National Processing Review
National Processing offers lower processing rates than other flat-rate processors like Square. But what's the catch? Read on.
Overall Score | 3.7 | ||
Price | 3.0 | ||
Equipment | 4.0 | ||
Contract | 4.0 | ||
Customer Service | 3.5 | ||
Ecommerce | 4.0 | ||
High Volume Business | 3.5 | ||
Low Volume Business | 4.0 | ||
Pros and Cons
- No long-term contracts
- Free equipment available
- No monthly minimums
- Conditions to waive termination fee
- Pricey with larger sales
Bottom Line
Flat-rate processor with low in-person transaction fees
National Processing used to be an interchange-plus processor offering some of the best rates.
But unless you opt for custom pricing, you'll now be offered flat-rates, which can be a lot more pricey with larger sales volumes.
That said, you can still get a good deal if your business has a physical location. It beats in-person transaction rates of Square and Stripe— some of the best payment processors on the market.
Keep reading to know if the new rates and features offered make it the right processor for you.
What is National Processing
Established in 2008, National Processing is a merchant account provider based in Orem, Utah. It provides credit card and ACH payment processing for all types of businesses.
With over 15 years of experience, it offers reliable payment solutions, including POS systems, mobile processing, virtual terminal, and payment gateways.
It offers no long-term contracts, no monthly minimum fees, and no early termination fees (with conditions, but more on that later).
However, it doesn't have the best customer ratings. It has received 3.8 out of 5 stars from about 400 reviews in ConsumerAffairs.[1] There's also a lot of complaints from BBB, in spite of having an A+ rating for accreditation.[2]
Who National Processing is Best For
National Processing is best for:
- Large and established businesses: you can get significant savings for your processing fees if you go for the Advanced plan or custom pricing.
National Processing can be a cheaper option than Stax or Payment Depot due to a cheaper monthly fee.
- Businesses with physical locations: National Processing offers low in-person transaction rates compared to other leading credit card processors.
National Processing also supports many industries, including high-risk businesses.
You may choose this processor if you're in a retail, eCommerce, food and beverage, health and wellness, or service business.
National Processing Pros & Cons
Although National Processing is an established processor, there's a reason why some clients aren't so stoked about it.
Here are its upsides and downsides:
Pros:
- No long-term contracts
- No monthly minimums
- 4 flexible pricing plans to choose from
- Free equipment available
- Can reprogram existing equipment
Cons:
- Underwriting process
- Monthly fees with flat-rate pricing
- Can get pricey for larger sales volume
- Conditions to waive the termination fee
- Additional fees with the Clover software
Are the pros worth its drawbacks? Here's how much the processor costs to help you find out.
Pricing & Fees
National Processing offers 4 pricing plans:[3]
- Basic in-person package: $9.95/mo; you can get a free mobile reader or terminal, and a free gateway setup
- Basic eCommerce package: $9.95/mo; aside from free equipment and gateway setup, you can also integrate with eCommerce platforms
- Advanced package: $19+/mo; you can choose from various POS systems and reprogram existing equipment
- Premium package: $9.95+/mo; custom rates; for businesses with over $30,000 in monthly sales
Here are the processing rates per transaction:
- In-person transactions: 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction (Basic In-person Package), 2.41% + $0.10 per transaction (Advanced Package)
- Online transactions: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
- Keyed-in transactions: 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction
If you cancel your plan, National Processing can waive the termination fee if your business is sold or closed. Or if National Processing can't beat the rates of a competitor you plan on switching to.
Unfortunately, you may be charged a cancellation fee depending on your equipment unless it's free equipment.
And if you opt for the Clover POS, you may also be charged additional software fees.
Contract
National Processing doesn't offer long-term contracts, unless maybe if you're a high-risk business.
That said, there will be an underwriting process since you'll be applying for a merchant account. This is unlike other flat-rate payment processors offering month-to-month contracts like Stripe and Square.
Also, there will be a termination fee if you choose to switch processors without giving National Processing the chance to beat the competitor's rates.[4] This is also unlike other providers (Dharma or Payment Depot), which let you cancel at any time with no strings attached.
- Voided check
- Tax returns documents
- List of precise business activities
- Type of ownership
- Corporate Name and DBA
- Federal Tax ID (EIN or SSN)
- Personal contact details
- Other business details
Products and Services
Although not as robust as Square and Stripe, National Processing offers a lot of payment processing solutions:
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems
You can choose from Pax, Clover, and SwipeSimple POS systems. You'll get features on invoicing, recurring payments, reporting, etc. - Mobile payment processing
Smart terminals are also available from Clover and Pax. You can choose from a handheld POS for on-the-floor payments or a countertop terminal you can keep by your register. - Virtual terminal
You can use the virtual terminal to input the card details of your customers manually. This may be most suitable if you mostly take over-the-phone payments. - ACH payment processing
ACH or eCheck payment processing can offer more affordable rates. Your customers may also find it easier to pay your business with this option. - Payment gateways
National Processing offers 2 gateway options: National Processing Gateway and Authorize.net.Both can work great for accepting online payments, even international currencies.
- Integrations
If your business already works with multiple software, you may be able to integrate it with your merchant account.National Processing works with multiple accounting tools, eCommerce tools, and CRMs.
Equipment
You can get a free mobile reader or terminal with National Processing. But you can also purchase terminals if you need more. Free equipment is available for the Basic plans.
Advanced and Premium plans let you choose from a variety of POS systems. Here's how much POS systems cost:[6]
- Pax E700: $1,000
- Clover Mini: $900
- Clover Solo: $1,900
- Clover Duo: $2,000
- SwipeSimple: $550
For smart terminals, here's what you can expect to pay:
- Clover Flex: $700
- Pax A920: $445
- Pax A80: $345
The two payment gateways available, National Processing Gateway and Authorize.net, cost $29.95.
National Processing can also reprogram your existing equipment if you opt for the Advanced plan.
Customer Service and Reviews
National Processing prides itself on being a people-first payment processing company. Unfortunately, it's not reflected in the company's user reviews.
Review Platform | Average Rating |
---|---|
Trustpilot | 3.2 out of 5 from over 30 reviews |
ConsumerAffairs | 3.5 out of 5 from less than 400 reviews |
Better Business Bureau | 1.14 out of 5 stars from less than 10 reviews |
That said, the credit card processing company is BBB accredited with an A+ rating.
If you encounter any issues, you can contact support online through a chatbot, through the online knowledge base, or call 1-800-720-3323. Live agents are available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm MDT.
How It Compares
Not sure if National Processing is right for you? Here's how it compares against other popular processing providers.
National Processing vs. Square
Square lets you process credit cards without going through underwriting for a merchant account. It's quick and easy to get started. You don't need to be an established business.
That said, Square is ideal for new and micro-businesses, indie sellers, and freelance service providers.
Square charges a flat rate of 2.6% + $0.10 for each in-person transaction and 2.9% + $0.30 for online transactions.
Although in-person transactions are pricier, Square offers a free plan, unlike National Processing. This can mean more savings if your sales fluctuate in certain months.
Learn More | Visit Site | |
National Processing | Square | |
---|---|---|
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader - | ||
Benefits and Features | ||
Monthly Fee | Starts at $9.95/mo; custom pricing starts at $9.95+/mo | |
Good For | Large and established businesses | Mobile & small businesses with average transaction over $100 |
Equipment | Card readers, terminals, and POS systems from Clover, SwipeSimple, Dejavoo, and Verifone; Mobile processing; Online gateway; ACH payments | Card reader: $0 to $59; Stand, Terminal, and Register available for purchase |
Customer Service | Phone, Email, Live Chat Support, Seller Community | |
Pricing Model | ||
Swipe Rate | 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction (Basic In-person Package), 2.41% + $0.10 per transaction (Advanced Package) | |
Online Rate | ||
Keyed-in Transaction Fee | ||
Deposit Time | Payments before 5PM PT / 8 PM ET is available the next business day | |
Chargeback Fee | ||
Learn More | Visit Site | |
National Processing vs. Payment Depot
Payment Depot is also a merchant account provider like National Processing. It offers subscription pricing, so you'll be charged monthly fees as well.
National Processing's monthly fees are significantly cheaper, starting at $9.95/mo. Payment Depot, on the other hand, starts at $79/mo.
However, the option that will provide more savings depends on your sales volume. Payment Depot offers interchange-plus pricing per transaction. This can be significantly cheaper than National Processing's flat rate.
Learn More | Visit Site | |
National Processing | Payment Depot | |
---|---|---|
Save 40% or More - | ||
Benefits and Features | ||
Monthly Fee | Starts at $9.95/mo; custom pricing starts at $9.95+/mo |
|
Good For | Large and established businesses | Businesses processing $20,000 or more per month |
Equipment | Card readers, terminals, and POS systems from Clover, SwipeSimple, Dejavoo, and Verifone; Mobile processing; Online gateway; ACH payments | POS (EMV, Magstripe, NFC, Contactless, Smart Terminals), Mobile Payment Processing, Online Payment Processing |
Customer Service | Phone, Email, Ticket Center, Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) | |
Pricing Model | ||
Swipe Rate | 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction (Basic In-person Package), 2.41% + $0.10 per transaction (Advanced Package) | |
Online Rate | ||
Keyed-in Transaction Fee | ||
Deposit Time | ||
Learn More | Visit Site | |
Bottom Line
National Processing's affordable monthly fees and low in-person processing rates can be enticing. Placed side-by-side with the likes of Square and Payment Depot, it presents its edge.
However, it won't be the cheapest option, given that it offers flat-rate pricing. Compared to other credit card processors on the market, it doesn't have the most robust features either.
When considering this option, make sure the pros outweigh the cons based on the priority and needs of your business. Because there are no long-term contracts and 4 flexible plans to choose from, it may be worth the try.
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
References
- ^ ConsumerAffairs. National Processing Reviews, Retrieved 12/22/2023
- ^ Better Business Bureau. National Processing, LLC, Retrieved 12/22/2023
- ^ National Processing. Pricing, Retrieved 12/22/2023
- ^ National Processing. Our Promise, Retrieved 12/22/2023
- ^ National Processing. Setting Up a Merchant Account with National Processing, Retrieved 12/22/2023
- ^ National Processing. Powerful Payment Solutions, Retrieved 12/22/2023
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
Save Up to 40%
- Flat Monthly Subscription Price, Starting at $99
- 0% Markup on Direct-Cost Interchange
- 24/7 Support
Free Credit Card Processing with Surcharging
- You keep 100% of every credit card sale: when you sell $100, you receive $100. Pay only for debit card transactions.
- Fully Compliant
- CardX passes on the fee for credit card transactions only. Your customers can always choose debit as a no-fee option.
Chase Payment Solutions℠
- Limited time offer: Get $100 off the Chase Point of Sale (POS)℠ Terminal. Fill out the form and ask a Payments Advisor how to claim.
- Fast funding at no additional cost. Get deposits as soon as same day.
- Get fair and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. 2.6% rate +10¢ per tap, dip and swiped transaction. 2.90% + 25¢ per eCommerce transaction and monthly fee starting at $9.95. 3.5% rate +10¢ per keyed transaction.
- Get paid fast and manage your business from anywhere with the Chase Point of Sale system. Use our mobile app, reader and terminal to take payments via tap, dip and swipe.
- Process payments with Chase Payment Solutions, the #1 merchant acquirer in the U.S.
- Tap to Pay on iPhone offers you the ability to accept contactless cards, Apple Pay and other digital wallets on your iPhone – no additional hardware required.
- Chase Customer Insights is a complimentary business intelligence platform that offers simple, actionable analytics and reports to help you make better business decisions and reach more customers.
Anna G is a research director at CreditDonkey, a credit card processing comparison and reviews website. Write to Anna G at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.
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