Running a small business comes with many financial considerations, and one of the most significant is credit card processing fees. Choosing the right pricing model for your business can hold you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars annually. In this blog, we’ll compare the most common credit card processing pricing options to help you determine which is cheapest for your small business.
From tiered pricing to zero-fee credit card processing, we’ll break down each structure so you can make an informed decision. Throughout the article, we’ll highlight the importance of reliable payment processing solutions to ensure smooth and affordable transactions.
Tiered Pricing
Tiered pricing is one of the most typical pricing models used by credit card processors. It categorizes transactions into three tiers:
- Qualified Transactions
- Mid-Qualified Transactions
- Non-Qualified Transactions
Each tier has a different fee structure, with qualified transactions being the cheapest and non-qualified being the most expensive. While tiered pricing may initially seem simple, it can lack transparency. Processors often determine what qualifies for each tier, making it difficult to predict monthly fees.
Pros:
- Simple to understand for beginners
- Commonly offered by many processors
Cons:
- It can be expensive for small businesses
- Lack of transparency in tier definitions
For small businesses with inconsistent transaction types, tiered pricing may not be the most cost-effective payment processing solution.
Qualified Transactions
Qualified transactions are credit card payments that meet specific criteria set by the payment processor. These transactions typically involve standard debit or credit cards with no rewards programs, processed in person using an EMV chip reader or magnetic stripe.
While qualified transactions have the lowest processing fees within tiered pricing models, not all payments will meet the qualifications.
Who Benefits: Small businesses that primarily process in-person transactions with standard cards.
Mid-Qualified Transactions
Mid-qualified transactions usually include payments made with rewards cards, manually entered credit card numbers, or certain online payments. Since these transactions carry a higher risk for fraud, they come with higher fees.
Pros:
- Better rates than non-qualified transactions
Cons:
- Higher fees compared to qualified transactions
- Limited transparency on which transactions fall into this category
Small businesses that take phone orders or e-commerce payments often encounter mid-qualified transactions. However, if you process a high volume of these transactions, other pricing models may be more cost-efficient.
Non-Qualified Transactions
Non-qualified transactions are the most expensive tier in tiered pricing. They include transactions made with corporate cards, international cards, or payments that do not meet security standards.
These fees can add up quickly for small businesses and can make tiered pricing unpredictable.
Example: An e-commerce store processing payments from international customers may frequently incur non-qualified fees.
To avoid high fees on non-qualified transactions, small businesses should explore alternative payment processing solutions.
Flat-Rate Pricing
Flat-rate pricing is simple the processor charges the same percentage and/or transaction fee for all payments, regardless of card type or payment method. This is often offered by popular providers such as Square and PayPal.
Example: A flat rate of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Pros:
- Predictable monthly costs
- Easy to understand and budget for
Cons:
- It can be expensive for high-volume businesses
- No flexibility for lower-cost transactions
For small businesses with low transaction volumes, flat-rate pricing can be a convenient and transparent payment processing solution.
Interchange-Plus Pricing
Interchange-plus pricing separates the interchange fee (set by credit card networks) from the processor’s markup. This pricing structure offers complete transparency, as businesses can see the exact fees being charged.
Example: Interchange fee (1.8%) + Processor markup (0.5%) = Total fee (2.3%).
Pros:
- Transparent fee breakdown
- Cost-effective for businesses with higher transaction volumes
Cons:
- It can be complex to understand
- Monthly fees may apply
For small businesses processing high volumes of transactions, interchange-plus pricing is often the cheapest option and one of the most reliable payment processing solutions.
Membership-Based Pricing
Membership-based pricing charges a flat monthly fee for access to wholesale interchange rates. Instead of paying a markup on each transaction, businesses pay a fixed cost.
Example: $99/month + interchange fees.
Pros:
- Lowest per-transaction costs
- Transparent fee structure
Cons:
- Monthly subscription fee
- Not ideal for low-volume businesses
Small businesses that process a significant number of transactions can benefit greatly from membership-based pricing, as it reduces per-transaction fees.
Zero-Fee Credit Card Processing
Zero-fee credit card processing passes the transaction fees onto customers. Businesses do not pay for processing; instead, customers are charged a small convenience fee at checkout.
Example: A customer spends $100, and the business receives the full $100. The customer pays an additional 3% convenience fee.
Pros:
- No processing fees for businesses
- Ideal for businesses with narrow margins
Cons:
- Customers may be discouraged by the extra fee
- May not comply with state laws in certain areas
For small businesses looking to eliminate credit card fees, zero-fee processing is an innovative payment processing solution.
Which Option Is Cheapest for Your Small Business?
Your small business’s cheapest credit card processing option varies based on transaction volume and payment types. Low-volume businesses may find tiered pricing beneficial, though it lacks transparency. Flat-rate pricing offers predictability but can be costly for high volumes. High-volume businesses might prefer interchange-plus pricing for cost savings, despite its complexity, or membership-based pricing for lower transaction fees with a monthly fee. Zero-fee processing suits tight-margin businesses but may face customer resistance. Overall, flat-rate pricing is often the simplest choice.
Conclusion
Choosing the right credit card processing pricing model is essential for reducing costs and improving profitability. While tiered pricing can work for some businesses, options like interchange-plus and membership-based pricing often provide the most savings for high-volume businesses. Zero-fee credit card processing is worth exploring for those looking to eliminate fees entirely.
You can find the most affordable and effective payment processing solutions for your small business by carefully evaluating your transaction volume and business needs. The right choice will save you money and streamline your operations.
