How much does it cost to accept card payments online?

In the U.S., a typical online card-processing fee is about 2.9% of the payment plus 30¢ per transaction. For example, on a $100 sale, that’s about $3.20.

Examples of published rates:

• Stripe: 2.9% + 30¢ for domestic online cards. (stripe.com)
• PayPal: 2.89% + 29¢ for Expanded Checkout card payments; other PayPal checkout options can cost more. (paypal.com)
• Square: 2.9% + 30¢ for online API payments; its online or invoice rate can be 3.3% + 30¢, depending on plan. (squareup.com)

So, as a quick estimate, budget around $3 per $100 sale, plus potentially a monthly website/platform fee. Rates can be higher for international cards, currency conversion, or manually entered payments.

Most US online card payments cost about 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction with the big all-in-one processors, though the total depends on the provider and your plan.

Typical range: Across the industry, the all-in cost usually falls between 1.5% and 3.5% per transaction, plus a fixed fee of roughly 10 to 30 cents. In-person swiped or tapped transactions land near the bottom of that range, while online card-not-present transactions land near the top.

Major providers (US, online card rates):

• Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 per online card payment, with no monthly fee. For most online-only stores in 2026, Stripe is the cheapest of the major options at 2.9% + 30¢ per card payment with no monthly fee.
• Square: Depends on plan. Free plan online card payments are 3.3% + $0.30, while Plus and Premium are 2.9% + $0.30. The Plus plan costs $49/month, so it only pays off at higher online volume.
• PayPal: Standard card payments are 2.99% + $0.49, and PayPal Checkout is 3.49% + $0.49.

Extra charges to watch for:

• International cards: Stripe and PayPal each add about 1.5% for cards issued outside the US. Currency conversion adds more. Stripe adds +1% if currency is converted.
• Disputes: Stripe charges $15 per chargeback, and PayPal charges $15 for a dispute or $20 for a chargeback. Square's chargeback fee is $0 according to the same comparison.
• Gateway and compliance fees: If you use a separate merchant account and gateway rather than an all-in-one provider, expect add-ons. One guide lists monthly gateway fees of $10–$25 and PCI compliance fees of $80–$120 per year.

Example: On a $100 online sale at 2.9% + $0.30, the fee is $3.20, so you keep $96.80. The fixed 30 cents matters more on small orders.

Rates change and vary by business type and volume, so check the provider's current pricing page or ask for a quote before you choose. Sources also disagree slightly on Square's free-plan rate and on whether higher-risk industries pay more.

Accepting card payments online typically involves a combination of transaction fees and, in some cases, fixed monthly costs. While exact pricing depends on your provider and sales volume, most businesses can expect to pay between 1.5% and 3.5% per transaction.

How Costs Are Structured

Payment processing fees are rarely a single number; they are usually bundled into one of two common pricing models:

• Flat-Rate Pricing: The most common model for small-to-medium businesses (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, Square). You pay a fixed percentage plus a small flat fee per transaction (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30). It is simple and predictable but can be more expensive as your volume grows.
• Interchange-Plus (IC++) Pricing: Often used by larger businesses. This model separates the costs: you pay the "interchange" fee (set by card networks like Visa/Mastercard), the "assessment" fee (paid to the network), and a smaller "markup" paid to your processor. This is more transparent and can be cheaper at scale but is more complex to manage.

Hidden or Additional Fees

When evaluating the cost, remember that the "headline" rate is often not the final cost. Be sure to check for:

• Monthly Subscription/Gateway Fees: Some providers charge a flat monthly fee (e.g., $25/month) in exchange for lower per-transaction rates.
• International/Cross-Border Fees: If you accept cards from customers in other countries, you will likely pay an additional 1% to 3% in currency conversion or cross-border processing fees.
• Chargeback/Dispute Fees: If a customer disputes a payment, you may be charged a fee (often £10–£100 or $15–$50 per instance) regardless of whether you win the dispute.
• Setup or PCI Compliance Fees: Some traditional merchant accounts charge one-time setup fees or monthly fees to maintain PCI (security) compliance.

Summary Table: Typical 2026 Landscape

Recommendation: If you are just starting, a flat-rate provider is usually the easiest to set up and manage. As your business grows and your monthly volume increases, it is worth comparing interchange-plus pricing to see if you can lower your effective rate.

In the U.S., a typical online card-processing fee is about 2.9% of the payment plus $0.30 per transaction. For example, a $100 sale would cost about $3.20 to process, leaving $96.80 before any other expenses. Stripe lists that rate for domestic cards and says its standard pricing has no setup or monthly fee. ¹

Rates vary by provider and plan: Square lists online rates from 2.9% + $0.30 to 3.3% + $0.30, while PayPal lists card-processing rates starting at 2.89% + $0.29. ²³

You may pay more for international cards, currency conversion, or certain payment types, and some services or ecommerce platforms can add separate subscription fees. ¹⁴ These are U.S. examples; fees differ by country.