Luckily, there are ways to smooth out the massage therapy payment process, and we’re here to guide you through that. In this guide, we’ll cover the following topics:

• Popular ways to accept massage therapy payments
• Digital payment processing for massage therapists
• Choosing the right massage therapy payment processor
• Our top massage therapy payment processor picks

With a seamless payment process, you’ll make running your business less stressful for yourself. And, you’ll create a more streamlined payment experience for your customers, making them more likely to book appointments and build stronger relationships for your massage practice. It’s a win-win!

Popular ways to accept massage therapy payments

Much like other businesses, massage practices often accept a variety of payment methods. Some of the most commonly accepted massage therapy payment methods include:

• Cash
• Check
• Debit card
• Credit card
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

While versatility allows you to accept payments according to client preference, it’s not the most sustainable option. As your practice grows, you’ll be accepting many more payments. If all of these payments come from different sources, then you’ll have a lot of extra administrative footwork you need to do to track your finances.

Digital payment processing for massage therapists

In recent years, the trend of accepting contactless payment has grown, with clients choosing to forego cash for convenient tap-and-go options. That’s where digital payment processing comes in. Also known as electronic payments, it refers to the transfer of currency from one account to another using digital payment technologies, such as mobile wallets or mobile payment apps.

Popular digital payment processing platforms for massage therapists include:

• Cashapp
• PayPal
• Square
• Stripe
• Venmo
• Zelle

It’s tempting to accept payments on all of these platforms—after all, your customers might prefer to use different platforms. However, these payment processors all have their own transaction and withdrawal fees, so you might lose money if you use all payment processors. That means the best option is to invest in one processor and use it for all payments.

Choosing the right massage therapy payment processor

Choosing a single payment processor is an important decision to make, but it can feel daunting if your massage practice currently accepts various payment methods. To help you choose a solution that best fits your massage business, keep in mind the following aspects:

• Client preferences. Unless you’re just starting your massage business, you likely have an idea of how your clients prefer to pay for their massage sessions. For example, if the majority of your clients like to Venmo you, keep that in mind during your search.
• Fees. One of the most important features you must evaluate when deciding on your digital payment processor is the platform’s fees, such as transaction fees and withdrawal fees. For example, Venmo charges businesses a fee of 1.9% + $0.10 for payments sent from another Venmo account. For contactless payments, the rate increases to 2.29% + $0.10.
• Versatility. Some payment processors allow you to accept payments through various methods. For example, Square allows you to accept payments made in person through credit and debit cards in addition to mobile payments. You can also accept online payments. Choosing a versatile payment processor gives your clients more flexibility, even though you’re using a single solution.
• Security. It’s crucial to offer your customers a safe payment experience. Protecting sensitive payment information and complying with industry standards secures your clients’ trust. Look for a payment processor that meets the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) to stay in compliance with industry standards.
• Integrations. Running a massage business requires much more work than merely accepting and tracking finances. It also requires you to take comprehensive client notes, send targeted marketing messages, and more. If you use other software solutions to help you do that, keep an eye out for payment processors that integrate with your existing tools and website
• Customer service. You’ll inevitably run into issues with your payment processor. To minimize the headache of the situation, be sure that the processor you choose provides great customer service. That way, they can answer your questions and get you up and running again with minimal impact on your business

An integrated payment solution will create a secure, reliable channel for all your payments to flow through. They will consolidate transactions, minimize errors, and save your business time. Plus, offering mobile payment solutions gives your practice a professional edge, as more and more individuals wish to pay through mobile.