Credit Card Processing Review
Telling your customer that you cannot accept their form of payment is a sale killer. With a credit card processing service, you can accept all forms of payment, from anywhere.
A versatile, reliable credit card processing service can help your business increase sales by enabling you to accept all forms of payment from anywhere at anytime. With a first-rate credit card processing service, you can:
In this site, you'll find a credit card processing learning center, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side-by-side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which merchant account service is right for your business. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™
It's hard to determine which credit card processing solution is best for your business with so many choices available. Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to rank credit card processing services:
Average Approval Rating
This criterion, usually evaluated by percentage of approved applicants, refers to its approval rate, the processing speed and the fee to apply. An accommodating service will have a high approval rate and process your application quickly and without a fee.
Cost per Month
A low monthly cost helps keep overhead costs down. A competitive credit card processing company will require a low monthly fee with clear communication about ongoing fees and costs. Our ratings are based on 500 transactions per month with one statement, charge back and gateway fee.
Start-Up Cost
Credit card processing companies shouldn't charge you too much to set up a merchant account and a payment gateway.
Account Setup Time
A competent service will expedite your application and get you in business as quickly as possible, some can approve the application and set-up an account within a days time.
Customer Service
Accessible customer service answers inquires 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service should offer many avenues of contact including telephone, email or instant messaging and help should be quick to respond and provide useful information.
Internet Based Features
Most companies offer more than one type of virtual terminal as well as an online merchant account and payment gateway.
POS/ Swipers Features
A variety of Point of Sale options and swipers (card readers) should be available through the service. This is especially important if you are a retail business or operate from remote sales locations.
With a good credit card processing service, you can increase your sales and flexibility and give your customers many payment options.
To read the review of our #1 rated credit card processing service, click here.

Telling your customer that you cannot accept their form of payment is a sale killer. With a credit card processing service, you can accept all forms of payment, from anywhere.
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 |
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Flagship Merchant Services | Merchant Warehouse | goEmerchant Merchant Accounts | Chase Paymentech | The Transaction Group | Merchant Accounts Express | First Data | Gotmerchant | Electronic Transfer Inc. | Charge |
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| Ratings | ||||||||||
| Average Approval Rating | ![]() |
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| Cost Per Month* | ![]() |
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| Startup Cost | ![]() |
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| Account Setup Time | ![]() |
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| Customer Service | ![]() |
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| Internet Based Features | ![]() |
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| P.O.S./Swiper Based | ![]() |
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| View Specifications | Go! | Go! | Go! | Go! | Go! | Go! | Go! | Go! | Go! | Go! |
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| Application Process | ||||||||||
| Digital Application | ![]() |
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| Average Approval Rating | 98% | 99% | 99% | 98% | 95% | 98% | 99% | 99% | 98% | 98% |
| Account Setup Time (days) | ![]() |
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| Required Monthly Fees | ||||||||||
| Gateway Fee | $10.00 | $5.00 | $14.95 | $10.00 | $15.00 | $14.95 | $19.95 | $9.95 | $10.00 | $16.95 |
| Statement Fee | $7.95 | $7.95 | $7.95 | $7.50 | $10.00 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Monthly Minimum | $20.00 | $25.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 | |
| Transaction Fees | ||||||||||
| Average Discount Rate (internet) | 2.14% | 2.19% | 2.14% | 2.15% | 2.20% | 2.27% | 2.19% | 2.19% | 2.25% | 2.25% |
| Average Discount Rate (retail) | 1.59% | 1.69% | 1.71% | 1.77% | 1.75% | 1.69% | 1.59% | 1.69% | 1.69% | 1.79% |
| Transaction Fee (internet) | $0.24 | $0.21 | $0.25 | $0.24 | $0.20 | $0.24 | $0.25 | $0.25 | $0.29 | $0.25 |
| Transaction Fee (retail) | $0.21 | $0.21 | $0.25 | $0.24 | $0.20 | $0.19 | $0.30 | $0.25 | $0.25 | $0.25 |
| Address Verification Fee | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.10 | $0.05 |
| Features | ||||||||||
| Virtual Terminal | ![]() |
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| Payment Gateway | First Data | ![]() |
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Orbital | Auth | Auth | First Data Global Gateway | Auth & others | Fast Charge | Auth |
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| P.O.S. Credit Card Swiper | ![]() |
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| Clear the Account (Days) | 2 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1-3 | 2 | 2 |
| Offers eCheck | ![]() |
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| Shopping Cart Available | ![]() |
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| Recurring Billing | ![]() |
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| Fraud Protection | ||||||||||
| Address Verification | ![]() |
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| Real Time Processing | ![]() |
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| SSL (Secure Socket Layer) | ![]() |
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| CVV2 (Three Digits) | ![]() |
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| Accepted Credit Cards | ||||||||||
| Visa | ![]() |
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| Master Card | ![]() |
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| American Express | ![]() |
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| Discover | ![]() |
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| Debit | ![]() |
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| Help/Support | ||||||||||
| Support Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 |
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| Reviewer Comments |
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| Lowest Startup Price |
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