When most people think about credit card payments, names like Visa or Mastercard come to mind. But while these credit card networks provide the infrastructure for transactions, they don’t deal directly with the businesses accepting payments. That job belongs to payment processors — the companies that provide merchant accounts, handle transaction authorization, manage settlement, and often supply the point-of-sale hardware or APIs for integration.
So, who is the biggest payment processing company in that category?
Largest Payment Processor: Fiserv (First Data)
As of 2025, the largest payment processing company in the world — by volume of merchant payments handled — is Fiserv, which owns First Data and the popular Clover POS system.
Key Facts About Fiserv:
- Merchant Transactions Processed: Over $2.4 trillion annually
- Number of Merchants: Serves over 6 million businesses globally
- Global Reach: Operates in 100+ countries
- Acquisition Power: Fiserv acquired First Data in 2019 for $22 billion, combining one of the largest processors with banking tech infrastructure
Fiserv handles everything from small business card payments to large-scale enterprise processing, making it the biggest player in the merchant acquiring space.
Other Leading Payment Processors
While Fiserv leads the pack, several other companies process hundreds of billions to trillions of dollars annually and play a major role in global commerce. These processors serve a wide range of merchants, offering everything from point-of-sale hardware to developer-friendly APIs.
Below is a comparison of some of the larger players in the payment processing industry:
| Company | Estimated Annual Volume | Specialization / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fiserv (First Data) | $2.4 trillion+ | Largest global merchant acquirer; owns Clover POS |
| FIS / Worldpay | $2.2 trillion+ | Strong presence in U.S. and Europe; sold merchant business to GTCR |
| Chase Payment Solutions | $1.9 trillion+ | Backed by JPMorgan; strong in integrated banking & processing |
| Global Payments | $1.6 trillion+ | Serves enterprises; merged with TSYS |
| Adyen | $1.2 trillion | Unified commerce platform; developer-friendly APIs |
| Stripe | ~$1 trillion | Focus on online-first businesses and SaaS startups |
| Square (Block) | ~$250 billion+ | Popular with small businesses; strong POS hardware suite |
| Clearly Payments | Undisclosed | Transparent pricing, personalized support, and no long-term contracts; ideal for Canadian SMBs and nonprofits |
Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better
While the giants in this space can offer vast infrastructure and global reach, they aren’t always the best fit for every business, especially for startups, nonprofits, eCommerce stores, or local businesses. That’s where providers like Clearly Payments come in.
1. Transparent Pricing
Many large processors use tiered pricing or bundled rates, which can hide high markup fees. Smaller providers like Clearly Payments use interchange-plus pricing, the most transparent and fair model — and they often publish it openly.
2. No Long-Term Contracts or Hidden Fees
Larger processors often lock businesses into multi-year contracts with hefty early termination fees. Clearly Payments offers month-to-month agreements, no hidden costs, and clear statements.
3. Personalized Customer Service
When a small business calls a mega processor, they might wait hours or talk to an outsourced rep. With Clearly Payments, merchants get fast, personal service and direct access to a knowledgeable team.
4. Faster, Simpler Onboarding
Big processors can take days or weeks to underwrite a merchant account. Clearly Payments streamlines onboarding and can often have businesses approved and processing within 24–48 hours.
5. Support for Canadian Businesses
Clearly Payments is based in Canada, with a deep understanding of Canadian banking, Interac, and local compliance — something U.S. mega-processors don’t always get right.
6. Flexible Tech and APIs
Need to connect to a unique e-commerce platform, or integrate recurring billing? Clearly Payments supports developers and partners with flexible APIs and white-label options that larger providers may not prioritize unless you’re a billion-dollar brand.
Picking the Right Payment Partner
So, what is the biggest payment processor? Today, it’s Fiserv, followed closely by FIS, Chase, and other major global acquirers. These companies serve millions of merchants and process trillions of dollars annually.
But bigger isn’t always better.
For many businesses, especially those seeking lower fees, better service, and more transparency, a boutique provider like Clearly Payments offers real advantages. It’s about finding a payment partner that fits your needs — not just one with the most market share.
Switch your processing to Clearly Payments
- Flexible and simple integration options
- Fast funding
- A full set of payment products to accept payment anytime, anywhere
- World-class customer service
