How we rank: Online payment processors
The Score (0–100) is a weighted sum of the factors below. Each factor is the weighted average of its metrics; each metric is calculated from one published fact. Missing facts score zero, and a service is ranked only when enough of its Score is backed by facts.
A service is ranked only when at least 70% of its Score is backed by verified facts.
← Online Payment Processors 2026: Independent Ranking for Small Businesses
Cost 45%
The standard published rate for an online payment with a domestic consumer card, on a plan with no monthly fee (from 1% scores 100 to 5% or more scores 0), the fixed fee per payment in USD (0 to $0.50), whether there is no monthly fee, and the chargeback fee (0 to $25). We take the provider's US page; if it does not serve the US or its site sends us to another country's page, we use the page we are shown, convert at the ECB rate and name the market. Interchange++ and custom quotes give no percentage, so that fact stays empty.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Online card fee | Linear from 1 (100) to 5 (0) — lower is better |
| Fixed fee per payment | Linear from 0 (100) to 0.5 (0) — lower is better |
| No monthly fee | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Chargeback fee | Linear from 0 (100) to 25 (0) — lower is better |
Licence and security 45%
A licence or authorisation from a financial regulator with a number on the provider's own legal page or in the regulator's register (for example US state money transmitter licences in NMLS, De Nederlandsche Bank, the FCA, the Central Bank of Ireland, the Reserve Bank of India), PCI DSS validation as a service provider, and company age (20+ years scores in full).
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Licensed by a financial regulator | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| PCI DSS service provider | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Founded | Full score at 20+ years |
Payouts 10%
The standard time until money from a card payment reaches your bank account, as the provider states it, not counting the first payout (0 days scores 100, 7 days or more scores 0). Where the fee depends on the payout speed, we take the same option as for the fee.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Payout to your bank | Linear from 0 (100) to 7 (0) — lower is better |