Who This Comparison Is For
Stax, which rebranded from Fattmerchant in 2021, uses a subscription pricing model. You pay a monthly fee, and its pricing page lists 0% markup on interchange plus a per-transaction fee.
If you are comparing Stax to GoPayhawk, you are likely trying to decide whether the subscription math works in your favor. This page walks through exactly that calculation, along with contract terms, support, and pricing model flexibility.
How Stax's Pricing Actually Works
As of November 2, 2026, Stax's pricing page lists:
- Processing up to $150K/year: $99/month
- Processing $150K to $250K/year: $139/month
- Processing $250K+/year: $199+/month
- On top of the monthly price: 0% markup on interchange, plus 8¢ per card-present transaction or 15¢ per card-not-present transaction
The monthly fee stays flat within a tier while a percentage margin grows with volume, so the central question for any Stax prospect is: what is my break-even volume?
Break-Even and Effective Rate Comparison
The following uses consistent assumptions: $75 average ticket (400 transactions at $30K/month), 70% credit / 30% debit, blended interchange of approximately 1.34%. Stax figures use the tier and 8¢ card-present fee from its pricing page, and the $199 tier is the listed starting point. GoPayhawk figures are an example, not a quoted rate: they assume a 0.25% margin plus $0.10 per transaction. Your actual margin varies and is quoted individually.
| Monthly Volume | Stax (published tier + IC + 8¢) | GoPayhawk IC+ (example: 0.25% + $0.10) | Lower in this example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000/month | $99 + $134 IC + $11 = ~$244 | $134 IC + $25 margin + $13 = ~$172 | GoPayhawk example (~$72 less) |
| $20,000/month | $139 + $268 IC + $21 = ~$428 | $268 IC + $50 margin + $27 = ~$345 | GoPayhawk example (~$83 less) |
| $30,000/month | $199 + $402 IC + $32 = ~$633 | $402 IC + $75 margin + $40 = ~$517 | GoPayhawk example (~$116 less) |
| $50,000/month | $199 + $670 IC + $53 = ~$922 | $670 IC + $125 margin + $67 = ~$862 | GoPayhawk example (~$60 less) |
| $100,000/month | $199 + $1,340 IC + $107 = ~$1,646 | $1,340 IC + $250 margin + $133 = ~$1,723 | Stax (~$77 less) |
Break-even in this example: With Stax at $199/month and a $75 average ticket, the two sides meet at about $72,000/month. Stax lists that tier as $199+, so check current pricing. Changing the GoPayhawk example margin moves this number too.
Ticket size matters too. At a $200 average ticket, the example 0.25% margin represents $0.50 per transaction, while Stax lists 8¢ card present. At that ticket size and volume, the subscription model can become more competitive. Use the interchange vs. flat rate calculator and adjust assumptions to model your specific scenario.
Account Type and Stability
Ask Stax how your merchant account is set up and underwritten. GoPayhawk provides a dedicated merchant account underwritten to your business.
GoPayhawk is an Elavon Payments MSP & Registered MSP/ISO of Elavon, Inc. Georgia, [a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, Minneapolis, MN].
Contract Terms
Stax's pricing page says "No cancellation fees (long term contracts)." Check its current terms before signing. GoPayhawk processing is strictly month-to-month with no cancellation fee or early termination fee. Equipment leases, if chosen, have their own terms shown before you sign.
Support Comparison
| Support Type | Stax | GoPayhawk |
|---|---|---|
| Phone support | Yes (Mon to Fri, 9 AM to 6 PM ET) | Yes (dedicated rep) |
| Dedicated account rep | Varies | Yes (every merchant) |
| Analytics dashboard | Varies | Yes |
| Hands-on onboarding | Varies | Yes |
| Support team | In-house support listed | Yes (Roswell, GA) |
Stax's contact page lists merchant support Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM ET, and its pricing page lists in-house support. GoPayhawk's differentiation is the dedicated account representative model: every merchant has a named person they can call directly.
Pricing Model Availability
| Model | Stax | GoPayhawk |
|---|---|---|
| Interchange Plus (subscription) | Yes (0% markup on interchange, per its pricing page) | Yes (traditional IC+) |
| Flat Rate | Check current pricing | Yes |
| Surcharging | Yes (built-in surcharging compliance listed) | Yes |
| Cash Discounting | Check current pricing | Yes |
| Dual Pricing | Check current pricing | Yes |
The Honest Verdict
Stax is better if...
- You process enough volume that a flat monthly fee costs less than a percentage margin
- You want 0% markup on interchange
- You are comfortable with a subscription model and predictable monthly costs
- You want surcharging built into your subscription
- You process primarily in-person and want its 8¢ card-present fee
GoPayhawk is better if...
- You want no monthly subscription fee
- You want cash discounting, surcharging, or dual pricing
- You need a dedicated account rep and hands-on support
- You want month-to-month processing
- Your volume is low enough that a percentage margin costs less than a monthly fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Stax, called Fattmerchant until 2021, is a payment processor using a subscription model. Its pricing page lists a monthly fee, 0% markup on interchange, and a per-transaction fee.
As of November 2, 2026, Stax's pricing page lists $99/month for processing up to $150,000 a year, $139/month from $150,000 to $250,000, and $199+/month above that. Prices don't include cents per transaction. Check current pricing at staxpayments.com before comparing.
When your volume is high enough that the monthly fee costs less than a percentage margin. Using this page's example assumptions and a $199/month fee, the break-even against the GoPayhawk example is about $72,000/month at a $75 average ticket. Your number depends on your card mix, your ticket size, and your actual margin.
Check current pricing at staxpayments.com. Stax's pricing page lists built-in surcharging compliance. GoPayhawk offers cash discounting, surcharging, and dual pricing.
Ask Stax how your account is set up and underwritten. GoPayhawk provides a dedicated merchant account underwritten to your business.
Stax's pricing page says "No cancellation fees (long term contracts)." Check its current terms before signing. GoPayhawk processing is month-to-month with no cancellation fee. Equipment leases, if chosen, have their own terms shown before you sign.
Stax's company history says it acquired Payment Depot in 2021, describing it as a company with similar offerings and a subscription-based pricing model. See also our GoPayhawk vs. Payment Depot comparison.
It depends on your volume and ticket size, so model the monthly fee against your own statement. GoPayhawk also offers cash discounting, which can lower card processing costs for restaurants and retail businesses at any volume.
