The ultimate guide to zero-fee credit card processing
Stop paying hidden fees on every transaction. Learn how cash discounting and surcharging work, what's legal in your state, and which solution fits your business.
Where your processing fees actually go
Every card transaction costs you money. That 2.5% to 3.5% fee isn't one number—it's a breakdown of multiple charges that add up fast.
The Two No-Fee
Solutions Explained
Each approach eliminates fees in its own way.
Cash Discounting
Set your standard card price. Offer a discount for cash. Customers see the savings immediately and understand why you're asking them to choose. No confusion, no surprises. The math is simple and transparent.
Surcharging or Service Fee
Keep one price on the shelf. When a customer pays with a card, they cover the processing cost. It's direct, honest, and works especially well for larger purchases where the fee feels proportional to the transaction size.
Legality and Compliance of No Merchant Service Fees
Operating without traditional merchant service fees is legal when done in compliance with card network rules and applicable state laws. No-fee models are not loopholes. They rely on pricing structures that are explicitly permitted when properly disclosed.
Visa and Mastercard allow alternatives such as cash discount programs and dual pricing, provided customers are clearly informed of pricing differences before completing a transaction.
Disclosure must be consistent at the point of entry, point of sale, and on receipts.
Undisclosed or post-transaction surcharges are not permitted. In addition to card network rules, state-level consumer protection laws apply. Most U.S. states allow compliant cash discounting and dual pricing, though some regulate how pricing must be displayed or communicated.
Which model fits you
Both work. The right choice depends on your business type and customers.
Cash discounting
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Surcharging
How it actually works
The technology is straightforward. You get equipment, software integration, and a system that talks to your POS. Switching takes days, not months.
Hardware terminals that process both cash and card payments seamlessly.
Software that integrates with your existing POS system without disruption.
Support team ready to help you through setup and beyond.
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Food trucks and carts
Cash discounting works best here. Customers expect to save for cash, and your margins are tight enough that every percentage point matters.
Retail shops and boutiques
Either model works, but cash discounting feels more natural at the register. Customers see the savings and choose accordingly.
Medical and professional
Surcharging fits better here. Patients and clients expect transparent fees on larger invoices and understand the cost of card processing.
No Merchant makes zero-fee processing simple
We replace traditional processing fees with a compliant zero-fee program that works with your existing setup. No complicated changes. No disruption to your POS. No hidden workarounds.
We handle the equipment, software integration, and compliance configuration end to end, so you can keep running your business while your processing costs drop to zero. Most merchants are fully set up in days, not weeks.
What sets our program apart:
Works with most major POS systems
No long-term contracts or equipment lock-ins
Full compliance with card network and state rules
Real support from onboarding to launch
Get In Touch
Fill out the form and we'll tailor a plan specific to your business.
Stop getting charged for fees and start saving today.
