ACH vs Credit Card Payments: What Small Businesses Should Know
When it comes to accepting payments, most small businesses focus on credit and debit cards. They are fast, familiar, and used by nearly every customer. But there is another option that many business owners overlook: ACH payments. These direct transfers from a customer’s bank account to your business account can reduce costs, simplify billing, and give you more control.
Apple Pie Payments allows small businesses to accept both ACH and card payments in one system. They make it easy to compare the options and set up the best solution for your business.
If you are trying to figure out how to lower costs or streamline your transactions, understanding how ACH compares to credit cards can help you make the right decision.
What Is an ACH Payment
ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. It is an electronic network that moves money directly between banks. Many people already use ACH without realizing it. When your paycheck is deposited directly into your account or when you pay a utility bill online, that is an ACH transfer.
For businesses, ACH payments allow customers to pay you directly from their bank account. There is no card involved, and often no percentage-based transaction fee. This makes it a cost-effective option, especially for recurring or high-ticket payments.
How Credit Card Payments Work
Credit card payments go through card networks like Visa or Mastercard. When a customer swipes or taps their card, the request is routed through the card processor. Once approved, the money is transferred to your merchant account, minus the transaction fee.
Fees for credit cards typically range from two to four percent of the sale amount. That may not sound like much at first, but it adds up quickly for businesses processing thousands of dollars a month.
Key Differences Between ACH and Credit Card Payments
Here is a simple breakdown of how these two methods compare:
- Transaction Fees
ACH: Typically a low flat fee per transaction
Credit Card: Percentage-based fee taken from each sale - Processing Time
ACH: Funds are deposited within one to three business days
Credit Card: Often next day or even same day - Chargeback Risk
ACH: Lower chance of chargebacks or disputes
Credit Card: Higher chargeback potential, especially for online sales - Customer Experience
ACH: Customer enters bank info manually
Credit Card: Simple swipe, tap, or click
When ACH Is a Smart Choice
ACH is a great option in many business settings, especially when:
- You collect recurring payments like memberships, subscriptions, or retainers
- You invoice clients and receive payments later
- You deal with high-value transactions and want to avoid large fees
- You work in professional services, medical billing, or business-to-business settings
Adding ACH allows you to keep more of the money you earn while still giving your customers a secure and reliable payment method.
When Credit Cards Still Make Sense
Cards are still the standard in many settings. They are ideal when:
- You run a retail business or food service location with quick checkouts
- Most of your sales are under one hundred dollars
- Your customers expect to pay with cards or want to earn points or rewards
- You need immediate transaction confirmation
The best setup is not choosing one over the other. It is offering both so you can serve every type of customer.
Why Businesses Are Adding ACH in 2025
ACH is no longer just for large corporations. Thanks to providers like Apple Pie Payments, small businesses can now accept ACH just as easily as cards. Some reasons businesses are choosing to add ACH include:
- Lower processing costs per transaction
- Reliable billing for repeat customers
- Fewer issues with expired cards or failed payments
- Better cash flow management
- More options for clients who prefer to avoid credit
Even if only a portion of your customers use ACH, the long-term savings can be significant.
How Apple Pie Payments Makes ACH Easy
Apple Pie Payments offers an all-in-one platform where you can accept ACH and credit card payments from the same dashboard. There is no need for separate tools or software. Everything works together so you can manage transactions, track deposits, and review customer activity in one place.
They also help you guide your customers through the ACH process. For many people, this is a new option. With clear instructions and a smooth interface, it becomes just as easy as entering a card number.
ACH Fits Perfectly with Buyer’s Choice
If your business is already using the Buyer’s Choice model from Apple Pie Payments, ACH is a natural fit. It gives your customers a low-cost way to avoid card fees. This makes it easier for them to make the payment decision that works best for them and helps your business reduce expenses.
Since ACH does not involve the same fees as credit card processing, it gives you more margin without changing your pricing or business structure.
Setting It Up Is Simple
There is no complicated paperwork or long setup process. Apple Pie Payments walks you through what is needed, sets up the ACH system for your business, and ensures everything is fully compliant. Once it is running, ACH becomes one more way you can serve your customers while reducing operating costs.
It works well for online checkouts, invoicing, and even in-person transactions when the customer is willing to provide banking info. Everything is secure, protected, and processed through trusted U.S. banking networks.
Offering More Options Is Just Good Business
Most customers want options. Whether they prefer to use a card, a bank transfer, or even mobile pay, your job is to make the process smooth. Offering ACH alongside credit cards shows that you understand the needs of different customers and that you care about efficiency on both sides of the transaction.
Apple Pie Payments gives you that flexibility in a system built for modern businesses. You get more ways to collect payments, lower your cost per transaction, and simplify the process of running your business.
Make the Switch or Add ACH Without the Hassle
You do not have to drop credit cards or change your system to start using ACH. With Apple Pie Payments, you can simply add it as an option and start accepting payments in new ways.
If you have never tried ACH before, now is a great time to explore how it can work for you. Their team is ready to help you review your current setup, walk through your billing needs, and show you how to make the most of both payment types.









