Payments · Interchange-Plus Processors
National Processing Review
Low-cost interchange-plus with a lifetime rate-lock — read the equipment terms
Reputation warning
Documented pattern of hidden/undisclosed fees clashing with "lowest fee" marketing, plus a "free equipment = 3-year contract + ETF" gotcha despite standard accounts being month-to-month. Get the full fee schedule in writing, maintain PCI to avoid the $99/mo fee, and decline leased hardware to stay month-to-month.
Quick verdict
National Processing is best for Cost-conscious small-to-mid trades with steady volume that want low interchange-plus pricing and will maintain PCI and skip leased equipment to keep it month-to-month. Documented hidden/undisclosed-fee complaints vs marketing; support gaps; $99/mo PCI non-compliance fee; "free" equipment carries a 3-year term + ETF; no free trial/money-back.
Rates & pricing
Interchange-plus; monthly account fee ~$9.95–$19+ (custom plans ~$59–199 for high volume). Example effective: in-person ~2.41–2.5% + $0.10; online 2.9% + $0.30; keyed 3.5% + $0.15. "Meet or beat" guarantee (up to $500). PCI non-compliance fee $99/mo. "Free" equipment carries a 3-year term + ETF..
Pricing model: interchange plus · Monthly fee: 9.95
Affiliate disclosure: affiliate_url stays TBD; note this is the Orem, UT company, not the unrelated Louisville "National Processing Company".
About National Processing
National Processing is a low-cost interchange-plus merchant-services provider aimed at SMBs, competing on cheap effective rates and a lifetime rate-lock on standard accounts. For a steady-volume field business it can beat flat-rate processors, with mobile and tap-to-pay via SwipeSimple, built-in invoicing and recurring billing, ACH for cheaper large invoices, and a $500 'meet or beat' rate guarantee. Standard accounts are month-to-month.
The honest cautions are real. There's a documented pattern of hidden or undisclosed fees clashing with the 'lowest fee' marketing, support that can be hard to reach, a $99/mo PCI non-compliance fee if you don't maintain compliance, and — the big gotcha — 'free' equipment that actually carries a 3-year term with an early-termination fee even though standard processing accounts are month-to-month. (Note this is the Orem, Utah company, not the unrelated 1979 'National Processing Company' of Louisville.) For a cost-conscious trade that maintains PCI and avoids the leased-equipment trap, it's genuinely cheap; just read every line before signing.
How it works
You get a true merchant account underwritten via sponsor banks, quoted an interchange-plus markup that's locked for the life of the account. Accept payments in person (Pax/Clover/SwipeSimple hardware), online (virtual terminal/gateway), or on mobile (SwipeSimple app with tap-to-pay), settled to your bank. Maintain PCI compliance to avoid the $99/mo non-compliance fee, and decline the leased 'free' equipment if you want to keep the account truly month-to-month.
Pros & cons
What works
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Low interchange-plus cost
Cheaper than flat-rate for steady-volume field businesses, with a lifetime rate-lock on standard accounts.
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Mobile + tap-to-pay (SwipeSimple)
Take cards on-site via the SwipeSimple app and tap-to-pay, not just at a fixed terminal.
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Invoicing + recurring billing
Built-in invoicing and recurring payments suit after-job billing and maintenance-plan auto-charging.
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Month-to-month on standard accounts
Standard processing accounts have no long-term contract — provided you skip the leased equipment.
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High-risk friendly + ACH
Works with higher-risk merchants and offers ACH for collecting large invoices more cheaply than card.
What doesn't
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Hidden/undisclosed fee complaints
A documented pattern of fees surfacing despite the 'lowest fee' marketing — the top negative theme.
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Support gaps
Reviewers report difficulty reaching support and long waits when issues come up.
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$99/mo PCI non-compliance fee
If you don't maintain PCI compliance, a $99/mo fee kicks in — easy to overlook and costly.
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"Free" equipment = 3-year term + ETF
Leased 'free' hardware carries a 3-year commitment with an early-termination fee, undercutting the month-to-month pitch.
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No free trial / money-back
There's no trial; the $500 rate guarantee is the only risk-reducer if the quote doesn't hold up.
Features & integrations
Key features
Integrations
Frequently asked
Is National Processing really low-cost?
For steady-volume businesses, its interchange-plus pricing with a lifetime rate-lock can genuinely beat flat-rate processors, and it offers a $500 'meet or beat' guarantee. The caveat is a documented pattern of fees that surface despite the 'lowest fee' marketing — so get the complete fee schedule in writing and watch for the $99/mo PCI non-compliance fee and leased-equipment terms.
Does National Processing lock you into a contract?
Standard processing accounts are month-to-month — but the 'free' leased equipment carries a 3-year term with an early-termination fee, which is the common gotcha. If you want to stay truly month-to-month, buy your own hardware or confirm there's no equipment lease attached to the account.
What is the $99 fee I keep seeing?
It's a PCI non-compliance fee: if you don't complete and maintain PCI compliance, National Processing charges $99/mo. It's avoidable by keeping your PCI compliance current, but it's easy to overlook and a frequent source of complaints — set a reminder to keep compliance active.
Is this the same as "National Payment Processing"?
No — National Processing (nationalprocessing.com, founded 2007 in Orem, Utah) is distinct from the unrelated, older 'National Processing Company' of Louisville and from other similarly named firms. Make sure you're dealing with the right company when you sign up.
Other payment processors
Square
Flat-rate payments and POS, the default for small service businesses
Stripe
Developer-friendly flat-rate payments, strongest for online and integrations
Helcim
Transparent interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fee or contracts
Stax
Subscription (membership) pricing — flat monthly fee, no percentage markup
QuickBooks Payments / GoPayment
Card + ACH that auto-reconciles to your QuickBooks invoices
PayPal / PayPal Zettle
Zero-monthly card acceptance with universal brand trust — and Tap to Pay