Relay charges different invoice payment fees depending on the payment method your client uses and the Relay plan you're on. ACH transfers have no per-transaction fee; card, Pay by Bank, and wire fees vary by plan.
Which payment methods can my clients use to pay a Relay invoice?
Relay invoices accept four payment methods: credit or debit card, Pay by Bank (ACH debit), ACH transfer, and incoming wire transfer. Your clients see the options you have enabled in your invoice settings and pick the one that suits them.
What are the invoice payment fees on each Relay plan?
Invoice payment fees depend on the payment method your client chooses and the Relay plan you are on. Card and incoming wire fees are constant across all three plans; Pay by Bank steps down as you move up in plan.
Payment method | Starter Plan | Grow Plan | Scale Plan |
Credit or debit card | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction* | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction* |
Pay by Bank (ACH debit) | 1% | 0.75% | 0.5% |
ACH transfer | No per-transaction fee | No per-transaction fee | No per-transaction fee |
Incoming wire transfer | $5 per wire | $5 per wire | $5 per wire |
*Grow Plan and Scale Plan subscribers can add a surcharge to card payments of up to 2.9% (some restrictions apply). The surcharge offsets the card processing fee by passing it to the payer. See How to add a credit card surcharge to Relay invoices for setup.
Relay deducts the applicable fee from each payment before depositing the net amount into your Relay Account. You do not pay the fee separately.
How long do invoice payments take to settle?
Invoice payment settlement time depends on the method your client uses. Cards and Pay by Bank take 2–3 business days; ACH transfers take 1–2 business days; wire transfers settle same-day or the next business day.
Payment method | Typical settlement time |
Credit or debit card | 2–3 business days |
Pay by Bank (ACH debit) | 2–3 business days |
ACH transfer | 1–2 business days |
Incoming wire transfer | Same-day or next business day |
Delays can happen based on when the payment is submitted, your client's bank processing schedule, and holiday cutoffs.
Which invoice payment method should I offer my clients?
The right method depends on how you want to balance cost against speed and client convenience.
Encourage ACH transfer when you want to avoid a per-transaction fee. Best for larger invoices where a 2.9% card fee would meaningfully eat into the payment.
Offer Pay by Bank when your client wants a low-fee option paid directly from their bank account, and you want a faster start than a manual ACH transfer.
Enable card payments when speed and client convenience matter more than fee. On Grow Plan or Scale Plan, use the card surcharge to pass the processing cost to your client if that fits your business.
Set your default payment methods in your invoice settings so every invoice you send goes out with the mix you want.
How does Relay deduct invoice payment fees?
Relay automatically deducts the applicable fee from the payment before the net amount is deposited into your Relay Account. You will see the gross payment, the fee, and the net deposit on the transaction detail for each invoice, so the arithmetic is always visible.
Common questions
Do invoice payment fees apply on all Relay plans?
Yes. Invoice payment fees apply on the Starter Plan, Grow Plan, and Scale Plan. Card and incoming wire fees are the same across all three plans. The Pay by Bank rate steps down as you move up in plan: 1% on Starter Plan, 0.75% on Grow Plan, and 0.5% on Scale Plan.
Can my client pay a Relay invoice by wire?
Yes. Incoming wire transfers are supported at $5 per wire on every Relay plan. Wires settle same-day or the next business day depending on when your client's bank sends them.
Can I pass the card processing fee to my client on a Relay invoice?
Grow Plan and Scale Plan subscribers can add a card surcharge of up to 2.9% to invoice payments (some restrictions apply). The surcharge passes the processing cost to the payer instead of absorbing it on your side. See How to add a credit card surcharge to Relay invoices for how to enable it.
Does the ACH transfer option on Relay invoices have any per-transaction fee?
No. ACH transfers on Relay invoices have no per-transaction fee on every plan. Standard account and transaction limits still apply.
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