In 2025, accepting credit card payments is a must for any business. To process these payments, you’ll need a merchant account paired with a credit card processor, ensuring secure and seamless transactions.
A merchant account acts as an intermediary between your business and credit card networks, enabling you to accept and process payments smoothly. No matter your industry or payment setup—whether online, in-store, or mobile—a merchant account is essential.
There are several types of merchant accounts, including local, high-risk, offshore, and direct. Additionally, various merchant services come bundled with these accounts, such as payment gateways, check guarantee services, and cash advances to enhance your payment processing experience.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry.
This guide covers everything from fees to service options, helping you navigate merchant accounts and choose the best credit card processing solution for your business in 2025.
Top 10 Best Merchant Services Providers & Credit Card Processing Companies in USA
- Leaders Merchant Services - Grow your business. Earn more money. Be a Leader
- Paysafe - Secure Payments, Seamless Transactions, Global Reach
- Merchant One - Smart, Secure, and Customized Payment Solutions
- Clover - Seamless Payments, Smarter Business Management
- Stax - simple transparent and cost-effective payments
- Square - Payments you can rely on to run smarter
- Payment Depot - No Markups No Hidden Fees Just Savings
- Panda Security - Antivirus software to secure your digital life
- National Processing - Transparent Fees Reliable Service Best Rates
- Chase for Business® - Quick Deposits Smart Solutions Hassle-Free Transactions
Leaders Merchant Services – Clear pricing with competitive low rates and fees
Paysafe – Extensive selection of secure global payment solutions
Merchant One – Reliable Credit Card Processing for Businesses of Any Size
Clover – Secure and Efficient Payment Solutions for Restaurants and Retail
Stax – Cost-Effective Subscription Pricing for High-Volume Businesses
Square – Fast easy and secure payment processing
Payment Depot – Affordable Wholesale Rates for Expanding Businesses
Panda Security – Advanced antivirus software to safeguard your digital life
Antivirus protection with built-in firewall
24/7 customer email support
30-day money-back guarantee
National Processing – Reliable Credit Card Processing for Low-Risk Businesses
Chase for Business® – Same-Day Deposits for Faster Access to Funds
Leaders Merchant Services offers transparent pricing, low rates, and minimal fees for reliable payment processing. Providing secure and cost-effective solutions, we help businesses streamline transactions and maximize savings.
Pros
98% approval rating
Free EMV card terminal
Low rates starting at 0.15%
Cons
Unclear pricing structure
High early termination fees
Paysafe empowers businesses with secure online payment solutions, providing a reliable platform for growth while enhancing consumer transaction experiences.
Pros
Offers comprehensive management tools
Suitable for businesses of all sizes and types
Cons
No live chat support
Pricing details not readily available
Merchant One provides secure and efficient credit card processing for businesses of all sizes. With fast approvals, competitive rates, and advanced payment solutions, it helps businesses streamline transactions, enhance security, and grow their revenue seamlessly.
Pros
Advanced payment systems
Dedicated account managers
Customized business solutions
Cons
No free trial
Billing and pricing complaints
Clover provides secure and scalable payment processing solutions for restaurants and retail businesses. With customizable POS systems, advanced security features, and seamless integrations, Clover helps businesses streamline transactions, manage operations, and enhance customer experiences.
Pros
On-demand support specialists for troubleshooting
Transparent pricing for POS devices and payment processing
Automated inventory tracking with accounting software integration
Cons
Add-on costs may be high for small businesses
Monthly subscription fee applies even with no sales
Stax offers subscription-based payment processing designed for high-volume businesses, providing transparent pricing, unlimited transactions, and cost savings. With advanced analytics, integrated tools, and secure processing, Stax helps businesses optimize payments and maximize revenue.
Pros
24/7 customer support
No percentage-based transaction fees
Supports swiped and keyed-in payments
Cons
High costs for low-volume businesses
Requires an additional monthly subscription for software
Square provides fast and secure payment processing for businesses of all sizes, offering easy setup, seamless transactions, and powerful POS solutions. With integrated tools for sales, inventory, and customer management, Square helps businesses streamline operations and grow efficiently.
Pros
No monthly fees or hidden charges
Supports online e-commerce operations
Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses
Cons
Tech support can be complex
Higher rates for keyed-in transactions
Payment Depot offers wholesale payment processing rates ideal for growing businesses looking to reduce transaction costs. With transparent pricing, no markup fees, and secure payment solutions, Payment Depot helps businesses streamline transactions and maximize savings.
Pros
No extra fees on interchange rates
Rate protection with no cancellation charges
Chargeback monitoring and risk management
Cons
Restricted to US-based businesses
Limited support for high-risk industries
Panda Security has consistently excelled in blocking malware and malicious URLs. With the addition of new Pro features, such as remote mobile security management for Android, it has set a higher standard for comprehensive mobile protection.
Pros
Android security with anti-theft features
Strong malware detection capabilities
High ratings for blocking malicious websites
Cons
Limited features for Apple devices
Subpar anti-phishing effectiveness
Firewall settings offer minimal customization
National Processing offers flexible and cost-effective credit card processing for low-risk businesses, providing transparent pricing, secure transactions, and seamless payment solutions. With industry-leading reliability and customized merchant services, it helps businesses process payments efficiently while minimizing costs.
Pros
Best rate guarantee for cost savings
Clear and transparent fee structure
Free reprogramming of existing payment equipment
Cons
Not ideal for high-risk businesses
Pricing fluctuates based on interchange fees
Chase for Business® offers fast and secure payment processing with same-day deposits, helping businesses access funds quickly. With integrated banking solutions, competitive rates, and reliable support, Chase simplifies transactions and improves cash flow management.
Pros
24/7 support
Wide terminal selection
No long-term contracts
Cons
Pricing not disclosed
No marketing or loyalty features