Best Merchant Account Services of 2025
Compare top merchant services to find the best fit for your business
Staff Writer
Arorix Editorial Team
Updated: June 14, 2025, 5:29pm
1
9.8
Square – Best for new or low-volume businesses that want fast, no-fuss payment setup
- 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe | No monthly fee
- New businesses and side hustles
- Free POS app, easy setup, fast support
- Free POS app, easy setup, fast support
- Recommended For: Under $100K/year
- Interchange + 0.3% + 8¢ | No monthly fee
- Interchange + 0.3% + 8¢ | No monthly fee
- Growing businesses that want clear pricing
- Rates drop as you grow, no hidden fees
- Recommended For: $100K–$1M/year
3
9.0
Stax – Best for high-volume businesses that want predictable costs and powerful tools
- Included in $199/year Pro Plan
- Offers compliance reminders and dashboard access for ongoing support
- Best for small businesses wanting legal tools bundled with annual support
- Recommended For: $250K–$5M+/year
- 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | No monthly fee
- Online stores, SaaS, and global sales
- Easy to integrate, accepts payments worldwide
- Recommended For: $50K–$50M+/year
- Custom rates | Monthly terminal fees may apply
- Established businesses that want in-person banking
- Same-day funding and local support
- Recommended For: $500K–$10M+/year
6
8.0
PayPal Zettle – Best for freelancers and mobile sellers who need instant access to funds
- 2.29% + 9¢ per swipe | No monthly fee
- Freelancers, mobile sellers, and casual retail
- Instant PayPal access, mobile-friendly
- Recommended For: Under $100K/year
7
7.8
Finix – Best for scaling businesses that want clear pricing, no contracts, and 24/7 support
- Interchange + 0% + $79/month | 1st month often free
- Businesses that want fee transparency and quick setup
- No contracts, same-day deposits, 24/7 support
- Recommended For: $60K–$1M+/year
8
7.5
Payment Depot – Best for businesses that process consistently and want wholesale savings
- Interchange + 0% + $79–$99/month
- Small businesses that process a lot monthly
- Saves money if you're consistent, U.S. support
- Recommended For: $250K–$1M/year
9
7.0
National Processing – Best for retail and service businesses that need reliable in-person solutions
- Interchange + 0% + $79–$99/month
- Small businesses that process a lot monthly
- Saves money if you're consistent, U.S. support
- Recommended For: $250K–$1M/year
10
7.0
Best for businesses that want payments, invoicing, and accounting in one place
- 2.4% + 25¢ per swipe; No additional monthly fee when bundled with QuickBooks Online (plans start at $35/month)
- Businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks for invoicing and payment tracking
- Businesses with $50K–$1M/year in revenue using QuickBooks
Best for All-in-One Simplicity
- 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe
- Free POS, no monthly fee
- Recommended For: Under $100K/year
9.8
- Interchange + 0.3% + 8¢
- No fees, rate drops at scale
- Recommended For: $100K–$1M/year
3
Best for High-Volume + Tools
- $199/year Pro Plan
- Compliance tools + dashboard
- Recommended For: $250K–$5M+/year
9.0
- 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
- No fees, dev tools built-in
- Recommended For: $50K–$50M+/year
- Custom rates, fees may apply
- Same-day deposits + terminals
- Recommended For: $500K–$10M+/year
6
Best for Mobile Sellers
- 2.29% + 9¢ per swipe
- No monthly fee, instant payouts
- Recommended For: Under $100K/year
8.0
7
Best for Transparent Scaling
- Interchange + 0% | $79/month
- Same-day deposits, 24/7 support
- Recommended For: $60K–$1M+/year
7.8
8
Best for High Volume
- Interchange + 0% | $79–$99
- Great for consistent processors
- Recommended For: $250K–$1M/year
7.5
9
Best for retail & in-person service
- Interchange + 0% | $79–$99
- Retail-ready, U.S. support
- Recommended For: $250K–$1M/year
7.0
10
Best for all-in-one payments, invoicing & accounting
- 2.4% + 25¢ per swipe
- Bundled w/ QuickBooks plans
- Recomended For: $50K–$1M/year
7.0
Looking for a Complete All-in-One Solution?
Best Overall Business Launch Solution
- EIN, docs, & custom branding included
- Access to Arorix OSâ„¢ business dashboard
- Website, CRM, and automation tools built-in
9.9
QuickBooks Payments is built specifically for businesses that already use QuickBooks for accounting and invoicing.
You can’t use it as a standalone payment processor — it only works inside the QuickBooks ecosystem. That means it’s not ideal if you’re using another bookkeeping platform, but if you’re already managing your finances in QuickBooks, it lets you send invoices, take payments, and track everything in one place — no syncing or third-party tools needed.
What Is a Merchant Account?
A merchant account lets your business accept credit and debit card payments from customers. It’s the behind-the-scenes system that connects your point-of-sale (POS) or website checkout to your bank. Without one, you can’t process card transactions.
How Does a Merchant Account Work?
When a customer swipes or enters their card:
The transaction goes through your payment gateway or POS.
Your merchant account provider processes the payment.
The money is deposited into your business bank account, usually within 1–2 business days.
What’s the Difference Between a Merchant Account and a Payment Processor?
A merchant account is a special type of bank account that holds funds temporarily.
A payment processor handles the movement of the money from the card to your account.
Many modern services (like Square, Stripe, and PayPal) bundle both together, so you don’t need a separate merchant account.
Merchant Account Service Fee Structures
There are usually 3 types of fees:
Transaction Fees – A % of each sale (e.g., 2.9% + 30¢)
Monthly Fees – Charged by subscription-based providers (e.g., $79/month)
Hardware or Setup Fees – Optional if you’re using a card reader, POS, or register
Some providers also charge chargeback fees or batch fees, so always read the fine print.
Are Merchant Accounts Safe?
Yes — reputable providers are PCI-compliant and encrypt all transactions. Just be sure to use secure equipment and avoid shady third-party resellers.
Which Merchant Account Is Best for My Business?
Under $100K/year: Start with Square, PayPal Zettle, or Stripe
$100K–$1M/year: Look at Helcim, Finix, or Payment Depot
$1M+/year: Consider Stax, Chase, or Fiserv/Clover
Do I Need a Merchant Account If I Use Square or Stripe?
No — Square, Stripe, PayPal, and similar providers act as the merchant account for you. They simplify the setup, which is great for startups and small businesses.
How Arorix Can Help You Choose the Right Merchant Account
Finding the right merchant account isn’t just about picking the cheapest option — it’s about choosing a provider that fits how your business collects payments, handles risk, and scales.
Here’s how Arorix makes it easier:
Curated Rankings by Business Type
Whether you’re a startup, high-risk business, or established brand, we rank providers based on real-world use cases — not just features.Side-by-Side Comparisons
We break down processing fees, contract terms, hardware, support quality, and integrations — so you know exactly what you’re getting.Beginner-Friendly Guidance
If you’re new to merchant accounts, we explain what to look for, what to avoid, and how to get approved faster.Access to Affiliate-Only Deals
We partner with trusted payment providers to help you unlock exclusive offers and lower processing rates not always found on their main sites.
From card readers to online checkouts, Arorix helps you find a merchant solution that’s fast, affordable, and right for your business stage — without the hidden fees or confusion.
