Pricing & How It Works

ACH Processing Fees & How ACH Processing Works

ACH is one of the most cost-effective payment methods available — but for high-risk businesses, fees and structures vary significantly from standard processors. Here’s exactly how ACH processing works, what it costs, and what to expect from GoACH.

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Per-Item Pricing

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How it works

How ACH payment processing works

ACH stands for Automated Clearing House — a nationwide electronic network operated by Nacha that moves money between bank accounts in the United States. When a business processes an ACH payment, they are either pulling funds from a customer’s account (a debit) or pushing funds to an account (a credit), all without cards or paper checks involved.

Here’s the basic flow for an ACH debit transaction:

Authorization

The customer or merchant signs an ACH authorization form, giving the originator permission to debit their bank account. This is a NACHA requirement and must be obtained before any debit is submitted.

Submission

The originator (you) submits the transaction to GoACH via the online terminal or API. GoACH formats and sends it to the ACH network through our ODFI (Originating Depository Financial Institution).

Processing

The ACH network routes the transaction to the RDFI (Receiving Depository Financial Institution) — the customer’s bank. The bank verifies the account and processes the debit.

Settlement

Funds are settled to your account, typically within 1–2 business days for standard ACH. Same-day ACH is available for transactions submitted before the cutoff window.

Returns (if any)

If the receiving bank rejects the transaction, a return is issued with an ACH return code explaining why. Common reasons include insufficient funds (R01), account closed (R02), or no account (R03). GoACH surfaces returns in real time so you can act on them quickly.

Pricing

ACH processing fees: what you’ll typically pay

ACH fees are significantly lower than credit card interchange rates, which is one of the main reasons high-volume businesses prefer ACH for recurring billing and large transactions. Here’s how the fee structure generally works:

Per-transaction fee

$0.20 – $1.50

A flat fee charged per ACH transaction submitted. High-risk accounts typically sit at the higher end of this range due to underwriting costs.

Percentage processing fee

Sometimes applies

Depending on your industry, processing volume, and risk profile, a small percentage fee may apply in addition to the per-item rate. This is determined during underwriting and discussed before you go live.

Monthly account fee

Varies

Some processors charge a flat monthly fee for account maintenance. GoACH pricing is discussed during onboarding based on your volume and industry.

Return fee

$5 – $35

Charged per returned transaction. The exact fee depends on your processing volume and return ratio — accounts with lower return rates and higher volume qualify for lower per-return fees. Keeping returns low is the single most effective way to reduce this cost.

Reserve requirement

Case-by-case

High-risk accounts may be required to maintain a reserve — a portion of processing volume held as a buffer against returns and chargebacks. Reserve terms are set during underwriting.

Same-day ACH fee

Additional

Same-day ACH settlement carries an additional per-item fee above the standard rate. Worth it when speed matters.

vs. credit cards

60–80% less

ACH transaction fees are typically 60–80% lower than credit card interchange rates, making ACH the preferred choice for high-volume recurring billing.

Note: Exact pricing for your GoACH account depends on your industry, processing volume, and risk profile. Contact us for a quote specific to your business.

High-risk context

How ACH pricing works differently for high-risk businesses

Standard processors like Stripe or Square publish flat-rate ACH pricing because they only work with low-risk businesses. High-risk ACH pricing is more nuanced — it reflects the elevated underwriting cost, the return rate exposure, and the compliance overhead that comes with industries like MCA, credit repair, and debt settlement.

Here’s what changes for high-risk accounts:

Higher per-item fees — typically $0.50–1.50 per transaction vs. $0.20–0.50 for standard accounts
Percentage fee for some industries — depending on your vertical, volume, and risk profile, a small percentage fee may apply on top of the per-item rate
Volume-based return fees — return fees range from $5–35 per returned item, with lower rates available for high-volume accounts that maintain a healthy return ratio
Reserve requirements — a rolling or capped reserve held against potential returns, negotiated during underwriting
No surprise terminations — with GoACH, your account is underwritten for your industry from day one, not re-evaluated later

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is ACH cheaper than credit card processing?

Yes, significantly. Credit card interchange rates typically run 1.5–3.5% per transaction. ACH fees are flat per-item charges that rarely exceed $1.50, regardless of transaction size. For a $500 payment, a 2% card rate costs $10 vs. roughly $0.50–1.00 for ACH.

How long does ACH settlement take?

Standard ACH settles in 1–2 business days. Same-day ACH is available for transactions submitted before the daily cutoff window, typically mid-morning. Next-day ACH is also available for many transaction types.

Do I need a reserve account?

It depends on your industry and processing history. Many high-risk businesses are required to maintain a reserve, especially when starting out. Reserve terms — size, rolling vs. capped, release schedule — are set during underwriting and can often be renegotiated as your account matures.

What happens if I have a high return rate?

NACHA sets a 15% overall return rate threshold and a 0.5% unauthorized return threshold for debit originators. Exceeding these limits puts your account at risk. GoACH monitors return rates in real time and alerts you before you approach these thresholds so you can take corrective action.

How do I get a quote for my business?

Fill out the form below with some basic details about your business and processing volume. A GoACH team member will follow up with pricing specific to your industry and transaction profile, typically within one business day.

Get a quote for your business.

ACH pricing depends on your industry, volume, and risk profile. Fill out the form and we’ll put together a custom quote within one business day.