Accept payments with
Zero Cost Processing
Eliminate processing fees by shifting card costs using compliant, transparent methods that keep your margins intact and your customers happy.
1
Transparent pricing
We show card acceptance costs up front (interchange + network + processor). No markups hidden in the rates.
2
Smart routing & discounts
We route transactions and apply eligible network discounts so your net cost is minimized.
3
Optional service fee or convenience model
If you choose, a small, clearly disclosed service fee can be displayed to customers for card acceptance — that fee covers processing so you pay $0.
4
Reconciliation & reporting
Daily statements break down gross sales, fees collected, and net payouts so accounting is simple.
How it Works
Zero Cost Processing is not "free payments" - it is a pricing approach that removes the merchant's net processing expense via transparent, compliant fee models or subscriptions that shift the card acceptance cost without deceptive markups.
Feature
Included
Interchange passthrough
Yes
Processor markups
No hidden markups
Customer-facing fee
Optional / Disclosed
Daily payouts
Yes
Zero Cost
pricing models
Choose the model that fits your business. All options prioritize transparency and compliance.
Pass-through + Service Fee
​
Customers see a small, itemized service fee at checkout. That fee covers card costs so you - the merchant - have zero processing expense.
Membership / Subscription
​
Customers or businesses pay a recurring membership that subsidizes payment acceptance, enabling free processing for transactions.
Mixed Model
​
Combine a smaller convenience fee + membership discounts to balance conversion and cost coverage.
Why merchants choose
Zero Cost Processing
Keep sale prices unchanged while neutralizing card costs.
​
Improve margins on small-ticket items where fees hurt profitability.
​
​Transparent statements make bookkeeping and tax treatment straightforward.
Like most non-profits, we are always looking for ways to make ends meet each month without having to depend on our donors to pay the bills. One area we were able to save $50,000 per year was in switching our merchant processing to Simple Merchant. We were with a local bank before and they had been over charging us for years. Simple came in and gave us new card readers and set up a mobile platform for our off-site events as well. ~Non-Profit Organization.
We process hundreds of thousands of transactions a day so having a good platform and great pricing is very important to us. When we started working with Simple Merchant we had no idea our business would have grown to the point where it is now. We have seen a tremendous savings in transactions costs and Simple provides us with 24/7 US based Customer Service as well which is imperative to our business. ~Leasing Company
We met with Simple Merchant and moved over several of our clinics to their company for our merchant processing. What we discovered is that we had been overcharged for years by our previous processor and were working with old out of date equipment. Simple Merchant gave all of our doctors new card readers and saved them each about $3,000.00 per year. They also answer the phone every time we call them. ~Chiropractic Association President
Comparison
Traditional Processing
Zero Cost Processing
Merchant's net processing expense
Merchant pays
Zero (covered via disclosed methods)
Customer-facing pricing
No itemized fee
Optional itemized fee or membership
Transparency
Often limited
High — interchange details visible
Compliance risk
Low if built-in; risky if surcharging wrong
Low if rules & disclosures followed