Bold vs Redeban: Which card reader charges less commission in 2026
If you're comparing Bold vs Redeban to decide which card reader charges less, the real difference lies in…
Read article →July 17, 2026
Payment methods
How much does a POS terminal charge per transaction in Colombia in 2026?
Know How much does a card reader charge per transaction? In Colombia, it boils down to one number: between 2.51 and 3.51 of the value of each sale, plus a fixed fee of approximately 14,300 per transaction, plus VAT on that commission. On a sale of 100,000, the business receives approximately 96,500 net. The brand, the type of card, and your monthly volume all influence this percentage.
Every business owner experiences the same thing the first time they compare their bank statement with the day's sales: they collected 1,445,000 pesos on credit cards, but the bank account received less. This discrepancy isn't a mistake; it's the card reader's commission working silently behind the scenes. Understanding this is the difference between giving away money every month and keeping what you're entitled to.
The essentials
- The typical commission for a point-of-sale terminal in 2026 ranges from 2.5% to 3.5% per transaction, plus a fixed fee close to $300 and VAT (19%) on that commission.
- Debit cards almost always charge less than credit cards; international cards add about one extra point.
- Fintech companies like Bold charge a fixed commission with no monthly fee; traditional acquirers may add an equipment rental fee.
- The hidden cost is not the commission: it's the 4x1000 when you withdraw your money, which can be avoided if you leave the account marked as exempt.
How much does a card reader charge per transaction depending on the brand?
There is no single rate. Each provider sets its own rate, and almost all adjust it based on volume: the more you sell, the more leverage you have to negotiate the percentage down. These are the reference ranges for the Colombian market in 2026, before VAT.
| Supplier | Debit commission | Credit commission | Fixed per transaction | Monthly payment / rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bold | 2,89% | 2,89% | $300 | Free |
| Redeban | from 2,99% | from ~3.3% | Variable | $10.000 to $91.000 (volume exemption) |
| Credibanco | ~2.5% to 3.4% | ~2.9% to 3.8% | Variable | According to plan |
| Wompi (Bancolombia) | ~2,65% + $700 | ~2,65% + $700 | $700 | Free |
| Mercado Pago Point | ~2.9% to 3.5% | ~2.9% to 3.5% | According to plan | Free |
Estimated reference ranges for 2026, before VAT. The exact rate is agreed upon with each supplier based on your billing. If you want a brand-by-brand comparison, ours will work for you. Comparison of the best card payment terminals for businesses and the face-to-face between Bold and Redeban.
Debit, credit and international card: why the billing is changing
The percentage you see advertised almost always corresponds to domestic debit, which is the cheapest because the payment network assumes less risk. Credit cards have a higher percentage because the issuer advances the money to your customer. And when an international card is used (by a tourist, for a purchase from abroad), there's an additional charge of about one percentage point for the interbank exchange fee.
That's why two businesses with the same card reader can pay different commissions: it depends on how your customers pay. A tourist restaurant will see more international transactions; a neighborhood store, almost all debit card payments.
The real cost: how much you keep from each sale
The commission doesn't travel alone. On top of that, there's the 19% VAT on that charge, and when you transfer the money from the card reader to your checking account, the 4x1000 tax appears. That tax is worth 0.4% of each withdrawal and is administered by the DIAN, which allows a single account to be designated as exempt up to 350 UVT per month (approximately 1,418.3 million in 2026). Many businesses pay this tax because they do not activate the benefit.
This is how the breakdown of a sale of $100,000 paid by debit card looks, with a commission of 2.89% plus $300 fixed.
| Concept | Worth |
|---|---|
| Gross sales | $100.000 |
| Commission (2,89% + $300) | – $3.190 |
| VAT on the commission (19%) | – $606 |
| 4×1000 upon withdrawal (0.4%) | – $400 |
| Net that you have left | $95.804 |
Rule of thumb: For every million pesos you collect on card payments, budget between $35,000 and $45,000 in total costs. If your margin is 20%, that commission eats up a fifth of your profit on that sale.
How to pay less commission without changing your business
Lowering the transaction fees charged by a card reader is a matter of method, not luck. These steps apply to any business, regardless of your current brand.
- Negotiate by volume. If you're already billing several million a month on credit cards, request a rate review. Traditional acquirers have room to lower the percentage they don't publish.
- Mark an account as exempt from the 4x1000. It's a free procedure at your bank and saves you 0.4% on each withdrawal up to a limit of 350 UVT.
- Push for the cheapest means. A PSE button or a key transfer costs significantly less than a card; offer them when the ticket is high.
- I'll share the equipment if your volume is low. No monthly fees and no rent; you only pay when you sell. For a startup business, that's the biggest expense.
Common mistakes when calculating what a card reader charges
- Look only at the advertised percentage. The actual charge includes the fixed transaction fee and VAT on the commission, so the effective rate is always higher than the advertised number.
- Forget the 4x1000. It's easy to miss because the bank deducts it when you withdraw, not the card reader, but it eats up 0.4% of each transaction if you don't mark the account as exempt.
- Do not separate debit from credit. Budgeting everything at the same percentage distorts the margin; credit and international costs are higher and must be paid for separately.
Don't you know which charge is draining your margin?
At Digital Trendy 360 we help you set up the payment methods and the store that charges you the lowest commission per sale, with clear accounts from day one.
Frequently asked questions about how much a card reader charges per transaction
How much does a POS terminal charge per transaction in Colombia in 2026?
Between 2.5% and 3.5% of the sale value, plus a fixed fee of approximately $300 and VAT of 19% on that commission. With debit cards, it's usually at the lower end of the range, and with credit cards, at the upper end. On a $100,000 transaction, you pay around $3,800 in total.
Is it cheaper to accept debit or credit card payments?
With debit. Domestic debit card fees are the lowest because the network assumes less risk. Credit cards, and especially international cards, add extra points that come out of your credit limit.
Which card reader doesn't charge a monthly fee?
Fintech companies like Bold and Mercado Pago Point don't charge a fixed fee or rental: you only pay the commission when you make a sale. Traditional acquirers like Redeban may add a monthly rental fee that is waived if you exceed a certain volume.
Does the 4x1000 charge come from the card reader?
No, the government charges it when you transfer money to your account, and it's equivalent to 0.41% of the withdrawal. You can designate one account as exempt up to 350 UVT per month to avoid paying it on your business transactions.
Can I negotiate the commission they charge me?
Yes, especially with traditional acquirers. If your monthly card billing is high, you have negotiating power to lower the percentage. Financial Superintendency of Colombia He oversees these suppliers, so I always demanded the price list in writing.
In summary
A card reader in Colombia charges between 2.51 and 3.51 TP3T per transaction, plus a fixed fee and VAT, and that amount increases with the 4x1000 tax if you don't mark an account as exempt. The brand you choose and the type of card used to pay you affect the total, but you're in control: negotiate volume discounts, activate the exemption, and promote cheaper payment methods when the transaction value allows. Every percentage point you lower the fee is profit margin that stays in your business. If you want to organize all your payment methods to sell more and lose less on commissions, check out our guide on Payment methods for your business in Colombia or the Payment gateways for your online store, and contrast it with the e-commerce data of Colombian SMEs.
