Groups of 2 to 20 locations: total cost, POS integration and support weigh more.
Weigh more here than in the overall ranking: works with restaurant POS systems, offers dual pricing or a surcharge program, works without the vendor's own POS, 24/7 support, and support channels. Weigh less here: 12-month cost of the reference restaurant.
The ranking
Adyen
By 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.
RTC SCORE
7.3
#1 for Multi-location
Pros
- 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.
Cons
- 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.
- Initial term
- Month to month
Strongest on 12-month cost of the reference restaurant, what leaving in month 12 costs, and 24/7 support.
U.S. Bank Payment Solutions (Elavon)
By U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank's merchant services, processed by its subsidiary Elavon: 2.60% + 12¢ in person, 3.30% + 30¢ online and 3.50% + 15¢ keyed in for accounts opened online, POS plans from $0 a month and deposits within hours into a U.S. Bank checking account. Restaurant POS plans are set up with a specialist, and for those accounts U.S. Bank says rates may vary and other fees may apply. Elavon publishes $0 early termination fees, though its terms set a 3-year term.
RTC SCORE
7.0
#2 for Multi-location
Pros
- Deposits within hours, seven days a week, at no extra cost with a U.S. Bank business checking account.
- Elavon publishes $0 annual, batch, additional authorization and early termination fees.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Its Terms of Service set a 3-year term that renews for 2 years unless you give notice 30 days before it ends, even though U.S. Bank's POS page says its plans carry no long-term commitment.
- The published rates and fees are for accounts opened online; the POS plans for restaurants are set up with a specialist, and U.S. Bank says their rates may vary and other fees may apply.
- Fee changes take effect upon notice, and card network increases can be passed on.
- Initial term
- 36 months
Strongest on 12-month cost of the reference restaurant, standard deposit speed, and what leaving in month 12 costs.
Finix
By Finix
Finix's subscription pricing for businesses that process their own sales: interchange with no percentage markup plus 15¢ per transaction (American Express + 0.30%), for $250 a month. Month-to-month with a $0 termination fee, next-business-day payouts at no cost and an optional credit card surcharge. Built for businesses from about $5,000 a month.
RTC SCORE
6.9
#3 for Multi-location
Pros
- No percentage markup on Visa, Mastercard and Discover: interchange plus 15¢ in every channel.
- Its fees are in a public table, with a $0 termination fee and month-to-month service.
- Next-business-day payouts at no cost; instant payouts for 1.5%.
Cons
- $250 a month makes it expensive at low volume; Finix says it works best from $5,000 a month.
- No integration with a named restaurant POS: its terminals work standalone or through its POS API.
- Regular support is by email only, with no phone line.
- Initial term
- Month to month
Strongest on 12-month cost of the reference restaurant, what leaving in month 12 costs, and standard deposit speed.
Heartland
By Heartland (Global Payments)
Heartland's card processing (Global Payments), sold with or without its Genius and Heartland Restaurant POS: an advertised starting rate for in-person sales (your rate is quoted), a 36-month agreement with a $295 early termination fee per location in its posted terms, next-day deposits, and surcharge and cash discount programs. Its monthly, PCI, statement and batch fees aren't published.
RTC SCORE
5.3
#4 for Multi-location
Pros
- Publishes a fixed early termination fee in its posted terms ($295 per location).
- Next-day deposits, with same-day and instant options.
- 24/7 support by phone, chat and email.
Cons
- The monthly Service and Regulatory Mandate fee and the PCI, statement, batch, annual and chargeback fees aren't published, so the full cost can't be calculated before you get a quote.
- 36-month term that renews for 12 months unless you give 60 days' written notice.
- Fees can rise with 15 days' notice, and the posted terms offer no way out without the early termination fee when they do.
- Initial term
- 36 months
Strongest on what leaving in month 12 costs, standard deposit speed, and 24/7 support. Weakest on published pricing.
Shift4
By Shift4
Shift4's card processing, required with Shift4 POS: 2.75% + 15¢ in person on Standard Pricing, or its Advantage Program (dual pricing) so your customers pay the card cost. The processing agreement runs 36 months, with annual fees per device, $0.40 per batch and liquidated damages per device for each month left.
RTC SCORE
4.5
#5 for Multi-location
Pros
- The Advantage Program (dual pricing, a supplemental fee or a cash discount) covers every card, so your customers pay the card cost.
- Deposits the next business day by default, and same-day funding is available.
- 24/7 in-house phone support.
Cons
- 36-month term with automatic one-year renewals; leaving early costs a monthly amount per device, from $100 to $750 by volume, for each month left.
- Annual fees per device: $250 program fee and $189.99 regulatory (PCI) fee.
- The monthly administration and premium support fees vary by merchant, and online and keyed-in rates aren't published, so we can't calculate its full cost.
- Initial term
- 36 months
Strongest on standard deposit speed, 24/7 support, and published pricing. Weakest on what leaving in month 12 costs.
Not enough verified data to rank
We only rank a processor once we've verified enough of its key facts. These are listed so you know we looked at them.
This is general information about published contracts, not legal advice: read your own contract and check with a lawyer before you sign.