Best ach payment processing for small businesses

Let’s be real—when was the last time someone got excited about ACH payments? It’s not exactly the stuff of dreams, but when it comes to getting paid (and keeping more of that hard-earned money), ACH payments are the unsung heroes. Sure, ACH payments aren’t flashy, but they’re affordable and incredibly useful, especially if you’re running a small business.

If you’re new here and have not heard about ACH payments or Automated Clearing House payments, give our short article here a read!

If you’ve been shopping around for options for a while, this article might not have you jumping for joy (or maybe it does), but it will help you navigate the world of ACH providers and pick the best one for your business.

First off, what makes a good ACH payments provider?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty shortlist you’re probably here to skim (no judgment, we get it), there are a few key things to consider when picking the right ACH provider. After all, you don’t want to swipe right on a payment provider only to find out they’re full of red flags.

Fees: Arguably what makes ACH a standout among payment options. Look for a provider that isn’t going to nickel-and-dime you with a hidden fee and provides you with the lowest rate possible. Tip: Find a provider with transparent, capped fees which can be a game changer for keeping your payment costs predictable and your budget intact.

Processing time: Sure, patience is a virtue, but you probably don’t want to wait forever to get paid. Some ACH providers move at a snail’s pace but there are providers that offer a same-day or 2-day funding. Tip: Make sure to read the fine print before signing up as it will come with an additional fee.

Features: Not all ACH providers are built the same. The right features can really set one apart from the rest—think seamless integration with your recurring payments, custom invoicing, or syncing up with your favorite third-party software. Plus, having a same-day option is a huge perk if you’re looking to speed up cash flow and get quicker access to your funds.

Support & ease of use: When things go south, you want a provider with a support team that’s more helpful than a “technical support” chatbot looping you back to FAQs. Also, it helps if the platform doesn’t require a degree in rocket science to operate.

Your top 5 ACH payment provider options

Alright, here’s the list that you came here for.

1. Helcim

Helcim is a North American payments company offering ACH/EFT payments to both US and Canadian merchants. They’re all about transparency—no monthly fees and straightforward, affordable pricing. Helcim’s ACH payments are built into most of their online tools at no extra cost, making it easy to access.

Pricing: Percentage-based pricing
- 0.25% + 25¢, capped at $6 per transaction
Key features:
- Combined card and ACH payment options.
- Comes with a customer portal to easily view and manage your customer’s pre-authorized debit agreements.
- Available in payment tools like recurring payments, virtual terminal, invoicing, SMS payments, and payment pages.
- Integrates with Xero and QuickBooks Online.
- Rate cap at $6 for transactions up to $25,000.
- ACH deposit times are settled within 3-4 business days.

Why Helcim? Helcim is worth a serious look if you’re after transparent pricing, flexibility, and all-in-one convenience. With Helcim, you get both card and ACH payment options under one roof—no need to juggle multiple providers. And with their automatic volume discounts, the more you process, the more you save (which is the complete opposite of what Rotessa offers). No hidden fees, no monthly costs, and everything you need to accept payments is included at no extra charge. It’s simple, affordable, and built for growing businesses that value both flexibility and cost control.

2. Stripe

Stripe might be the big kid on the payment processing block, but their ACH offering isn’t just an afterthought. While you might know them for credit card payments, their ACH tools are pretty solid too.

Pricing: Percentage-based pricing
- ACH debit: 0.80% per transaction (capped at $5)
- ACH credit: $1.00 per transaction
Key features:
- No monthly fees
- Advanced and customizable API for merchant developers
- Supports both ACH credit and ACH debit transfers.
- Available in payment tools like invoicing, payment links, and subscriptions
- 2-day settlement available for an additional 1.2% fee per transaction

Why Stripe? Stripe is made for payment flexibility. If your business requires in-depth granularity and you have developers on your team or you’d like to have a much faster access to your funds then this might work for you.

3. GoCardless

GoCardless is a UK-based fintech company specializing in recurring ACH payments. Designed to take the hassle out of managing subscriptions, memberships, or any other recurring billing needs, it’s a popular choice for businesses that need a scalable solution for automatic payments.

Pricing: Tiered pricing plans
- Standard (0.5%+0.05 capped at $5)
- Advanced (0.75%+0.05 capped at $6.25)
- Pro (0.90%+0.05 capped at $7)
Key features:
- Specifically designed for recurring billing and subscription models.
- Global payments capability across multiple countries.
- Wide API integration with softwares such as QuickBooks, Sage, and Xero.
- 2-day deposit is included with Advanced and Pro

Why GoCardless? GoCardless is perfect if your business revolves around recurring payments, and requires a solution that can work cross-border. With a tiered pricing, capped fees, and easy integrations, it’s a strong pick for businesses needing predictable costs and reliable recurring ACH payments, whether you’re billing locally or internationally.

4. Rotessa

Rotessa might not be the flashiest option, but if recurring payments are your jam, they’ve got you covered. Their platform is made to just process ACH payments and is tailor-made for businesses with subscription models or regular billing cycles.

Pricing: Volume-based tiered monthly rates
- Starts at $17 for 1-10 transactions per month, $94 for 101-250 transactions per month, for transactions above 250 per month, users pay $.35 per transaction
Key features:
- Easy recurring billing with ACH only
- Custom pricing for higher than 1000 transactions
- Integrates with Xero and QuickBooks Online
- Deposit times are within 5 days of the process date

Why Rotessa? Ideal if your business relies heavily on recurring ACH payments, like memberships or subscription services, and only needs ACH. It’s also a smart choice for handling high-ticket transactions at a steady volume since their flat-rate pricing means you’re not paying a percentage of each transaction—keeping your costs predictable and under control.

5. Square

Square’s been the go-to for small businesses particularly retail shops and restaurants, and their ACH feature on their Square Invoices is just another tool in their easy-to-use toolkit. If you’re already a Square fan, this is a smooth add-on. However, it is important to note that Square does not offer ACH or EFT payments in Canada.

Pricing: Percentage-based pricing
- 1% per transaction with minimum fee of $1 (capped at $10 for Invoice Plus users)
Key features:
- No monthly fees
- Available on Square Invoicing and the Square POS system.
- Offers next-business day deposit or Instant Transfer for just 1.75% per transaction, available for transactions up to $10,000.

Why Square? For omni-channel businesses that primarily operate brick-and-mortar locations with Square POS, adding ACH payments is a breeze. It’s simple, straightforward, and a natural fit if you’re already in the Square ecosystem. You can easily extend your payment options by generating ACH invoices directly from your POS—keeping everything under one roof without any extra hassle.

Wrapping up: Making ACH work for you

ACH payments may not be flashy, but they’re a powerful tool for managing payments efficiently and affordably. Whether you’re looking to streamline your recurring payments without handling credit cards, process large transactions, or just save on fees, choosing the right provider can make a world of difference. Take your time, evaluate your options, and pick the one that aligns best with your business needs.

Ready to start accepting ACH payments for your business?

Sign up with Helcim today—no monthly fees, no contracts, just affordable ACH payments and more at your fingertips. Or, get access on other helpful content such as authorization templates and materials to educate your customers about ACH with our complete guide below.

FAQs about ACH payments

Q: What’s the main benefit of ACH over credit card payments?

A: Lower fees! Credit card payments often have larger costs due to volatile card brand network fees operating the payment flow, while ACH usually offers lower flat fees.

Q: How long do ACH payments take to process?

A: Typically 3-5 business days, though some providers offer faster processing for an additional fee.

Q: Can I set up recurring payments with ACH?

A: Definitely! Most providers offer automated recurring payment options, which are great for subscriptions or regular client billing.

Q: Are ACH payments secure?

A: Yes, ACH transactions are highly regulated and secure. Just make sure your provider has solid security measures in place and that you as the merchant comply with the rules and handle your client’s PII securely.

Q: What’s the downside of ACH payments?

A: The processing time is longer than card payments, so if speed is critical, you might need to consider that trade-off.

Q: How do I get started with Helcim’s ACH payments?

A: Easily sign up with a free Helcim account here. No monthly fees, contracts, and extra underwriting steps for you to get started.

Best ACH payment providers for small businesses

Content

First off, what makes a good ACH payments provider?