Stop Overpaying for
Payment Processing
Independent merchant services research. We analyze interchange economics, decode fee statements, and rank processors on transparency.
5
Processors Ranked
47+
Fee Datapoints
10
City & Industry Guides
How does Processor Report help merchants?
We combine statement analysis, product testing, and public-data research to produce guides and reviews that serve merchants — not processor marketing teams.
Interchange Analysis
We decode the fee stack — interchange, assessments, and markup — so you see where every basis point goes.
Independent Scoring
Scores weight transparency, support, and fit. Affiliate commissions never determine numeric ratings or ranking order.
Editorial Depth
Every review cites public data sources, network rules, and regulatory filings. No recycled sales copy.
Side-by-Side Comparisons
Head-to-head tables that contrast pricing models, hardware, online stacks, and typical merchant fit.
Who offers the best fit right now?
Rates below are simplified snapshots — always confirm your quote in writing. Table updates on an editorial cadence; last refresh April 2026.
| Processor | Best for | Monthly fee | Rate | Score | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurv | Retailers wanting transparent interchange-plus | Varies (quote) | Interchange + markup | 9.1 | Visit site |
| Square | Quick setup for mobile and countertop | $0 (standard) | Flat per tap/dip/swipe | 8.6 | Visit site |
| Stripe | Online-first and platform businesses | $0 (standard) | Pay-as-you-go online | 8.8 | Visit site |
| PaymentCloud | Higher-risk or hard-to-place merchants | Varies (quote) | Program-dependent | 8.2 | Visit site |
| Helcim | Interchange-plus with member-friendly tools | $0 (common plans) | Interchange + % | 8.5 | Visit site |
Why do merchants trust Processor Report?
We started this publication because most processor review sites are written by the processors themselves or by affiliates that sell the top-ranked listing. We think merchants deserve better.
- Scores are calculated before affiliate terms are negotiated
- Reviews and guides link to Federal Reserve, Visa/Mastercard, PCI, and FTC sources where claims need proof
- Affiliate relationships are disclosed beside every partner link
- We publish scoring weights and editorial rules on the About page
47+
Fee datapoints tracked
5
Processors independently scored
7
Long-form reviews & guides
$0
Paid for any ranking position
Which guide should you read first?
Start with interchangeNot sure which processor fits?
Five quick questions, then unlock your match with email — we send your breakdown so you can compare against your statement on your own time.
Take the Processor Match QuizQuestions merchants ask us first
Ready to compare processors on your terms?
Processor Report is free, independent, and updated quarterly. Bookmark this page, pull up your latest statement, and start comparing.