{
  "name": "US Payment Processor Effective Rates by Monthly Volume (2026)",
  "url": "https://www.mypayadvisor.com/data/effective-rates-2026",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "publisher": "myPayAdvisor",
  "citation": "myPayAdvisor. \"US Payment Processor Effective Rates by Monthly Volume (2026).\" Prices checked Oct 29, 2026. https://www.mypayadvisor.com/data/effective-rates-2026",
  "pricesChecked": "2026-10-29",
  "methodology": {
    "url": "https://www.mypayadvisor.com/data/effective-rates-2026#methodology",
    "formula": "effective rate = percentage + fixed fee / average sale + monthly fee / monthly volume",
    "averageSaleUsd": 50,
    "cardMix": "60% credit, 40% debit",
    "interchangeEstimatePct": {
      "inPerson": 1.55,
      "online": 1.7,
      "appliesTo": "interchange-plus and subscription providers only"
    },
    "planRule": "for providers with several plans, the cheapest plan at each volume is used"
  },
  "monthlyVolumesUsd": [
    10000,
    50000,
    250000,
    1000000
  ],
  "rows": [
    {
      "processor": "Helcim",
      "channel": "In-person",
      "pricingModel": "Interchange-plus, no monthly fee",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.helcim.com/pricing/",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.11,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 211,
          "planUsed": "Volume tier"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.04,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1020,
          "planUsed": "Volume tier"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 1.94,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 4850,
          "planUsed": "Volume tier"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 1.82,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 18200,
          "planUsed": "Volume tier"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Helcim",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Interchange-plus, no monthly fee",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.helcim.com/pricing/",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.7,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 270,
          "planUsed": "Volume tier"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.55,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1275,
          "planUsed": "Volume tier"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.45,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 6125,
          "planUsed": "Volume tier"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.15,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 21500,
          "planUsed": "Volume tier"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "PayPal",
      "channel": "In-person",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.paypal.com/us/business/paypal-business-fees",
      "caveat": "Advanced card processing and PayPal POS are subject to PayPal's approval.",
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 247,
          "planUsed": "PayPal POS"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1235,
          "planUsed": "PayPal POS"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 6175,
          "planUsed": "PayPal POS"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 24700,
          "planUsed": "PayPal POS"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "PayPal",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.paypal.com/us/business/paypal-business-fees",
      "caveat": "Advanced card processing and PayPal POS are subject to PayPal's approval.",
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 347,
          "planUsed": "Advanced Credit and Debit"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1735,
          "planUsed": "Advanced Credit and Debit"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 8675,
          "planUsed": "Advanced Credit and Debit"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 34700,
          "planUsed": "Advanced Credit and Debit"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Adyen",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Interchange++ plus fixed fee",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.adyen.com/pricing",
      "caveat": "Adyen applies a minimum monthly invoice it does not publish, so small merchants may not qualify.",
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.56,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 256,
          "planUsed": "Visa and Mastercard"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.56,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1280,
          "planUsed": "Visa and Mastercard"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.56,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 6400,
          "planUsed": "Visa and Mastercard"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.56,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 25600,
          "planUsed": "Visa and Mastercard"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Stax",
      "channel": "In-person",
      "pricingModel": "Subscription, interchange at cost",
      "pricingUrl": "https://staxpayments.com/pricing/",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.7,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 270,
          "planUsed": "Subscription"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.11,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1055,
          "planUsed": "Subscription"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 1.79,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 4475,
          "planUsed": "Subscription"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 1.73,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 17300,
          "planUsed": "Subscription"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Stax",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Subscription, interchange at cost",
      "pricingUrl": "https://staxpayments.com/pricing/",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.99,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 299,
          "planUsed": "Subscription"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.4,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1200,
          "planUsed": "Subscription"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.08,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 5200,
          "planUsed": "Subscription"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.02,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 20200,
          "planUsed": "Subscription"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Clover",
      "channel": "In-person",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate plus software plan",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.clover.com/pricing",
      "caveat": "Clover sold through a bank can carry different rates and terms than Clover.com.",
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.8,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 280,
          "planUsed": "Starter"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.67,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1335,
          "planUsed": "Retail Growth"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.53,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 6325,
          "planUsed": "Retail Growth"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.51,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 25100,
          "planUsed": "Retail Growth"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Clover",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate plus software plan",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.clover.com/pricing",
      "caveat": "Clover sold through a bank can carry different rates and terms than Clover.com.",
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.7,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 370,
          "planUsed": "Keyed"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.7,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1850,
          "planUsed": "Keyed"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.7,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 9250,
          "planUsed": "Keyed"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.7,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 37000,
          "planUsed": "Keyed"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Shopify Payments",
      "channel": "In-person",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate, tied to a Shopify plan",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.shopify.com/pricing",
      "caveat": "Only available with a Shopify plan. The plan fee is not counted here because you pay it for the store, not for processing.",
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.8,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 280,
          "planUsed": "Basic"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.8,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1400,
          "planUsed": "Basic"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.8,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 7000,
          "planUsed": "Basic"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.8,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 28000,
          "planUsed": "Basic"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Shopify Payments",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate, tied to a Shopify plan",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.shopify.com/pricing",
      "caveat": "Only available with a Shopify plan. The plan fee is not counted here because you pay it for the store, not for processing.",
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 350,
          "planUsed": "Basic"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1750,
          "planUsed": "Basic"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 8750,
          "planUsed": "Basic"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 35000,
          "planUsed": "Basic"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Stripe",
      "channel": "In-person",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate, no monthly fee",
      "pricingUrl": "https://stripe.com/pricing",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.8,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 280,
          "planUsed": "Terminal"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.8,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1400,
          "planUsed": "Terminal"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.8,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 7000,
          "planUsed": "Terminal"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.8,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 28000,
          "planUsed": "Terminal"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Stripe",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate, no monthly fee",
      "pricingUrl": "https://stripe.com/pricing",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 350,
          "planUsed": "Standard"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1750,
          "planUsed": "Standard"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 8750,
          "planUsed": "Standard"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 35000,
          "planUsed": "Standard"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Square",
      "channel": "In-person",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate, optional paid plans",
      "pricingUrl": "https://squareup.com/us/en/pricing",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.9,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 290,
          "planUsed": "Free"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.9,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1450,
          "planUsed": "Plus"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.76,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 6900,
          "planUsed": "Premium"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 2.71,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 27100,
          "planUsed": "Premium"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Square",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate, optional paid plans",
      "pricingUrl": "https://squareup.com/us/en/pricing",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 350,
          "planUsed": "Online API"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1750,
          "planUsed": "Online API"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 8750,
          "planUsed": "Online API"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 35000,
          "planUsed": "Online API"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Braintree",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate, online only",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.paypal.com/us/enterprise/paypal-braintree-fees",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 347,
          "planUsed": "Cards and wallets"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1735,
          "planUsed": "Cards and wallets"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 8675,
          "planUsed": "Cards and wallets"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.47,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 34700,
          "planUsed": "Cards and wallets"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "processor": "Authorize.net",
      "channel": "Online",
      "pricingModel": "Flat rate plus $25 monthly fee",
      "pricingUrl": "https://www.authorize.net/sign-up/pricing.html",
      "caveat": null,
      "byVolume": [
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.75,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 375,
          "planUsed": "All-in-one"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.55,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 1775,
          "planUsed": "All-in-one"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.51,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 8775,
          "planUsed": "All-in-one"
        },
        {
          "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
          "effectiveRatePct": 3.5,
          "monthlyCostUsd": 35000,
          "planUsed": "All-in-one"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "spreads": [
    {
      "channel": "In-person",
      "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
      "cheapest": [
        "Helcim"
      ],
      "cheapestRatePct": 2.11,
      "mostExpensive": [
        "Square"
      ],
      "mostExpensiveRatePct": 2.9,
      "monthlyGapUsd": 79
    },
    {
      "channel": "In-person",
      "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
      "cheapest": [
        "Helcim"
      ],
      "cheapestRatePct": 2.04,
      "mostExpensive": [
        "Square"
      ],
      "mostExpensiveRatePct": 2.9,
      "monthlyGapUsd": 430
    },
    {
      "channel": "In-person",
      "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
      "cheapest": [
        "Stax"
      ],
      "cheapestRatePct": 1.79,
      "mostExpensive": [
        "Shopify Payments",
        "Stripe"
      ],
      "mostExpensiveRatePct": 2.8,
      "monthlyGapUsd": 2525
    },
    {
      "channel": "In-person",
      "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
      "cheapest": [
        "Stax"
      ],
      "cheapestRatePct": 1.73,
      "mostExpensive": [
        "Shopify Payments",
        "Stripe"
      ],
      "mostExpensiveRatePct": 2.8,
      "monthlyGapUsd": 10700
    },
    {
      "channel": "Online",
      "monthlyVolumeUsd": 10000,
      "cheapest": [
        "Adyen"
      ],
      "cheapestRatePct": 2.56,
      "mostExpensive": [
        "Authorize.net"
      ],
      "mostExpensiveRatePct": 3.75,
      "monthlyGapUsd": 119
    },
    {
      "channel": "Online",
      "monthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
      "cheapest": [
        "Stax"
      ],
      "cheapestRatePct": 2.4,
      "mostExpensive": [
        "Clover"
      ],
      "mostExpensiveRatePct": 3.7,
      "monthlyGapUsd": 650
    },
    {
      "channel": "Online",
      "monthlyVolumeUsd": 250000,
      "cheapest": [
        "Stax"
      ],
      "cheapestRatePct": 2.08,
      "mostExpensive": [
        "Clover"
      ],
      "mostExpensiveRatePct": 3.7,
      "monthlyGapUsd": 4050
    },
    {
      "channel": "Online",
      "monthlyVolumeUsd": 1000000,
      "cheapest": [
        "Stax"
      ],
      "cheapestRatePct": 2.02,
      "mostExpensive": [
        "Clover"
      ],
      "mostExpensiveRatePct": 3.7,
      "monthlyGapUsd": 16800
    }
  ],
  "notRanked": [
    {
      "name": "Payment Depot",
      "reason": "its pricing page lists per-transaction fees but no longer shows the membership fee, so the full cost cannot be computed"
    },
    {
      "name": "Worldpay",
      "reason": "it publishes no price list; pricing is negotiated"
    },
    {
      "name": "Leaders Merchant Services",
      "reason": "it publishes no small-business pricing"
    },
    {
      "name": "Paysafe",
      "reason": "it publishes no small-business pricing"
    }
  ]
}