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Interchange Plus vs Flat Rate Pricing: A Complete Guide

The pricing model you choose determines how much you pay on every transaction. Here is a plain-English explanation of interchange-plus vs flat-rate and which is right for your business.

By Liberty Bancard Team February 20, 2025 9 min read

The two most common payment processing pricing models are interchange-plus and flat-rate. The model you choose has a bigger impact on your processing costs than almost any other decision.

Flat-Rate Pricing

Flat-rate pricing charges the same percentage on every transaction, regardless of card type. Square charges 2.6% + $0.10 in-person. Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 online. Simple, predictable — and expensive for growing businesses.

Interchange-Plus Pricing

Interchange-plus separates the card network's actual fee (interchange) from your processor's markup. You see both clearly on your statement. This model is transparent and typically lower-cost.

Which Is Better for Your Business?

For businesses processing over $5,000/month, interchange-plus is almost always cheaper. The savings are largest for businesses with significant debit card volume, since debit interchange is far lower than flat-rate processing rates.

Upload your statement to see how interchange-plus pricing compares to what you pay now.

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