Why Payment Processing Fees Add Up
For a field service business processing $500K in card payments per year at 2.9%, the difference between 2.9% and 2.5% is $2,000/year — real money that flows directly to the bottom line. Field service platforms include payment processing as either a built-in feature or via integration with third-party processors. Rates and capabilities vary significantly. This guide compares them.
Built-in Payment Processing Rates (2026)
Jobber Payments
Approximately 2.9% + $0.30 for keyed credit cards. Lower for ACH (typically $0.50 flat). Tap-to-pay via mobile NFC included. Strong for SMB plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors.
Housecall Pro Payments
Approximately 2.9% + $0.30 for credit cards, with ACH options. Tap-to-pay polished. Premium customer-facing checkout experience.
ServiceTitan Payments
Custom rates based on volume, typically 2.6%-2.9% range for established operations. Includes financing offers (Wisetack integration) and complex billing scenarios.
FieldEdge Payments
Comparable rates to Jobber/Housecall Pro. Strong fit for HVAC and plumbing operations.
Workiz Payments
Competitive rates for service-heavy trades. Lower base subscription costs.
Standalone Processors That Integrate
Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 for keyed transactions, 2.7% + $0.05 for in-person. Best APIs.
Square: 2.6% + $0.10 for tap-to-pay, 2.9% + $0.30 for keyed. Strong for very small businesses.
Authorize.Net: Varies by processor, often slightly cheaper for established merchants. Long-standing reliable choice.
QuickBooks Payments: Tight QuickBooks integration. Rates competitive at higher volumes (1.5%-2.9% depending on tier).
What Drives the Real Cost
Card-present vs. card-not-present. Tap-to-pay (card-present) costs significantly less than keyed entry. Make sure your platform supports NFC for in-field collection.
ACH vs. credit card. ACH typically costs $0.25-$0.50 flat. For commercial customers paying $5,000+ invoices, ACH is a meaningful saving.
Volume tiers. Most processors offer reduced rates at higher volumes. If you’re processing $1M+ annually, negotiate.
Surcharging. Some states allow you to pass credit card fees to customers. Check your state law.
How to Pick
For most SMB field service businesses processing under $500K/year in cards, the platform’s built-in payments are the path of least resistance. The rate difference vs. standalone processors is small at this volume, and the integration benefit (auto-billing, reconciliation) is substantial.
For operations processing $1M+ annually, evaluate standalone processors. Negotiate rates. The savings add up.
Bottom Line
Built-in payments win on convenience and integration; standalone processors win on rate negotiation at scale. Most SMB businesses should use the built-in option. Always enable ACH for commercial invoices and tap-to-pay for in-field collection — both reduce effective cost per transaction.
Last updated April 2026. Field Service Guide is an AI-enabled research publication. See our Methodology and Editorial Policy.
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