Best Free Credit Card Processors
Passing credit card fees to customers is on the rise. Get started with these providers.
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WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Last updated onUpdated
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We compared the best free credit card processing options based on pricing, compliance support, payment features, hardware, contract terms, and overall value. These are our top picks.
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Compare Our Top Picks
| Provider | Best For | Type Of Program | Monthly Fee | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best For Compliance | Credit card surcharging | $29-$199/month, depending on sales volume | |
 | Best All-In-One Solution | Surcharge | $0/month | |
 | Best For High-Risk | Surcharge or Cash Discount | Not disclosed | |
 | Best For Nonprofits | Surcharge | $25/month | |
 | Best For Flexible Pricing | Cash Discount/Hybrid | $25-$99/month depending on your processing volume |
CardX By Stax
Best OverallBest For Compliance
CardX by Stax is built for businesses that want to offset credit card processing costs without managing surcharge compliance on their own.
CardX automates key surcharge requirements, including card brand registration, debit card detection, receipt disclosures, and separate surcharge line items. It supports online and in-person surcharging, includes a virtual terminal, and offers compatible terminal options, but there's no POS integration.
Processing Model
Credit card surcharging
In-Person Transaction Fee
0% for credit (customer pays 3%); 1.25-2.91% + $0.25 for debit (customer pays 0%)
Hardware Cost
$35-$39/month to rent; $375-$540 to purchase
PROS
- Fully compliant surcharging
- No long-term contract or ETF
- 24/7 customer support
CONS
- No POS integration
- Monthly fees can be high
Helcim
Best All-In-One Solution
Helcim gives businesses a no-monthly-fee payment processing system with the option to offset card processing costs through Fee Saver.
Helcim includes invoicing, recurring billing, customer management, inventory tracking, hosted payment pages, a virtual terminal, reporting, mobile payments, and hardware options for in-person sales. Its interchange-plus pricing and automatic volume discounts can also help growing businesses lower costs over time.
Processing Model
Interchange-plus & cash discount
In-Person Transaction Fee
Interchange + 0.15-0.40% + $0.06-$0.08
Hardware Cost
$199 - $349
PROS
- No monthly fees or contracts
- Strong built-in tools
- Excellent customer support
CONS
- Not for high-risk businesses
- Limited hardware options
PaymentCloud
Best For High-Risk
PaymentCloud is a solid option for high-risk merchants that want help setting up a surcharge or cash discount program.
PaymentCloud supports both low-risk and high-risk businesses, with options for surcharging, cash discounting, mobile payments, virtual terminals, gateway access, QR code payments, and a free terminal offer. Pricing and contract terms vary, and surcharging may only offset part of a high-risk merchant’s processing costs.
Processing Model
Flat-rate, interchange-plus, tiered
In-Person Transaction Fee
Start at 0.15%
Hardware Cost
$0+
PROS
- High-risk specialist
- Reasonable rates and fees
- Free credit card terminal
CONS
- No publicly disclosed pricing
- Long-term contract may be required
Dharma Merchant Services
Best For Nonprofits
Dharma Merchant Services is a strong surcharging option for nonprofits and higher-volume businesses that want transparent interchange-plus pricing.
Dharma’s MX Advantage for Surcharging works through the MX Merchant platform and lets eligible businesses apply surcharges without inflated processing rates. Dharma also offers full-service merchant accounts, virtual terminal tools, payment links, invoicing, QuickBooks sync, nonprofit discounts, and volume discounts.
Processing Model
Interchange-plus
In-Person Transaction Fee
Interchange + 0.10-0.30% + $0.08-$0.11
Hardware Cost
$295+
PROS
- No ETFs
- Nonprofit & high-volume discounts
- Highly ethical business practices
CONS
- Not for low-volume merchants
- Not for high-risk businesses
VizyPay
Best For Flexible Pricing
VizyPay gives businesses multiple ways to manage processing costs, including traditional pricing, cash discounting, and a hybrid plan.
Merchants can choose whether to pay processing costs themselves, pass card costs to customers through cash discounting, or use a hybrid setup that leaves debit card costs with the business. VizyPay also offers month-to-month billing, SwipeSimple mobile processing, POS options, and a virtual terminal.
Processing Model
Cash discount, interchange-plus, flat-rate
In-Person Transaction Fee
Interchange + 0.35% + $0.10 for credit; 1.5% + $0.25 for debit (or $0 on cash discount plans)
Hardware Cost
$135+
PROS
- No long-term contracts
- Fully transparent pricing
- Excellent customer support
CONS
- Accepts US-based merchants only
- Not for high-risk merchants
The 5 Best Free Credit Card Processors
Frequently Asked Questions
Erica Seppala
Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.
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