The short answer
Blended pricing charges one rate per transaction type regardless of card. Cost-plus (interchange-plus) passes actual interchange through with a fixed markup. Below roughly $15,000 monthly volume, blended often wins on total cost and simplicity. Above it, cost-plus is almost always cheaper — usually by 0.25% to 0.60%.
At $10,000 a month
The difference is typically $15 to $40 a month. Blended pricing with no monthly fees is a perfectly rational choice at this level, and the forecasting simplicity has real value.
At $100,000 a month
The difference is typically $250 to $600 a month. At that point, the cost of not switching exceeds most small businesses' entire software budget.
Key takeaways
- Crossover sits near $15,000 monthly for most card mixes
- Large average tickets pull the crossover lower
- Model both from a real statement rather than guessing
Want this checked against your own statement?
We are an independent agent — we shop every processor we work with and bring you the best deal for your profile. Free analysis, every fee named, back within 4 hours. Or call now and we will quote you on the phone.