6 Best Credit Card Processing for Restaurants

Flat Rate Plan: Best for small cafes, food trucks, and concessions that process less than $10,000 per month

• Monthly fee: $0
• Swipe flat rate: 2.9% + 30 cents
• Mobile flat rate: 2.9% + 30 cents
• Online flat rate: 2.9% + 30 cents
• Keyed-in transaction surchage: + 0.60%
• Amex surcharge fee: + 0.25%

Interchange Plus* Plan: Best for small to medium full-service restaurants and coffee shops that process between $10,000 and $200,000 per month

• Monthly fee: $0
• Retail transactions: 0.30% + 10 cents
• Online transactions: 0.35% + 15 cents
• Nonprofit transactions: 0.25% + 10 cents

*Since interchange rates are set by the card brands, your overall fees for different card types (like Amex) will vary.

Wholesale Plan: Best for high-volume restaurants, restaurants with high check averages, or multi-unit restaurant groups

• Monthly fee: $49–$199
• Transaction fees:
  • Basic ($25,000 monthly sales limit): Interchange + 15 cents
  • Standard ($75,000 monthly sales limit): Interchange + 12 cents
  • Plus ($200,000 monthly sales limit): Interchange + 9 cents
  • Premium (Unlimited monthly sales): Interchange + 6 cents

Hardware:

CDGcommerce is most compatible with hardware available through QuantumPOS, VitalPOS, and Echo POS. QuantumPOS advertises bundles payment and POS tools for $79 per month plus 25 cents per sale. The other two providers don’t have pricing listed on their websites, so you’ll have to contact them for a demo and quote.

Another aspect that sets CDGcommerce head and shoulders above its competitors is its chargeback monitoring tools. If chargebacks are a major concern for your restaurant, you’ll love CDGcommerce’s active chargeback monitoring and robust chargeback assistance. It also refunds chargeback fees if you win the dispute.

• Chargeback monitoring: In case of a chargeback, CDGcommerce emails you immediately. Its customer service team will help you compose your response to the card brand to ensure you present the strongest case possible. Stripe also has chargeback monitoring, but charges extra for its advanced tools.

• Collections support: If your restaurant does private events or catering, a chargeback dispute can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars. CDGcommerce’s collections arm will attempt to get back some of the funds, despite losing a chargeback dispute.
  
  You’ll receive 50% of what it collects and pay nothing. It’s the only provider on this list with such a feature; however, Square simply covers chargeback disputes up to $250 per month.

• Flexible payment options: CDGcommerce offers a great range of restaurant-specific tools. It integrates with popular gateways, like Authorize.net, PayPal Payflow Pro, and Braintree. It also has its own mobile app for accepting payments directly (although this is not a POS system but a simple payment app). You can also create a case. Stripe offers similar versatility for payment gateways.

• Quick approvals: You can apply for a CDGcommerce account through its sales team, and approvals only take one to three business days. This is pretty fast for the industry, but if you need to start taking payments immediately, check out Square or Stripe.
• No cancellation fees: Like with most of the payment processors on my list, you can stop using CDGcommerce at any time without incurring a cancellation fee. If your business grows or slows or your needs change, you are not tied to a long-term contract.

Stripe, like Square, offers flat-rate payment processing and volume discounts for larger sales. However, Stripe’s rates are more complex than most on my list because it sometimes charges additional transaction fees for services instead of monthly fees.

• Monthly fee: $0–$10
• Cards and wallets: 2.9% + 30 cents
  • + 0.5% for manually entered cards
  • + 1.5% for international cards
  • + 1% if currency conversion is required
• In-person swipe, dip, touch: 2.7% + 5 cents
• Buy now, pay later: Starting at 5.99% + 30¢
• Instant payouts: 1.5%

Additional tools:

• Custom domain for checkout page, billing: $10 per month
• Billing/recurring payments: 0.5%–0.8%
• Invoicing: 0.4%
• Automatic tax calculations: 0.5% (not needed if your POS does this)
• Revenue reporting: 0.25% of volume
• Sigma reporting and analysis: $10 per month + 2 cents per charge

Stripe Reader M2	BBPOS WisePOS E
$59	$249
Stripe’s Bluetooth-enabled card reader accepts EMV chip, contactless, and swipe payments	EMV chip and contactless payments, Wi-Fi connectivity, 5” touch screen display

Stripe’s major strength is its ability to provide a range of customization options. This gives restaurants the opportunity to create a better checkout experience for each customer. Simple customization tools are available for merchants that lack access to coding skills.

• Online ordering: It’s easy to accept online orders with Stripe’s customizable checkout page, which can take one-time orders or subscriptions. Combined with Stripe Billing, you can set up payments for your meal service. If you already have an ordering site, Stripe Elements lets you customize the payment section. Accept any of 18 different payment methods, for versatility that few on my list offer.

• Easy integrations: Stripe integrates with over 1,000 programs, making it the most versatile of all the payment processors on my list. Unfortunately, it doesn’t integrate with many POS systems, though it works with Lightspeed (one of our top cloud kitchen POS systems), can handle online payments for Clover via API integration, and processes e-gift cards for Toast.
  
  Nonetheless, it offers powerful APIs with excellent documentation and 24/7 support to help you connect Stripe to your software.

• Social and website selling: With Stripe Payment Links, you can add a payment page that works anywhere online. This is great for social selling, like if you want to offer catering gigs or snack boxes from your Facebook page.
  
  Payment Links requires no coding. You’re notified by email or on the dashboard when a sale is made. Square and Stax have payment link capability, but the others require a third-party service.
• Fraud prevention: Like CDGcommerce, Stripe protects you from chargebacks; however, it does so by fighting fraud in the first place.
  
  Stripe Radar uses machine learning and the data from billions of Stripe transactions and data from other partners to detect false accounts quickly. The main program is built into Stripe and includes free with a regular account. Stripe also has ID verification tools for detecting fake accounts.

• Monthly fee: $79
• Processing fees: 0.2%-1.95% plus interchange

SwipeSimple B250	SwipeSimple Terminal	Poynt Smart Terminal
$125	Contact SwipeSimple	$30/mo
Mobile or Countertop Tap, Dip, and Swipe Reader	Cloud-based tap, dip, swipe, or PIN-enabled card reader	Mobile POS Terminal with built in card reader

In addition to competitive interchange-only rates, Payment Depot has historically offered a 90-day money-back guarantee to new customers (call Payment Depot to confirm). Like CDGcommerce, Payment Depot supports a wide range of popular POS systems, particularly Clover.

• All-in-one pricing: Your Payment Depot account includes in-person and online payment tools for a single monthly fee.
  
  With a minimal additional markup on interchange fees, Payment Depot is the lowest-cost processor for high-volume restaurants, especially those that need to reduce the costs of processing online payments. It also reprograms your equipment for free — others, like Stripe, will assist but not do this for you.

• Choice of payment gateway: Rather than providing its own gateway, like the others on my list, Payment Depot offers you a choice of popular gateways for free: Authorize.net or SwipeSimple, usually. These come with added benefits like a virtual terminal.

• 24/7 customer support: Like CDGcommerce, Payment Depot offers customer support via phone and email 24 hours a day. Customer reviews frequently mention Payment Depot’s speedy response time and supportive staff. This is great news for restaurant managers who need to resolve payment problems when sending the Saturday night credit card batch.
• Level 2 and Level 3 credit card processing: Like Stax, Payment Depot offers Level 2 data processing — something you would want in the best credit card processing for restaurants if you cater to corporate events.

With Stax, merchants only pay a monthly subscription fee in exchange for wholesale interchange-plus rates on their transactions. There are no cancellation, statement, or batch fees. It does not add a percentage markup, so there is no complicated math to figure out what you’ll pay for each transaction.

Stax offers two small business plans (plus custom rates for merchants processing more than $500,000 annually), and monthly rates vary depending on sales volume. However, the transaction fees are the same for all tools and for all credit cards. It does not have an extra fee for American Express like CDGcommerce.

• Monthly fees by processing volume:
  • Up to $150,000 per year: $99/month
  • $150,000-$250,000 per year: $139/month
  • Over $250,000 per year: $199+/month
• In-person transaction fee: Interchange + 8 cents*
• Card-not-present transaction fee: Interchange + 18 cents*

*Transaction rates based on received quotes; rates may vary at Stax’s sole discretion.

Stax charges extra for its custom branding for invoices and shopping carts (although access to one-click shopping cart setup with catalog management is now available to all plans). It also has add-ons for QuickBooks Online Pro sync, terminal protection, next-day funding, and digital gift cards.

If you qualify for Level 2 payment processing (generally for B2B payments), Stax can arrange lower interchange rates. However, this is also a paid add-on.

Stax’s main mobile card reader is programmed by BBPOS (usually costs $59), but it also works with several card terminals and POS hardware with built-in card readers. It’s possible to get your first card reader or terminal for free, but you will need to contact Stripe for terms and conditions. Stax can also help you reprogram one of your current card readers if you so wish.

Stax Pay Mobile Reader	Clover POS Terminals	Dejavoo Systems countertop terminals
$59	$199-$1,899 outright	$140-$375 outright
The Chipper™ 2X BT is an EMV-compliant, Bluetooth-enabled swipe, dip, and tap reader for mobile or on-site payments.	The full line of Clover products from handheld readers to full registers	Countertop, POS or Wi-Fi connected card reader

Stax’s easy pricing structure and free card reader or terminal is complemented by its ability to integrate with a wider range of restaurant POS systems (through TSYS). I especially like the Text2Pay tool for home deliveries, but if you supply larger clients, you can send invoices and even recurring payments.

• Hardware-free credit card processing: Stax mobile payments now features an option to process card payments without additional hardware attached to your mobile device. Simply use your smartphone camera to scan an image of your customer’s credit card and have them input their CVC when prompted to confirm the purchase. No other provider on this list has this feature, although Stripe and Square offer a tap-to-pay method with an iPhone.

• Chargeback support: Like CDGcommerce, Stax will notify you when a customer initiates a chargeback dispute. You can organize your supporting documents and send your response to your Stax dashboard. Though these tools are less robust than what CDGcommerce offers, if chargebacks are rare in your business, they may be all you need.

• Text2Pay mobile payments: You can send payment requests to customers directly from a smartphone and receive payment via SMS text. This is another unique restaurant credit card processing feature for Stax that’s handy for delivery-heavy establishments.

• Phone payments: While Stax charges for a virtual terminal and its online solution, it does not charge more for keyed-in payments. Square, by contrast, charges almost a full percentage more than its swipe payments. If your POS or ecommerce tool already has a virtual terminal, this makes it cost-effective for phone orders.
• Stax Connect: For established large restaurants, Stax can provide a highly customized setup through APIs that can develop everything from preferred payment methods and advanced analytics to back-office tools integration.
  
  The API expands your payment tools with custom split payments, B2B level 2 processing, dispute management, card updater, and even integrated compliant surcharging.

Square is a flat-rate processor, meaning that no matter the card or interchange rate, you pay the same. It’s a great choice for startup restaurants with low-volume sales, especially since there are no monthly fees, and you get basic POS, invoicing, online payments, and a virtual terminal for free.

Monthly fees:

• Software: $0-$165 per location per month
• In-person card payment: 2.6% + 15 cents
• Invoice and online card payment: Starts at 2.6% + 15 cents
• Keyed-in, card-on-file, and recurring: 3.5% + 15 cents
• Buy Now Pay Later: 6% + 30 cents (per card payment with Afterpay)
• Same-day funding: +1.75%

If your restaurant processes more than $250,000 annually, you can contact Square directly for a custom quote to lower those fees.

Magstripe reader	Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation)	Square Terminal	Square stand mount for iPad
Free	$59	$299	$149
Mobile swipe card payments	Mobile or on-site tap and chip reader	Tableside card readers	Self-service built-in card reader

Square manages credit, debit, and mobile wallet payments directly from bank to merchant without using a back-end processor like TSYS. However, this means it’s not as compatible with other POS systems. It offers its own excellent POS system, Square for Restaurants, plus a suite of online tools and a mobile app with a full POS. You can use its own hardware or an iPad or smartphone (Android or iOS).

• POS compatibility: You can use Square Payments on the Square for Restaurants POS, which offers a free baseline system that operates on iPads or Square hardware. Square Payments is also compatible with TouchBistro and SalesVu if you prefer a different POS layout. It integrates with Koomi POS for quick-service restaurants.

• Free online ordering site: Square users get access to a free online ordering site that integrates with the Square for Restaurants POS. You can accept online orders for pickup or delivery and accept online payments for online orders. Others offer online ordering, but it may not integrate as easily as Square does to its POS.

• Free invoicing tools: Though not as affordable as Payline Data, if your restaurant does private events or off-site catering, Square lets you send professional-looking invoices for deposits and payments directly from the dashboard.
• Business services: Unlike the other payment processors on my list, Square offers a complete offering of business services, including bank accounts, loans, payroll, and even benefits. If you want to have a full fintech system that works together with ease and can grow with you, Square is a top choice.

Helcim does not charge any monthly service fee for using its payment processing tools and offers a unique interchange plus automated discount pricing method. There are no setup, application, or cancellation fees, and offers a month-to-month contract. However, it has one of the most expensive mobile credit card readers in the industry.

In the last couple of years, Helcim has made changes to its transaction fees table. While still offering interchange plus rates, discounts now start for sales volume above $50,000 (previously $25,000 per month). Actual rates have increased from the previous 0.10% + 5 cents to 0.3% + 8 cents for card-present, and 0.20% + 10 cents to 0.50% + 25 cents for card-not-present transactions.

Other payment processing fees:

• Surcharge fees for American Express: 0.10% + 10 cents
• ACH transactions: 0.5% + 25 cents (capped at $6 for transactions below $25,000)
• Chargeback fee: $15 (reimbursable)

Helcim offers two payment terminal options — both mobile. The standard card reader can be used along with a desktop, tablet, or smartphone, while the smart terminal is a stand-alone option perfect for table-side ordering and payments.

Helcim Mobile Card Reader	Helcim Smart Terminal
$99	$329
Tap, chip, PIN paymentsSmartphone, tablet, and desktopBluetooth connectivityDigital receiptsInventory trackingFree mobile payment app	Tap, chip, PIN paymentsBuilt-in POSReceipt printerDigital receiptsInventory trackingEmployee log-in

In addition to competitive interchange-plus fees, Helcim integrates with several ecommerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, etc.) and accounting solutions like QuickBooks and Xero. 

If you want a sharp-looking online ordering site that combines catering services, takeout and delivery orders, and merchandise, these integrations provide you with a lot more flexibility than your basic online ordering system.

• Invoicing: Helcim allows you to send customized invoices online for free. Customers can then make payments via credit card, or ACH from the payment link included on the invoice or over the phone from the virtual terminal. Helcim also allows you to accept partial payments that work well for catering services.
• ACH payment processing: Helcim can also accept local and international ACH payments. There are no monthly fees for using this service, and the transaction fees are significantly lower. This payment method is available for customers paying with an invoice, online, over the phone, with a recurring billing setup, and even from a payment link.
• Smart zero-cost processing: Merchants who sign up for credit card and ACH processing service also come with the option to pass on their processing fees to customers in the method that’s legal to their state and card brand. This can be done with a simple toggle button on the payments settings.
• Point-of-sale app: Helcim offers a proprietary POS software that can be used on a desktop, tablet, and on a smartphone. It is also the same POS software built into its new stand-alone smart terminal.
  
  The software comes with inventory, CRM, and reporting features, is simple to set up and easy to use. It may not be dynamic enough for busy fast food or sit-down restaurants, but caterers would definitely find the system useful.

• Website and ecommerce integrations: The Online Checkout is Helcim’s own website builder. It allows merchants to create a fully functional, mobile and desktop-optimized ecommerce store from product and inventory management, shipping tools, tipping and discounts, cart review, and reporting features.
  
  It also provides a customer login system for regular customers that opt to store their credit card or bank details for faster transactions.