FREE TOOL:
Payment Processing Fee Calculator
See how card processing and platform fees impact your real take‑home profit.
Compare a Stripe‑style rate (e.g. 2.9% + $0.30) with different platform fee scenarios, including “free” platforms that charge a transaction fee.
0% platform fee
5% platform fee
10% platform fee
How this calculator works
Enter your product price and estimated monthly sales. Adjust card processing fees (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30) and compare platform transaction fee scenarios. If your platform charges a monthly subscription, add it to include it in total costs.
What are card processing fees?
These are the payment gateway charges for accepting credit/debit cards. A common rate is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction in the US. Rates vary by country, card type, and volume.
What are platform transaction fees?
Some platforms advertise low monthly costs but charge an additional percentage fee on each sale (e.g., 5%–10%). This calculator shows how those fees stack with card processing, so you can see your true take‑home.
Why zero transaction fees matter
Heights Platform has zero transaction fees on all plans. You only pay standard card processing fees (e.g., from Stripe). Many “free” platforms add 5–10% per sale on top of card fees, which can take a significant share of your revenue (especially as you grow).
Even if you’re just starting out as a creator, it’s worth modeling the long‑term impact of transaction fees. A few percentage points can add up to thousands of dollars per year as sales increase.
Tips
- Try a range of platform fees to stress‑test your margins.
- Toggle Per sale vs Per month to see impact on each purchase and on total monthly profit.
- Don’t forget taxes, refunds, discounts, or currency conversion costs if they apply to you.