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Credit card fee calculator for small business
Type in a job amount to see what you actually keep after fees, across the ways your customers might pay you.
| Option | Rate | Fee | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZelleUsually free; no card checkout or itemized invoice | $0 | $0.00 | $200.00 |
| Venmo business profileCustomer needs Venmo | 1.9% + 10¢ | $3.90 | $196.10 |
| Cash App businessCustomer needs Cash App; confirm the rate in the app | 2.6% + 15¢ | $5.35 | $194.65 |
| Stripe, standardDirect through Stripe | 2.9% + 30¢ | $6.10 | $193.90 |
| Square Invoices, free planPaid plans list 2.9% + 30¢ | 3.3% + 30¢ | $6.90 | $193.10 |
| PayPal invoicingPayPal's published invoicing rate | 3.49% + 49¢ | $7.47 | $192.53 |
| MandaloStripe's 2.9% + 30¢ plus $1.50 per payment | 2.9% + $1.80 | $7.60 | $192.40 |
Estimates based on each provider's published standard US card rates as of September 2026. Actual fees vary by plan, card type and payment method, so check each provider before deciding.
Reading the results
Zelle is usually the cheapest but only works when the customer has it and trusts paying a business that way. Card links reach everyone with a phone but cost a percentage. Mandalo isn't the lowest-fee option; it adds $1.50 per payment on top of Stripe's fees in exchange for a simple text-a-link workflow, itemized invoices and a paid/pending dashboard, with no monthly fee. See the honest comparisons: Stripe Payment Links vs Mandalo, Square Invoices alternative.
Frequently asked questions
How are these fees calculated?
Each row uses the provider's published percentage plus fixed fee for a standard US card payment. For Mandalo, that's Stripe's typical 2.9% + 30¢ plus a flat $1.50 per successful payment.
Why does a flat fee matter?
A flat per-payment fee makes up a bigger share of small jobs and a smaller share of large ones. Try a $75 job and a $1,500 job to see the difference.
Are these rates guaranteed?
No. Providers change rates and they vary by plan, card type and payment method. Treat the numbers as estimates and check current pricing before you decide.
Send your first payment link today
No monthly fee. Mandalo charges $1.50 per successful payment, plus Stripe's standard processing fees.