Last updated: August 20, 2025

STAX REVIEW (2025): SUBSCRIPTION (MEMBERSHIP) PRICING WITH 0% MARKUP ON INTERCHANGE

Merchant Services USA Advisor

Staff Editor

Overview

Stax (formerly Fattmerchant) is known for subscription‑based pricing: a flat monthly fee plus direct‑cost interchange with 0% percentage markup (you still pay per‑transaction cents). It targets established SMBs that process $5k+/month and want transparent, software‑forward payments. Stax also owns CardX (automated surcharging) and has expanded its stack with the BlockChyp gateway acquisition.

Best for

Growing retailers, professional services, healthcare, and B2B merchants that want predictable membership pricing, next‑day funding options, and robust invoicing/eCommerce tools.

Key takeaways

Published pricing: subscriptions start at $99/month, tiered by annual volume (e.g., $99 up to $150k; $139 up to $250k; $199+ above). Per‑transaction cents apply.
0% markup on interchange—useful for card‑present volume with larger tickets.
Compliant surcharging (via CardX by Stax) available where permitted by law.

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

Pricing and fees

Subscriptions: listed $99/$139/$199+ by annual volume. 0% markup on interchange; per‑item cents apply (request your schedule). Surcharging offered via CardX.

Contract and onboarding

Month‑to‑month is often available; confirm any term/ETF. Stax is a registered ISO/MSP with multiple sponsor banks.

Hardware and integrations

Equipment‑agnostic approach with many compatible terminals; eCommerce, Text2Pay, API, and invoicing included.

Funding speed

Next‑day funding language appears on the pricing page; check your cutoff time and ACH timelines.

Security and compliance

PCI support plus CardX tools to automate surcharge disclosures where legal. Always follow card‑brand caps (Visa 3% max on credit).

Real‑world cost example (illustrative)

A clinic doing $60,000/month at a $200 average ticket might benefit from Stax’s 0% markup and a fixed monthly fee if most volume is card‑present. Compare your effective rate against flat‑rate alternatives.

Who it’s best for

Merchants with consistent volume (e.g., $5k–$250k+/mo) who want predictable costs and built‑in back‑office tools.

Who should consider alternatives

Seasonal micro‑merchants with low ticket/low volume who prefer no monthly fee.

How to negotiate and implement

Lock your per‑item cents, get a written schedule of all monthly/annual fees, and confirm next‑day funding eligibility.

Reputation and trust signals

Membership model praised by analysts; acquisitions of CardX (2021) and BlockChyp (2024) strengthened the platform.

FAQs

How does Stax’s “membership” or subscription pricing work?

Stax charges a flat monthly subscription and passes interchange at cost with 0% percentage markup; you still pay a per‑transaction cents fee. This model can lower costs for steady‑volume merchants with larger average tickets because you’re not paying a processor percentage on top of interchange. Ask for a written schedule showing your monthly fee, per‑item cents, any add‑ons (ACH, surcharging), and hardware costs.

Is Stax really cheaper than flat‑rate processors?

It depends on your mix and volume. If you process consistent, meaningful volume—especially card‑present with mid‑to‑high tickets—the subscription model can produce a lower effective rate over time. If you’re very low volume or highly seasonal, a flat‑rate aggregator with no monthly fee may be less expensive. Run a 90‑day statement test: calculate your all‑in cost under both models, including monthly software and incidentals.

Does Stax offer next‑day funding and what are the requirements?

Many Stax merchants qualify for next‑day funding when batches are closed by a specified cut‑off time. Confirm whether weekends and holidays affect deposits and if instant/accelerated deposit options are available for an extra fee. Ask about reserve policies and whether chargeback frequency could delay payouts during reviews.

Can I surcharge credit‑card payments with Stax?

Yes—Stax includes access to compliant surcharging tools (often via CardX by Stax) in permitted jurisdictions. You must surcharge credit only, follow brand caps, and post required signage/disclosures. For online payments, ensure your checkout displays the total credit price or the surcharge amount before the customer pays, and that receipts capture the fee correctly. Always verify state rules before enabling.

What POS, terminals, and e‑commerce options does Stax support?

Stax is generally hardware‑agnostic and supports common terminals, mobile readers, virtual terminal, invoicing, Text2Pay, and e‑commerce gateways/APIs. Confirm device ownership vs. rental, warranty/replacement SLAs, and whether your subscription includes certain software features or requires add‑ons (e.g., recurring billing, hosted checkout, tokenization).

Are Stax contracts month‑to‑month?

Stax frequently offers flexible terms, but you should always ask for your exact contract length, auto‑renewal rules, and whether any ETF applies. If you expect to scale or change providers, request month‑to‑month or an ETF waiver and put it in writing. Keep copies of your signed order form and the master service agreement.

What should I send Stax to receive an accurate quote?

Provide two recent processing statements showing card‑present vs. card‑not‑present mix, average ticket, monthly volume, chargebacks, gateway usage, and any current monthly fees. Ask Stax to model your effective rate under the subscription plan with your actual mix, including per‑transaction cents and software add‑ons.

How does Stax help with PCI and chargebacks?

Most Stax deployments include a PCI compliance portal/SAQ assistance and access to chargeback alerts and dispute workflows. Enable AVS/CVV on keyed/online transactions and adopt written documentation standards for deliveries, services rendered, and refund policies. Ask Stax for templates and timelines so your staff can respond within card‑brand windows.