Payment-method fees compared
The payment method matters as much as the processor. Cards cost 2.5%–3.5% + a fixed fee; bank debit (ACH, SEPA) is far cheaper (~1% capped) for recurring and high-ticket payments; iDEAL is a flat ~EUR 0.29 with no chargebacks; Apple Pay & Google Pay cost the same as the underlying card; and Klarna/BNPL costs more (3%–6%) but lifts conversion. Pick the cheapest method your customers will actually use.
Source: Processor pricing pages. Data as of June 2026.
| Payment method | Type | Typical merchant fee | Region | Chargebacks? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit & debit cards | Card | 2.5%-3.5% + $0.10-$0.49 | Global | Yes |
| ACH & bank debit | Bank transfer | 0.5%-1% + $0.25, often capped at ~$5 | US (ACH), EU (SEPA), UK (Bacs) | Yes |
| Apple Pay & Google Pay | Digital wallet | Same as the underlying card (no extra processor markup) | Global | Yes |
| SEPA Direct Debit | Bank transfer | ~EUR 0.25-0.35 flat or ~0.8% capped | Eurozone / EU | Yes |
| iDEAL | Bank redirect | ~EUR 0.29 flat per transaction | Netherlands | No |
| Klarna & Buy Now, Pay Later | BNPL | 3%-6% + ~$0.30 (merchant pays more than cards) | Global (Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, Zip) | Yes |
| American Express | Card | Usually same flat rate on Stripe/Square; higher interchange on IC+ | Global | Yes |
| International / cross-border cards | Card | Domestic rate + 1%-1.5% + currency conversion ~1% | Global | Yes |
Source: Processor pricing pages. Data as of June 2026.
Snapshot June 2026 — processors change pricing; verify on the provider's pricing page before relying on a figure.
Browse each payment method
Card · 2.5%-3.5% + $0.10-$0.49
ACH & bank debitBank transfer · 0.5%-1% + $0.25, often capped at ~$5
Apple Pay & Google PayDigital wallet · Same as the underlying card (no extra processor markup)
SEPA Direct DebitBank transfer · ~EUR 0.25-0.35 flat or ~0.8% capped
iDEALBank redirect · ~EUR 0.29 flat per transaction
Klarna & Buy Now, Pay LaterBNPL · 3%-6% + ~$0.30 (merchant pays more than cards)
American ExpressCard · Usually same flat rate on Stripe/Square; higher interchange on IC+
International / cross-border cardsCard · Domestic rate + 1%-1.5% + currency conversion ~1%
8 payment methods tracked. Compare the processors that support them, see the rankings, or estimate your blended cost in the calculator.
Last updated: 2026-06-29