About

Swipewise is an independent information site for U.S. consumers and small-business owners who want to understand what it costs to accept credit and debit cards. We explain how interchange, card-network assessments and processor markup add up, how the main pricing models differ, and what to check before signing a contract.

The guides are written for merchants who are opening a business, adding online sales, or wondering whether their current statement is fair. They include worked examples with the arithmetic shown, comparison tables of pricing structures rather than provider rankings, and checklists you can use in conversations with sales representatives.

Swipewise does not process payments, sell merchant accounts or receive referral fees from providers listed here. Numbers in examples are illustrative unless a source is named, and rules such as surcharging limits and interchange schedules change, so we point to official sources for you to verify. The content is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. For decisions with real money at stake, consult a qualified professional.

How this site is made

Swipewise is an independent information project. Guides are drafted with the help of AI writing tools and checked against official and primary sources before publication; see our Editorial Policy. We are not affiliated with any provider mentioned on the site and do not sell products or services.