Merchant Insiders

Independent & Unbiased Merchant Processing Guidance

Helcim Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)

Helcim fees explained - 1.93% + 8¢ average in-person rate with no monthly fees and dual pricing savings

📅 February 9, 2026 ⏱️ 10 min read Helcim Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0) Helcim is the rare processor that gets cheaper as you grow—with no monthly fees, no contracts, and automatic volume discounts. Here’s exactly what you’ll pay. Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing starting at interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ … Read more

Toast Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)

Toast fees explained - 2.49% + 15¢ in-person rate with online ordering costs and dual pricing savings

📅 February 9, 2026 ⏱️ 12 min read Toast Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0) Toast is built for restaurants—but it’s also one of the most expensive POS systems on the market. Here’s every fee you’ll actually pay and how to eliminate processing costs. Toast charges 2.49% + 15¢ per in-person … Read more

Shopify Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)

Shopify fees explained - 2.9% + 30¢ online rate with subscription plans and dual pricing savings

📅 February 9, 2026 ⏱️ 11 min read Shopify Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0) Shopify’s fee structure goes far beyond the monthly subscription. Here’s every fee you’ll actually pay—and how to eliminate processing costs entirely. Shopify charges 2.5% to 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction through Shopify Payments, depending on … Read more

Clover Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)

Clover fees explained - 2.3% + 10¢ processing rate with monthly software costs and dual pricing savings

📅 February 9, 2026 ⏱️ 12 min read Clover Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0) Clover’s pricing is notoriously confusing—hardware bundles, software tiers, reseller markups, and 36-month contracts. Here’s what you actually pay and how to eliminate fees entirely. Clover charges 2.3%-2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction and 3.5% + 10¢ … Read more

PayPal Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)

PayPal fees explained - 3.49% + 49¢ checkout rate breakdown with dispute fees and dual pricing savings

📅 February 9, 2026 ⏱️ 10 min read PayPal Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0) PayPal is one of the most expensive payment processors—but millions still use it. Here’s what you actually pay and how to eliminate fees entirely. PayPal’s standard merchant fee is 3.49% + 49¢ per online transaction for … Read more

Square Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)

Square fees explained - 2.6% + 15¢ in-person rate breakdown with plan comparison and dual pricing savings

📅 February 9, 2026 ⏱️ 10 min read Square Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0) Square changed its pricing in October 2025. Here’s what you actually pay now—and how to eliminate processing fees entirely. Square’s standard processing fee is 2.6% + 15¢ per in-person transaction on the Free plan. Online payments … Read more

Stripe Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)

Stripe fees explained - 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction breakdown with dual pricing savings

📅 February 9, 2026 ⏱️ 9 min read Stripe Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0) Everything you need to know about Stripe’s processing fees, hidden costs, and how smart merchants are eliminating them entirely. Stripe’s standard processing fee is 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction for online payments in the US. For … Read more