Best ACH Payment Gateways For Businesses: Top Providers & Features

Managing payments shouldn’t be a hassle. Yet, relying on paper checks or manual bank transfers slows down transactions, adds costs, and increases errors.

ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments make it easy for businesses to send and receive money electronically. Whether it’s payroll, customer billing, or supplier payments, ACH processing services automate the process, cutting down manual work, reducing fees, and improving cash flow.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best ACH payment processing options, their key benefits, and how to choose the right ACH provider for your business. We'll also talk about how Wise Business can help you receive payments internationally and convert your funds into global currencies at low cost.

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What Is an ACH Payment Gateway?

An ACH payment gateway is a digital tool that facilitates electronic bank transfers through the Automated Clearing House network. Instead of relying on paper checks or costly wire transfers, businesses can send and receive payments directly between bank accounts, saving time and reducing fees.

Unlike credit card processors, which rely on networks like Visa or Mastercard, ACH gateways move funds securely between banks, making them a cost-effective solution for recurring billing, payroll, and high-value transactions.

ACH gateways integrate with key business tools to:

• Collect customer payments without high card processing fees.
• Automate payroll and vendor payments.
• Sync with accounting software for effortless financial tracking.

How ACH Payment Processing Works

ACH transactions aren’t instant, but they follow a structured process that ensures secure and efficient bank transfers.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how ACH payments move from sender to receiver:

Step	What Happens
1. Authorization	The sender (business or customer) approves an ACH payment—either as a one-time transaction or a recurring payment.
2. Submission	The ACH payment gateway collects the payment details and submits the request to the ACH network.
3. Processing	The ACH network batches transactions and sends them to the recipient’s bank for verification.
4. Settlement	The recipient’s bank approves the transaction and deposits the funds into their account (typically within 2-4 business days).1

ACH processing’s lower fees, security, and automation benefits make it a preferred choice for companies handling large transactions, payroll, and subscription payments.

With the right ACH provider, businesses can simplify transactions, improve cash flow, and reduce operational costs.

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Save on international business payments with Wise

If you run a small business, you'll know how important saving time and money can be. With that in mind, it's worth considering where the money will land once it's gone through the payment gateway. Especially if you have an international business payment to make.

With the Wise Business account, you can save on international payments. Receiving money from overseas is a breeze, and payments are secure.

Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in currencies. You can get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local. You can also send money to 140+ countries.

You can also connect your Wise Business account to receive payments from eCommerce platforms such as Amazon or via Stripe.

You can create your account online in just a few clicks.

Receive International
Payments 🚀

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The Best ACH Payment Providers for Businesses

Finding the right ACH payment gateway involves getting to know your specific needs. Some providers are better for small businesses, while others cater to high-volume enterprises or subscription-based models.

Below, we break down the best ACH payment processing companies, highlighting their strengths, features, and pricing.

1. Stripe ACH

Stripe is a leader in digital payments, and its ACH processing service is no exception. Known for its developer-friendly API, Stripe ACH is an excellent option for businesses looking for seamless integration with e-commerce platforms, invoicing software, and mobile applications.

Pricing: Stripe charges 0.8% per ACH transaction, capped at $5 per payment²

Key features

• Recurring billing support for subscriptions and memberships.
• Built-in fraud detection to prevent unauthorized transactions.
• Customizable payment flows for businesses that want full control over the checkout experience.
• Integration with popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and QuickBooks.

2. Bill.com ACH

Bill.com is one of the top ACH providers for businesses handling frequent B2B payments. It simplifies accounts payable by automating invoice processing, approvals, and payments, saving time for finance teams.

Pricing: $45 per month, plus standard ACH transaction fees.³

Key features

• Automated invoice matching for faster reconciliation.
• Approval workflows to prevent bottlenecks and ensure compliance.
• Syncs with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct, and NetSuite for seamless financial management.
• Role-based permissions to control who approves and initiates payments.

3. PaySimple ACH

PaySimple is one of the best ACH payment processing options for small businesses, offering a user-friendly interface and flexible payment tools. It’s ideal for service-based businesses, allowing them to accept payments via ACH, credit cards, and mobile transactions.

Pricing: PaySimple charges a $79.95 monthly fee plus 1.00% + $0.30 per ACH transaction.⁴

Key features

• Mobile-friendly ACH transfer service for on-the-go transactions.
• Hosted payment pages to make online payments easy for customers.
• Automated recurring payments to eliminate manual invoicing.
• Payment links for email invoicing—perfect for freelancers and small service providers.

4. GoCardless

GoCardless specializes in subscription-based and recurring payments, making it an excellent choice for SaaS businesses, gyms, and membership-based organizations. It also supports international ACH payments, helping businesses collect bank transfers across multiple countries.

Pricing: GoCardless charges 0.75% + $0.40 per domestic ACH transaction, capped at $3 per transaction. For international ACH payments, the fee is 1.75% + $0.40 per transaction.⁵

Key features

• Direct debit for recurring payments, reducing payment failures.
• International ACH payments to support global businesses.
• Real-time payment tracking with automatic reconciliation.
• Flexible API integration for custom workflows.

5. Authorize.Net ACH

Authorize.Net is a trusted name in payment processing, offering secure ACH processing services with fraud protection and QuickBooks integration. It’s best suited for high-volume businesses that need automated security measures.

Pricing: Authorize.Net charges a $25 monthly gateway fee, with ACH payments at 0.75% per transaction or $0.10 per transaction plus a $0.10 daily batch fee.⁶

Key features

• Advanced fraud detection tools to prevent unauthorized payments.
• Integration with QuickBooks, Shopify, and accounting software for seamless bookkeeping.
• Recurring billing options for businesses managing subscriptions.
• 24/7 customer support for troubleshooting payment issues.

6. Dwolla

Dwolla is known for offering custom ACH solutions with a developer-friendly API that allows businesses to build their own ACH transfer services. It’s a strong choice for fintech companies and businesses processing mass payouts.

Pricing: Dwolla offers customized pricing based on your business’s specific needs and transaction volume.

Key features

• Instant bank verification to reduce payment failures.
• Mass payouts for businesses handling bulk transactions.
• White-label ACH solutions for companies wanting a branded experience.
• Custom API integrations for flexible payment automation.

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Why Businesses Use ACH Payment Gateways

For businesses handling frequent bank transfers, ACH payment gateways offer a reliable, cost-effective alternative to traditional payment methods. As they can help cut down on transaction fees, improve cash flow, or enhance security, businesses are switching to ACH processing services to streamline payments.

Here’s why more companies are moving to ACH payment providers.

Business Use Case	Description
Lower Processing Costs	ACH payments are significantly cheaper than credit card transactions. While credit card fees range from 1.5% to 3.5% per transaction, ACH transfers typically incur lower fees, helping businesses save thousands on processing fees.7
Faster Bank Transfers	Checks can take weeks to clear, delaying cash flow. ACH transfers process in 2-4 business days, allowing businesses to access funds faster and avoid payment delays.8
Better Cash Flow Management	Relying on paper checks or slow wire transfers can cause cash flow bottlenecks. ACH processing services automate payments, ensuring businesses receive funds on time while reducing the risk of late payments.
Security & Compliance	Security is a top concern for businesses handling bank transactions. ACH payment providers follow NACHA (National Automated Clearing House Association) compliance standards, ensuring transactions are encrypted and protected against fraud.9

With these benefits, ACH transfer services give businesses a smarter, more reliable way to send and receive payments.

Choosing the Right ACH Payment Provider for Your Business

All ACH payment providers have their own combination of features and benefits. The best option depends on your business model, transaction volume, and integration needs.

Here’s a breakdown of which providers work best for different business types.

Provider Feature	Description
E-Commerce & Online Businesses	E-commerce businesses need seamless online payment processing. Stripe integrates easily with online stores, offering a smooth checkout experience. GoCardless specializes in recurring payments, making it a great choice for subscription-based businesses.
B2B & Vendor Payments	Businesses paying vendors or managing large invoices benefit from Bill.com, which automates approvals and invoice matching. Dwolla is ideal for businesses needing API-driven ACH solutions, offering high-volume, customizable payment workflows.
Small Businesses	Smaller businesses need affordability and ease of use. Authorize.Net provides a secure, all-in-one payment gateway, while PaySimple offers user-friendly invoicing and mobile payment options.
High-Volume ACH Processing	For businesses processing a large number of ACH payments, choosing a provider with flat-rate pricing can help cut costs. Look for solutions with low per-transaction fees to avoid paying a percentage of each payment.

Final Thoughts

ACH payment gateways offer businesses a cost-effective, reliable way to process payments. With lower fees than credit cards, faster transfer times, and automated workflows, they help improve cash flow and reduce manual effort.

The right provider depends on your needs—whether you prioritize seamless e-commerce transactions, vendor payments, or high-volume processing.

When you integrate ACH into your payment strategy, your business can streamline operations, cut costs, and ensure predictable, secure transactions.

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Sources:

1. ACH payment processing for businesses | Bill.com
2. Accept ACH payments | Stripe
3. Simplify your financial operations | Bill.com
4. Pricing | PaySimple
5. Pricing | GoCardless
6. Pricing | Authorize.Net
7. Stripe | ACH vs card transactions
8. ACH payment processing for businesses | Bill.com
9. What is an ACH payment gateway | pdcflow