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Compare Merchant Services Providers

Choosing the right merchant services provider is an important process for both small businesses and enterprises. It's crucial to compare merchant account providers from a side-by-side perspective since there are so many to choose from to identify the best rates, pricing, transparency and support.
Compare winners today and lock-in the best merchant services deal!
Last updated: September 10, 2025
4.8/5 Rating
50,000+ Businesses
Trusted Reviews
Pick up to 4 brands to compare
Leaders
Paysafe
Clover
Stax
MerchantOne
WorldPay
Payment Depot
Features
Best for
Approval Rates & Low Fees
Globally Payments
Retail & restaurants
High-volume merchants
Startups & small businesses
Large/global enterprises
Affordable Credit Card Processing
Free Trial
No
No
No
1 Month
No
No
1 Month
Offer
Transparent pricing with powerful POS solutions for small businesses
Secure global payments for high-risk businesses.
Secure payment processing solution for restaurants and retail businesses
Save 40% on fees with 0% markup processing
Get a $500 gift card if we can’t beat your rate
Get $650 for signing up
Lock in lowest-cost, no-markup processing with zero exit penalties
Pricing
Rates as low as 0.15%
Interchange-plus program
Flat-rate, POS included
$99/mo + $0.07–$0.15 + interchange
Interchange-plus, low monthly fees
Custom, global multi-currency support
$99/mo + $0.07–$0.15 + interchange
Contract
Typically 3 years
Flexible
Month-to-month
Month-to-month
Flexible
2–3 years
Month-to-month
Funding
Same/Next Day
Same/Next Day
Next Day
Next Day
Next Day
1–2 Days
Next Day
Software
Free terminal, Clover
POS: Partner POS
Clover Station, Clover Mini
POS: Clover, Mobile readers
Free terminal: Yes | POS: Clover, Mobile readers
Partner POS & terminals
POS: Clover, PAX/Dejavoo
Support
24/7 Dedicated AM: Yes
Hours: Regional business hours + portal
24/7 hardware support via partners Dedicated AM: Yes
Hours: Business hours + emergency | US-based: Yes | Dedicated AM: Yes
Hours: 24/7 phone/email | US-based: Yes | Dedicated AM: Yes
24/7 enterprise support Dedicated AM: Yes
Hours: Business hours | US-based: Yes
Why choose?
Choose Leaders for low rates, $500 savings assurance, fast approvals, free Clover terminal, and 24/7 support focused on small businesses.
Choose Paysafe for global reach, 40+ currencies, wallets like Skrill and NETELLER, fraud tools, and APIs built to scale internationally.
Choose Clover for polished POS hardware, app marketplace, restaurant and retail workflows, reliable offline support, and integrations that streamline operations.
Choose Stax for subscription pricing, zero percent interchange markup, powerful analytics, integrations, and predictable costs that reward growing processing volume.
Choose Merchant One for fast approvals, free terminals, 24/7 support, dual pricing tools, and hands-on onboarding tailored to first-time merchants.
Choose Worldpay for global enterprise acquiring, advanced risk and tokenization, robust analytics, and uptime supporting complex, multi-country commerce at scale.
Choose Payment Depot for straightforward interchange-plus pricing, flexible cancellations, multiple gateway options, and transparent costs designed for small business owners.
Action
Leaders
Pros
  • Industry-leading low transaction costs
  • 24/7 prompt issue resolution
  • In-person and online processing
  • Quick merchant approval and processing
  • Suitable for various business types
Cons
  • Potential Fees
  • Long-Term Contracts
  • Mixed Reviews
Paysafe
Pros
  • Multi-currency support
  • Credit cards, digital wallets, online cash
  • Encryption and fraud detection
  • Dedicated assistance
  • Easy e-commerce platform integration
Cons
  • Higher fees for high-risk merchants
  • Contract terms can vary
Clover
Pros
  • Intuitive interfaces simple for staff
  • Extensive app marketplace
  • Integrated hardware, software & payments
  • Comprehensive analytics tools
  • Suitable for businesses of all sizes
Cons
  • Higher upfront expense
  • Best with Clover’s own hardware
  • Mixed reviews on response times
Stax
Pros
  • Flat-rate monthly fees
  • Lower costs than traditional processors
  • POS, mobile, and e-commerce payments
  • Detailed transaction reports
  • Excellent customer service
Cons
  • Flat monthly rate may be costly
  • Not ideal for low transaction volumes
  • Time needed to master advanced features
MerchantOne
Pros
  • Tailored customer support
  • Customizable pricing plans
  • Quick Approval and Setup
  • Multiple payment methods
  • Advanced data protection
Cons
  • Long-term contracts possible
  • Hidden fees likely
  • Varied customer feedback
WorldPay
Pros
  • Global enterprise acquiring
  • Advanced risk tools
  • Strong uptime SLAs
  • Extensive reporting suites
  • Broad platform partnerships
Cons
  • Quote-only pricing
  • Longer sales cycles
  • Less SMB focus
Payment Depot
Pros
  • Membership-based, no markups
  • Lower costs with direct interchange rates
  • Clear, straightforward pricing
  • Dedicated customer service teams
  • Various POS and e-commerce platforms
Cons
  • May be high for small businesses
  • Not ideal for minimal transactions
  • Reports of account holds or freezes

FAQs

What are merchant services and why do I need a merchant service provider?

Merchant services are the financial services and technology businesses need to accept a credit card, debit card, and digital payment from customers. A merchant services provider, (or merchant account provider) is the company that allows you to process payments; they are the intermediary between your business, your customers bank, and the card networks. If you want to accept payments besides cash, (accepting payments like Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, online payments, mobile wallet payments, etc.) you will need a merchant services provider. Merchant services providers set you up with a merchant account; they provide payment processing hardware / software, and they assure that funds from customer card payments will get deposited into your business bank account. In short, if you want to grow your business using convenient payment methods, a reliable merchant services provider is crucial.

How do I find the best merchant account provider for small business?

Finding the best merchant account provider for a small business comes down to comparing your options while considering the facets that matter most to you. First, look at cost: small businesses should be looking for low credit card processing fees (or reasonable flat-rate plans), and low monthly fees. Next consider usability - you likely want something that is easy to set-up and seamlessly integrates with your point-of-sale or online store, without requiring you to have an I.T. department. You also want to look for contract terms that are flexible (month-to-month is ideal if you are just launching). The payment processors and providers we have compared for the small merchant in this guide has highlighted providers that understand small merchants and their needs. Read the reviews from other small business owners, and don't hesitate to reach out to get a free quote or demo. The ideal provider will offer the right mix of competitive rates; features designed for small businesses, such as an intuitive point-of-sale or business analytics features; and of course good customer support.

What fees should I look at when comparing credit card processing firms?

When comparing credit card processing firms, be sure to compare all of the fees, not just a rate that's advertised to you. While you should factor in the advertised swipe rate, you need to look at: • Transaction Fees - the percentage + per-transaction amount for each sale. • Monthly Service Fees. • Payment Gateway Fees (if applicable for online payments). • Flat PCI compliance fees. • Equipment renting or purchase costs (for terminals or readers). • Chargeback fees. • Fees for things like early termination or fees for a monthly minimum. Look also at how the pricing is structured: is it a flat percentage of every sale, or is it an interchange-plus markup (i.e., you pay the actual interchange pricing plus a fixed markup), or is it a tiered system, etc. When you do a true fee-by-fee side by side comparison of each provider, you will be able to get a true "effective rate" for each provider. Sometimes a provider that has a slightly higher headline rate may actually be cheaper in total markets because they charge no monthly fees, or vice versa. Our guide and comparison table has tried to uncover these fees so that you can make an informed decision, with no hidden surprises on your bill.

Do I really need to sign a long-term contract to lock in low rates?

Definitely, not always. Some, as in many traditional merchants account providers, expect to sign a multi-year contract (usually 2-3 years) in order to lock in the rate, but many modern providers post competitive, often lower rates, even without these long-term contracts. Based on our analysis of the top-rated merchant services providers, many are month-to-month with no early termination fee. Month-to-month contracts is advantageous; you can switch in a month if you see a better deal, or if your business needs change, and you’re letting these providers earn your business, month by month. On the other hand, a few folks that advertise low rates (or free equipment) may expect a contract to deliver those rates or condition on the free offerings. Regardless, expect to think through both sides of whether a new contract is worth it: In the event the contract is referenced to fees that are lower and savings that are worth an avoided decision – think long and hard about your considerations (compared to your freedom); and not worry as alternative great merchant services can definitely be found and secured with just a month-to-month term. The business environment/method is transitioning and heading continuously towards better offerings for small businesses. In summary, don’t be socially coerced into a contract with a merchant services provider unless you confident the provider is someone you want to commit to.

What does the term "high approval rate" mean, and should I care?

A "high approval rate" means that the merchant services company accepts the vast majority of merchants when applying for a merchant account. For example, a provider may claim to have a 98%+ approval rate for all new merchant applications merchantservices-usa.com . If you've been declined in the past, or if you're considered high-risk by banks (even when you've not done anything inappropriate to warrant this), this may be important to you. A high approval rate usually is a sign that company has more lenient underwriting or simply specializes in getting high-risk businesses approved, often by having several different backend processors they partner with. If you're a traditional low-risk business, probably approval rate is not that critical to consider (most main stream providers will approve you so long as your credit score and additional documents are in check). But, if you have less than good credit, are a new business without any processing history on are in a weird industry, going with a provider that advertises a high approval rate will save you time and heartache, because you are likely to get approved easily and start processing payments quickly with less obstructions (more quickly than not). Don't lie on your application, and if bad luck (one provider declines you), try other companies that market this.

Your Shortcut to the Best Merchant Account Providers

Selecting the right merchant services provider doesn't have to be so stressful. If you compare all of your options, and determine what is most important to you (transparent pricing, low fees, high approval rates, flexible terms, and support), then you can narrow down the right choice for your business. Usually, you want to find a partner that makes accepting payments easy and affordable, and you want to stay focused on more lucrative areas of your business.

Use our free quoting tool, or other invaluable resources, and get the best merchant account today!