The 4 Best ACH Payment Processing Companies for 2025

Many people don’t realize that ACH bank payments are one of the oldest digital payment solutions in the United States.

Recently, more businesses are turning to ACH processing or “pay by bank” as an alternative to common payment methods, like cash, checks or cards. 

In fact, total ACH Network payment volume rose 7.4% in the third quarter of 2024 while Same Day ACH volume soared 67.5%.  

This guide will help you stay up-to-date on what’s new and exciting with ACH processing — plus the best partners to work with: 

• Aeropay
• GoCardless
• Dharma
• Stripe

What is ACH processing? 

ACH processing solutions allow your business to accept cost-effective online bank payments — in a variety of user-friendly ways. 

ACH processors are the facilitators of digital bank payments, handling everything from authorization to money movement: 

1. Authentication (for first-time transactions)

Before an ACH transaction is initiated between a customer and new merchant, the customer’s savings or checking account must be authenticated and “linked” to verify its ability to send funds. 

This onboarding process is easily completed using an aggregator with open banking APIs, like Aerosync, which verifies accounts by enabling the user to log in to their bank directly. 

2. Authorization

To mitigate fraud, ACH bank transfer processors perform real-time fraud and risk detection checks during the authorization process. This ensures only legitimate transactions are processed — minimizing returned payments. 

3. Money movement and settlement

Once the transaction is approved, funds are moved from the customer’s bank account to the merchant’s account using the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network.

Unlike wire transfers, ACH payments are processed in batches, typically within 1 to 3 days depending on the processing window (First Same Day ACH, Second Same Day ACH, Third Same Day ACH, Next Day ACH).

‍Aeropay specializes in modern ACH payments and works with over 12,000 financial institutions nationwide. We send funds along the fastest, most affordable route and instantly default to the next-best option depending on real-time availability.

You need a reliable, modern ACH processor to take full advantage of this emerging payment method. See why in the next section. 

What’s new with ACH payment processing? 

Instead of relying on the traditional eCheck process of manual bank connections — businesses are choosing smart, revitalized ACH processing solutions. 

The improved ACH transfer process is called account-to-account (A2A) payments. It means instead of requiring bank information (routing numbers and account numbers), a customer’s bank is securely linked by a single login to their online banking.

Why businesses need a modern ACH payment processor

While ACH is one of the oldest digital payment solutions, it’s going through a period of modernization — and more businesses are using these revitalized ACH transactions than ever before. 

With a modern ACH provider, your business can leverage the low cost of bank payments, with an advanced interface and functionality that’s simple, intuitive, and highly secure. 

Modern ACH payment processors, like Aeropay, help your business: 

Save money

While exact pricing varies by provider, Aeropay consistently sees businesses save up to 72% on transaction fees with ACH (compared to credit card processing rates). 

Move funds quickly

In 2024, the ACH network offers increasingly fast fund settlement options, like same-day or next-day. In fact, NACHA found 80% of ACH Network volume settles in one business day or less.  

You can even access funds in real-time with guaranteed providers like Aeropay. We’ll deliver funds immediately and handle collecting the customer’s payment once it settles in a couple days. 

82% of businesses fail due to cash flow mismanagement. Keep your books clean and accurate with instant fund settlement.

Establish stable bank connections

Add your colorway and logo for cohesive customer onboarding. Keep the process smooth with our 98% successful connection rate. Enable passwordless authentication for 93% faster onboarding.

Choose the best way to accept payment

Flexible acceptance options mean you can choose to use payment links, recurring payments, or embedded payment gateways to capture ACH payments. 

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4 leading ACH payment processing companies 

Every business will have unique needs that fit better with certain processors. This list of ACH processors is based on a number of factors, including: 

• Pricing
• Trust
• Scalability
• User experience
• Customer support
• Key features

Aeropay 

Aeropay takes a modern approach to ACH payments. 

Instead of requiring manual account/routing number entry, we instantly connect over 12,000 banks with Aerosync. 

A first-time connection is established in under 15 seconds, from there all future transactions can be paid in 1-click. 

With Aeropay, you choose how to accept pay by bank based on your business and customer needs: 

• Payment links: Generate a custom URL to request ACH payments from customers.
• Embedded on your website: Quickly accept ACH payments with a pre-built widget that’s easily added to your checkout page.   
• Custom payment flow: Build a deeply embedded payment experience with custom branding, one-click checkouts, integrations, and more — all on your own website or app.

Businesses also have the ability to guarantee ACH payments to minimize chargebacks, returns and declined payments and ensure funds are delivered in full. 

Aeropay's Instant Payout solution enables you to also send money in real-time, all the time, for rewards, withdrawals, refunds, and disbursements.

Aeropay’s holistic, advanced approach to payments is the reason small, mid-size, and enterprise businesses of all industries trust us. Popular Aeropay use cases include: 

• Bill payments
• Recurring payments
• Property management
• Ecommerce payments
• High risk industries
• Direct deposit
• And more! 

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GoCardless

GoCardless offers a link-based ACH debit payment flow suited for small businesses or those seeking a simple ACH processing solution. However, this solution can prove difficult when it comes to scaling, reducing returns, and increasing online adoption. 

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Dharma

Dharma is widely used for both online ACH and in-person check acceptance. Their solution requires manual entry of bank details in order for users to set up payment. 

The process of entering sensitive account information tends to limit consumer acceptance and can expose users and merchants to potential risk of fraud. 

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Stripe

Stripe is a major fintech player that includes ACH processing within its broader suite of merchant services and payment processing solutions, like online credit card transactions. While Stripe is known for its extensive integrations and developer-friendly tools, its ACH processing fees are generally higher than alternatives, which can be a drawback for cost-sensitive businesses.

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How to choose the best ACH processing partner for your business

The best ACH processor for your business is the one that’s going to solve your unique payment challenges. Consider what’s most important to you and what each processor’s strength is. 

In the end, go with the solution that’s built for a modern business like yours. Avoid companies that process ACH payments using a patchwork of different third-parties, which adds unnecessary costs and limits the overall efficiency for merchants.  

Instead, the best U.S. ACH processing solutions are designed specifically for business needs within the United States. A modern platform like Aeropay is constructed to keep costs at an industry low, while ensuring more transactions are approved while still reducing fraud. 

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Now's the time to add ACH

U.S. businesses are comfortable with all sorts of payment methods, like debit cards, credit card payments, paper checks, and even digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. 

Still, a PayPal study found 70% of consumers believe a business should offer multiple payment options at checkout. This means businesses must expand beyond traditional methods of online payment with emerging solutions like pay by bank. 

Additionally, research from FIS shows 60% of consumers are likely to choose a payment method that is easy to use and integrates with their online banking.

Payment processing services that use the ACH network can become a competitive advantage that delights customers and keeps your costs down. It’s time to step into the future.

Get started with Aeropay's modern ACH processing platform today!