What are the cheapest payment gateways for small businesses?

Based on the latest information as of March 2025, here are some of the cheapest payment gateways for small businesses:

1. Helcim: Offers interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fees. For businesses processing up to $50,000 monthly, rates are interchange plus 0.4% + 8¢ for in-person transactions and interchange plus 0.5% + 25¢ for online transactions.
2. Square: Provides flat-rate pricing with no monthly fees. Online transactions are charged at 2.9% + 30¢, while in-person transactions are 2.6% + 10¢.
3. Stripe: Uses a flat-rate pricing model with no monthly fees. Standard pricing is 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction for online payments.
4. Payment Depot: Offers interchange-plus pricing with rates ranging from interchange plus 0.2% to 1.95%, and no monthly fees.
5. Chase Payment Solutions: Provides competitive flat-rate pricing with no monthly fees, using Authorize.net as its payment gateway.

For businesses with higher transaction volumes, Stax might be cost-effective despite its monthly fee ($99-$199), as it offers lower per-transaction fees: interchange plus 8¢ for in-person and interchange plus 15¢ for online transactions.

When choosing a payment gateway, consider your business’s specific needs, transaction volume, and type of sales (online vs. in-person) to determine which option will be most cost-effective for you.