Am I overpaying for credit card processing?

Upload your merchant statement to MerchantExam for free analysis. We'll compare your rates against industry benchmarks and identify if you're overpaying. Many merchants save 20-40% by switching processors after our analysis.

How does merchant statement analysis work?

Upload your monthly merchant processing statement as a PDF. We analyze your effective rate, identify hidden fees, and compare your costs to Square, Stripe, PayPal, Clover and other major processors. Results in 60 seconds.

What is a good credit card processing rate?

Good processing rates typically range from 2.6% to 3.5% for most businesses. Rates depend on your industry, transaction volume, and average ticket size. If you're paying above 3.5%, you're likely overpaying and should compare alternatives.

Is MerchantExam really free and independent?

Yes! Our merchant statement analysis is completely free and independent. Unlike processor-owned comparison tools, we provide unbiased analysis. Your statement is deleted after 24 hours for privacy.

Which payment processors does MerchantExam compare?

We compare rates against Square, Stripe, PayPal, Clover, First Data, Helcim, and dozens of other major processors. Our analysis shows which processors offer better rates for your specific business type and volume.

What hidden fees should I look for in my merchant statement?

Common hidden fees include PCI non-compliance charges, statement fees, batch fees, gateway fees, monthly minimums, interchange downgrades, and markup on assessments. These can add hundreds per month to your costs.

Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 9, 2026

MerchantExam ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our website at www.merchantexam.com and our credit card processing fee analysis service.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

Email address — to deliver your analysis results
Merchant processing statements — PDF files you upload for analysis
Contact information — name, phone number, and business name if you request a consultation

Information Collected Automatically

Browser type and version
Device type and operating system
Pages visited and time spent
Referring URL
IP address (anonymized)

How We Use Your Information

To analyze your merchant processing statement and generate your fee report
To email you your analysis results
To connect you with payment processing consultants if you request it
To improve our analysis accuracy and service quality
To comply with legal obligations

Data Retention & Deletion

We take data minimization seriously:

Uploaded statements are automatically deleted within 24 hours of upload
Analysis results are retained for 30 days to allow you to access your report
Contact information is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill your consultation request
You may request deletion of all your data at any time by emailing privacy@merchantexam.com

Data Security

Your data is protected with industry-standard security measures:

All data is transmitted over HTTPS with TLS encryption
Uploaded files are stored in encrypted cloud storage
Access to data is restricted to authorized personnel only
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate our platform:

Cloud hosting providers — to store and process data securely
Analytics tools — to understand how visitors use our site (anonymized)
Email delivery services — to send you your analysis results

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and only process it as instructed by us.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

Request access to the personal data we hold about you
Request correction of inaccurate data
Request deletion of your data
Opt out of marketing communications at any time

Cookies

We use essential cookies to ensure our website functions properly. We may use analytics cookies to understand site usage. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.

Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last updated" date.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact us at: privacy@merchantexam.com