The Best Credit Card Processing Solutions For 2025

TL;DR:

Finding the best credit card processing solution is crucial for businesses accepting card payments in 2025. Swipesum offers a free service to help businesses choose the right processing partner. Our top picks for Best Merchant Services Providers include Swipesum, Square, Stripe, Elavon, and Checkout.com. Each has unique features and pricing structures.

Main Points:

• Importance of credit card processing for businesses
• Swipesum's free consultation service
• Review of top credit card processors: Swipesum, Square, Stripe, Checkout.com, and Elavon
• Tips for finding the best processing option for your business

The Top Credit Card Processing Providers of 2025

The big names in card processing are big names for a reason. They’re very accessible and generally have what seem like reasonable fees (although often not the lowest fees). Additionally, they offer an acceptable level of support or better.

One of the following credit card processors might be the best choice for your business, but don’t jump to conclusions. Make sure you find a credit card payment processor that can truly support and enhance your operations.

Square: Best For Small Businesses Processing Under $25,000 Per Month

Square is a top company in the world of credit card processing. The advantage of a processor that handles just about everything needed to accept card payments can’t be ignored. Neither can Square’s prioritization of mobile payments and its easy options for set-up.

We specifically recommend Square for merchants with very little volume and small ticket sizes. If that description matches your business, you will have the best experience with Square’s pricing structure. Square can be effective for merchants with higher volumes and ticket sizes, but it’s certainly worth exploring other options.

Stripe: Best For New To Processing Businesses

Stripe’s most well-known feature is likely its strong integration capabilities. That makes this credit card processing provider a popular choice for ecommerce merchants. Offering near-instant provision of funds from completed transactions can also help merchants better manage their cash flow.

We specifically recommend Stripe for new SaaS businesses. This provider’s pricing is notably expensive. So, it makes sense to take advantage of Stripe’s many benefits with lower sales volume, then look at other options as volume grows.

Swipesum: Best Merchant Services Provider For All Businesses

Swipesum is the best fit for all merchants, as you get a consultation to help Swipesum curate the best providers at the lowest cost for any business type. As a payment consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses identify and implement the most suitable payment processing solutions, the company has rapidly established itself as a trusted advisor in the payments industry.

Key Services and Features:

• Payment Consulting: Swipesum offers expert guidance to businesses seeking to optimize their payment processing. Their consultants analyze current payment systems, identify inefficiencies, and recommend tailored solutions to reduce costs and enhance performance.
• Vendor Evaluation: With access to a network of over 70 payment providers, Swipesum assists businesses in comparing and selecting the best vendors based on specific needs, ensuring competitive rates and favorable contract terms.
• Chargeback and Security Management: Swipesum provides tools and support to protect businesses from fraud and chargebacks, handling disputes before they escalate to payment processors.
• Ongoing Support: Beyond initial consultation and implementation, Swipesum offers continuous monitoring and support to ensure businesses maintain optimal payment processing efficiency.

Elavon: Best For Large Businesses Processing Over $1MM

Elavon is well-known for offering a wide range of card payment solutions for ecommerce and brick-and-mortar businesses. Specifically, multiple integration options make it easy for online merchants to start making sales. Its chargeback management tools and reporting features are also often cited as benefits for its customers.

The potential negatives of Elavon include the lack of clarity in pricing due to its quote-based system for potential customers. Elavon also has a reputation for slower access to recent payments, which can cause complications for some merchants.

Checkout.com: Best For Online Merchants

Checkout.com is another established payment processing provider with a strong overall reputation. It can capably serve a wide range of payment processing needs. However, we’ve found that it’s best for two specific scenarios:

1. International payments. The ease of completing international payments and the consistency of Checkout.com’s services make it a strong choice for cross-border commerce.
2. Competitive Shopify pricing. If your business uses Shopify as its ecommerce platform, using Checkout.com can lead to better pricing than is possible with Shopify Payments.

Finding the Best Credit Card Processing Option for Your Business

Between the major industry players reviewed above and the many smaller companies offering credit card processing services, it’s not easy to find the best option for your company.

Many options mean plenty of opportunities to find an exceptional combination of support, pricing, tech, and overall service. However, it also requires business owners and staff without in-depth payment processing expertise to research, review, and narrow down a list of potential partners.

Here’s a reminder: You don’t have to find the best credit card processing for your business on your own. Swipesum can help! Leverage our in-depth industry expertise and experience to find a truly great processing partner at no additional cost to your company.