How we compare payment processors
Where our fee data comes from, what we compare, how often we check it, and how partner relationships are kept separate from the numbers.
Where the numbers come from
Every rate on PaymentNinja comes from the provider's own public pricing page. When a provider doesn't publish pricing (common for merchant accounts and high-risk providers), we say so and show it as "custom quote" rather than guessing.
Each processor page lists the source we used and the date we last checked it, so you can verify the numbers yourself.
What we compare
- In-person rate: the standard card-present (tap, dip or swipe) rate for US cards
- Online rate: the standard card-not-present rate for e-commerce checkout
- Keyed rate: manually entered card numbers, which usually cost more
- Monthly fees: account, software or gateway fees charged regardless of volume
- Chargeback fees: what you pay when a customer disputes a payment
- Pricing model: flat-rate, interchange-plus or custom
We compare standard published pricing. Many providers offer lower negotiated rates at higher volumes, so your actual quote may be lower.
How the calculators work
The fee calculator applies each provider's published rates to the sales volume, average sale and in-person/online mix you enter. It doesn't include interchange variation, international card surcharges or hardware costs. The savings calculator works out your current effective rate from your statement and compares it with typical rates. Both are estimates, not quotes.
How often we check
We review pricing for every listed provider at least once a quarter, and sooner when a provider announces a change. If you spot something out of date, let us know.
No made-up ratings
We don't publish star ratings, scores or customer reviews we haven't verified. Pros and cons are based on each provider's published terms and features.
How partners fit in
PaymentNinja is free for businesses. Some providers, including Zeyla, pay us when you request a quote or sign up through our links. Partner listings are labeled, and partner relationships never change the fee data we publish. Read our full partner disclosure.