Pricing model comparison

Same terminal. Same POS. Lower bill.

This isn't PayWavez vs. Square or Clover — we sell and support both. This is about the pricing model underneath: the default merchant-paid rate most processors charge, versus PayWavez's self-service Surcharging, Dual Pricing, and Flat Rate programs.

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Let's be clear

We're not against Square or Clover — we sell them

PayWavez supports 2,000+ POS integrations, including Clover, Dejavoo, PAX, and Square-compatible hardware. If you love your terminal, keep it. What we're changing is who processes the transaction and what pricing model applies — not the hardware on your counter.

The default rate most merchants are on

What in-person card processing typically costs today

Processor / plan	In-person rate	Monthly fee	Who pays the fee
Square — Free plan	2.6% + $0.15	$0/mo	Merchant
Square — Plus	2.5% + $0.15	$49/mo	Merchant
Square — Premium	2.4% + $0.15	$149/mo	Merchant
Clover	~2.3%–2.6% + $0.10	$14.95–$239/mo + hardware	Merchant
Toast — Point of Sale plan	2.49% + $0.15	$0–$69+/mo	Merchant
Toast — Starter Kit	3.09%–3.69% + $0.15	Pay-as-you-go	Merchant

Rates shown are published, standard in-person rates as of 2026 and can vary by plan, card type, and processor. Sources: Square fee calculator, Merchant Insiders, Clover pricing, NerdWallet Clover review, NerdWallet Toast review, Restaurantify Toast pricing breakdown.

Selling online too?

What online / e-commerce processing typically costs today

Processor / plan	Online rate	Who pays the fee
Square Online — Free plan	3.3% + $0.30	Merchant
Square Online — Plus / Premium	2.9% + $0.30	Merchant
Stripe (online)	2.9% + $0.30	Merchant
PayPal Checkout	3.49% + $0.49	Merchant
PayPal Advanced	2.89% + $0.29	Merchant
Shopify Payments — Basic / Grow / Advanced	2.9%–2.5% + $0.30	Merchant
BigCommerce Payments	2.89% + $0.29	Merchant
WooCommerce (WooPayments)	2.9% + $0.30	Merchant

Rates shown are published, standard online card rates as of 2026 and can vary by plan, card type, and processor. Sources: Square pricing, Stripe pricing, PayPal fees, Shopify pricing, BigCommerce Payments pricing, WooPayments fees.

Notice the jump? Square's online rate runs 2.9%–3.3% + $0.30 — noticeably higher than its 2.4%–2.6% + $0.15 in-person rate. Most processors charge more for keyed-in and online (card-not-present) transactions. PayWavez's Flat Rate program doesn't: it's 2.5% + $0.15 whether the card is swiped, tapped, keyed in, or run online.

The PayWavez alternative

Three self-service programs, one goal: pay less

Same terminals, same support — you just pick who covers the card cost. Here's the math side by side.

	Surcharging	Dual Pricing	Flat Rate
Rate on card transactions	3%credit only	3.5%cash vs. card price	2.5% + $0.15per transaction
Merchant monthly fee	$0	$0	$0
Your cost — credit	$0	$0	2.5% + $0.15
Your cost — debit	~1.5%fee applies — merchant pays	$0	2.5% + $0.15
PCI compliance fees	Included	Included	Included
Free terminal placement
Your own dedicated Merchant ID
Learn more	Surcharging →	Dual Pricing →	Flat Rate →

Want the full breakdown, including how debit cards are treated differently under each program? Read our guide: Surcharging vs. Dual Pricing vs. Flat Rate →

What merchants say

★★★★★

“Been dealing with Zac for sometime now. Great rates and everything he says is exactly what he does.”

Harold Motter, Xpress Print

Same equipment, different processor

You don't have to give up your terminal

Already run Clover or a Square-compatible setup?

PayWavez supports 2,000+ POS integrations. We can equip you with Clover hardware directly, or work with the terminal you already have — the switch is on the processing side, not the countertop.

Want a free smart terminal instead?

PayWavez also places free smart POS terminals for qualifying merchants — no upfront hardware cost. See the terminal lineup.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Does switching to PayWavez mean I have to change my terminal or POS system?

No. PayWavez supports 2,000+ POS integrations, including Clover and Square-compatible hardware. We can equip you with a new terminal or work with compatible systems you already run — switching your processor doesn't require switching your equipment.

How is PayWavez pricing different from what Square, Clover, or Toast charge by default?

Square, Clover, and Toast's standard plans are merchant-paid — the processing fee comes out of your deposits. PayWavez's Surcharging and Dual Pricing programs pass the card cost to the cardholder instead, so eligible merchants pay $0 in processing fees. Our Flat Rate program is merchant-paid like a traditional processor, but at one simple, low rate with no hidden fees.

Is surcharging legal and compliant?

Yes. PayWavez's 3% surcharge program follows card network rules: it applies to credit transactions only, is disclosed to the cardholder at checkout, is capped within network limits, and is never applied to debit cards.

See your numbers, not just ours.

Run your own volume through the calculator, or apply directly — approval takes about 2 minutes.

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