Why does the ACH fee cap matter so much?

A fee cap limits how high ACH fees can grow as invoice size increases. When capped, ACH becomes much cheaper on larger invoices.

Can I use this calculator for any provider?

Yes. Enter your provider’s card and ACH fee terms. If your plan includes tiered pricing, extra network fees, or special conditions, treat this as a quick estimate.

ACH vs Card break-even calculator

Q: What is break-even for ACH vs card?

Break-even is the invoice amount where ACH fees equal card fees. Above that amount, ACH is typically cheaper (especially when ACH has a fee cap).

Q: Does ACH take longer than card?

Often yes—settlement can be slower than card payments. Use break-even to decide when fee savings justify offering ACH as the preferred method.

ACH vs Card break-even calculator- find the fee threshold

Updated: January 2 (Europe/Madrid)

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This ACH vs card break-even calculator tells you the invoice amount where ACH becomes cheaper than card payments. Use it to decide when to offer “Pay by ACH” (lower fees) versus “Pay by card” (faster approval), without guessing.

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ACH vs card break-even calculator

Inputs

Invoice amount to test (USD)

Card fee (%)

Card fixed fee (USD)

ACH fee (%)

ACH fixed fee (USD)

ACH fee cap (optional, USD)

Tip: If your ACH plan has a max fee, add the cap. Break-even shifts a lot when caps apply.

Results

Break-even invoice amount

$0.00

Card fee (for your test invoice)

$0.00

ACH fee (for your test invoice)

$0.00

Suggested payment options (copy-paste)

Use it in invoices, proposals, or your “How to pay” email.

Share this calculation

How break-even is calculated

Fee models

Card fee = (amount × card %) + card fixed fee
ACH fee = min( (amount × ACH %) + ACH fixed fee, ACH cap ) if cap is set

Decision rule

If the invoice amount is above break-even, ACH is cheaper (lower fees). If it’s below break-even, card may be similar or cheaper depending on the fixed fee.

Official pricing references

Fees vary by provider and plan. Always confirm current rates: Stripe pricing and Square payments.

Examples (quick)

Typical freelance invoice

If your card fees are 2.9% + $0.30 and ACH is 0.8% capped at $5, ACH tends to win more as invoices grow. Use break-even to set a simple rule like “Offer ACH for invoices over $X.”

If there’s no ACH cap

Without a cap, the break-even amount may be higher (because both are mostly percentage fees). In that case, speed and customer preference may matter more than fees.

A simple policy

Put your break-even into your invoice note: “For invoices above $X, ACH is preferred to reduce fees. Card is available for convenience.”

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FAQ

What is break-even for ACH vs card?

It’s the invoice amount where ACH fees and card fees are equal. Above that amount, ACH is usually cheaper (especially if ACH has a fee cap).

Why does the ACH cap matter so much?

A cap limits how high ACH fees can go as invoice size increases. When capped, ACH becomes dramatically cheaper for larger invoices.

Can I use this for any provider?

Yes. Enter your provider’s card and ACH fee terms. If your ACH plan has extra conditions (tiered pricing, additional network fees), treat this as a quick estimate.

Does ACH take longer than card?

Often yes, settlement can be slower than cards. Use break-even to decide when fee savings justify offering ACH as the preferred method.