Best Merchant Credit Card Processing Services

Are you losing sales because your business doesn’t accept credit cards? Find the best merchant credit card processing services for your business and start accepting credit cards today!

When choosing a credit card processing company, consider more than just the overall cost. Look for a provider that offers the most overall value for your needs, including hardware and software compatibility, flexible terms, and high-quality customer support.

Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing a credit card processing company:

• Cost: The overall cost of the processing fees will vary depending on the company and the type of processing you need.
• Features: The company should offer the features you need, such as online payments, mobile payments, and recurring billing.
• Support: The company should offer excellent customer support, so you can get help if you have any problems.

6 Best Credit Card Processors

• Leaders merchant services: Best Client-centered and technology-driven payment platform
• PAYARC: Best Transparent pricing with low rates & fees
• ProMerchant: Best for Startups
• Merchant One: Best for Easy Approval
• Payment Depot: Best for Low Fees
• NA Bancard
• Payment Depot

1. Leaders Merchant Services

• Ideal for merchants of all sizes
• Automatic surcharging compliance
• 24/7 technical support
• Business loans & cash advances
• Same day approval

Leaders is a top credit card processing service that’s been around for 20 years and has a 98% approval rating. It offers some of the best credit card processing rates in the industry, starting at just 0.15%. Leaders also provide a $500 Assurance guarantee that compensates you if they can’t save you money within the first 6 months of your contract. The company works with the reliable Clover point-of-sale system and integrates with QuickBooks. Leaders offer value-added services such as business cash advances, loyalty programs, gift cards, check guarantee services and point-of-sale systems. New SMBs will appreciate the helpful glossary of terms and 24/7/365 customer service for troubleshooting any issues.

Pros

• Free EMV card terminal.
• 98% approval rating.
• Some of the lowest rates around, starting at .15%.

Cons 

• The pricing structure is not clear.
• High early termination fees.

2. PAYARC 

PAYARC offers tailored solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, including support for card processing, invoicing, subscriptions, and payment analytics. The company works with over 10,000 merchants across the US and provides same-day payments for most businesses. PAYARC also offers 24/7 customer support and a user-friendly dashboard for reporting and invoicing. Pricing is by quote only and includes access to a selection of PAX POS devices or Dejavoo card readers.

Pros

• User-friendly software with in-depth analytics.
• Supports invoicing and subscriptions.
• PAX POS devices are available for purchase or lease.

Cons

• Not transparent about pricing.
• Customers must submit to a background check prior to approval.

3. ProMerchant

ProMerchant is a credit card processing partner that’s willing to work with startups that don’t have an extensive financial history. The company offers month-to-month contracts so you’re not locked into a long-term agreement and can cancel anytime without paying an early termination fee. ProMerchant evaluates your business and recommends the best plan for you after you fill out the online application form to get a free quote from a ProMerchant account director. The application process is straightforward, and most businesses will know whether they are approved within two to 24 hours. ProMerchant clients typically go from application to processing transactions within 72 hours, but e-commerce and mail order/telephone order (MOTO) merchants can start taking card payments within 48 hours.

Pros

• ProMerchant is a credit card processing partner that’s willing to work with new and riskier businesses, including those with less-than-ideal credit. 
• The application process is fast and easy, with approval typically occurring within 72 hours. 
• There are no monthly fees, and free hardware and 24/7 customer support are included

Cons

• As a relatively new company without a long track record.
• The processing fee structure is not listed thus potential customers have to contact the company for a quote.

4. Merchant One 

Merchant One is one of the best credit card processors for easy approval, with an average approval time of 24 hours. The company provides credit card processing solutions with a variety of processing and POS features that can support your business whether you’re accepting payments online or in-store. Merchant One looks beyond your credit score when reviewing your application and claims to have a 98% approval rate. It’s willing to work with all companies.

5. NA Bancard

NA Bancard is a credit card processing service that supports businesses many other processors consider too high-risk to deal with. Its flexible terms and month-to-month service means it is a suitable option for any business, regardless of size, industry, or transaction volumes. Every NA Bancard client receives access to a dedicated account manager that will act as a point of contact for all support needs. 

NA Bancard provides clients with free equipment, which can be significant cost savings compared to processors that require merchants to lease or buy equipment needed to run debit and credit card transactions. While its pricing structure isn’t published on its website, NA Bancard doesn’t charge termination fees. Overall, we found NA Bancard to be a strong choice for high-risk businesses in need of merchant processing support.

Pros

• NA Bancard offers month-to-month service and doesn’t require long-term contracts. 
• A wide range of business tools and useful features can help businesses remain financially stable. 

Cons

• Pricing is not transparent and customer support options are limited.

6. Payment Depot

Payment Depot is a credit card processing company that offers a unique membership model. Instead of charging interchange-plus pricing, Payment Depot charges wholesale pricing with no additional markups. This means that businesses can save money on their credit card processing fees, especially if they have a high volume of transactions.

Payment Depot’s membership plans range from $59 to $99 per month, and custom quotes are available for businesses that transact more than $500,000 in credit card charges each year. In addition to the monthly membership fee, Payment Depot also offers a variety of features, including next-day deposits, rate protection, chargeback and risk monitoring, and free equipment.

Payment Depot’s wholesale pricing can be a significant benefit to businesses that have a high volume of transactions. The company’s fixed pricing can make it easier for businesses to plan their expenses and avoid any unexpected charges. However, for vendors that have a low number of transactions or that need a full-featured mobile POS solution, other credit card processing companies may be a better option.

Here are some of the benefits of using Payment Depot:

• Wholesale pricing: Payment Depot charges wholesale pricing with no additional markups, which can save businesses money on their credit card processing fees.
• Fixed pricing: Payment Depot’s fixed pricing makes it easier for businesses to plan their expenses and avoid any unexpected charges.
• Next-day deposits: Payment Depot offers next-day deposits, which means that businesses can get their money quickly.
• Rate protection: Payment Depot offers rate protection, which means that businesses’ rates will not increase unexpectedly.
• Chargeback and risk monitoring: Payment Depot offers chargeback and risk monitoring, which can help businesses protect themselves from fraud.
• Free equipment: Payment Depot offers free equipment, which can save businesses money on the cost of setting up their credit card processing system.

Who is Payment Depot good for?

Payment Depot is a good option for businesses that:

• Have a high volume of credit card transactions
• Prefer a membership model with no contracts
• Want to use non-proprietary hardware that can be reprogrammed after canceling the service

Who is Payment Depot not good for?

Payment Depot is not a good option for businesses that:

• Have a low volume of transactions
• Need to process recurring payments
• Are high-risk merchants

What Is a Credit Card Processing Company?

Credit card processing companies act as the go-between for merchants and customers, facilitating payments and taking care of the backend details. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so it’s important to find a company that matches your business needs, budget, and goals.

Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing a credit card processing company:

• Type of payments: Some companies specialize in online payments, while others focus on in-person transactions. Some offer an all-in-one solution for all types of sales.
• Volume: Some companies cater to specific types of businesses or merchants that process a certain level of volume.
• Pricing: The cost of credit card processing can vary depending on the company, the type of payments you accept, and your volume.
• Features: Some companies offer additional features, such as fraud protection or chargeback management.

It’s important to compare different companies and their offerings before making a decision. You can also get quotes from multiple companies to get the best deal.

How Credit Card Processing Works

The credit card transaction process is like a choreographed dance, with each step happening in a specific order. The three stages of the process are authorization, authentication, and settlement.

Authorization is the first step, and it’s when the merchant’s payment gateway or credit card machine sends the cardholder’s data to the payment processor. The payment processor then sends the data to the card network, which determines which bank issued the card. The issuing bank then checks the account to make sure there are enough funds available. If there are, the issuing bank sends an approval message back to the payment processor. If there aren’t enough funds available, the transaction is declined.

Authentication is the second step, and it’s when the payment processor verifies the cardholder’s identity. This is usually done by checking the cardholder’s name and address against the information on file with the issuing bank.

Settlement is the third and final step, and it’s when the funds are transferred from the customer’s account to the merchant’s account. This process usually takes two to three business days.

The credit card transaction process is a complex one, but it happens so quickly that most people don’t even notice it. However, it’s important to understand the different steps involved so that you can be sure that your transactions are secure and that your customers have a positive experience.

Things To Consider When Shopping for Merchant Services

1. Consider how you will accept payments.

If you are an e-commerce store, you may only need to accept payments online. However, if you also have a physical store, you may need additional equipment to process in-person card transactions.

2. Consider the types of payments you will accept.

Will you only take debit cards, or will you also accept credit cards and contactless payments? If you accept credit cards, which networks will you accept? Keep in mind that some merchant service providers may not support all credit card networks.

AI is having a significant impact on many industries, including merchant services. It is being used to combat fraud by learning transaction details and detecting potentially fraudulent transactions. AI can also automatically retry failed transactions, such as declined cards, saving time for both parties and reducing embarrassment for the consumer.

3. Consider the Hardware and Software

There are several hardware and software options available for accepting payments. Classic credit card terminals allow for payment via swiping, inserting, or tapping a credit card. Virtual terminals enable the acceptance of credit cards without the physical presence of the card. Contactless payments, such as Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Google Pay, use RFID technology to enable payment without contact. Mobile payments, such as Venmo or PayPal, allow for payment from a mobile device. E-commerce features, including shopping carts and online store customization, enable online payment. PoS systems are physical locations where customers can complete in-person sales at a store. Payment gateways are software that allows for secure online payment processing.

4. Consider the method to use; P2P Apps

In the past, carrying cash or visiting an ATM was necessary to pay someone back if they covered the bill for you. However, with the advent of P2P apps like Venmo and PayPal, sending and receiving money has become much easier. These apps are not only used by individuals to transfer money between each other but also by businesses and charitable organizations as a means of payment. Now, donors can easily contribute to their favorite causes using a P2P app.

5. Consider the use of an Electronic Voice Assistant

Just over a decade ago, the idea of using an electronic voice assistant to perform tasks such as web searches, weather checks, and shopping was the stuff of science fiction. However, with the introduction of Siri, Cortana, Alexa, and Google, this has become a reality. In the US alone, over 40 million people own an Alexa or Google device, not including those who use voice search on their phones. This has created a huge opportunity for commerce, with experts predicting that voice commerce will generate around $40 billion in revenue by 2022.