Flat rate payment processing, priced honestly
Flat rate pricing is simple: one blended percentage on every sale, no matter which card the customer pulls out. Simple is not the same as cheap. Here is where flat rate wins, where interchange-plus wins, and where neither is the right answer.
How flat rate pricing works
Your processor pays interchange (1.5%–2.5%) and assessments (~0.14%) on your behalf, then charges you a single rate — typically 2.6% + $0.10 card-present or 2.9% + $0.30 online. On a debit card that truly cost 0.8%, you still pay the full flat rate. On a premium rewards card that cost 2.4%, the processor absorbs the difference. You are buying predictability, and the premium for it grows with your volume.
Cost at three volumes
| Card volume | Flat rate | Interchange-plus | Crypto terminal |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 / month | ~$290 | ~$260 + monthly fees | $499 once |
| $40,000 / month | ~$1,160 | ~$950 + monthly fees | $499 once |
| $100,000 / month | ~$2,900 | ~$2,300 + monthly fees | $499 once |
Monthly estimates at a $35 average ticket. Interchange-plus figures exclude PCI, gateway and statement fees, which commonly add $15–$40 a month.
Which pricing model fits you
- Under ~$10k/month: flat rate is usually the cheapest card option — no monthly minimums.
- Over ~$10k/month with lots of debit: interchange-plus almost always saves money.
- Small tickets under $10: the fixed per-transaction cents hurt more than the percentage.
- Any volume: sales taken in crypto carry no percentage at all, flat or otherwise.
The flattest rate is 0%
One $499 terminal, unlimited crypto sales, no per-transaction fees.
Order your terminalRelated: credit card processing fees for small business · cash discount program · crypto payment terminal