How much does credit card processing cost a small business?
Short answer: Published in-person rates are about 2.3% to 2.7% plus 5¢ to 20¢ per card sale, roughly $2.50 to $2.75 on every $100. On $35,000 a month in card sales, Square’s rate comes to about $1,035 a month. A cash discount program lets the card price on the tag pay that cost instead.
Published in-person rates (checked October 2026).
| Provider | Rate per card sale | On a $100 sale |
|---|---|---|
| Square | 2.6% + 15¢ | $2.75 |
| Stripe Terminal | 2.7% + 5¢ | $2.75 |
| Clover | about 2.6% + 10¢ | $2.70 |
| Vagaro | 2.6% + 10¢ | $2.70 |
| GlossGenius | 2.6% | $2.60 |
| Booksy | 2.49% + 10¢ | $2.59 |
| Fresha | 2.29% + 20¢ | $2.49 |
Published rates on each provider’s site; your actual cost can be higher with rewards, business or keyed-in cards.
Where the money goes.
- Interchange: the card-issuing bank’s fee, most of the cost. Set by Visa and Mastercard schedules; debit from large banks is capped by the Federal Reserve’s Regulation II.
- Network fees: small fees to Visa, Mastercard and others.
- Processor markup: what the provider adds on top, plus any monthly, PCI or terminal fees.
How to pay less.
With a cash discount program, every tag shows a cash price and a card price 3.75% higher. The difference pays the processing, so you keep the cash price on every sale. Paymantis also covers sign-up, the monthly service fee and the terminal. Is zero-fee processing real?
Questions owners ask.
What is a normal credit card processing fee?
Published in-person rates from the big providers are about 2.3% to 2.7% plus 5¢ to 20¢ a sale, so roughly $2.50 to $2.75 on a $100 sale. Rewards and business cards often cost the shop more.
How much does a small business spend on card fees a year?
On $35,000 a month in card sales at a $42 average sale, Square’s published rate is about $1,035 a month, or $12,420 a year. Try your numbers in the calculator.
How can I lower my card processing fees?
Compare rates, avoid leases and monthly fees, and consider a cash discount program, where the card price on the tag pays the processing so you keep your cash price.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. Rules change and differ by state and city; check the rules where your business is. See our terms and disclaimers.