Faster than checks, cheaper than credit cards — ACH payments are transforming the way businesses get paid. If you’re a business owner looking to cut costs, streamline operations, and improve customer experience, ACH payment processing from Liftoff could be the solution.
This guide explains what ACH is, how it works, and five powerful ways it can help your business save money, boost efficiency, and improve cash flow.
What is ACH?
ACH (Automated Clearing House) is a U.S. electronic payment network that moves money directly between bank accounts. Instead of checks, cash, or manual processing, ACH payments allow funds to be transferred electronically using direct deposit or direct payment.
You’ve likely used ACH without realizing it — from paychecks landing in your bank account to automatic bill payments like utilities or subscriptions.
ACH transfers can happen as:
· ACH Credits: Money pushed into your account (e.g., direct deposit).
· ACH Debits: Money pulled from your account (e.g., automatic bill pay).
Why ACH Payments Beat Checks and Credit Cards
· Cheaper than credit cards: ACH processing fees are significantly lower than the 2–3% fees typical with credit cards.
· More efficient than checks: No printing, mailing, or waiting on paper checks to clear.
· Perfect for recurring payments: ACH works seamlessly for subscriptions, memberships, rent, or installment plans.
5 Benefits of Using ACH Payments for Your Business
1. Improved Efficiency
Manually tracking invoices and chasing payments wastes time. With ACH:
· Set up once → payments run automatically.
· Typical settlement: 2–3 business days (after initial setup).
· Less admin, fewer errors, faster cash flow.
2. Increased Profits
· Lower fees = more profit retained.
· Customers pay faster and more consistently.
· ACH is typically 0.5% per transaction, capped at $6 with Liftoff.
Comparison of ACH Processing Fees:
· Liftoff: 0.5% capped at $6
· Rotessa: ~1%
· Square: ~1%
· Some providers: flat $1
💡 Credit card fees average 2–3% — double or triple ACH costs.
3. Better Customer Experience
· Offering ACH means:
· Customers can pay directly from their bank.
· Fewer declined transactions compared to expired credit cards.
· Recurring payments made simple with one setup.
Customers love flexibility and convenience — ACH gives them both.
4. Avoid Costly Mistakes
ACH eliminates the risks of:
· Lost or expired credit cards
· Forgotten invoices
· Misapplied payments
With recurring ACH payments, both you and your customers can rely on stable, predictable transactions.
5. Professional Business Tools
With Liftoff:
· Send professional ACH invoices via email or SMS.
· Offer secure one-click payments.
· Rely on the ACH network’s built-in security and fraud monitoring.
ACH payments project a professional image and give your customers peace of mind.
Who Can Benefit from ACH Payments?
ACH is ideal for businesses that:
· Offer installment payments
· Run payroll
· Serve landlords or property managers
· Manage recurring services (gyms, subscriptions, SaaS)
· Receive frequent B2B payments
FAQs on ACH Payments
Is ACH as secure as credit card processing?
Yes. ACH is highly secure and regulated by Nacha. While credit cards offer stronger chargeback rights, ACH provides reliable fraud protection and two days on average for dispute resolution.
How long do ACH payments take?
Typically 3–4 business days end-to-end (2–3 for the transfer, plus 1–2 for merchant deposit).
Same-day ACH is becoming increasingly available.
What customer information is needed for ACH?
· Customer name
· Bank name and routing number
· Account number (checking or savings)
✅ Final Thoughts
Switching to ACH payments with Liftoff is one of the easiest ways to:
· Lower your payment processing costs
· Simplify recurring billing
· Improve cash flow predictability
· Enhance your customer experience
Stop wasting money on high credit card fees or chasing paper checks. ACH payments are secure, professional, and cost-effective — and they’re built for the modern business owner.