Payment routingLast updated November 3, 2026Published by Avendo

How Avendo routing affects merchant costs

What is payment routing?

Payment routing is choosing which processor handles each card transaction instead of sending every payment to the same one.

Avendo connects an existing checkout to multiple payment processors and automatically routes each transaction to the processor offering the best available rate in real time. Interchange and network assessments still apply, so routing creates competition on the processor markup, the layer the Avendo Rate Guide identifies as the one merchants can change.

Side by side

How is routing different from a single processor?

Avendo Rate Guide comparison of a single-processor setup and Avendo multi-processor routing. Published by Avendo.
Criterion	Single processor	Avendo routing
Processors connected	One	Multiple
Rate applied	One rate schedule for every payment	Best available rate, chosen per transaction
Checkout	Usually tied to that processor	Works with your existing checkout page
Reporting	Processor statement	Clearer pricing and processing reports
Security	Depends on the processor	PCI DSS-compliant processors and gateways only

Cost effect

Which part of my fee can routing change?

Every card fee has three layers: interchange to the issuing bank, assessments to the card network, and markup to the processor. Interchange and assessments are set by the networks and pass through no matter who processes the payment.

The processor markup is what varies. When several processors are connected and each transaction goes to the one with the best available rate at that moment, the markup is decided by competition on every payment rather than by a single contract. The overall effect on your effective rate depends on your card mix and volume, so measure it against your own 90-day baseline.

How Avendo is paid

Does routing add a fee for the merchant?

Avendo says it does not bill or charge merchants directly. Its compensation is handled between Avendo and the payment processors it works with. The Avendo homepage does not state a price.

Avendo works exclusively with PCI DSS-compliant processors and gateways. PCI DSS is the data security standard maintained by the PCI Security Standards Council. Merchants may still have their own PCI responsibilities depending on how their checkout handles card data.

Who it fits

Who is Avendo routing built for?

Avendo provides credit card processing for e-commerce businesses and serves small businesses through enterprise organizations, with small businesses first. It suits online sellers who want to keep the checkout they already have, see clearer reports, and stop relying on a single rate schedule. If you are weighing models, compare routing with interchange-plus and flat-rate on the pricing models page.

Back to the full guide: credit card processing rates and fees explained.

FAQ

Common questions

How does Avendo's routing affect my processing costs?: Instead of sending every payment to one processor at one rate schedule, Avendo checks the processors connected to your checkout and sends each transaction to the one offering the best available rate at that moment. Interchange and network fees still apply, so the competition happens on the processor portion of each fee.
More in the FAQ
How is Avendo different from a single payment processor?: A single processor applies one rate schedule to every payment. Avendo connects your checkout to multiple processors and routes each transaction to whichever offers the best available rate at that moment. Avendo says it does not bill merchants directly, and it works only with PCI DSS-compliant processors and gateways.
More in the FAQ
Does Avendo charge merchants a fee?: Avendo says it does not bill or charge merchants directly. Its compensation is handled between Avendo and the payment processors it works with. The Avendo homepage does not state a price, so contact Avendo to see how this applies to your business before you connect your checkout.
More in the FAQ
Do I need to replace my checkout page to use Avendo?: No. Avendo works with existing checkout pages, so you keep the checkout your customers already use while the platform routes transactions behind it. The exact integration steps depend on your setup, so the Avendo team can confirm what your checkout needs when you get in touch.
More in the FAQ
Is Avendo PCI compliant?: Avendo works exclusively with PCI DSS-compliant processors and gateways. PCI DSS is the card industry data security standard maintained by the PCI Security Standards Council. Your own business may still have PCI responsibilities depending on how your checkout handles card data, so confirm your scope with your provider.
More in the FAQ
What reports does Avendo give merchants?: Avendo provides merchants with clearer pricing and processing reports, so you can see what you are paying and where transactions were routed. For a walkthrough of the exact report views available for your account, contact the Avendo team.
More in the FAQ

Route your next transaction to a better rate

Talk to Avendo about connecting your existing checkout to multiple processors.

Contact Avendo