Quick answer
Merchant services typically accept a wide range of payment types to meet both in-person and online needs. Choose a provider that matches your sales channels and the payment preferences of your customers.
Common payment methods
- Credit and debit cards — Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover.
- Mobile wallets and contactless — Apple Pay, Google Pay, NFC tap-to-pay.
- ACH and eChecks — bank-to-bank transfers for invoices and larger transactions.
- Invoicing & virtual terminals — keyed payments for phone or mail orders.
- Recurring/subscription billing — automated renewals and stored credentials.
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and installment options.
- Gift cards and loyalty programs — stored-value acceptance and tracking.
- QR and alternative payments — QR codes, regional wallets, and some crypto options where supported.
What to check with a provider
- Integration with your POS, ecommerce platform, or API.
- Multi-currency and international processing if you sell abroad.
- Reporting, reconciliation, and fraud tools to simplify operations.