The boring stuff, sorted
Payments
Providers are compared on headline rates and paid for on your actual mix. Work out your average transaction size and monthly volume first — that one number changes which option is cheapest.
Best fit for you
These are the things that actually decide it. Find the line that sounds like you.
- Small transactions, high volume The fixed pence-per-transaction part matters more than the percentage. Add it up on a real month.
- Large transactions, low volume The percentage dominates. A monthly fee with a lower rate can work out cheaper.
- Online only Look at what happens on refunds and chargebacks, and how long the money takes to arrive.
- Subscriptions Failed-payment handling and card updating matter more than the rate. Direct Debit is usually cheaper for regular UK payments.
What catches people out
- Hardware on a long contract at a small monthly cost is usually the expensive option. Check the total.
- Settlement time is working capital. Next-day and weekly are very different businesses to run.
- Chargeback fees apply whether or not you win the dispute.
Your pal saysNo provider is named on this page on purpose. CompanyPal has no commercial deals yet, and a “best buy” we haven’t actually checked would be worth less than nothing to you. We’ll tell you when real ones land.
Is this one of yours?
The plan builder works out which of these apply to what you’re actually starting, and which you can ignore.