Cheapest Credit Card Processing Services in 2024

In a world where profit margins can be slim, the choice of a credit card processor can significantly impact a company’s bottom line. I’ve researched those companies offering the best possible card processing fees to UK businesses, assessing their reviews, customer service, features and more.

It’s worth pointing out that the real ‘cheapest’ for you is going to depend on your business’s industry, sales volume and typical transaction size, to name a few factors.

That notwithstanding, these companies stand out for their fair pricing and ability to quote very competitively when the fit is right.

Who Offers the Cheapest Credit Card Processing Fees in 2024?

Square

For face-to-face transactions using card readers, Square charges a fee of 1.75%. For online transactions, the rate is slightly 1.4% plus 25p per transaction.

Square does not impose a monthly fee for its standard pay-as-you-go service, making it an accessible option for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, Square provides a comprehensive suite of products, including advanced card readers and integrated online sales tools, starting from a competitive price point.

Square’s commitment to its customers is further demonstrated through its promise of next-day payouts, continuous support, and consistent fee structure.

Why we like it: Square stands out for its user-friendly approach, offering a straightforward, efficient way to process payments across multiple channels. Its no-monthly-fee model, coupled with a robust suite of tools for business management, makes Square an excellent choice for businesses seeking a reliable and versatile payment processing solution.

SumUP: Best for Businesses Taking 30k+ per year

For in-person payments like card readers and tap-to-pay, the fee is 1.69% per transaction, or lower if you subscribe. For digital payments like invoices and online store transactions, it’s 2.5%.

However, businesses that make £30,000 or more yearly, save an average of 40% on fees bringing those in-person transaction payments down to 0.79% each! Plus, you can cancel anytime. This is the best rate we’ve heard of for a no-contract solution.

Why we like it:

SumUp’s appeal lies in its simplicity and affordability. It’s an excellent choice for businesses that need a straightforward, no-fuss solution for accepting card payments.

Revolut Payments

The Revolut Reader costs £49 plus shipping, and once you’ve paid, it’s yours. There’s no monthly fee; you only pay a fee for each transaction.

Fees for UK consumer cards are 1% + £0.20, and for all international and commercial cards, it’s 2.8% + £0.20. Revolut offers simple, flat fee pricing per transaction, making it easy to understand. For businesses with high monthly volumes, Revolut also provides custom plans to fit your needs.

You will need a Revolut Business account though, which may put off some who don’t want a second account.

Why we like it:

Revolut stands out for its competitive transaction fees and comprehensive suite of financial services, making it a strong option for businesses ready to use Revolut as their primary bank account. It is particularly beneficial for businesses that operate internationally, providing an efficient and cost-effective method for handling global transactions.

While it may not offer the advanced POS software capabilities seen in solutions like Square, and its card machine is somewhat basic, Revolut’s global financial services and attractive pricing structure make it a compelling choice for businesses aiming to streamline their financial processes across multiple countries.

Elavon

Elavon is a leading global payment processor offering a wide range of merchant services, including credit and debit card processing, mobile and online payment sol

For face-to-face payments, there’s no monthly fee, with transaction fees starting from 1.75% and a one-off device cost of £29.

Monthly plans for more advanced features start from £15, with transaction fees from 0.99%.

For online payments, the monthly gateway fee starts at £25, with transaction fees from 0.99%, or a pay-as-you-go option with a 1.99% transaction fee and a £0.12 click-fee. Elavon provides devices and services for both in-person and online payments, supporting b

Why we like it:

Elavon’s global reputation for reliability makes it a standout choice for businesses prioritising security and customer service. Its competitive rates, coupled with a wide range of supported payment methods, provide a flexible and cost-effective solution for businesses aiming to streamline their payment processing systems.

Stripe

Stripe offers a comprehensive payment platform with a simple, pay-as-you-go pricing model for businesses of all sizes. There are no setup fees, monthly fees, or hidden fees.

For standard UK card transactions, the cost is 1.5% + 20p, while for EU cards, the fee is 2.5% + 20p. Stripe also provides custom pricing options for businesses with large payment volumes or unique business models, including volume discounts and multi-product discounts.

The platform supports over 135 currencies, local payment methods, and offers tools for creating optimized checkout flows, managing subscriptions, and handling invoices, all with the aim of helping businesses grow by automating revenue and finance operations.

Why we like it:

Stripe’s strength lies in its powerful API and the ability to create a customised payment experience. It’s a top choice for businesses looking to integrate payments seamlessly into their websites or apps, offering scalability and flexibility to grow with your business.

WorldPay

Like many providers Worldpay don’t give fixed prices but quote per the turnover value of your monthly card transactions, with businesses having higher card turnover generally receiving lower fees.

For example, a retail business with an average transaction value of £25 could see in-person debit card fees starting from 0.60% for a £25,000 turnover, decreasing to 0.30% for a £10,000,000 turnover. Credit and business card fees follow a similar pattern, decreasing as turnover increases. Additional fees include a 4.5p authorisation fee per transaction, a £20 chargeback fee, a £5 monthly PCI DSS service fee, and a minimum monthly service charge of £15. Exact rates require a bespoke quote to accommodate the specific needs of your business.

Why we like it:

WorldPay’s appeal lies in its comprehensive range of services and its reputation for reliability. It’s well-suited for businesses looking for a dependable payment processing partner that can offer a wide array of payment methods, backed by robust security measures.

Tyl by Natwest

Tyl by NatWest tailors its fees based on your business’s size and type, offering straightforward pricing for UK-based businesses. For annual card payment values up to £50k, Tyl provides a single transaction charge of 1.5% (excluding American Express, which varies by industry).

For businesses over £50k in annual card payments, Tyl offers custom pricing to suit larger business needs. There are no charges for cancellations, international card payments, refunds, or authorisation fees. Special promotions include no monthly fees on the e-commerce gateway for the first 12 months, usually costing £14.95+VAT per month. Tyl also offers a range of card machines with the first three months free for new customers under a minimum 12-month contract.

Why we like it:

Tyl by NatWest, underpinned by the reputable British bank NatWest and developed by Pollinate using Clover hardware, offers a streamlined payment solution for small businesses. Its pricing model is designed with simplicity and affordability in mind, particularly beneficial for those already banking with NatWest and seeking to consolidate their financial services.

For businesses with an annual card payment value up to £50K, Tyl proposes a straightforward transaction fee of 1.5% for Visa and Mastercard, with bespoke rates for American Express cards. This competitive rate is slightly higher than Revolut’s but remains cheaper than some competitors, providing solid value for smaller operations. The over £50K revenue plan introduces custom transaction fees, accommodating larger businesses with volume-based pricing.

Tyl’s approach to hardware is distinct; rather than selling card readers, it opts for a rental model, aligning more closely with traditional merchant account providers than mobile alternatives like Stripe and Zettle. This includes a range of devices from pocket-friendly options to full POS systems, with the first three months free, further enhancing its appeal to new customers. Despite this, the addition of a monthly fee for the online payment gateway, waived initially, should be factored into long-term costs.

Notably, Tyl’s commitment to transparency is evident in its straightforward fees structure, excluding hidden charges for authorisation or refunds. However, businesses must be prepared for additional costs for Amex transactions and PCI compliance on higher revenue plans.

Zettle

Zettle by PayPal is a financial technology company that provides mobile payment solutions and point-of-sale systems to small businesses, enabling them to accept payments, track sales, and manage transactions efficiently.

It’s pricing is fairly similar to Square: for all transactions, whether they occur in person or online, Zettle applies a flat rate of 1.75%.

Payment links and Zettle invoices are both charged at 2.5%.

Why we like it: Zettle’s appeal lies in its simplicity and straightforwardness, offering a hassle-free solution for businesses to accept payments both in-person and online. The no-monthly-fee structure, combined with a flat transaction rate, makes Zettle an excellent choice for startups and small businesses aiming for budget-friendly payment processing solutions.

Retail Merchant Services (RMS)

Retail Merchant Services (RMS) offers some of the lowest transaction fees in the market for card payments, charging 0.4% for debit cards and 0.8% for credit cards. Its online transaction fees are also competitive at 0.79% + 10p.

Despite these attractive rates, RMS has been critiqued for its lack of transparency in pricing, contract lock-ins with high exit fees, and less-than-ideal customer service experiences.

The company, acting as an intermediary for Elavon, caters to small and medium-sized businesses across retail and hospitality sectors but falls short in offering a competitive edge when compared to other payment service providers.

Why we like it: Retail Merchant Services stands out for its tailored approach to payment processing fees, offering businesses a personalized solution that reflects their transaction volumes and operational needs. The focus on custom pricing ensures that businesses can benefit from competitive rates, making RMS a preferred choice for merchants seeking flexibility and cost-efficiency in their payment processing services.

Card Processing Fee Pricing Models

Card processing providers use a variety of pricing models, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

The most common pricing models include

1. Flat Rate: A fixed percentage of the transaction value and/or a flat fee per transaction. It offers simplicity and predictability but may not be the most cost-effective for high-volume businesses.
2. Interchange-Plus: Merchants pay the interchange fee set by card networks plus a markup set by the processor. It offers transparency and is often cost-effective for businesses with large transactions or varying card types.
3. Tiered Pricing: Transactions are categorised into tiers (qualified, mid-qualified, non-qualified) based on card type and processing method. While simple to understand, this model can lead to higher overall fees and a lack of transparency.
4. Subscription-Based: Merchants pay a flat monthly fee for processing services, regardless of transaction volume. This model suits businesses with consistent transaction patterns and can offer cost savings for high-volume merchants.

Types of Card  Processing Fees

Businesses pay different fees when processing credit card transactions.

Understanding the types of card processing fees is essential to managing your expenses and negotiating more favourable terms.

The exact fees you will pay will depend on your provider and your card turnover. However, they could include the following:

Interchange Fees

These are the primary fees paid to the card-issuing bank and are determined by the card networks (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). 

Interchange fees vary based on factors such as the type of card used or the transaction method.

For example, manually-entered and online payments often have a higher transaction rate as they have a higher risk of fraud. 

These fees are usually expressed as a percentage and range between 0.2% to 1% of the transaction value.

Amex Fees

You’ll pay Amex fees when a customer uses an American Express card to pay for your goods or services.

They include interchange fees paid to American Express and any additional fees imposed by the merchant account provider for processing Amex transactions. 

Amex fees typically range between 1% and 2%.

As American Express operates its own payment network separate from other card networks like Visa and Mastercard, merchants may incur higher processing fees for accepting Amex cards due to its unique fee structure and brand recognition.

Assessment Fees

Assessment fees are charges card networks impose for using their payment infrastructure and network. 

They’re sometimes referred to as network fees or network access fees and are typically a small percentage of the transaction volume. 

Merchant Account Provider Fees

This category includes various fees charged by the merchant account provider or payment processor. These fees may include:

• Set-up Fee: Your merchant account provider may charge a one-off fee when you begin processing card payments. Set-up fees usually range between £50 and £200. 
• Transaction Authorisation Fee: Charges incurred each time a merchant requests authorisation for a credit card transaction. These fees range between 1 to 3p per transaction and cover the cost of verifying the availability of funds in the customer’s account. 
• Transaction Fee: A flat fee or percentage of the transaction amount charged for each payment processed. Percentages usually range between 1.4 % and 3.6%.
• Discount Rate: A percentage of each transaction amount the processor deducts as its fee. Also known as merchant service charges, they typically range between 0.2% and 0.3%
• Monthly Account Fee: A fixed monthly charge for providing account management services. Fees range between £5 and £15 per month, with some providers offering free accounts.
• Monthly Minimum Fee: The merchant must pay a minimum fee each month and are charged the difference if their transaction fees don’t meet this minimum. This fee is usually between £10 and £20 per month.
• Gateway Fee: If transactions are processed online, a fee might apply for using the payment gateway that facilitates online transactions.
• PCI Compliance Fee: A fee for ensuring the merchant complies with Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standards. This fee is typically between £2.50 and £5 per month.

Incidental Fees

These are additional charges that may occur depending on specific circumstances:

• Chargeback Fee: When a customer disputes a transaction and initiates a chargeback, a fee is charged to the merchant to cover administrative costs. Fees can range between £10 and £25 per chargeback.
• Refund Fee: Some processors charge a fee for processing refunds to cover administrative costs. Refund fees are usually between 20p and £1.50.
• Non-Compliance Fee: If a merchant fails to meet PCI compliance standards or violates terms of service, they may incur additional fees.
• Currency Conversion Fee: These fees cover the cost of converting the transaction amount from the customer’s currency to the merchant’s currency.
• Fast Payouts: Instant or next-day access to funds may incur additional fees of around 1% and 2% of the transaction amount.
• Additional Features: Payment processors may offer optional services to merchants, such as fraud detection, reporting capabilities, and recurring billing services for an additional charge. 

Hardware Costs

These fees relate to the hardware you use to facilitate transactions and improve customer service.

They include:

• Card Machine Fees: Charges associated with the rental or purchase of card terminals. Depending on your machine, upfront costs range between £19 to £200+.
• POS Fees: An upfront or monthly fee for purchasing or renting an all-in-one point-of-sale (POS) system. Prices start from £100.

Factors That Affect Card Processing Fees

Your card processing fees are based on several factors, including 

• Transaction Volume and Value: Merchants processing a higher volume of transactions or larger transaction amounts may negotiate lower processing fees due to the potential for increased revenue for the processor. 
• Card Type and Brand: Different cards, such as debit, credit, corporate, or rewards cards, carry varying interchange rates set by card networks. 
• Transaction Method and Risk: Card-present transactions, where the card is physically present during the transaction, are generally considered less risky and may have lower processing fees compared to card-not-present transactions, such as online or over-the-phone purchases, which pose higher fraud risks.
• Merchant Category Code (MCC): Different MCCs may have different interchange rates. For example, MCCs associated with industries prone to chargebacks or fraud may face higher interchange rates and processing fees.
• Processing Technology: The technology used for processing, such as traditional terminals versus mobile or contactless payment solutions, can impact processing fees.
• Merchant Agreement: Merchants can negotiate discount rates, transaction fees, contract terms, and additional services to optimise their fee structure and minimise costs.
• Regulatory Compliance and Security: Failure to comply with PCI DSS standards may result in non-compliance fees, fines, or increased risk of data breaches, leading to reputational damage and financial losses for merchants.

Ways to Reduce Card Processing Fees

If you accept card payments, you won’t be able to avoid paying fees completely.

However, you may be able to reduce the amount you pay by doing the following: 

• Negotiate Rates: If you have a high transaction volume or process high-value payments, you may be able to negotiate lower transaction fees.
• Choose the Right Provider: Compare offerings from different payment processors to find one that offers competitive rates and transparent fee structures tailored to your business needs.
• Optimise Card Acceptance: Encourage customers to use lower-cost payment methods like debit cards instead of credit cards whenever possible. Consider implementing surcharges to offset costs.
• Monitor Rates: Stay informed about changes in interchange rates and card network fees to identify opportunities for cost savings and adjust your pricing strategies accordingly.
• Invest in Technology: Consider using modern payment processing technology and equipment that supports efficient and secure card transactions, such as POS systems, contactless payment terminals, and mobile payment solutions.
• Reduce Chargebacks: Implement measures to prevent and manage chargebacks effectively, such as improving customer service, clarifying billing descriptors, and resolving disputes promptly. 
• Maintain PCI DSS Compliance: Adhere to data security requirements to protect cardholder data and avoid non-compliance fees.
• Batch Processing: Settle transactions in batches rather than processing them individually throughout the day to reduce per-transaction costs and streamline reconciliation processes.
• Improve Data Entry: Ensure accuracy when processing transactions to minimise errors and avoid unnecessary fees.
• Educate Staff: Train your staff to understand card processing fees, chargeback procedures, and best cost mitigation practices. Empower them to identify potential issues and effectively address customer inquiries about payment processing.