How much does it cost to accept credit card payments?

The cost to accept credit card payments depends on several factors specific to your business. There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all price, because what you pay is influenced by many factors like how much and how often you take credit card payments.

Factors that affect your cost

Your pricing can vary based on:

Your business type and size
How much you process each month
The types of payments you accept (online, debit, credit, cash, etc.)
How transactions are processed (inserting the card, tapping, or manually keying it in)
Which pricing model you choose

Common pricing models

Depending on your needs, a payment provider may recommend one of several pricing options, such as:

Each model has different advantages depending on your transaction volume and payment methods.

What is the cheapest way to accept card payments for small businesses?

As a general rule of thumb, if you’re a small business that accepts card payments infrequently, especially for card‑present transactions, dual pricing may be worth considering. With this model, your transaction fees can be $0, since the processing fee is passed on to the customer at the point of sale.

However, because every business is different, the best way to determine the most cost‑effective way to accept credit cards is to speak with a Payment Expert. They can review your business needs and help you choose the pricing model that minimizes your costs.