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Card processing review

Adyen

Adyen's interchange++ pricing: a $0.13 processing fee per transaction plus interchange, network fees and 0.60% on Visa and Mastercard; American Express at 3.3% + $0.10 and Discover at 3.95%. No monthly, setup or closure fee, but a minimum invoice by industry that isn't published, two months' notice to leave and payouts two business days after the sale.

By AdyenParent company: Adyen N.V. (Euronext: ADYEN)

RTC SCORE

7.4

#3 of 16 with enough data

Our verdict

A fit for high-volume and multi-location restaurant groups that want interchange++ pricing, one platform for in-person and online payments and least-cost debit routing. Ask for the minimum invoice, the chargeback fee and terminal prices first: Adyen doesn't publish them.

What we like

  • Published interchange++ pricing: 0.60% + $0.13 over interchange and network fees on Visa and Mastercard, with no monthly or setup fee.
  • No closure fee and no fixed term.
  • Least-cost routing for US debit cards and 24-hour emergency support.
  • One platform for in-person and online payments across many locations and countries.

What to watch

  • A minimum invoice by industry whose amount isn't published, which weighs most on smaller restaurants.
  • American Express (3.3% + $0.10) and Discover (3.95%) carry all-in rates higher than interchange plus a markup.
  • Payouts arrive two business days after the sale, and leaving takes two months' notice.
  • Terminal prices come by quote and the terminals only work with Adyen; once a year it can raise prices for inflation with one month's notice, and leaving takes two months' notice, so you can't get out before that increase starts.
  • Its surcharge feature doesn't enforce card network caps or state laws for you.

How the score breaks down

RTC Score7.4out of 10

Methodology v0.1.0

Data completeness100%

We could verify 100% of the scoring data

Strongest points
12-month cost of the reference restaurant, What leaving in month 12 costs, 24/7 support
Weakest point
12-month cost of the reference restaurant

Score by criterion

  • 12-month cost of the reference restaurantWeight 37%StrongestWeakest7.7 out of 10

    $4,309 over 12 months

  • Standard deposit speedWeight 11%5.0 out of 10
  • What leaving in month 12 costsWeight 9%Strongest10.0 out of 10

    $0 to leave in month 12

  • Price increases during the contractWeight 8%4.0 out of 10
  • Published pricingWeight 7%8.0 out of 10
  • 24/7 supportWeight 6%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Contract termWeight 4%10.0 out of 10
  • Support channelsWeight 4%6.0 out of 10
  • No equipment lease you can't cancelWeight 3%10.0 out of 10
  • Works with restaurant POS systemsWeight 3%1.7 out of 10
  • Automatic renewalWeight 2%10.0 out of 10
  • Equipment works with another processorWeight 2%0.0 out of 10
  • Offers dual pricing or a surcharge programWeight 2%10.0 out of 10
  • Works without the vendor's own POSWeight 1%10.0 out of 10

Before you pass the card fee to your customers

This vendor offers a program that passes the card cost to your customers. Card network rules cap credit card surcharges (Visa 3%, Mastercard 4%) and never allow them on debit, and some states ban or limit them.

This is general information, not legal advice. Card network rules and state laws change, and how they apply depends on your business: check with a lawyer and with your processor before adding a surcharge or a cash discount.

See the rules by state

All the data, with sources

Each value links to its source. "Not published" means the vendor doesn't disclose it; "Unconfirmed" means we looked and couldn't confirm it. Data points we have for fewer than four vendors are left out until we can compare them.

Type of processor and pricing
Data pointValue
Type of processorProcessor or its sales partners (acquirer, ISO)Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen is a global acquirer that prices card payments at interchange plus its markup.
Pricing modelInterchange-plusSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Published pricing (points out of 100)80Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Same rubric for every vendor: in-person rate (25), online and keyed rates (15), markup with no monthly fee (20) and a stated $0 closure fee (20) are published; the minimum invoice, chargeback fee and terminal prices aren't (0 of 20).
Card rates
Data pointValue
In-person rate0.6%Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Visa and Mastercard: interchange and network fees plus 0.60% and a $0.13 processing fee. Discover is 3.95% + $0.13 all-in, which our cost (pricing it like Visa and Mastercard) doesn't capture.
In-person fee per transaction13¢Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)$0.13 processing fee on every transaction.
Online rate0.6%Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Same markup online.
Online fee per transaction13¢Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Keyed-in rate0.6%Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Same markup for keyed-in payments.
Keyed-in fee per transaction13¢Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
American Express pricingA rate of its ownSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
American Express rate3.3%Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Plus $0.10 and the $0.13 processing fee, in North America.
Rates by monthly volumeNo published volume tiers. Adyen says the listed fees are indicative and offers custom pricing.Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Monthly and other fees
Data pointValue
Monthly account or plan fee$0/moSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Annual fee per account$0/yrSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen prices card acceptance per transaction and says it has no monthly, setup, integration or closure fees; it publishes no such fee.
Annual fees per device or location$0/yr per deviceSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)No yearly fee per device; the device replacement service is priced apart.
PCI compliance fee (yearly)$0/yrSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen prices card acceptance per transaction and says it has no monthly, setup, integration or closure fees; it publishes no such fee.
PCI non-compliance fee (monthly)UnconfirmedSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen doesn't publish whether it charges one.
Statement fee$0/moSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen invoices monthly through its Customer Area with no monthly fee.
Monthly minimumNot publishedSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)A minimum invoice that depends on your industry or business model; Adyen doesn't publish the amount.
Fee per batch$0Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen prices card acceptance per transaction and says it has no monthly, setup, integration or closure fees; it publishes no such fee.
Chargeback feeNot publishedSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Set in each merchant's agreement; not published.
Other feesAmerican Express in North America: 3.3% + $0.10 + $0.13. Discover: 3.95% + $0.13. A minimum invoice by industry, a chargeback fee and the device replacement service have no published amount. Other Adyen products are priced separately.Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Equipment
Data pointValue
How you get the equipmentYou buy itSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Price of a countertop terminalQuote onlySource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Equipment lease you can't cancelNoSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen's device terms sell the terminals; they offer no lease.
Equipment lease termN/ASource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)No lease offered.
Equipment at $0 upfront: what it commits you toN/ASource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen doesn't offer equipment at $0 upfront: you buy it.
Equipment only works with this processorYesSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Getting your money
Data pointValue
Standard deposit speedTwo business daysSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Sales day payout two business days after the sale for US merchants (longer if most of your sales are American Express).
Instant payout feeN/ASource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Faster payouts aren't offered to US merchants.
Holds and reservesAdyen keeps a variable reserve (Merchant Potential Liability) that it sets continuously from the funds it owes you, to cover refunds, chargebacks, fines and orders not yet delivered, and can withhold settlement of suspicious transactions.Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Contract and exit
Data pointValue
Contract termMonth to monthSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)No fixed term: it runs until either side ends it with two months' written notice, unless your agreement sets a term.
Automatic renewalMonth to monthSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)No renewal term.
Notice to avoid renewal0 daysSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)No renewal to opt out of; ending the agreement takes two months' notice.
Notice to cancel60 daysSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Two months' written notice, unless your agreement says otherwise.
Early termination feeNo closure fee; you give two months' written notice.Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
How the early termination fee is calculatedNo early termination feeSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Liquidated damages clauseNoSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Price increases during the contractAutomatic yearly increase (e.g. CPI)Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Once every 12 months Adyen can raise prices up to the previous calendar year's inflation with at least one month's notice, and the right to leave before an increase starts doesn't apply to it. You can still end the agreement at any time with two months' notice and no closure fee, so you'd pay the new prices for about a month. Other increases need three months' notice and you can leave before they start; increases passed on from acquirers or card networks, or caused by changes in law or card network rules, come without that notice or exit right.
Right to raise pricesAdyen can raise its prices with three months' notice, and you can leave before they start. Once every 12 months it can also raise them up to the previous year's inflation with one month's notice, without that exit window (you can still leave with two months' notice and no closure fee). Increases passed on from acquirers or card networks, or caused by changes in law or card network rules, come without the notice or the exit window.Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Personal guarantee by the signerUnconfirmedSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen's agreement for each merchant isn't public; its general terms don't cover it.
Dual pricing and surcharges
Data pointValue
Dual pricing or surcharge programYesSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)A credit card surcharge you configure on its terminals. Adyen doesn't enforce card network caps or state laws for you. Card network rules and state laws apply.
Cards the program coversCredit cards only (surcharge)Source: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Monthly fee for the program$0/moSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen publishes no fee for the surcharge feature.
Your POS and your business
Data pointValue
Works with these restaurant POSOthersSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Through partner POS integrations and its Terminal API; Adyen names no US restaurant POS from our list (Toast, Square, Clover, Shift4 POS, SpotOn, Lightspeed).
Requires the vendor's own POSNoSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Monthly volume it's built forUnconfirmedSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen sets a minimum invoice by industry but publishes no minimum volume.
Accepts high-risk businessesYesSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Some higher-risk industries, at extra rates; others are restricted or prohibited.
Routes debit to the lowest-cost networkYesSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)For US debit cards that also run on networks like Accel, NYCE or PULSE.
Support
Data pointValue
24/7 support for merchantsYesSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)24 hours only for emergencies; regular support runs 9:00 to 18:00 on local business days.
Support channelsPhone, Email or formSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)
Language
Data pointValue
Support in SpanishSays it offers it, without a channelSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Best effort, during local business hours; the official support language is English.
Merchant dashboard in SpanishUnconfirmedSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen doesn't say whether its Customer Area is available in Spanish.
Contract or terms in SpanishNoSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Even its Spanish-language Mexico site shows the terms in English.
US website in SpanishNoSource: Adyen (opens in a new tab)Adyen has Spanish sites for Spain and Mexico, not for the US.

More about Adyen

How we score