QuickBooks Credit Card Processing Fees 2026: Every Rate Compared

QuickBooks Payments charges 2.99% on card and digital wallet payments taken through invoices, 1% on ACH bank payments, 2.5% in person, 3.5% on keyed-in cards and 1.75% extra if you want instant deposit, as of October 2026. There is no fixed per-transaction fee on any of those lines, and Intuit says there are no monthly fees or minimums for payments. On a $2,000 invoice paid by card that is $59.80, and you keep $1,940.20.

I run my stores and teach high-ticket dropshipping through Ecommerce Paradise, and payment fees matter more on big orders than most owners expect, because a fraction of a percent on a $2,000 sale is real money. This guide lays out every QuickBooks rate I could verify, runs them against the official Stripe, Square and PayPal rates, and works four examples with the arithmetic shown. I read Intuit’s pages in November 2026, and the rates page itself is stamped as accurate as of September 18, 2026.

Disclosure: some links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This is general information, not financial advice. Terms change, underwriting decides what your account gets, and you should check the provider before you rely on any number.

QuickBooks Payments Fees at a Glance (as of October 2026)

These are the rates on Intuit’s QuickBooks payment rates page. The last column runs each rate through a $2,000 payment with no discount, no international surcharge and no custom pricing, so you can see what the percentage means in dollars.

Intuit adds that if you process more than $2,500 a month you can call to see whether you qualify for up to 25% off, and that the listed rates are the rates you pay with no downgrades, whatever the card brand or whether the customer uses a corporate card. I come back to that discount below, because it is the biggest swing factor in what you actually pay.

The QuickBooks Credit Card Processing Fee Formula

Every processing fee follows the same shape: fee equals the amount times the percentage rate, plus any fixed fee per transaction. What you keep equals the amount minus the fee. QuickBooks is unusual in that the lines on its rate page carry a percentage only, so the fixed part is zero.

Take a $2,000 card invoice. The fee is $2,000 times 2.99%, which is $59.80, so you keep $1,940.20. The effective rate is just the fee divided by the amount, which here is the same 2.99% because there is no fixed fee. That is the whole model, and it makes QuickBooks easy to estimate and easy to compare.

The comparison gets interesting when a competitor charges a lower percentage plus a fixed fee. A fixed fee hurts small orders and barely registers on large ones, so the winner flips depending on order size. I work that out in the break-even section.

What the Rates Page Shows and What It Does Not

The main QuickBooks Payments page talks about competitive rates but does not print them. The numbers sit one click away behind a See rates link, on the page I used above. If you cannot find them, open the Payments page, choose See rates, and look for the date stamp under the table. Intuit also runs a payments cost calculator that compares QuickBooks with Square, Stripe and PayPal, though its footnote carries an older date, 07/31/2025, so I trust the rates page for current numbers.

Here is what I could not find on the pages I loaded, and how I would handle each one.

• Standard deposit timing. The pages say eligible payments reach a QuickBooks Checking account sooner and that instant deposit is available for the fee above, but they do not state a standard number of days. Ask Intuit or check your account before you plan cash flow around it.
• The dispute fee schedule. Intuit describes dispute protection covering up to $25,000 per year and $10,000 per dispute on card payments. The comparison row shows a figure written as starting at .99% for QuickBooks, and the page text does not explain what that figure is charged on. Confirm what it costs before you assume protection is free.
• ACH minimums and caps. The ACH row shows 1% for QuickBooks and no minimum or cap is mentioned, while Square’s cell on the same page notes a $1 minimum. I cannot tell from the page whether a cap exists, so ask Intuit.
• The international card surcharge. The invoicing and in-person pages, which carry a 07/31/2025 date stamp, mention an extra 1% on internationally issued cards and international PayPal accounts. The rates page I used does not repeat it, so confirm it applies today if you sell abroad.

I call these out because a rate table is only half the cost story. The other half is what happens when something goes wrong, and that is where processors differ most.

Do You Need a QuickBooks Plan to Use Payments?

Intuit’s FAQ says you can take online credit and debit card payments with QuickBooks Online, and that the QuickBooks mobile app requires a QuickBooks Online subscription. The GoPayment app does not require a subscription, though Intuit recommends one so payments and books stay synced. The plan cards on the Payments page show what each tier adds on the receiving side.

The practical reading: if you invoice more than twice a month you are paying for Lite or above, and if you want to tap cards in person or run recurring charges the card lists that at Simple Start. Essentials, Plus and Advanced sit above these, and I priced the whole ladder for year one and year two in my QuickBooks Online pricing guide. If you also run a team, the QuickBooks payroll pricing guide covers the other recurring bill that comes with the same ecosystem.

To see the plan cards yourself, go through the QuickBooks plans page. The processing fee is separate from the subscription, so budget both lines. In my experience owners compare the subscription and forget the processing line, which is usually the larger number once volume grows.

QuickBooks vs Stripe, Square and PayPal Rates

Intuit’s rate page includes its own comparison columns for Square and Stripe, but I do not use one company’s summary of another company’s prices. For the rivals I used each company’s own page. The Stripe figures come from Stripe’s pricing page. For Square I used its own pricing page, where the table has three plan columns and I show Free and Plus.

The PayPal figures come from PayPal’s business fees page, which was marked as updated October 1, 2026.

Two discrepancies are worth knowing about. First, Intuit’s table shows Square’s in-person rate as 2.6% plus 10 cents, while Square’s own page lists 2.6% plus 15 cents on the Free plan, so I used Square’s number. Second, Intuit’s table lists 1.2% for Stripe ACH, while Stripe’s own page lists 0.8% capped at $5 for ACH Direct Debit. I do not know how Intuit arrived at 1.2%, so for Stripe figures use Stripe’s page. For Stripe’s full fee breakdown, see my Stripe fee calculator.

The same treatment for Square is in my Square fees calculator. For PayPal, use the PayPal fee calculator.

Four Worked Examples

These are illustrations, not quotes. I assume US-issued cards, no international surcharge, no negotiated discount, standard rates as listed, no refunds and no disputes. Your account may differ, and I have rounded fees to the cent.

Example 1: a $50 card payment

This is the small order, such as an accessory or a deposit. Fee equals amount times rate plus fixed fee.

• QuickBooks: $50 times 2.99% is $1.495, which rounds to $1.50. You keep $48.50.
• Stripe: $50 times 2.9% is $1.45, plus $0.30, which is $1.75.
• Square Free or Plus: Free is $50 times 3.3% ($1.65) plus $0.30, which is $1.95. Plus is $1.75.
• PayPal card on an invoice: $50 times 2.99% is $1.495, plus $0.49, which is $1.985, shown as $1.99.

On small payments QuickBooks is the cheapest line in this set, because it has no fixed fee. Its fee is exactly 3.0% of the sale after rounding, against 3.5% for Stripe.

Example 2: a $2,000 card payment

This is the typical high-ticket order, such as a piece of furniture or equipment.

Check on Stripe with the invoice fee: 2.9% is $58.00, plus $0.30, plus 0.4% of $2,000 which is $8.00, for $66.30. The spread between the cheapest and the most expensive line is $11.99 on one order. On a high-ticket store that processes dozens of these a month, the rate you land on matters.

Example 3: a $5,000 ACH payment

Large orders and business buyers are where bank payments earn their keep, because card fees scale with the order and ACH fees often do not.

• QuickBooks: 1% of $5,000 is $50.00, with no cap shown on the rates page.
• Stripe: 0.8% of $5,000 is $40.00, but the listed cap is $5, so the fee is $5.00.
• Square: 1% is $50.00, so the Free plan pays $50.00 and the Plus or Premium plans pay the $10 cap on invoices.
• PayPal: Pay by Bank on invoices is 1% capped at $10, so $10.00.

For the same $5,000, a card at QuickBooks’s 2.99% costs $149.50, so ACH at $50.00 saves $99.50 before any cap comparisons. But against processors that cap ACH, the 1% line with no cap shown looks expensive on big transfers. If your average order is large and customers will pay by bank transfer, ask Intuit directly whether a cap applies.

Example 4: a month of mixed invoices

Assume 30 card invoices at $1,500 each, which is $45,000, plus 5 ACH payments at $5,000 each, which is $25,000. Total volume is $70,000.

Arithmetic check for QuickBooks: 30 times $44.85 is $1,345.50, and 5 times $50 is $250, for $1,595.50. For Stripe: each card is $43.50 plus $0.30, which is $43.80, and 30 of those is $1,314.00, plus 5 times $5.00 for ACH. This is before any discount, and Stripe’s number excludes its invoice fee because not every Stripe payment goes through invoices.

At its listed rates, QuickBooks costs more than Stripe, Square Plus and PayPal in this mix, by $256.50 against Stripe. The discount changes that picture. At the full 25% off, which is a ceiling and not a promise, QuickBooks would come to about $1,196.63, roughly $399 lower. That would be the lowest total here. Whether you would get any discount, and how much, is decided by Intuit when you call.

Where QuickBooks Beats Stripe and Where It Does Not

Because QuickBooks has no fixed fee, it wins on small cards and loses on large ones against Stripe’s and Square Plus’s 2.9% plus 30 cents. The break-even is where the two fees are equal: 2.99% times the amount equals 2.9% times the amount plus $0.30. Subtract 2.9% from both sides and the 0.09% gap has to cover the 30 cents, so the amount is $0.30 divided by 0.0009, which is $333.33.

At $333.33 both cost $9.97. Below that QuickBooks is cheaper. Above it Stripe and Square Plus are cheaper, and the gap grows by 0.09% of every extra dollar. On $1,000 that is $29.90 against $29.30, a $0.60 gap. On $5,000 it is $149.50 against $145.30, a $4.20 gap.

So a store that mostly sells low-priced items with small invoices fits QuickBooks’s shape. A store selling $1,000 and up fits a fixed-fee model with a lower percentage. This is why I teach new owners to calculate fees on their own average order value rather than pick a processor by its headline.

In-Person Payments and the Card Reader

Intuit’s in-person rate is 2.5% with no fixed fee, which is level with Square Plus’s percentage and below the others, but the fixed fees on the other lines are small. On a $500 sale, QuickBooks costs $12.50, Stripe at 2.7% plus 5 cents costs $13.55, Square Free at 2.6% plus 15 cents costs $13.15 and Square Plus at 2.5% plus 15 cents costs $12.65. On a $100 sale the gap is wider in percentage terms: $2.50 against $2.75 for Stripe.

Intuit’s in-person page says Tap to Pay on iPhone needs no reader, and it lists the QuickBooks card reader at $49. The apps are the QuickBooks mobile app and the GoPayment app, and the mobile app requires a QuickBooks Online subscription. For a dropshipper, in-person payments are a side feature at best, useful for a pop-up, a trade show or a local pickup, and I would not choose a processor on this row alone.

Instant Deposit: Is It Worth 1.75%?

Instant deposit costs 1.75% on top of the processing fee. On a $2,000 payment that is $35.00, on top of the $59.80 card fee, so you pay $94.80 in total to get the money now instead of on the standard schedule. On $5,000 it is $87.50. Stripe and PayPal both list 1.5% with a 50 cent minimum for instant payouts, which would be $30.00 on $2,000.

My view, as opinion: instant deposit is a tool for a specific cash crunch, such as paying a supplier today to hold stock, not a default setting. If you are using it every week, you are paying roughly 1.75% a week to shorten a wait, and the better fix is a cash buffer. I wrote about that gap between money in and money earned in my guide on the ecommerce payout versus profit cash flow system.

The Up to 25% Discount: How to Treat It

Intuit says that if you process more than $2,500 a month you could qualify for up to 25% off standard rates or transaction costs, and it gives a sales number, 1-800-264-1859, with hours of Monday to Friday, 6 AM to 4 PM Pacific. It is worded as a possibility and a ceiling, so I would never build a budget on 25%.

Here is how I would handle it. Budget at the list rate. Call with your real monthly volume, your average ticket and your mix of card and ACH. Ask for the discounted rate in writing, ask whether it applies to every payment type or only some, and ask whether it can change. If you get 25% off the card line, 2.99% becomes about 2.24%, and on a $2,000 card payment that is a fee of about $44.85 instead of $59.80. Run your numbers again with the quoted rate before you commit.

Chargebacks and Disputes

Intuit says it covers up to $25,000 per year and $10,000 per dispute on card payments, which is the headline benefit. The coverage terms, exclusions and cost are the part to read before you rely on it.

For comparison, Stripe’s pricing page lists $15 each for a dispute received, countered and appealed, with the countered fee refunded if you win. PayPal’s page lists a $20 chargeback fee and a $15 standard dispute fee. Square’s pricing page did not state a chargeback fee. I wrote up the mechanics in my guide to Stripe chargeback protection.

The PayPal side is in my guide to PayPal chargeback protection. The ratio that triggers trouble is in my explainer on the chargeback ratio.

Where QuickBooks Payments Fits a Store

The pages I read describe invoices, quick payment requests, recurring payments, in-person payments and estimates with deposits. They do not describe a hosted online store checkout. So if you sell through a Shopify storefront, your checkout runs through the gateway Shopify uses, and QuickBooks Payments is something you would add for invoiced orders, phone orders, B2B buyers or repeat billing. My Shopify fees guide covers the storefront side.

That framing ties back to how a high-ticket store actually works. If you are still working out the model, start with the explanation of what high-ticket dropshipping is.

Then pick a category from the list of high-ticket niches, because the average order value of your niche decides which side of the $333.33 break-even you live on.

Your supplier terms set the other half of the cash picture, since fees come out of a margin that your cost of goods has already shaped. My supplier sourcing guide covers how to vet suppliers and negotiate terms.

Before you open any processing account, get the entity sorted, because your bank, books and processor all hang off it. My walkthrough of business formation for a high-ticket store covers the choices.

Startup costs, including software and payment fees, are in my first-year budget for a high-ticket store.

How to Price So Processing Fees Do Not Eat Your Margin

If you want to keep a set amount after fees, you cannot just add the fee percentage to the price, because the fee is charged on the higher price too. The correct formula for a percentage-only fee is price equals the amount you want to keep divided by one minus the rate.

Say you want to keep $1,400 on an invoice paid by card at 2.99%. Price equals $1,400 divided by 0.9701, which is $1,443.15. The fee on $1,443.15 is $43.15, and $1,443.15 minus $43.15 is $1,400.00. For a Stripe-style rate of 2.9% plus 30 cents the formula is price equals ($1,400 plus $0.30) divided by 0.971, which is $1,442.12, with a fee of $42.12.

The difference between those two prices is about $1.03, which tells you something useful: at this order size the processor choice moves your price very little, and your supplier cost and shipping matter far more. Many sellers fold fees into price instead of adding a surcharge. Whether a surcharge is allowed depends on card network rules and state law, which I have not verified here, so check before you add one.

How to Lower What You Pay

• Offer ACH on large invoices. At 1% versus 2.99%, a $5,000 order saves $99.50 in fees when the customer chooses the bank option.
• Call about the discount once you pass $2,500 a month. Ask for the quote in writing.
• Avoid keyed-in cards. At 3.5%, a $2,000 keyed payment costs $70.00 against $59.80 as an invoiced card, a $10.20 difference.
• Do not use instant deposit by habit. It adds 1.75% each time.
• Re-run the numbers every year. Rates and plans change, and so does your order size.
• Compare against your actual mix. The monthly example above shows how ACH share changes the ranking.

Common Mistakes When Estimating QuickBooks Fees

• Comparing only the percentage. A rate with no fixed fee and a rate with 30 cents are not comparable until you plug in an order size.
• Forgetting the subscription. The plan fee and the processing fee are two separate bills.
• Assuming the discount is guaranteed. The wording is up to 25%, for those who qualify, after a call.
• Using a competitor’s comparison table for the competitor’s price. I found two numbers on Intuit’s table that did not match Square’s and Stripe’s own pages.
• Ignoring refunds. I did not model refunds because the pages I read do not say whether processing fees are returned on a refund, so check that before you count on it.

Who QuickBooks Payments Fits

This is my opinion, based on the published rates and not on testing the product. It fits a business that already lives in QuickBooks, sends invoices, has mostly small to mid-sized card payments, and values having payments recorded in the books automatically. The Free plan allows 2 invoices a month, so a paying plan is the realistic starting point.

It fits less well if your typical payment is a few thousand dollars and you want the lowest percentage, or if most buyers pay by bank and you want a capped ACH fee. In both cases you can compare the Stripe, Square and PayPal figures above, and my roundup of the best payment processors for small business goes wider. It is not a recommendation for any particular business, and underwriting decides what you are approved for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are QuickBooks credit card processing fees?
As of October 2026, Intuit’s rate page lists 2.99% for cards and digital wallets on invoices, recurring payments and quick requests, 2.5% in person and 3.5% for keyed-in cards, with no fixed fee on those lines. The page is dated September 18, 2026. Terms change, so check Intuit before you decide.

Does QuickBooks Payments charge a monthly fee?
Intuit describes payments as having no monthly fees or minimums, but you need a QuickBooks Online plan for the mobile app and invoicing limits apply on the Free plan. The Free plan lists $0, Lite $20 and Simple Start $38 at list price, per the Payments page.

How much is instant deposit with QuickBooks?
Intuit lists 1.75% for instant deposit. On a $2,000 payment that is $35.00 on top of the processing fee. Standard deposit timing is not stated on the pages I read, so ask Intuit.

Can I get a lower QuickBooks processing rate?
Intuit says that if you process more than $2,500 a month, you could qualify for up to 25% off by calling 1-800-264-1859. It is worded as a possibility, so confirm any quoted rate in writing. This is not financial advice.

Is QuickBooks cheaper than Stripe, Square or PayPal?
It depends on order size and payment type. At list rates QuickBooks’s 2.99% with no fixed fee is cheaper than Stripe’s 2.9% plus 30 cents below $333.33 and more expensive above it, and Stripe lists a capped ACH fee where QuickBooks shows 1% with no cap mentioned. Run your own average order through the formula.

Sources I Read for the Figures

I read these pages in November 2026. Every QuickBooks, Stripe, Square and PayPal rate above comes from them, and any of them can change, so check the live page before you rely on a number.

• QuickBooks payment rates
• QuickBooks Payments overview and plan cards
• QuickBooks invoicing and payments
• QuickBooks in-person payments
• QuickBooks payments cost calculator
• Stripe pricing
• Square pricing
• PayPal business fees

This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Terms change, check the provider.

Related Articles

If you found this useful, these guides go deeper on related topics:

• Best Payment Processors for Small Business in 2026: 6 Options Compared by Rates, Fees and Fit
• Stripe vs Square 2026: Fees, Payouts and Features Compared
• QuickBooks Online Review 2026: What the $19 Headline Actually Costs
• How to Set Up QuickBooks for an Ecommerce Store: The Order That Prevents Rework
• Shopify Fees in 2026: Every Charge, Rates by Plan and Real Examples

Trevor Fenner

Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and world traveler from Seattle, Washington, and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.

He maintains homes in Seattle and Bali, spends most of the year overseas, and usually returns to Seattle for about a month each summer.

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