Flat-rate pricing
Flat-rate pricing is a merchant account pricing model that puts one simple, consistent rate on every credit and debit card transaction. It is the most predictable, easiest-to-reconcile way to accept card payments — ideal for businesses that value simplicity over squeezing every basis point out of interchange, from low-risk retail to specialized high-risk merchants.
What flat-rate pricing means
Flat-rate pricing charges one consistent rate on every card sale, regardless of card type. Instead of a statement full of interchange categories, you have a single number that applies across the board, which makes your credit card processing cost simple to understand and quick to reconcile against your sales. It suits retail payment processing and e-commerce payment processing alike wherever predictability outweighs line-item detail.
The trade-off is visibility. A flat rate blends the card networks’ cost and the provider markup into one figure, so you do not see the breakdown the way you would on interchange-plus pricing. For many small and low-volume businesses that is a fair exchange — simplicity now, with the option to revisit the structure as you grow. See how every model compares on our pricing overview.
How flat-rate pricing works
One rate is agreed
We quote a single rate for your account and disclose it in writing. That one number is the whole structure — nothing else to track.
It applies to every sale
Whether a customer taps a premium rewards card or a basic debit card, the same rate applies. Card type never changes what you pay.
Reconciliation stays simple
Because every transaction is priced the same way, matching your statement to your sales is quick and predictable, with no category-by-category math.
Budgeting is predictable
You can forecast processing cost directly from expected sales, which makes flat rate easy to plan around for lean finance teams.
Who flat-rate pricing fits best
New and small businesses
Owners who want to start accepting cards fast without learning interchange categories or reading itemized statements.
Low-volume merchants
Shops and services where transaction counts are modest and simplicity matters more than optimizing every basis point.
Seasonal operations
Pop-ups, markets, and seasonal sellers that value a single predictable number they can turn on and off with the season.
Simplicity-first teams
Businesses that would rather have one rate and clean bookkeeping than manage a detailed, variable cost breakdown.
The trade-offs at a glance
Advantages
- One number to remember — the simplest model to understand.
- Predictable cost that is easy to forecast from your sales.
- Fast, clean reconciliation with no category-by-category math.
- Great starting point for new and low-volume merchants.
Trade-offs
- Card-type differences are blended in, so you never see the breakdown.
- It does not capture interchange optimization or Level 2 and 3 savings.
- As volume grows, a fixed disclosed markup can become more efficient.
Related pricing and resources
Compare all pricing models
See flat rate alongside interchange-plus, cash discount, dual pricing, and surcharging.
Interchange-plus pricing
See the bank’s cost separated from a fixed markup when transparency matters most.
Blended and hybrid pricing
Combine models or tier a structure tailored to how your business runs.
US interchange rates
Reference the underlying card network categories a flat rate blends together.
High-risk merchant accounts
Simple, custom-quoted pricing for accounts other processors decline.
MOTO payments
Accept cards by phone and mail with pricing structured for card-not-present volume.
Flat-rate pricing FAQ
What is flat-rate pricing?
Flat-rate pricing is a merchant account pricing model that applies one simple, consistent rate to every credit and debit card transaction, no matter which card a customer uses. There is a single number to remember, so what you pay for card processing is easy to predict and quick to reconcile against your sales.
How is flat rate different from interchange-plus?
Flat rate blends the card networks’ interchange cost and the provider’s markup into one number, while interchange-plus keeps them on separate lines. Flat rate trades visibility for simplicity: you get one predictable figure, but you do not see the breakdown or capture interchange optimization and Level 2/3 savings the way interchange-plus can.
Is flat-rate pricing good for a small business?
Often, yes. New, low-volume, seasonal, and simple businesses tend to value predictability and easy bookkeeping over squeezing every basis point out of interchange. If your card volume grows or you sell B2B, it can be worth revisiting interchange-plus or Level 2 and 3 processing to see the underlying costs and unlock savings.
Do you publish your flat rate?
We quote it per account and disclose it in writing before you sign. Your industry, monthly volume, average ticket, and risk profile all shape the number, so we custom-quote every merchant account rather than posting a one-size-fits-all rate card.
Can flat-rate pricing work for a high-risk merchant account?
Yes. Flat-rate simplicity is available across low-risk retail and e-commerce as well as high-risk merchant accounts. Because Gray Merchants underwrites in-house and prices each account to its risk, businesses that other processors decline can still get a single, predictable rate quoted in writing.
Can I switch away from flat rate later?
Yes. Many merchants start on flat rate for simplicity and move to interchange-plus as volume grows and cost visibility becomes more valuable. A specialist can model which pricing structure fits your business today and revisit it as you scale.