Credit Card Processing Knowledge Center

What is ClearRate Audit?

ClearRate Audit is a free AI-powered tool that analyzes your payment processing fees and identifies potential overcharges and savings opportunities in under 2 minutes.

What ClearRate Does

• Analyzes your current payment processing costs and fee structure
• Calculates your effective rate and compares it to industry benchmarks
• Identifies hidden fees and overcharges in your processing setup
• Estimates potential monthly and annual savings
• Provides educational resources to help you understand and negotiate fees
• Generates a detailed PDF report with actionable recommendations

Who Should Use This Knowledge Center

• Business owners paying credit card processing fees and wanting to reduce costs
• Financial managers evaluating different payment processor options
• E-commerce operators comparing pricing models for online transactions
• Retail businesses trying to understand card-present processing rates
• Startups setting up payment processing for the first time
• Anyone negotiating with payment processors or switching providers

How to Use These Resources

1. Start with Fees Explained: Understand the basics of credit card processing fees and what each charge means
2. Calculate Your Effective Rate: Use the free calculator tool to determine your true all-in processing cost
3. Compare Pricing Models: Learn the differences between interchange-plus, tiered, and flat-rate pricing to identify the best option
4. Review Negotiation Tactics: Read the guide on how to negotiate lower rates with your processor
5. Run the Full Audit: Use ClearRate Audit tool to get a comprehensive analysis of your specific situation
6. Take Action: Apply the insights and strategies to reduce your processing costs

Key Concepts You'll Learn

• Effective Rate: Your true all-in processing cost as a percentage, including all fees
• Interchange Fees: Base fees set by card networks (Visa, Mastercard) that go to issuing banks
• Processor Markup: The additional fees your payment processor charges on top of interchange
• Pricing Models: Different structures (interchange-plus, tiered, flat-rate) and their cost implications
• Hidden Fees: Common junk fees like PCI compliance, statement fees, batch fees that inflate costs

Important Notes

The information and tools provided are for educational purposes:

• All calculators and estimates are based on industry data and the information you provide
• Actual costs and savings depend on your specific business, transaction mix, and processor terms
• ClearRate is not affiliated with any payment processor and provides unbiased analysis
• Information should not be considered financial or legal advice
• Interchange rates and industry benchmarks are updated periodically and may change