Comparison
ACH vs credit card payments: which should your business accept?
Quick answer
Card payments cost more, usually a percentage of the sale plus a fixed fee, but approve instantly and nearly every customer carries one. ACH payments cost less, often capped at a few dollars, but take days to settle and can be returned. Many businesses take cards for everyday sales and ACH for large invoices.
Updated October 2026. Evergreen page — refreshed in place as facts change.
How do ACH and card payments differ?
ACH moves money directly between bank accounts through the US Automated Clearing House network, run under Nacha rules. A card payment runs through Visa, Mastercard or another card network and carries interchange. That one difference drives most of the others.
If you are weighing ACH against wires for sending money rather than collecting it, our wire transfer vs ACH guide covers that comparison.
| ACH bank payment | Credit card payment | |
|---|---|---|
| How the customer pays | Bank account and routing number, or by signing in to their bank | Card number, or Apple Pay or Google Pay |
| Typical published cost (Stripe, October 2026) | 0.8%, capped at $5 | 2.9% + 30¢ online |
| How fast it settles | Usually one to three business days; same-day ACH where offered | Approved in seconds; paid out on the provider's schedule |
| Reversal risk | Returns: insufficient funds within two banking days; unauthorised consumer debits for up to 60 days | Chargebacks, commonly up to 120 days, usually with a fee |
| Best for | Large invoices, B2B and recurring bills | Everyday sales, ecommerce and international customers |
What does each cost on a real invoice?
Because card fees grow with the amount and ACH fees are often capped, the gap widens with every dollar. Below a few hundred dollars the difference is small; on a five-figure invoice it can be hundreds of dollars.
Not every ACH price is capped. Square's published fee for ACH on invoices is 1% with a $1 minimum, capped at $10 only on its Plus and Premium plans (October 2026), so check the cap as well as the percentage.
| Invoice | Card (2.9% + 30¢) | ACH Direct Debit (0.8%, capped at $5) |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $3.20 | $0.80 |
| $1,000 | $29.30 | $5.00 |
| $5,000 | $145.30 | $5.00 |
| $20,000 | $580.30 | $5.00 |
How fast does the money arrive?
A card payment is approved in seconds, so the customer and the business both know at once that it went through; the money then reaches the business on the provider's payout schedule. An ACH debit is submitted in batches and typically takes one to three business days to settle, and longer before a provider treats it as final.
Same-day ACH, available for payments up to $1 million each, can shorten that where the provider offers it. Instant bank rails such as RTP and FedNow are a separate network and settle in seconds, but they are push payments the customer sends, not debits the business pulls.
Returns vs chargebacks: which is riskier?
Both can be reversed, under different rules. An ACH payment can be returned if the account lacks funds or is closed, generally within two banking days, or as unauthorised: a consumer can generally claim an unauthorised debit for up to 60 days, while an unauthorised debit from a business account must be returned within a couple of banking days.
Card chargebacks cover a wider set of reasons, including goods not received or not as described, and customers can commonly file for up to 120 days, usually with a dispute fee for the business. For B2B invoices paid from business accounts, a cleared ACH payment is often the lower-risk option.
When should a business offer ACH, cards, or both?
Most businesses that invoice should offer both and let the customer choose, then nudge large payments toward ACH. The choice is about the customer as much as the cost: consumers often prefer cards for rewards and protection, while finance teams paying a large invoice often prefer bank payments.
- Cards and wallets: retail, ecommerce, small tickets, first-time and international customers
- ACH: business-to-business invoices, retainers, rent, tuition and other large recurring bills
- Both on every invoice: let the customer pick, and make ACH the obvious choice above a set amount
- Passing card costs on with a surcharge has its own rules; see our guide to lowering processing fees
Taking ACH and cards with Anytime Capital Payments
Every Anytime Capital checkout, payment link, invoice and subscription takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and other major card brands, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay. Payment links and invoices also take ACH bank debit, and USDC or USDT can be requested to your wallet, which suits international customers.
Invoices carry your logo and colour, send reminders before, on and after the due date, and support deposits and partial payments. Once paid, money settles into your Anytime Capital business account, and our current ACH and card pricing is on the pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACH cheaper than credit card processing?
Usually, and by a lot on large payments. Stripe's published US rates (October 2026) are 2.9% + 30¢ for an online card payment and 0.8% capped at $5 for ACH Direct Debit, so a $5,000 invoice costs $145.30 by card and $5 by ACH. On small payments the difference is much smaller.
Can an ACH payment be reversed?
Yes, through an ACH return. Returns for insufficient funds or a closed account generally come within two banking days. A consumer can generally claim an unauthorised debit for up to 60 days; for business accounts the window is a couple of banking days.
How long does an ACH payment take to clear?
Typically one to three business days, and some providers wait longer before releasing the funds. Same-day ACH, available for payments up to $1 million each, is faster where the provider supports it.
Do customers prefer paying by card or ACH?
Consumers usually prefer cards for rewards, purchase protection and familiarity. Businesses paying a large invoice often prefer ACH or another bank payment, because it is cheaper for the seller and avoids card limits. Offering both lets each customer choose.
Is ACH the same as a wire transfer?
No. Both move money between US bank accounts, but a wire settles individually and the same day and is final once sent, while ACH settles in batches over one to three business days and can be returned. Our wire transfer vs ACH guide covers the difference.
Keep reading
Important Disclosures
- Third-party fees and product details cited on this page are each company's published US pricing, or industry-typical ranges, as of the date shown and may have changed. Check current pricing with the provider before you decide.
- Information on this page is general and educational — it is not financial, legal, or tax advice.
- Anytime Capital is a fintech company, not a bank. Payment processing, banking and payout services are provided by Anytime Capital's licensed partners. Rates shown are for US card payments; international cards, currency conversion and disputes may carry additional fees shown in your dashboard before you accept a payment.