Braintree Fees Overview
Braintree is a popular payment processing platform owned by PayPal that allows businesses to accept payments online and in mobile applications. It offers a range of features for payment processing, including support for multiple currencies, credit and debit cards, digital wallets, and more. Braintree has a transparent pricing structure, but fees can vary depending on transaction volume, geographical location, and additional services used. Below is an extensive overview of all Braintree fees.
1. Account Setup and Monthly Fees
Braintree generally offers a flexible fee structure with no monthly maintenance fee, setup fees, or hidden charges, making it a popular choice for businesses of various sizes.
A. Account Setup Fees
Cost: Free.
No initial setup fees are required when creating an account with Braintree.
Merchants can start accepting payments immediately after registration.
B. Monthly Fees
Cost: Free.
There are no monthly maintenance fees for using Braintree’s standard payment gateway.
2. Transaction Fees
Braintree charges transaction fees for each payment processed through its gateway. These fees are typically consistent across different businesses.
A. Standard Transaction Fees
Credit and Debit Cards
Cost: 2.59% + $0.30 per transaction (for U.S. merchants).
This fee applies to domestic transactions where the customer uses a credit or debit card for payment.
PayPal Transactions
Cost: 2.59% + $0.30 per transaction.
When customers pay using PayPal, the same transaction fee applies as for credit and debit card transactions.
Digital Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)
Cost: 2.59% + $0.30 per transaction.
Fees are identical for digital wallets.
Venmo Transactions (U.S. only)
Cost: 2.59% + $0.30 per transaction.
Venmo payments processed through Braintree will incur the same standard fee.
B. International Transaction Fees
For transactions involving foreign credit cards, digital wallets, or PayPal accounts, additional fees may apply.
Cross-border Fees
Cost: 1.00% added to the transaction fee.
Braintree charges this fee for transactions originating from outside the U.S. or when a customer’s billing country differs from the merchant’s.
Currency Conversion Fees
Cost: 1.00% on the total transaction amount.
If a currency conversion is necessary, Braintree adds this fee on top of the standard transaction and cross-border fees.
C. Alternative Payment Methods (APMs)
Braintree supports alternative payment methods in addition to credit and debit cards. Some may come with specific fees.
ACH (Automated Clearing House) Payments
Cost: 0.75% per transaction, with a $5.00 maximum fee.
ACH payments allow for bank transfers and may be an inexpensive alternative to credit card payments, particularly for large transactions.
UnionPay
Cost: 2.59% + $0.30 per transaction (same as credit card payments).
UnionPay is a Chinese payment method, and the fee structure is identical to card-based payments.
SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area)
Cost: 0.80% per transaction, with a €2.50 maximum fee.
Available for businesses in Europe, this allows for payments directly from bank accounts.
3. Refunds and Chargebacks
Refund and chargeback management is an essential part of Braintree’s payment system, and these transactions incur additional fees.
A. Refund Fees
Cost: Free.
Braintree does not charge merchants a fee for processing refunds. However, the original transaction fee (2.59% + $0.30) is not refunded to the merchant. This means that if you issue a refund, you will still pay the original processing fee.
B. Chargeback Fees
Chargeback Fee
Cost: $15 per chargeback.
Chargebacks occur when a customer disputes a transaction, and Braintree applies this fee when a chargeback is filed. This fee is refundable if the dispute is resolved in the merchant’s favor.
4. Additional Service Fees
Braintree provides various additional services that come with their own fees.
A. Braintree Vault (for Storing Payment Methods)
Braintree Vault allows merchants to store customer payment information for recurring payments or quick transactions.
Cost: Free for storing up to 500 customer payment methods.
After the 500th payment method, there may be additional charges.
B. Advanced Fraud Protection (AFS)
Braintree offers fraud detection tools to help merchants avoid fraudulent transactions.
Cost: Free.
The Advanced Fraud Protection Suite is included in the basic service with no additional charge.
C. Recurring Billing
For businesses offering subscription-based services, Braintree provides recurring billing features at no additional cost.
Cost: Free.
You can set up recurring billing plans, charge customers periodically, and manage subscriptions without extra fees.
D. Customizable Payment Forms (for Developers)
Braintree provides merchants with tools to customize their payment forms or integrate Braintree into their existing website or mobile app.
Cost: Free for basic tools.
There are no additional fees for standard integrations, though custom development or third-party integrations may have separate costs.
5. Reporting and Analytics Fees
Braintree offers reporting and analytics tools that allow merchants to track transactions, chargebacks, and customer data.
Cost: Free.
Braintree’s reporting features are included with the standard payment gateway service.
6. Merchant Account Fees
Braintree does not charge separate fees for merchant accounts or for integrating with your bank account.
Cost: Free.
You don’t need to set up a merchant account separately, as Braintree provides this service at no additional cost.
7. Payout Fees
Braintree typically processes payouts to a linked bank account on a daily or weekly basis.
Cost: Free for U.S. merchants.
For international payouts, there may be additional fees depending on the country and currency.
8. Miscellaneous Fees
A. Account Termination Fee
Cost: Free.
There is no termination fee for closing your Braintree account. You can cancel at any time without penalty.
B. API Calls Fee
Cost: Free.
Braintree provides free API calls for standard usage. High-volume API requests or integrations may require additional payment, depending on usage.
Summary of Typical Costs
Fee Type | Estimated Cost |
Account Setup Fee | Free |
Monthly Maintenance Fee | Free |
Transaction Fee (Credit/Debit Cards) | 2.59% + $0.30 per transaction |
Transaction Fee (PayPal) | 2.59% + $0.30 per transaction |
Transaction Fee (Digital Wallets) | 2.59% + $0.30 per transaction |
International Transaction Fee | 1.00% added to the standard fee |
Currency Conversion Fee | 1.00% of the transaction amount |
ACH Payments | 0.75% per transaction (max. $5) |
UnionPay Payments | 2.59% + $0.30 per transaction |
SEPA Payments | 0.80% per transaction (max. €2.50) |
Refund Fee | Free (original fee not refunded) |
Chargeback Fee | $15 per chargeback |
Braintree Vault | Free for up to 500 payment methods |
Advanced Fraud Protection Suite | Free |
Recurring Billing | Free |
API Calls | Free (basic usage) |
Account Termination Fee | Free |
Braintree is known for its transparent and flexible fee structure, which is especially appealing to startups and small businesses. The lack of setup fees, monthly maintenance fees, and additional costs for most core features makes it a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to accept payments globally. However, businesses that process a high volume of international transactions or require complex integration may need to account for cross-border and currency conversion fees.
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