Payment processing insights for business owners
Practical guides on fees, pricing, compliance, and everything else that affects what you pay to process payments.
Browse guides by topic
- Processing fees19
- Pricing and interchange9
- Surcharging9
- Merchant services20
- Payment processing21
- POS terminals17
- Mobile payments7
- Online payments12
- Virtual terminal9
- ACH payments6
- Chargebacks15
- PCI and card security12
- Restaurants2
- Medical and dental3
- Wellness and fitness2
- Professional services1
- Home services1
- B2B payments4
- Nonprofits2
- Hotels and lodging1
Showing all 172 guides
Best credit card processing for small business in Canada
The best credit card processing for small business in Canada: seven options compared on Interac debit, pricing model, contract terms and who each one fits.
Best payment processor for ecommerce: 7 options compared
The best payment processor for ecommerce, compared on pricing you can check, contract terms, hosted checkout, fraud screening and recurring billing.
Cash register vs POS system: differences and when to switch
Cash register vs POS: what a register does, what a POS system adds, how card terminals and PCI scope change, and a simple rule for when a register is enough.
EMV liability shift: who pays for counterfeit fraud
The EMV liability shift decides who pays when a counterfeit card works at your counter. Who carries each loss, the dates, the chargeback codes, and what to do.
Merchant agreement: how to read every clause before you sign
A merchant agreement, clause by clause: who signs it, the documents it pulls in, and the terms on fees, reserves, chargebacks, leases and leaving early.
PCI SAQ A: who qualifies and how to file it
SAQ A is PCI DSS's shortest self-assessment. Who qualifies, what the 2025 script rule changed, which checkouts fit, and how to file it with your acquirer.
Pre-arbitration chargeback: meaning and your options
A pre-arbitration chargeback is the round after representment, before the network rules. How Visa and Mastercard run it, and when to fight or accept the loss.
Square alternatives for small business: 7 options compared
Square alternatives for small business, compared on itemized pricing, contract terms, a rep to call and in-person card acceptance, plus who each one fits.
Stripe alternatives: 7 payment providers compared
Stripe alternatives compared on pricing you can check, contract terms, a rep to call and online checkout, with the business each of 7 providers fits.
ACH vs wire transfer: speed, cost and fraud risk compared
ACH vs wire for business payments: how each moves money, how fast it settles, whether it can be reversed, what drives the cost, and when to use which one.
ASV scan: who needs one and how to pass it
An ASV scan is the quarterly external vulnerability scan PCI DSS asks many merchants for. Who needs one, what fails a scan, the report, and how disputes work.
Best merchant account for small business: 7 options compared
The best merchant account options for small business, ranked on pricing you can check, contract terms, support, and proof before you switch.
Best virtual terminal: 7 options for phone and mail orders
The best virtual terminal for taking cards by phone, mail and email, with invoices and recurring billing: seven options compared on pricing and terms.
Billing descriptor: what it is, with examples
A billing descriptor is the name customers see on their card statement. Good and bad examples, Visa's 25-character rule, and how to stop unrecognized charges.
BIN number: what a card's first digits tell you
A BIN number is the first 6 or 8 digits of a card. What it reveals, how merchants use it for fraud and surcharge checks, and what a BIN lookup cannot tell you.
Chargeback representment: process, evidence, and cost
Chargeback representment is how a merchant fights a chargeback with evidence. The steps, network deadlines, evidence by dispute type, costs, and when to accept.
Omnichannel payments: a guide for merchants
Omnichannel payments let you take cards in store, online, by phone, and by link on one setup. How gateways, tokens, PCI scope, returns, and costs fit together.
Service charge vs tip: what changes for your business
Service charge vs tip for business owners: the IRS test, payroll and tip pool rules, card receipts, sales tax, and a 20% example worked out on a $100 check.
What is a card network? A merchant's guide and list
What a card network does, the list of credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) plus debit networks like Interac, and networks vs issuers.
What is an EFT payment? Meaning, methods and timing
What an EFT payment is, which methods count (ACH, direct deposit, debit cards), what EFT means on a bank statement, and how businesses send and receive them.
ACH return codes list: what each R code means and what to do
ACH return codes explained: what each common R code means and what to do next, how long banks have to return a debit, and the return rates Nacha watches.
Best merchant services: 7 providers compared
The best merchant services cover the account, terminals, support and funding. We compare 7 processors and banks on pricing, contract terms and fit.
Best payment processor for small business: 7 options
The best payment processor for small business that sells online and in person: 7 options compared on pricing, contracts, checkout and invoicing.
Cross-border fees: what merchants pay on foreign cards
Cross-border fees are what you pay to accept a card from another country. What each fee is, where it shows on your statement and how to keep it down.
Interchange optimization: 7 ways to avoid downgrades
Interchange optimization gets each card sale into the cheapest interchange category it qualifies for. Seven merchant-side fixes, and who keeps the savings.
What is an eCheck? How eCheck payments work and clear
What is an eCheck? An eCheck payment is an ACH debit from a bank account. How to accept one, how long it takes to clear, and what a return means.
ACH payments: how they work, timing and returns
ACH payments for businesses: how to accept ACH credits and debits, how long they take to settle, how returns work, and what an authorization must include.
Best credit card processing for small business: 7 picks
Our picks for the best credit card processing for small business that sells in person, judged on pricing, contract terms, support and tap to pay.
Best payment gateway for small business: 7 options compared
The best payment gateway for small business, ranked on checkable pricing, contract terms, support, website checkout, phone orders and fraud screening.
Best payment processor: 8 picks by business need
Compare the best payment processor for your business: 8 options ranked on checkable pricing, contract terms and support, with what each one fits best.
Business expenses the CRA lets you deduct on T2125
Business expenses the CRA lets you deduct on Form T2125 for 2025: where card processing fees go, the 50% meal rule, home office and vehicle limits, records.
Buy now, pay later for merchants: how it works
Buy now, pay later for merchants: who carries the credit risk, how you get paid, what the fees cover, how returns and disputes work, and what to disclose.
Card account updater: how stored cards stay current
A card account updater sends merchants new card numbers and expiry dates for stored cards. How Visa and Mastercard updaters work, who can use them, and limits.
Chargeback alerts: how they work and when they pay off
Chargeback alerts warn you about a dispute before it becomes a chargeback, so you can refund first. How Visa and Mastercard alerts work and when they pay off.
Credit Card Competition Act: what merchants should know
The Credit Card Competition Act would require large issuers to enable a second credit network. What the bill says, its 2026 status and what it means for you.
Dynamic currency conversion: how DCC works for merchants
Dynamic currency conversion lets visitors pay in their home currency. How DCC works, the Visa and Mastercard rules, who earns the markup, and when to offer it.
Invoice payment terms: common examples and how to choose
Invoice payment terms explained: net 30, due on receipt, 2/10 net 30, deposits and milestones, plus how to word them, set late fees and get paid sooner.
Open banking in Canada: where it stands in 2026
Open banking in Canada, officially consumer-driven banking: who oversees it after Budget 2025, each dated milestone, and what it may mean for getting paid.
Payment reconciliation: how to match card deposits to sales
Payment reconciliation for card sales: match batches to deposits and account for fees, refunds, chargebacks and reserves, with a worked example and checklist.
POS system for restaurants: a guide for US owners
Choosing a POS system for a restaurant in the US: table and kitchen features, tips and service charges under IRS and Labor rules, sales tax, and contracts.
Real-Time Rail in Canada: what businesses should know
Real-Time Rail in Canada explained: what Payments Canada is building, its status in October 2026, how it differs from e-Transfer and Lynx, and what may change.
Retail POS system: how to choose one for your store
How to choose a retail POS system: inventory and variants, card payments at the counter, returns, cash and card fee laws, and the questions to ask vendors.
Split tender: one sale, two or more ways to pay
Split tender means paying for one sale with two or more payment methods. How to ring it up, where partial approvals fit, and how to handle refunds and receipts.
Are credit card processing fees tax deductible?
Are credit card processing fees tax deductible? What the IRS and CRA say about business expenses, why your 1099-K shows gross sales, and which records to keep.
Batch settlement: what it is and how it works
Batch settlement is how a day's card sales are sent for clearing and paid into your bank account. How it works, cutoff times, and how to fix a failed batch.
Card on file: rules for storing customer cards
Card on file explained for merchants: customer consent, who starts each charge, tokens, CVV rules, account updaters, declined charges, and winning disputes.
Card reader for iPhone: when you need one and what to buy
A card reader for iPhone adds chip cards to what Tap to Pay can take. How readers connect, when you need one, what they cost to run, and what to check first.
Credit card authorization form: template and safe handling
A credit card authorization form lets you charge a card when the customer isn't there. Copy our field-by-field template and follow PCI rules for storing it.
Credit card decline codes: meanings and what to do
Credit card decline codes in one table: what 05, 14, 51, 54, N7 and other codes mean, what to tell the customer, and which declines you should never retry.
Dental credit card processing: plans, deposits, fees
Dental credit card processing for dental offices: treatment plan deposits, balances after insurance, overpayment refunds, ortho payment plans, and fees.
Food truck POS system: what to look for before you buy
What a food truck POS system needs: fast checkout at the window, a plan for weak signal, sales tax by stop, tips, cash rules, and the costs to compare.
Form 1099-K for merchants: what your processor reports
Form 1099-K reports your gross card sales to the IRS. What each box means, the current thresholds, and how to reconcile the form to your bank deposits.
Gym membership billing: dues, freezes, and cancellations
How gym membership billing works: billing dates and pro-rating, fees and add-ons, freezes, state cancellation laws, the FTC gym case, and declined dues.
Hotel credit card processing: holds, no-shows, fees
Hotel credit card processing explained: check-in holds, incremental authorizations, no-show charges, deposits, late charges, and the FTC total price rule.
How to calculate credit card processing fees, with examples
How to calculate credit card processing fees: formulas for one sale, flat rate, interchange-plus and your effective rate, each with a worked example.
How to get a merchant account, step by step
How to get a merchant account: what the application asks for, what underwriters check and why, likely outcomes, and contract red flags to catch before signing.
How to send an invoice: steps, email template, and timing
How to send an invoice that gets paid: what to put on it, how to email it, which delivery method to use, when to follow up, and what card payments cost.
Invoice requirements in Canada: what the CRA asks for
Invoice requirements in Canada depend on the total. What the CRA says a GST/HST invoice needs under $100, from $100 to $499.99, and at $500 or more.
Least cost routing: how debit network choice cuts your fees
Least cost routing sends each debit sale over the cheapest network on the card. The federal routing rules, what it can save, and what to ask your processor.
Medical credit card processing: copays, balances, fees
Medical credit card processing for physician practices and clinics: copays, card on file for balances, FSA cards, surcharges, HIPAA questions, and costs.
Mobile credit card reader: how to choose the right one
Choosing a mobile credit card reader: phone-paired readers, portable terminals, and tap to pay compared on connection, offline risk, costs, and features.
Partial authorization: what it is and how to handle it
Partial authorization lets a card issuer approve part of a sale when the balance is short. How it works, who must support it, and how to collect the rest.
PCI compliance levels: Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover
PCI compliance levels for Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover: each brand's tiers, what every level has to file, and how to work out which level you're in.
PIN debit vs signature debit: what merchants should know
PIN debit vs signature debit: how each runs on a different network, what each costs a US merchant under Regulation II, and why the signature is optional now.
Restaurant POS in Canada: what to check before you sign
Choosing a restaurant POS in Canada: Quebec's certified billing rules, tips in Ontario and Quebec, Interac at the table, card costs, and questions to ask.
The Durbin Amendment: what the debit fee cap means for you
The Durbin Amendment caps debit interchange at big banks. What the law says, the Regulation II cap, which cards are exempt, and what it means for your fees.
Veterinary credit card processing for clinics
Veterinary credit card processing for clinics: surgery deposits, pet insurance, split payments on emergency bills, wellness plans, farm calls, and fees.
Visa interchange rates in Canada for 2026, card by card
Visa interchange rates in Canada for 2026: in-store, online, recurring and small-merchant rates by card, the October 24 changes, and how to check them.
Void vs refund: which one to use and when
Void vs refund: a void cancels a card sale before it settles, and a refund sends money back after. When to use each, what each costs, and how fast it posts.
What is a rolling reserve and how does it work?
A rolling reserve holds back a share of each day's card sales for a set period, then releases it. How it's calculated, why acquirers use it, and what to ask.
What is an acquiring bank and what does it do?
An acquiring bank signs you up to accept cards, settles your sales, and carries the loss if chargebacks go unpaid. How it works and why its rules matter to you.
What is chargeback protection, and is it worth it?
Chargeback protection can mean liability shifts, pre-dispute tools, or a paid guarantee. What each covers, how it affects your ratio, and when it pays off.
What is the Mastercard MATCH list?
The Mastercard MATCH list records merchants terminated for certain reasons. How listings are added, how acquirers check them, and what to do if you're listed.
3D Secure explained: how it works and when to use it
What 3D Secure is, how frictionless and challenge flows work, who carries fraud liability under Visa and Mastercard rules, and when to switch it on.
Address verification service (AVS) explained for merchants
How the address verification service checks a card billing address, what each AVS code means, where AVS works, and how to set rules that keep good customers.
Amex OptBlue: what it is and how its pricing works
Amex OptBlue lets your payment provider sign you up for American Express and set your Amex rate. Who qualifies, how pricing works, and what to ask first.
Apple Pay for business: how to accept it and what it costs
Apple Pay for business: how to accept it in store, online, and in apps, what an Apple Pay sale really costs a merchant, and the setup steps for each channel.
Authorization hold: how it works and how long it lasts
An authorization hold sets aside a customer's funds before a card sale settles. How long holds last, incremental and partial authorizations, tips, and fuel.
B2B payments: methods, costs, and how to get paid faster
B2B payments compared: cards, ACH, wires, checks, and virtual cards on cost and speed, which invoice terms to set, and how suppliers can get paid faster.
Bar POS system: tabs, tips, and what to look for
What a bar POS system needs: fast tabs on a card pre-authorization, tips within Visa's rules, split checks, speed at the rail, and how to compare systems.
Card testing fraud: how to spot it and stop an attack
Card testing fraud uses bots to check stolen cards through your checkout. How attacks work, the warning signs, the controls that stop them, and what to do now.
Chargeback fee: what it is, why it's charged, how to cut it
A chargeback fee is what your processor bills for each dispute. Where it shows on your statement, what drives it, the network thresholds, and how to cut it.
Chargeback ratio: how to calculate it and keep it low
How to calculate your chargeback ratio, the Visa and Mastercard monitoring thresholds as published, and practical ways to bring the ratio down.
Chargeback reason codes: what Visa and Mastercard codes mean
Chargeback reason codes explained: the Visa and Mastercard codes you'll see, what each one means, and the evidence that wins each kind of dispute.
Chargeback vs refund: the difference and which costs more
Chargeback vs refund: who starts each, what each costs, why refunding first is usually cheaper, and what to do if a chargeback lands after you refund.
Chargebacks in Canada: how card disputes work for merchants
How chargebacks work in Canada: Visa and Mastercard disputes, why Interac Debit has none, Quebec's chargeback law, and how merchants can prevent them.
Church credit card processing: giving by card and online
Church credit card processing: take gifts at services, online, and monthly, check charity interchange rates, meet IRS receipt rules, and skip surcharges.
Code of Conduct for the Payment Card Industry in Canada
The Code of Conduct for the Payment Card Industry gives Canadian merchants fee notice, a penalty-free exit, clear pricing and card choice. Here's how it works.
Compelling Evidence 3.0: what qualifies and how to use it
Visa's Compelling Evidence 3.0 explained: which disputes it covers, the prior purchases and matching data that qualify, and how to set up your checkout for it.
Convenience fee: what it is and when you can charge one
A convenience fee is a flat charge for paying via an optional channel, like online. How card rules and state laws treat it, and how it differs from a surcharge.
Credit card processing for lawyers: trust accounts and fees
Credit card processing for lawyers: keep unearned fees in trust, keep card fees and chargebacks out of it, and check your state bar's rules first.
Credit card processing for nonprofits: a practical guide
Credit card processing for nonprofits: take gifts in person, online, and monthly, check charity interchange rates, meet IRS receipt rules, and keep fees low.
Credit card skimmers: how to spot and stop them
What a credit card skimmer looks like on terminals, gas pumps, and ATMs, how to inspect your devices, what PCI DSS asks for, and how chip and tap cut the risk.
Credit card surcharge sign: what it must say and where
What a credit card surcharge sign must say, where Visa and Mastercard want it, the state wording rules in Colorado and New York, and example text you can adapt.
Debit card processing fees: the cap, the rates, the math
Debit card processing fees explained: the Regulation II cap, exempt debit rates, PIN vs signature debit, worked examples, and why flat rates overcharge debit.
Debit card surcharge: why it's not allowed and what to do
A debit card surcharge breaks Visa and Mastercard rules, and Louisiana, Texas and Maine ban it by law. Why debit is different, the Interac rule, and what to do.
Do not honor: what decline code 05 means and what to do
A do not honor decline (code 05) means the card issuer refused the sale without saying why. What causes it, what to tell customers, and when you can retry.
Ecommerce fraud prevention: a layered plan for online stores
Ecommerce fraud prevention in layers: AVS, CVV, velocity rules, 3-D Secure, and manual review. What each stops, what it costs in lost sales, and how to tune it.
Friendly fraud: how to spot it, fight it, and stop it
Friendly fraud is when a real cardholder disputes a purchase they made. Why it happens, how to spot it, the evidence that wins, and how to prevent it.
Google Pay for business: in-store, online, and in-app setup
Google Pay for business: how to take it at the counter, on your website, and in an Android app, what Google charges, and what each sale really costs you.
Hosted payment page: how it works, PCI scope, and trade-offs
A hosted payment page keeps card data off your website. How it compares with embedded and API checkouts on PCI scope (SAQ A vs A-EP), branding, and conversion.
How long does a credit card payment take to process?
How long does a credit card payment take to process? Approval takes seconds, the deposit takes longer. A step-by-step timeline and what slows your money down.
How to accept e-Transfer payments as a business
How to accept e-Transfer payments as a Canadian business: set up Autodeposit, handle security questions, limits and fees, reconcile, and know when cards fit.
How to accept payments online: a setup guide by channel
How to accept payments online: choose a website checkout, add payment links and invoices, take phone orders, set up recurring billing, and keep PCI work small.
Interac fees: what merchants pay to accept debit
Interac fees for merchants are a flat amount per debit sale, not a percentage. What you pay, how tap pricing works, the surcharge rule and e-Transfer fees.
Interac Flash: how contactless debit works for merchants
Interac Flash is Canada's contactless debit. How a tap works, the $250 and cumulative limits, how it differs from chip and PIN, and what merchants need.
Is it legal to charge a credit card fee? US and Canada
Is it legal to charge a credit card fee? Usually yes on credit cards within network caps, never on debit, and not in three states or Quebec. The rules by place.
Mastercard interchange rates: reading the US schedule
Mastercard interchange rates sit in one US schedule. How it's organized by card tier and program, 2026-2027 example rates, and how to check your statement.
Merchant account in Canada: what to check before you sign
Getting a merchant account in Canada: what providers ask for, your rights under the Code of Conduct, contract terms to check, and how pricing models compare.
Merchant category code (MCC): what it is and why it matters
A merchant category code (MCC) is the four-digit number that classifies your business. How it affects interchange, rewards, and your 1099-K, and how to fix it.
Merchant discount rate: what it is and how to work it out
The merchant discount rate is what you pay to accept a card sale. What it includes, how it differs from your effective rate, and why surcharge caps use it.
Merchant ID: what a MID is and where to find yours
A merchant ID (MID) is the number that identifies your card processing account. Where to find it, how it differs from a terminal ID, and what not to share.
NFC payment: how tap to pay works and what you need
What is an NFC payment? How cards, phones, and watches pay with a tap, how EMV contactless keeps it secure, and what a business needs to accept NFC payments.
Payment gateway in Canada: what to look for before you sign
Choosing a payment gateway in Canada: Visa Debit and Interac online, CAD settlement, GST/HST at checkout, PCI scope, and the Quebec rule on card fees.
Payment tokenization: how it works for merchants
Payment tokenization for merchants: network tokens vs processor tokens, Apple Pay and Google Pay device tokens, card-on-file billing, and smaller PCI scope.
PCI compliance in Canada: what merchants need to know
PCI compliance in Canada follows the same standard as the US. Who enforces it, which SAQ fits, how Interac fits in, and when you must report a privacy breach.
Point-to-point encryption: what P2PE is and who needs it
Point-to-point encryption keeps card data unreadable from terminal to processor. What PCI-listed P2PE is, how SAQ P2PE works, and if a small store needs it.
QR code payments for merchants: how they work and the risks
How QR code payments work for merchants: customer- and merchant-presented codes, payment links behind a code, tampered QR scams, costs, and when they fit.
Retrieval request: what it is and how to respond
What a retrieval request is, how it differs from a chargeback, where Visa and Mastercard rules stand now, what to send, and how fast to respond.
Salon credit card processing: tips, no-shows, and fees
Salon credit card processing explained: tips and tip payouts, booth renters, no-show fees on a card on file, surcharge rules, and the terminals that fit.
Store and forward: taking card payments offline
Store and forward lets a card terminal save payments offline and send them later. How it works, the risk of declines after the fact, and the limits to set.
Tap to pay in Canada: limits and costs for merchants
Tap to pay in Canada for merchants: Interac and credit card tap limits, phone and watch payments, taking taps on a phone, and what each kind of tap costs you.
Tap to Pay on iPhone: how it works for small businesses
Tap to Pay on iPhone turns an iPhone into a contactless card reader. What you need, what it accepts, what it costs, and when a card reader is the better buy.
Virtual card payments: a guide for suppliers
Virtual card payments explained for suppliers: how single-use cards reach you, how to process them in a virtual terminal, what they cost, and when to accept.
Visa Debit in Canada: how it works and what merchants pay
Visa Debit in Canada explained: how it works online and abroad, how it differs from Interac at the terminal, what merchants pay, and why it can't be surcharged.
Visa interchange rates: how to read Visa's US schedule
Visa interchange rates come from one public US schedule. How it's organized, the April 2026 rates small businesses see most, and how to check your statement.
What is a CVV? A merchant's guide to card security codes
What a CVV is, where it sits on Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover cards, why you can never store it, and what a CVV mismatch means for an online sale.
What is a payment link? How it works and when to use one
A payment link opens a secure page where your customer pays by card. How it works, when to use one, how to keep links safe, and how links compare to invoices.
What is a payment processor? How it works and gets paid
What is a payment processor? The company that moves card payments between you, the card networks, and banks. How it works, how it is paid, and how to choose.
What is a payment service provider, and do you need one?
A payment service provider bundles what you need to take cards. How a PSP differs from a processor, acquirer, gateway, and payfac, and how to choose one.
What is a POS system? How it works and how to choose
What is a POS system? The software, terminal, and peripherals behind every sale, how a card payment flows through them, and how to choose the right setup.
What is an independent sales organization (ISO)?
An independent sales organization (ISO) sells merchant accounts for a bank. How ISOs fit with processors and card networks, and what to ask before you sign.
What is an issuing bank? A guide for merchants
An issuing bank is the bank behind your customer's card. What it does in each authorization, how it rules on fraud and chargebacks, and why it matters to you.
ACH vs credit card payments: cost, speed, and risk
ACH vs credit card for business payments: compare cost, settlement speed, and dispute risk, plus when to steer big invoices to ACH and when cards win.
American Express merchant fees: how Amex pricing works
American Express merchant fees depend on how you accept Amex: directly or through OptBlue. What Amex publishes, its fee rules, and how to read your statement.
Card-not-present transactions: costs, fraud, and liability
Card-not-present transactions cover online, phone, and mail sales. Why they cost more, who pays when fraud hits, and how AVS, CVV2, and 3-D Secure help.
Cash discount program: how it works and when it's legal
A cash discount program posts your card price and takes money off for cash. Learn how it works, what keeps it legal, and the surcharge trap to avoid.
Cheapest credit card processing: do the math first
The cheapest credit card processing depends on your volume, ticket size and card mix. See the effective-rate math for flat, tiered and interchange-plus quotes.
Choosing credit card processing machines for small business
Credit card processing machines for small business compared: countertop, wireless, mobile, and smart terminals, plus lease traps and a buying checklist.
Credit card fees in Canada: what merchants pay in 2026
What credit card fees cost merchants in Canada: interchange, network fees, and markup, the small-business rate cuts, your Code of Conduct rights, and more.
Credit card processing for contractors: a field guide
Credit card processing for contractors: take deposits, progress payments, and on-site cards, cut keyed-in costs, and protect deposits from chargebacks.
Credit card surcharges in Canada: the rules for 2026
Can you add a credit card surcharge in Canada? The 2.4% cap, 30-day notice, disclosure rules, what's off limits, Quebec's ban, and when it's worth it.
Debit machine for small business: a Canadian buying guide
Choosing a debit machine for your small business in Canada: terminal types, buy vs rent vs lease, Interac tap limits, tipping, and a checklist to use.
Ecommerce merchant account: what you need to get approved
Getting an ecommerce merchant account approved: the website items acquirers check, card-not-present pricing, fraud and chargeback risk, and a checklist.
Free credit card processing: what it really costs
Free credit card processing usually means customers pay the card fee through a surcharge or cash discount. See who pays, the legal limits, and the costs.
How does a chargeback work? The full process, step by step
How does a chargeback work? Every step from the cardholder's call to arbitration, the deadlines, what a chargeback costs, and when to fight it.
How much does a POS system cost in 2026?
How much does a POS system cost? The five costs in every quote, the processing math, lease traps, and a budget worksheet to fill in before you buy.
How to accept credit card payments on your phone or by phone
How to accept credit card payments on a phone: Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android, Bluetooth readers, and taking cards over a call with a virtual terminal.
How to accept credit card payments: a small business guide
How to accept credit card payments in eight steps: pick your channels and account, add hardware or a gateway, learn the fees, handle PCI, and go live.
How to prevent chargebacks: fixes for every cause
How to prevent chargebacks from fraud, friendly fraud, processing errors, and delivery problems, plus the Visa and Mastercard ratios to watch.
Is tap to pay safer? How it compares to chip and swipe
Is tap to pay safer? How contactless cards and phone wallets compare to chip and swipe, the real risks such as relay attacks, and what it means for merchants.
Level 3 credit card processing: data, rates, and savings
Level 3 credit card processing sends line-item data with B2B card payments for lower interchange. See what changed at Visa, who saves, and what to ask.
Payment facilitator vs merchant account: how to choose
A payment facilitator signs you up under its own master account. How that compares with a merchant account of your own, and when switching makes sense.
PCI compliance fees: what's fair and what's padding
What a PCI compliance fee pays for, when a non-compliance fee is padding, what PCI rules actually require, and how to stop paying monthly penalty fees.
POS system in Canada: how to choose the right one
Choosing a POS system in Canada? Set up GST, HST, PST, and QST correctly, take Interac, meet Quebec's French rules, and know what to ask before you sign.
Recurring billing: how card-on-file payments work
Recurring billing for gyms, studios, and service firms: card network consent rules, where click-to-cancel stands, account updaters, and declined payments.
Tiered pricing for credit card processing, explained
Tiered pricing sorts card sales into qualified, mid-qualified and non-qualified rates. Why sales slip into the pricey tiers, and how to spot it on a statement.
What are interchange fees, and who gets the money?
What are interchange fees? The cut of each card sale paid to the card-issuing bank. Who sets them, what moves the rate, and how they show on your statement.
What is a merchant account and do you need one?
What is a merchant account? The bank agreement that lets you accept cards. How underwriting, reserves, and merchant IDs work, and when you need your own.
What is a payment gateway? How it works and what it costs
What is a payment gateway? The software that sends online card payments for approval. How it differs from a processor, keeps data safe, and what it costs.
What is EMV? How chip cards stop counterfeit fraud
What is EMV? How chip and tap payments use one-time codes to stop counterfeit cards, what the 2015 US liability shift changed, and what merchants should do.
What is Interac? A merchant's guide to debit in Canada
What is Interac? A merchant guide to Interac Debit, Interac Flash tap limits, what debit costs compared with credit, and Interac e-Transfer for business.
What is PCI compliance? A guide for small merchants
What is PCI compliance? The current PCI DSS version, which SAQ fits your business, what you owe each year, and how hosted checkout shrinks the work.
Why small business credit card processing fees run higher
Why small business credit card processing fees take a bigger cut of each sale: volume tiers, flat-rate markups, fixed fees and contracts, with the math.
Hidden fees in credit card processing and how to spot them
Hidden fees in credit card processing: PCI penalties, statement and batch fees, minimums, exit fees and rate creep. How to spot each and what's negotiable.
Restaurant credit card processing: tips, fees, and rules
Restaurant credit card processing explained: tip adjustment, pay-at-table, online order costs, surcharge rules by state, and chargebacks on takeout.
How to reduce credit card processing fees, step by step
How to reduce credit card processing fees: a numbered playbook on pricing, keyed sales, address data, debit routing, junk fees, contracts and surcharges.
How to read a merchant statement, section by section
How to read a merchant statement: the summary, deposits, interchange, network and processor fees, how to work out your effective rate, and red flags.
Interchange plus vs flat rate: which costs less?
Interchange plus vs flat rate pricing, with worked examples at four ticket sizes, when flat rate wins, and how cost-plus and tiered pricing fit in.
Same-day funding in credit card processing: how it works
Same day funding in credit card processing: how deposits work, same-day vs next-day, batch cutoffs, weekends and Fed holidays, and what speed costs.
Dual pricing: what it is and how it differs from surcharging
Dual pricing posts a card price and a cash price for every item. How it differs from surcharging and cash discounts, which rules apply, and how to display it.
Credit Card Surcharging Rules by State (2026 Guide)
Which states allow credit card surcharging? A 2026 guide to surcharging laws, compliance requirements, and implementation best practices.
Related Services
Everything you need to accept payments and reduce costs.
Payment Processing
Transparent interchange-plus pricing
Merchant Services
Full merchant services stack for small business
Credit Card Processing Fees
Understand fees and lower your effective rate
POS Terminals
Countertop, wireless, and portable terminals
Online Payments
Secure website checkout and payment gateway
Mobile Payments
Accept payments from phone or tablet
Virtual Terminal
Phone and remote payment processing
ACH Payment Processing
Bank-to-bank payments for invoices and B2B
Chargeback Management
Tools and a rep to keep disputes in check
PCI Compliance
Support for keeping card data secure
Surcharging Program
Pass processing costs to credit card users
Pricing
See our interchange-plus rates and how we compare
Other industries we serve
Clearo works with businesses across the US and Canada. Find your industry below.
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