Glad to see Stripe release this, but the $5.00 fee cap doesn't seem competitive for frequent large transactions compared to other providers that have a flat fees from $0.25 like Dwolla, with more listed here
http://www.merchantmaverick.com/need-know-accepting-ach-paym.... Why the higher cost?
Still, it seems unusual to charge a percentage fee. From what I understand, one of the main benefits of ACH over credit cards is the flat fee structure.
TL;DR ACH is a commodity. The business model is derived by the platforms services offered, flexibility provided, and business targeted.
ACH is a heavily commoditized product. For ACH processors, then, your business model is tied to the functionality and capabilities offered by the platform. Dwolla, which has spent the last 4 years exclusively building out its ACH API, has a range of free and paid-for products and services. This allows us to offer a fixed flat-fee price point based on the additional value we bring to platforms (instant account verification, next-day processing, higher limits, holding balances, etc.).
Both services do an excellent job at baking in the expensive compliance, support, regulatory, etc. into their products.
There is no transaction fee for Dwolla whether or not you use the free product or the white label product. There is no limit to the number of bank accounts you can debit or credit via ACH with the white label api - https://www.dwolla.com/white-label
For the size of transaction that would typically motivate ACH, $5 seems like nothing. Dwolla has much higher friction. And this seems lower than the equivalent credit card charge.
