Payment gateway comparison without the sales pitch

A gateway securely captures and transmits card data from your checkout or terminal, while the processor routes the transaction to the card networks and issuing banks and arranges settlement. Many providers bundle both, so you may see one fee covering the two.

Common structures are a flat percentage plus a fixed per-transaction fee, or interchange plus a markup, with optional monthly fees. Exact rates depend on your volume, ticket size and risk, so get written quotes and use the fee calculator to compare.

Flat rate is simple and often cheaper at low volume. As volume or average ticket grows, interchange-plus frequently becomes cheaper because you pay the true cost of each card plus a fixed markup. Run your own numbers on a recent statement.

Facilitator accounts can often be activated within days if your information checks out, while a dedicated merchant account can take longer because of underwriting. Missing documents or mismatched names are the most common delays.

Providers may place a reserve or delay payouts when they see higher risk, such as a sharp volume spike, high refund or chargeback rates, or products that differ from your application. Read the reserve and termination clauses in your agreement before you sign.

Surcharging is regulated by card network rules and by some state laws, and it is restricted or prohibited in certain places. Check your provider's rules and your state's law before adding one, and disclose it clearly at checkout.

Yes, any business that accepts cards is expected to follow the PCI Data Security Standard under its merchant agreement. Using a hosted checkout or tokenization usually reduces how much you must validate.

Yes, review the term length, auto-renewal, early termination fee and equipment lease terms. Month-to-month agreements give you flexibility to switch if pricing or service changes.