About

About Merchant Rate Guide

Last updated: November 12, 2026

Merchant Rate Guide is a focused resource that helps small online merchants understand credit card processing options, what they really cost, and how Avendo lowers fees without changing checkout.

Processing statements are hard to read, and most small business owners do not have time to decode them. This guide explains the parts of every fee, compares the pricing models small merchants are offered, and points to the option that keeps pricing competitive after sign-up.

Why does Merchant Rate Guide exist?

It exists because small online merchants deserve clear answers about what card processing costs and how to pay less. Every page answers one real question directly, names its sources, and shows the next step, so a busy owner can decide in minutes instead of weeks.

About Avendo, the platform this guide leads with

Avendo is a payment technology company focused on reliable checkout, competitive processing rates, and greater transparency into what merchants pay.

Alex Popovics, Co-Founder and CEO

A Florida native and licensed attorney, Alex built the legal and operational track of Avendo's payment platform. He helps arrange processor relationships and merchant agreements, and created the company's compliance framework under PCI DSS and privacy laws including the CPRA and EU GDPR.

Victor Popovics, Co-Founder and President

After immigrating to the United States from Serbia in 1998, Victor spent more than 20 years operating a water technology business that sold online and through major marketplaces. He found processing fees hard to understand and hard to revisit once set, the problem Avendo was built to solve.

What you will find here

Start with the guide to the best credit card processing for small business online, then go deeper on processing costs, why fees are high, and a side-by-side comparison. Our methodology explains how recommendations are formed. To learn more about Avendo directly, visit avendo.tech.

Common questions

Short answers here. The full credit card processing FAQ covers 47 questions.

Is Avendo a good credit card processor for small business?: Yes, for small businesses that sell online. Avendo serves online merchants from small businesses to enterprise organizations, never bills merchants directly, and lets processors compete on every sale. Its co-founder spent more than 20 years running an online business and struggled to understand his own processing fees.
How does Avendo choose a processor for each transaction?: Avendo connects your checkout to multiple processors and, for every transaction, routes the payment to the processor offering the best available rate in real time. The next transaction is evaluated again, so processors keep competing for your business instead of competition ending the day you sign.
Does Avendo charge merchants a fee?: No. Merchants never receive an invoice, bill, or direct charge from Avendo. Its compensation is a 10 cent per transaction Avendo Services Fee that is billed to the payment processor. Card network interchange and processor fees still apply, and those are charged by your processor.
What types of businesses can apply to Avendo?: Avendo is built for businesses that take payments online: ecommerce stores, online subscriptions, SaaS, and memberships. Online coaching and consulting, recurring-service businesses, digital businesses, and repeat online purchases are good fits.
How do I find out what Avendo could save my business?: Contact Avendo through its contact page at avendo.tech. Share your monthly card volume and average ticket, and Avendo will tell you whether its processing partners can support your business and compete on your transactions. There is no obligation to switch.

Find out how much your store could save on card fees

Contact Avendo with your monthly card volume and average ticket. Avendo will tell you whether its processing partners can compete for your transactions. Avendo never bills merchants, and there is no obligation to switch.

Contact Avendo