Flat-rate apps vs. a dedicated merchant account
We'll keep this factual. Flat-rate aggregators (Square, Stripe, PayPal) are easy to start and pool many businesses under one account. A dedicated merchant account is set up for your business specifically and is usually priced with interchange-plus.
| Flat-rate apps | ZenythPay | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | One bundled flat rate | Interchange-plus, itemized |
| Account type | Shared aggregator pool | Dedicated merchant ID |
| Support | Largely online / self-serve | Local LA rep, trilingual |
| Best for | Getting started, low volume | Established volume, clarity |
We are not going to tell you a flat-rate app is bad, for a brand-new or very low-volume business it can be the right call. The question is whether, at your volume, an itemized interchange-plus account costs you less. Any processor, including ours, applies risk review and may hold funds under the merchant agreement; we'll be straight with you about how that works. The only way to know if switching helps is to compare your real numbers.
How switching actually works.
Send your statement
We read your current processing statement and calculate your real effective rate, no guesswork.
See the honest comparison
You get a plain-English breakdown of what the same volume looks like with interchange-plus.
We set the timeline
If it makes sense to switch, we plan it around your hours so you're never down mid-service.
You go live
Hardware ships pre-programmed and tested. Most LA businesses are live within a few business days.
As card volume grows, a bundled flat rate often costs more than interchange-plus, because the markup is fixed into the rate. A dedicated account also gives you a direct relationship and a person to call. If a processor has put a hold on your funds, we understand the frustration; any processor, including ours, applies risk review and may hold funds under the merchant agreement, and we'll be straight with you about how that works.
Switching, answered honestly.
For established businesses with steady volume, often yes, because interchange-plus can cost less than a flat rate and you get a dedicated account and local support. For a brand-new micro business, a flat-rate app may be simpler. We'll tell you honestly which fits.
Square, Stripe, and PayPal are trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated with ZenythPay. Any processor, including ours, applies risk review under its merchant agreement; we do not guarantee funds are never held. ZenythPay does not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice.