payment gateway cost for small business

Payment Gateway Cost for Small Business 2026

Under $500K GMV/yr, which gateway is genuinely cheapest. Three illustrative SMB profiles compared.

Square

Cheapest in-person <$300K/yr

Helcim

Cheapest above $300K/yr

Stripe

Cheapest online-only SaaS

Shopify

If you're already on Shopify

Headline answer

Below $300K/yr in-person, Square Free (2.6% + 15c, $0 chargeback, up to $250/mo dispute absorption) is hard to beat. Above $300K/yr, Helcim's interchange-plus (IC + 0.40% + 8c stepping down to IC + 0.15% + 6c) saves 30-60bps. For online-only SaaS, Stripe at 2.9% + 30c with hosted Checkout is the path of least resistance until you cross $80K/mo and can negotiate.

Three illustrative SMB profiles

(illustrative examples, not real companies)

Coffee shop, $180K/yr, $9 ticket

Square Free 2.6% + 15c

~$7,700/yr

Helcim IC + 0.40% + 8c

~$7,000/yr

Stripe (online + Terminal)

~$9,200/yr

Pick

Square or Helcim

Online boutique, $250K/yr, $55 ticket

Stripe 2.9% + 30c

~$8,600/yr

Shopify Payments (on Shopify)

~$7,500/yr

Helcim online IC + 0.50% + 25c

~$7,800/yr

Pick

Shopify Payments or Stripe

Service business, $400K/yr, $200 ticket

Stripe 2.9% + 30c

~$12,200/yr

Helcim IC + 0.20% + 7c

~$8,400/yr

Stax $99/mo + IC + 8c

~$9,200/yr

Pick

Helcim

When to switch to interchange-plus

When your annual GMV crosses $300K and you stay above that.
When your average ticket is above $40 (per-transaction cents become immaterial).
When your customer mix shifts toward rewards or corporate cards (flat-rate's hidden interchange exposure widens).
Do not switch on volatile months alone. The subscription cost only amortises if volume is sustained.

Related (SMB cost cluster)

verified Last verified June 2026