Heartland Payment Systems is a payment processor that handles credit card transactions for businesses

Heartland Payment Systems is a company that processes credit and debit card payments for merchants — restaurants, retail stores, gas stations, and other businesses that accept cards. When you swipe, tap, or insert your card at a register or online, Heartland's technology moves that transaction from the merchant's terminal to the card networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and your bank. Heartland doesn't issue cards or hold your money; it acts as the middleman that makes the payment happen.

If you're a consumer, you won't interact with Heartland directly — you'll only see it if you're paying a business that uses Heartland's system. If you're a business owner considering Heartland, you should know what services they offer, what they cost, and how they compare to other processors.

Key Takeaways

  • Heartland processes card payments for merchants but does not issue cards or hold consumer funds.
  • Heartland offers payment terminals, online payment processing, and point-of-sale systems for different types of businesses.
  • Heartland charges interchange fees (set by card networks), assessment fees, and processor markups that vary by card type and transaction method.
  • Heartland was acquired by Global Payments in 2018 and operates as a brand under that parent company.
  • Consumers using cards at Heartland-powered merchants have the same fraud protections and dispute rights as with any other processor.

How Heartland processes a card payment

When you hand a card to a cashier or enter it online, Heartland's system captures the card data and sends it through several steps. First, it routes the transaction to your card issuer (your bank) to check whether you have enough funds and whether the transaction looks legitimate. Your bank approves or declines it. If approved, the transaction moves to the card network (Visa or Mastercard), which confirms the routing and settlement details. Heartland then sends confirmation back to the merchant's terminal or website, and the sale completes.

The entire process usually takes a few seconds. Behind the scenes, Heartland also handles the settlement — making sure the merchant's bank receives the funds (minus fees) within one to three business days. Heartland does not hold your money at any point; it passes the transaction through to the networks and banks that do.

What Heartland offers to merchants

Heartland sells different products depending on the merchant's size and type. Small businesses might use a basic card reader that plugs into a phone or tablet. Larger retailers use dedicated payment terminals at checkout. Restaurants often use Heartland's point-of-sale system, which combines payment processing with order management and inventory tracking. Online merchants use Heartland's hosted payment pages or API integration to accept cards on their websites.

Heartland also offers services beyond basic payment processing: recurring billing for subscriptions, gift card management, and reporting tools that show merchants their sales and transaction history. Some of these services cost extra; others are bundled into the processor's fee structure.

How Heartland makes money and what merchants pay

Heartland's revenue comes from fees charged to merchants, not to consumers. The main fee is interchange — a percentage of each transaction set by Visa and Mastercard, not by Heartland. Interchange typically ranges from 1.5% to 3.5% depending on the card type (credit versus debit, rewards card versus basic card) and how the transaction was processed (card present versus online). Heartland cannot change these rates; they're set by the card networks.

On top of interchange, Heartland charges its own markup — a percentage or flat fee per transaction. This markup varies by merchant agreement and can range from 0.2% to 1% or more. Heartland also charges monthly fees for terminal rental, POS software, or customer support, depending on what the merchant buys. Some merchants also pay assessment fees that Heartland passes through from the card networks.

Consumers never see these fees directly. The merchant absorbs them and may build them into prices. You won't be charged extra for using a card at a Heartland-powered merchant compared to any other processor.

Heartland's ownership and history

Global Payments acquired Heartland Payment Systems in 2018. Global Payments is a larger payment processing company that owns multiple brands and operates in dozens of countries. After the acquisition, Heartland continued to operate under its own name and brand, serving its existing merchant base. The acquisition did not change how Heartland processes transactions or what consumers experience when paying.

Heartland was previously known for a major data breach in 2008 that exposed millions of card numbers. The company invested heavily in security after that incident and has not had a comparable breach since. Today, Heartland is PCI DSS compliant, meaning it meets the payment card industry's security standards for handling card data.

Your rights as a consumer using Heartland

When you use a card at a merchant that processes through Heartland, your protections come from your card issuer and the card networks, not from Heartland. If you dispute a charge, you contact your bank or credit card company, not Heartland. Your bank investigates and either reverses the charge or sides with the merchant.

You also have fraud protection from your card issuer. If someone uses your card without permission, your bank limits your liability — typically $0 for credit cards and up to $50 for debit cards, depending on how quickly you report it. Heartland's role is to process the transaction securely; your bank's role is to protect you if something goes wrong.

If you believe a merchant using Heartland processed your card incorrectly or charged you twice, contact the merchant first. If the merchant won't resolve it, contact your card issuer and file a dispute. Your bank will investigate regardless of which processor the merchant uses.

Heartland versus other payment processors

Heartland competes with Square, PayPal, Stripe, Toast, and other processors. The differences matter mainly to merchants, not consumers. Merchants choose based on fees, ease of setup, customer support, and what features they need (POS software, inventory management, online payments, etc.). Heartland tends to focus on small to mid-sized businesses and has strong offerings for restaurants and retail.

From a consumer's perspective, the processor is largely invisible. You won't know whether a merchant uses Heartland or another processor unless you look at your receipt or ask. Your card protections and dispute rights are the same regardless of processor. The main difference you might notice is how fast a refund posts if you return something — that depends on the merchant and their processor's settlement speed, which varies slightly between companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Heartland charge me a fee when I use my card?

No. Heartland charges the merchant, not the customer. You won't see a separate Heartland fee on your receipt or statement. The merchant may build processing costs into their prices, but that's true with any processor.

Is my card information safe with Heartland?

Heartland meets PCI DSS security standards and encrypts card data during transmission. Your card information is as safe with Heartland as with any major processor. If you're concerned about a specific transaction, contact your card issuer, not Heartland.

What do I do if I see a charge from Heartland on my statement?

You shouldn't see a charge labeled "Heartland" on your personal statement. You'll see the merchant's name instead. If you see "Heartland" or an unfamiliar charge, contact your card issuer to dispute it. Heartland processes payments but doesn't charge consumers directly.

How long does a refund take if I return something at a Heartland merchant?

Refunds typically post within one to three business days, depending on the merchant and their bank. Heartland processes the refund, but the timing depends on when the merchant initiates it and how fast the settlement happens. Ask the merchant for a timeline when you return an item.

Can I contact Heartland if I have a problem with a transaction?

Contact the merchant first, then your card issuer if the merchant won't help. Heartland doesn't handle customer disputes directly. Your card issuer investigates and resolves disputes on your behalf.