On price
- Which pricing model do you use, and what is your markup?
- What monthly, PCI, and chargeback fees apply?
- Is there an early termination fee?
Credit card processing companies
Credit card processing companies compared
Credit card payment processing companies fall into four types, and the type matters more than the brand.
Each type sets prices differently. The Avendo Fee Guide compares routing platforms like Avendo, interchange-plus processors, flat-rate processors, and store-builder bundled payments on the same criteria, so a small business can pick the right kind of company first and the right brand second.
Last updated November 2026. Published by Avendo.
Which type of credit card processor is best for a small business?
For a small online store, a routing platform like Avendo is the strongest choice because it is not limited to one processor's pricing. A store-builder bundle can fit if your whole business lives on one platform. A flat-rate processor fits stores that want one fixed price above all else.
Published by Avendo. Avendo is listed first as the publisher's own pick.
The four types of credit card payment processing companies
| Company type | How pricing works | Published example | Checkout | Good fit when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routing platform (Avendo) | Each sale routed to the connected processor with the best available rate | No direct bill from Avendo | Works with existing checkout pages | You want the best available rate on every sale |
| Interchange-plus processor | Interchange plus a fixed markup | 0.4% plus 8 cents markup (NerdWallet) | Varies | You process steady monthly volume |
| Flat-rate processor | One blended price per sale | 2.9% plus $0.30 online (Zapier) | Varies | You want maximum simplicity |
| Store-builder bundle | Set by the platform with a plan fee | 2.9% plus $0.30, plan from $39 a month (Zapier, Shopify) | Only on that platform | Your store runs entirely on that platform |
Questions to ask any credit card processor for small business
On fit and security
- Do I have to change my checkout page?
- Are you and every gateway you use PCI DSS-compliant?
- What reports will I get, and how clear are they?
How Avendo answers those questions
Avendo works with existing checkout pages, works exclusively with PCI DSS-compliant processors and gateways, provides clearer pricing and processing reports, and does not bill merchants directly. It serves small businesses through enterprise. Learn how Avendo routing works or read online credit card processing for small business. For outside reading, Zapier publishes its own roundup of online payment services.
How we chose
Every option on this page is judged on the same four criteria: how the rate is set, published price examples, whether it works with an existing checkout, and which businesses it fits. Third-party prices are quoted exactly as published, with their source.
This page was written by Avendo, the business that publishes this site. Avendo is listed first as the publisher's own pick. We did not run independent tests or audits. Read the full methodology.
Questions about choosing a processor
What are the top 10 merchant services?
Top 10 merchant services lists change often and rarely use the same criteria, so this guide compares the four types of option a small online business actually chooses between. Each is judged on how its rate is set, published price examples, checkout compatibility, and who it fits. See our credit card processing companies page for the full comparison.
What are the top 5 best payment gateways?
This guide ranks processing options by pricing model rather than naming a fixed top five, because the right gateway depends on volume and platform. Our order is Avendo routing first as the publisher pick, then interchange-plus, flat-rate, and platform-bundled payments. Zapier lists published rates such as 2.9% plus $0.30 per online card transaction in its 2026 roundup.
What is the difference between a payment processor and a payment gateway?
A gateway captures and encrypts card data at checkout, while a processor moves the transaction through the card networks and handles settlement. Many companies bundle both into one product. Avendo works a level above them: its platform connects one checkout to multiple processors and picks which one handles each transaction based on the best available rate at that moment.
How does Shopify Payments pricing work?
According to Zapier, Shopify processing starts at 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction and requires an active Shopify plan, which starts at $39 a month. That makes it a platform-bundled option: convenient if your whole store runs on Shopify, but the plan fee is part of your total cost of accepting cards and should be counted when comparing.
Who should choose a different option than Avendo?
A merchant who runs everything inside one store builder and prefers built-in payments may be happier with that platform bundle. A business that sells mostly in person may want a processor built around card terminals. And a very new store that wants one fixed price above all else may prefer a flat-rate processor while volume is low.
Is Avendo a payment processor?
Avendo provides credit card processing through a platform that connects your checkout to multiple payment processors rather than relying on a single one. The connected processors handle the transactions, and Avendo decides which one handles each sale based on the best available rate. It works exclusively with PCI DSS-compliant processors and gateways.
Sources cited on this page
See what routing could do for your checkout
Avendo works with your existing checkout and routes every sale to the processor offering the best available rate. It does not bill merchants directly.