Payment Fees Calculator
Compare payment processor fees
Last updated: January 2025
About This Tool
Payment processing fees can significantly impact your profit margins. This calculator helps you compare different payment processors and understand exactly how much each transaction costs your business.
What is Payment Fees Calculator?
Payment processing fees are charges incurred when accepting electronic payments (credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets). Fees typically include a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed amount per transaction. These fees cover the costs of the payment networks, fraud protection, and processing infrastructure.
How It Works
Most processors charge a percentage of each transaction (usually 1.5-3.5%) plus a fixed fee per transaction ($0.10-0.50). This calculator compares multiple processors side-by-side, showing effective rates and helping you identify the most cost-effective option for your transaction sizes.
Formula
Fee = (Transaction Amount x Percentage Rate) + Fixed Fee
Fee Comparison
| Processor | Rate | Fee | You Receive | Effective % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ZelleBest | 0% + $0.00 | $0 | $100 | 0.00% |
Venmo Business | 1.9% + $0.10 | $2 | $98 | 2.00% |
Square | 2.6% + $0.10 | $2.7 | $97.3 | 2.70% |
Stripe | 2.9% + $0.30 | $3.2 | $96.8 | 3.20% |
Shopify | 2.9% + $0.30 | $3.2 | $96.8 | 3.20% |
Custom | 2.9% + $0.30 | $3.2 | $96.8 | 3.20% |
PayPal | 3.49% + $0.49 | $3.98 | $96.02 | 3.98% |
Best Option
Zelle
Lowest fee: $0
For $100 Transaction
💡 Tips
- • Higher volume may qualify for lower rates
- • Consider features, not just price
- • International fees may differ
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When to Use This Calculator
- 1Choosing a payment processor for your business
- 2Comparing costs between different processors
- 3Deciding whether to pass fees on to customers
- 4Calculating true profit margins on transactions
- 5Negotiating rates with payment processors
Pro Tips
- •Higher volume often qualifies for lower rates - ask for volume discounts
- •Debit cards typically have lower fees than credit cards
- •Consider average transaction size when comparing processors
- •Factor in chargebacks, which can cost $15-100+ each
- •Look beyond fees at features like reporting, integration, and support
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Focusing only on percentage rate and ignoring fixed fees
- •Not negotiating rates even when you have decent volume
- •Choosing based on fees alone without considering features
- •Not accounting for different rates on different card types
- •Forgetting about monthly fees, PCI compliance, and other charges