limited hardware available
Stripe is an internationally successful payment processing platform. You can take payments online or in-person using the multifaceted and customizable Stripe platform. Plus, you can add on a whole host of other useful services to help your business avoid fraud, calculate and collect taxes, and verify identities, among many other things.

Credit Card Processing Fees

Typically, the best payment solutions for small business involve many different types of rates and fees. As a result, it can be difficult to run an accurate credit card merchant fees comparison.

The most important fee to know about is the interchange fee – the fee you pay for each transaction. Depending on your merchant accounts provider, you could be subject to any number of other fees and charges. According to Square, one of the top payment processing companies, the average cost of processing payments for an American business earning $10,000 to $250,000 in annual payments volume is between 2.87% to 4.35% per transaction.

Some of the best payment solutions for small business charge the interchange/transaction fee and little else, while others charge dozens of fees. There is no right or wrong. However, one thing is for sure: the top merchant services have transparent CC processing fees and charges. When you compare merchant services, always read the fine print to be sure you know what you’re being charged. Obviously, the fee structure needs to suit your sales volume; the best payment solutions for small business aren’t necessarily the same as for a large business.

Here are the main types of CC processing fees and rates to know about:

Interchange fees

Interchange is a wholesale fee that accounts for most of the cost of accepting credit card payments. Technically speaking, each card provider (e.g. Mastercard, Visa) sets its own interchange fees. However, many credit card merchant companies charge the same interchange fee regardless of card provider, making it a lot easier for you to know what you’re paying. An interchange fee is comprised of two parts: a percentage of the transaction amount plus a flat fee, e.g. 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction. Additional fees apply for foreign currency transactions.

Monthly fee

Some, but not all, payment processing companies charge a flat monthly fee for using their services.

Assessment fees

Some credit card merchant services charge a percentage of your estimated monthly sales volume, e.g., 0.1% of sales up to 1,000 sales, then 0.11% of the next 1,000 sales, etc.

Terminal fees

To begin accepting credit card payments, you need a physical terminal like a countertop register or mobile EMV. Most merchant services companies double up as credit card machine companies, offering to sell or lease equipment to your business. If you’re intent on buying the best credit card machine for your small business, then separate costs will apply. However, many of the top merchant services providers offer smaller equipment (such as mobile card readers) for free.

Monthly minimum fee

If you don’t reach the minimum amount of annual transactions agreed to in your contract, your merchant accounts provider may charge you an additional fee.

Additional fees

Even among the top 10 merchant services companies, you may find one or more of these additional CC processing fees:

  • PCI non-compliance: For failing to comply with credit card industry data-protection standards
  • Termination fee: For leaving a contract early
  • Statement fee: For receiving invoices and statements by mail
  • 1099-K fee: For reporting transactions to the IRS
  • ACH fees: For receiving large volumes of transactions in batches
  • Chargebacks: A chargeback is when a credit card provider refunds your customer for a disputed or fraudulent transaction

Accepting Ecommerce Payments: Finding the Best Online Payment System

E-commerce is an important and growing source of income for many businesses. The best payments solutions for small businesses also offer online credit card processing through what are known as online payment gateways or virtual terminals. Online payment gateways securely encrypt the customer’s data and send it to the payment processor. At the back end, the process works the same as with physical credit or debit card transactions, all the way up to the issuing of a receipt to the customer.

Here are things to consider when comparing the best online credit card processing solutions:

  • Security. Not only must your payment gateway be secure, but customers must also feel that it is secure. The best online payment system lets you show off security credentials at the checkout (such as a ‘Guaranteed Safe Checkout’ sign with logos of accepted payment types). Additionally, all the top payment gateway providers have APIs that let your customers pay you securely without ever leaving your website.
  • Choice of payment methods. People have a diverse range of preferences when it comes to payment methods. The best online payment processing companies let you offer your customers the full range of methods, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
  • Cost. Running an online store should be cheaper than having a physical store, and that includes being able to pay the cheapest online payment gateway fees. As always, read the fine print and make sure the fee structure suits you – the best online payment gateways for small business aren’t necessarily the same as for larger companies.
  • Compatibility. When you set up an e-commerce store, you need a payment gateway that is easy to integrate into your website and is compatible with your brand. At a minimum, the best online payment gateway must integrate with top e-commerce website builders like Wix, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce.

Getting Approved to Accept Credit Card Payments

Getting approved to begin accepting credit card payments is straightforward. As long as you can show you’re a legitimate, lawful business, you shouldn’t have too much trouble opening an account with the best card merchant services providers. Charges generally depend on how much you earn each month or year. If you fail to make the amount agreed upon with the processing company, then you may be subject to additional fees.

The one group that can have trouble getting approved by payment processing companies is ‘high-risk’ merchants: businesses that typically have lots of chargebacks or that do business in multiple currencies.

High-risk businesses include:

  • Online gambling or casinos
  • Advance bookings in travel and tourism
  • Magazine or other subscription-based businesses
  • Online dating services
  • Debt collection
  • Vitamins and supplements
  • E-commerce

If you fall into this category, then what you need is a credit card processor or merchant services provider that caters to high-risk businesses.

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