Offering more payment options on your store or WordPress is one of the most effortless ways to attract more customers and eventually generate more income. People love to pay with their favorite payment options. The same is the case with credit cards.
Over 548 million people used credit cards, according to a study in 2022. The number must have escalated. And this massive market loves to pay with credit cards.
But here is a catch. Accepting credit cards can be expensive, which can be a real hassle, especially for small businesses. These seemingly minimal processing charges can add up in the long run. Thus, we are here with a list of the five cheapest credit card processing services.
Let’s jump right in!
Key Features to Look for in Cheapest Credit Card Processing Services
Most payment processing services entice you by hiding hidden charges behind industry-specific jargon and complicated terminologies. This section will list all the factors you should look for while choosing a payment processor for your business.
- Transparent Pricing: Look for providers that offer clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees. There are usually three payment models such as flat-rate, interchange-plus, or tiered pricing models.
- Transaction Fees: Compare the per-transaction rates across different services. Cheaper options typically offer lower percentage rates and fixed fees.
- Monthly Fees: Ensure there are minimal or no monthly fees and that you’re not locked into long-term contracts with pesky cancellation charges. Some services may ask you to sign lengthy contracts. Avoid such services at all costs.
- Security and Compliance: The processor should be PCI compliant and offer security features like encryption and tokenization to protect sensitive customer data.
- Processing Speed: Fast fund transfers can improve cash flow. Look for services with quick payout times, ideally within 1-2 business days.
- Hardware and Software Compatibility: Ensure the processor supports your existing POS systems or offers cost-effective hardware options. Compatibility with eCommerce platforms, such as Shopify and WooCommerce, is also essential for online businesses.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer service with 24/7 availability can be crucial during technical issues or disputes.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Choose a service that can grow with your business, offering additional features like recurring billing, virtual terminals, and mobile payment options.
05 Cheapest Credit Card Processing Services in 2025
Let’s compare the five best and the most popular credit card processing services and find out the best one. However, please note that the list below is not in order, and we are not affiliated with any service.
#1: Square
Let’s start with Square—one of the most popular services on the list.
Related: What is Square? Detailed Look at Features [2025]
Simply put, Square offers a complete solution for businesses trying to start a business. It provides the user with almost everything one would need to start a small or medium-sized business.
It offers a POS system, a free mobile reader, marketing tools, an appointment-setting application, streamlines invoices, and even supplies loan services via Square Capital.
Square has a free plan with 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction charge. Or you can upgrade to a plus or premium plan costing $29/month + processing fees and custom pricing + processing fees, respectively.
Technically, Square only makes money when you do unless you use other services, such as marketing those mentioned above.
#2: Zeetle by PayPal
Next, we have Zeetle.
A PoS service by one of the biggest digital payment services, PayPal.
Similar to Square, it also comes with no monthly charges and charges per transaction fee, which starts at 2.29% + $0.9. It is an affordable solution, especially for small businesses. The charges are the same for QR code transactions. But they escalate up to 3.49% + $0.9 for keyed-in transactions. Lastly, the invoice fees are even higher at 3.49% + $0.49 for PayPal payments and 2.99% + $0.49 for cards and other alternatives.
Another cost associated with Zeetle is their one-time PoS system cost. The system costs $29 + tax. If you want additional readers, that would cost $79 plus tax each. Multiple PoS systems are essential for businesses with multiple locations.
Also Read: Square vs PayPal: Which is Right for Your Business?
#3: Stripe
Coming up next, we have Stripe. A widely trusted credit card processing service known for its developer-friendly tools and support. Stripe is particularly popular among eCommerce businesses due to its integration capabilities with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom-built websites.
Stripe offers a straightforward pricing structure, charging 2.9% + $0.30 per card transaction. Transactions done with international cards cost an additional 1% fee. There are no monthly fees whatsoever, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to cut costs and only pay for transactions.
For in-person transactions through their terminal, Stripe charges 2.7% + $0.05 Plus 1.5% for international cards and/or 1% for converting currencies. For wire transfer transactions, you pay a whopping $8 per payment.
#4: Helcim
Helcim is another budget-friendly option known for its transparent pricing model and no long-term contracts. It uses an interchange-plus pricing structure, which often results in lower rates compared to flat-rate services.
Helcim’s rates start at 1.92% + $0.08 per transaction for in-person payments and 2.38% + $0.25 for online transactions. There are no monthly fees, setup charges, or cancellation penalties, making it a top pick for small businesses.
For keyed transactions—when info is typed manually—you pay 2.51% + $0.25. And for accepting ACH payments there is 0.5% + $0.25. The service has a capped fee of $6 per transaction.
The terminal and the card reader are a bit costly. They have two plans for terminals, namely, smart and card reader, costing $349 and $109, respectively.
#5: Payment Depot
Next, we have Payment Depot which shines with the membership-based pricing model. Until now, all the options in the list we have discussed have transaction charges. This one is a little different.
Instead of charging large amounts per transaction, the service only charges a few cents depending on the subscription plan with direct interchange rates and no markup. This can lead to significant savings for businesses processing large amounts of transactions.
There are three plans, namely Starter, Starter Plus, and Growth, and here’s how these compare:
- Starter: The plan costs $59/month + $0.15 per transaction. Along with that, there are a few more benefits, such as a free PoS system, ACH processing, a detailed analytical dashboard, and breach protection.
- Starter Plus: The plan is $79/month + $0.10 per transaction. The benefits include everything in the previous plan, in addition to digital invoicing, text-to-pay option, APIs, and Quickbooks integration.
- Growth: The last one is the growth plan that costs $99/month + $0.7 per transaction. Similarly, this includes everything in the previous plan in addition to an upgraded dashboard with even detailed analytics, the ability to import or export data in various formats, and automatic updates for credit card expirations, saving you heaps of hassle.
The pricing strategy of Payment Depot stands out because it offers amazing value for businesses of all kinds.
Final Verdict: Which Cheapest Credit Card Processing Service Should You Choose?
Choosing the right credit card processing service is essential for maximizing your profits while controlling costs. Whether you’re a small business looking for flat-rate simplicity like Square and Zeetle or a high-volume enterprise seeking interchange-plus savings from Helcim and Payment Depot, the options in this guide are for businesses of all kinds and sizes.
Carefully evaluate the pricing, features, and compatibility with your business needs to find the perfect fit. Investing time in selecting the best credit card processor will ensure smoother transactions, better cash flow, and long-term financial health for your business.
To accept credit card payments via services like Square on your WordPress, download WP EasyPay today!
FAQs — Cheapest Credit Card Processing Services
Who has the cheapest credit card processing rates?
The cheapest of all is Helcim, with 1.92% + $0.08 per transaction, but their PoS system costs the bank. To get the cheapest credit card PoS system, you can try Zeetle, which charges 2.29% + $0.9 per transaction. Alternatively, if you want an entire business solution, you can try Square, which comes at a slightly higher processing fee than Zeetle, at 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction. The best part is that the PoS system is completely free. Lastly, if you run a massive business, you can opt for Payment Depot, with the cheapest transaction rate, at $0.15 per transaction, however, you will have to pay a strong monthly fee starting from $59 per month.
How much is a credit card processing fee?
Credit card processing fee entirely depends on its issuer. Mostly, credit card processing fees are around 1.5% to 4% of the total valuation of the transaction amount. For instance, a $1,000 transaction will cost anywhere from $15 to $40, depending on various factors.
Why are card processing fees so high?
The charges come from the card issuer. These issuers or banks, like Capital One and Chase, are here to provide you with your card. They charge an interchange fee to help cover their operating costs and ensure you’ve got protection against fraud, which typically ranges from 1.7% to 2% and is non-negotiable.