{"id":42060,"date":"2026-11-05T21:03:14","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T15:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/?p=42060"},"modified":"2026-11-05T21:40:29","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T16:10:29","slug":"payment-gateway-offers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/","title":{"rendered":"Zero MDR Payment Gateway in India: What 0% Really Means"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #005c31;color:#005c31\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #005c31;color:#005c31\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#Is_Cashfree_the_Right_Value_When_You_Compare_Payment_Gateway_Charges_in_India\" >Is Cashfree the Right Value When You Compare Payment Gateway Charges in India?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#What_Are_You_Paying_For_Payment_Gateway_Platform_Fees\" >What Are You Paying For? Payment Gateway Platform Fees<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#Does_Zero_MDR_Mean_Zero_Charges\" >Does Zero MDR Mean Zero Charges?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#What_If_Access_to_Funds_Matters_More_Than_the_Lowest_Fee\" >What If Access to Funds Matters More Than the Lowest Fee?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#Compare_0_MDR_Payment_Gateway_Offers_Using_Their_Actual_Terms\" >Compare 0% MDR Payment Gateway Offers Using Their Actual Terms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#Compare_Value_With_Measured_Outcomes_and_Actual_Costs\" >Compare Value With Measured Outcomes and Actual Costs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#Beyond_payments_what_grows_with_you_after_the_offer\" >Beyond payments: what grows with you after the offer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#How_Cashfrees_pricing_works\" >How Cashfree\u2019s pricing works<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#Five_Things_to_Check_Before_Choosing_a_Payment_Gateway_Offer\" >Five Things to Check Before Choosing a Payment Gateway Offer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#How_to_Compare_Payment_Gateway_Charges_for_Your_Business\" >How to Compare Payment Gateway Charges for Your Business<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/blogrevamp.cashfree.com\/payment-gateway-offers\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<div style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,#F4FFF9 0%,#FFFFFF 100%);border:1px solid #CDEFE0;border-left:5px solid #00A878;border-radius:18px;padding:22px 26px;margin:28px 0;\">\n  <h3 style=\"margin:0 0 10px;color:#111111;font-size:22px;line-height:1.3;\">TL;DR<\/h3>\n  <p style=\"margin:0;color:#444444;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;\">A zero MDR payment gateway offer can waive one fee without removing every charge. Cashfree\u2019s eligible new-merchant offer waives platform fees on up to \u20b920 lakh of cumulative domestic GMV, but still deducts GST calculated on its standard 1.95% rate. Compare exclusions, validity, settlement charges and the post-offer rate before deciding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Cashfree_the_Right_Value_When_You_Compare_Payment_Gateway_Charges_in_India\"><\/span>Is Cashfree the Right Value When You Compare Payment Gateway Charges in India?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every merchant aiming to integrate a payment gateway has two questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Which is the best payment gateway in India?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How much will I have to pay for using a payment gateway in India?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The answer differs from business to business, but the principle is the same. You need a gateway that offers reliability and high success rates. As for the pricing, paying a premium to get these two features can be justifiable when measured gains outweigh the cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make the decision easier for you, Cashfree is one payment gateway in India to evaluate. Cashfree is currently running a Festive Offer that waives platform fees entirely for eligible new merchants on their first Rs 20 lakh of cumulative domestic GMV, subject to exclusions. Once you scale past that cap or the offer ends, the standard domestic rate is 1.95 percent plus 18 percent GST, with zero setup or annual maintenance charges on the standard plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To help you better understand, we will not limit our discussion today to the headline transaction fee alone. To find the true cost of using a payment gateway, we need to factor in fixed charges, applicable taxes, settlement cycles, and other services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_You_Paying_For_Payment_Gateway_Platform_Fees\"><\/span>What Are You Paying For? Payment Gateway Platform Fees<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>Decision<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Cashfree detail<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Why it matters<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Avoiding Fixed Costs<\/strong><\/td><td>Cashfree offers zero setup and zero annual maintenance charges.<\/td><td>This means your standard transaction fee applies when you make a sale, with no setup costs or yearly maintenance bills. Check optional charges and taxes separately.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Clear Transaction Costs<\/strong><\/td><td>0% platform fee on the first \u20b920 lakh of eligible cumulative domestic sales. After that the standard rate of 1.95% + GST applies. The campaign end date can apply earlier.<\/td><td>You keep more of eligible payment revenue to fund growth. Cashfree offers a flat rate for standard domestic methods when you scale; GST, exclusions and the cap still matter.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>You Don\u2019t Have a Website<\/strong><\/td><td>Cashfree offers payment links, forms, and softPOS. All these are included without extra product costs; applicable transaction fees and taxes remain.<\/td><td>You can start accepting payments right after setup. Send payment links through WhatsApp. No development needed.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Recurring Billing Automation<\/strong><\/td><td>Ready to use tools are added in Cashfree\u2019s suite for Cards, eNACH, and UPI AutoPay, with separate subscription pricing.<\/td><td>Businesses using supported no-code flows can set up repeat payments for loyal customers, subject to mandate setup, integration and method-specific charges.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Zero_MDR_Mean_Zero_Charges\"><\/span>Does Zero MDR Mean Zero Charges?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zero MDR on eligible bank-to-bank UPI transactions does not make any gateway free. Where the bank MDR is zero, the platform fee the gateway quotes is a separate cost to check. Cashfree\u2019s Festive Offer waives this platform fee for new merchants on qualifying transactions up to the Rs 20 lakh cap. Quote optional products, special payment methods, and premium settlement services separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not assume every UPI payment has zero MDR. The <a href=\"https:\/\/financialservices.gov.in\/faqs-merchant-discount-rate-mdr-select-upi-p2m-transactions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Department of Financial Services\u2019 UPI MDR FAQs<\/a> specify 0.4% MDR on defined P2M payments above \u20b92,000 from 15 October 2026, capped at \u20b9300, with exemptions. Review the relevant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/blog\/upi-charges-new-mdr-rules\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">UPI charges and MDR rules<\/mark><\/a> and confirm whether your gateway quote includes any instrument-level charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/blog\/merchant-discount-rate-mdr\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Merchant Discount Rate: Meaning, Charges and Calculation<\/mark><\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_If_Access_to_Funds_Matters_More_Than_the_Lowest_Fee\"><\/span>What If Access to Funds Matters More Than the Lowest Fee?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your business needs funds sooner for inventory, ad spend, or vendor payouts, compare settlement options alongside transaction fees. Cashfree offers two settlement acceleration options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Festive Offer specifies T+1 settlement by 8:00 PM IST as the default settlement cycle during the campaign. Outside the offer, confirm the configured cycle in your account rather than assuming T+2 applies to every merchant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/instant-settlements\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Cashfree Instant Settlements<\/mark><\/a> credits eligible funds to your bank account through configured on-demand or scheduled options, available 24&#215;7, including on bank holidays. Actual timing depends on the settlement option, account limits and banking rails. Pricing starts at 0.30 percent plus GST, with the exact rate dependent on the Instant Settlements type chosen and the risk assessment of your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This gives you another lever when evaluating total cost. Match the settlement arrangement to your cash flow needs, and weigh any additional cost against the operational benefit of faster access to money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/blog\/payment-settlement-cycle-explained\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Payment Settlement Cycle Explained<\/mark><\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Compare_0_MDR_Payment_Gateway_Offers_Using_Their_Actual_Terms\"><\/span>Compare 0% MDR Payment Gateway Offers Using Their Actual Terms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every Indian payment gateway runs some version of a 0 percent welcome offer, and the headlines look similar. The real differentiator is in the fine print. The table below compares Cashfree\u2019s Festive Offer against publicly documented offers from two other industry providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>Offer dimension<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Cashfree Festive Offer<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Industry provider A<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Industry provider B<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Headline platform fee&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>0% on qualifying domestic transactions<\/strong><\/td><td>Ranges between 2% to 3%<\/td><td>Ranges between 2% to 3%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>GMV cap&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>\u20b920 lakh<\/strong><\/td><td>Typically Rs 2 to 5 lakh<\/td><td>Typically Rs 5 to 10 lakh<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Offer duration<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Till 31 March 2027&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>Shorter, typically 60 to 90 days<\/td><td>Capped by GMV with no fixed end date<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Settlement cycle&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>T+1 and Instant Settlement<\/strong><\/td><td>Standard timeline (T+2 or T+3)<\/td><td>Standard timeline (T+2 or T+3)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>GST handling under the offer<\/strong><\/td><td>18% GST on MDR<\/td><td>18% GST on MDR<\/td><td>18% GST on MDR<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Post-offer standard rate<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>1.95% + GST&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>2% + GST&nbsp;<\/td><td>2% + GST&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Setup fee \/ AMC<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Zero setup, zero AMC&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>AMC is applicable on premium tiers<\/td><td>AMC is applicable on premium tiers<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Dedicated account manager<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Included for GST-registered businesses<\/strong><\/td><td>Usually gated to enterprise tier or paid add-on<\/td><td>Usually gated to enterprise tier or paid add-on<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reading the table: Headline percentages across the industry are similar, but the GMV cap, duration, exclusion count, settlement cycle, and included services shift the real value significantly. A larger offer headline is not enough on its own. Match the offer terms to your actual payment mix and timeline before deciding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Excluded methods under Cashfree\u2019s Festive Offer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>American Express (AMEX) cards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diners Club cards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Corporate credit cards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All EMI-based payment methods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepaid card transactions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pay Later instruments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subscription (e-mandate)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International Payment Gateway (IPG) transactions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any other payment method with a standard MDR of 3 percent or higher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are Cashfree\u2019s exclusions. Check exclusions across other 0 percent offers in the Indian market as well, because the underlying card schemes and credit providers can have different costs for these methods. Do not assume the platform absorbs every cost during a promotional waiver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fair-usage conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cashfree reserves the right to withdraw the offer if credit card transactions constitute <strong>60 percent or more<\/strong> of GMV, evaluated once your GMV reaches Rs 1 lakh. Only the first activated MID under a PAN or bank account qualifies. Confirm these conditions before building the offer into your forecast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post-offer rate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cashfree reverts to 1.95 percent plus applicable GST once the Rs 20 lakh cap is reached or the campaign ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GST handling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GST at 18 percent on platform fees is not waived, even during the offer. It continues to be deducted from settlements and is computed on the standard 1.95 percent rate under the published offer terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Compare_Value_With_Measured_Outcomes_and_Actual_Costs\"><\/span>Compare Value With Measured Outcomes and Actual Costs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compare the complete cost for the same payment mix and successful sales volume. Include gateway fees, applicable tax, fixed charges, and optional services. A lower rate is cheaper when other variables are equal. Measure any claimed conversion, retry, or success-rate improvement separately. Do not fold an unmeasured uplift into your base cost model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, on Rs 10 lakh of successful payment value, a 1.95 percent platform fee is Rs 19,500 before GST. During the Festive Offer, the platform fee on the same Rs 10 lakh is Rs 0, saving Rs 19,500 outright. Over the full Rs 20 lakh cap, the saving is Rs 39,000 in platform fees before GST, while Rs 7,020 of GST still applies under the offer\u2019s stated calculation. Rs 46,020 is the standard fee-plus-GST cost on Rs 20 lakh, not the offer saving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For an illustration with \u20b910 lakh of fully eligible payments, no optional services and no excluded-method charges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Cost component<\/th><th>Standard 1.95% pricing<\/th><th>Platform-fee waiver<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Platform fee<\/td><td>\u20b919,500<\/td><td>\u20b90<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>GST under the stated terms<\/td><td>\u20b93,510<\/td><td>\u20b93,510<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Total fee and GST deduction<\/td><td><strong>\u20b923,010<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>\u20b93,510<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Saving against standard pricing<\/td><td>Not applicable<\/td><td><strong>\u20b919,500<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The offer\u2019s stated tax deduction is therefore equivalent to 0.351% of the eligible payment value before any other applicable charge. This follows the provider\u2019s published terms; reconcile the actual tax invoice and settlement statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a bootstrapped business reinvesting into ad spend or inventory during the ramp phase, this reclaimed capital is meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beyond_payments_what_grows_with_you_after_the_offer\"><\/span>Beyond payments: what grows with you after the offer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As your business grows, evaluate the additional products that match the new workflow. Cashfree bundles three collection products with the Payment Gateway without a separate product charge: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/payment-links\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Payment Links<\/mark><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/payment-forms\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Payment Forms<\/mark><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/soft-pos\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">softPOS<\/mark><\/a>. Applicable transaction charges and taxes still need to be included. These cover share-based collection, custom branded checkout pages, and turning a supported Android phone into a POS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Products with separate pricing because they add specific capability:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/recurring-payment\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Subscriptions<\/mark><\/a> for recurring billing: Cards and eNACH list \u20b97.50 for mandate creation plus \u20b97.50 per presentation. UPI AutoPay lists \u20b97.50 for creation plus \u20b95 per presentation below \u20b91,000, or \u20b915 at \u20b91,000 and above. Applicable transaction fees and GST are additional.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/easy-split\/split-payment-gateway\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Easy Split<\/mark><\/a> for automated vendor commission splits, with published pricing of 0.20 percent, subject to the applicable quote and GST.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Instant Settlements for eligible faster settlement options from 0.30 percent, excluding GST.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/payouts\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Payouts<\/mark><\/a> for disbursing funds to supported bank accounts, UPI IDs, cards or wallets, with per-transaction fees that scale with amount and vary by transfer method.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/international-payment-gateway\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">International Payment Gateway<\/mark><\/a> for collecting cross-border payments in 140+ currencies, with custom pricing on request and method-specific rates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check each product\u2019s eligibility, integration requirements, and charges. A gateway offer does not establish that every additional service is bundled in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Cashfrees_pricing_works\"><\/span>How Cashfree\u2019s pricing works<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cashfree\u2019s published standard plan sits at 1.95 percent platform fee plus applicable GST on the Payment Gateway, with no setup fee or AMC. The current Festive Offer waives this platform fee entirely for new merchants on domestic transactions up to Rs 20 lakh GMV, through 31 March 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For merchants on custom pricing or on partner-referred signups, the Festive Offer may not apply. Confirm eligibility in writing. Enterprise accounts negotiate directly on volume, payment mix, and value-added services. Dedicated account managers are standard for GST-registered businesses on both the Festive Offer path and the enterprise plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/blog\/cheapest-payment-gateway-in-india\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Cheapest Payment Gateway in India: Compare Fees and Offers<\/mark><\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Five_Things_to_Check_Before_Choosing_a_Payment_Gateway_Offer\"><\/span>Five Things to Check Before Choosing a Payment Gateway Offer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before locking in an offer, verify these points against the current written terms. Cashfree\u2019s cited campaign applies to eligible new merchants signing up on or after 21 July 2026, with KYC approval and account activation required:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Which payment methods and merchant categories qualify under the offer?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What duration and cumulative transaction limit apply?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is the standard rate that applies after the offer ends or the cap is hit?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Which optional products or services carry separate charges even during the offer window?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is the complete cost for your actual payment mix, including GST?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Document each answer. Check the provider\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/docs\/payments\/overview\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">integration documentation<\/mark><\/a> for your intended flow. Compare offers on substance, not on headline percentages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Compare_Payment_Gateway_Charges_for_Your_Business\"><\/span>How to Compare Payment Gateway Charges for Your Business<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The easiest method to compare two payment gateways is to look at their gateway fees, while considering the other aspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s understand this with an example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are processing \u20b910 Lakhs in domestic payments, here\u2019s how the charges differ:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>At standard MDR of 1.95%, the payment gateway will cost \u20b919,500 without adding GST.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under Cashfree\u2019s current festive offer, this platform fee is 0. You will save \u20b919,500 outright.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now if you scale to \u20b920 lakhs sale, you will end up saving \u20b939,000. This is how you can compare payment gateways with or without their festive offerings. When comparing, use the following rules:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Use Successful Sales:<\/strong> Base your calculations on completed orders and not gross checkout attempts or retries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Actual Payment Mix:<\/strong> Different payment methods have different rates. Map out how your customers actually pay. For instance, if 60% pay by UPI and 40% use cards, apply the respective fee for each.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Count Taxes As Well:<\/strong> Track GST separately, including the offer\u2019s calculation basis. With eligible ITC, you may also recover it, subject to the applicable conditions and valid invoices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a fair comparison across providers, use the same payment mix, period, order definition, and cost categories. Run a separate sensitivity case for any claimed conversion improvement rather than mixing it into your base model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,#F4FFF9 0%,#FFFFFF 100%);border:1px solid #CDEFE0;border-left:5px solid #00A878;border-radius:18px;padding:22px 26px;margin:28px 0;\">\n  <h3 style=\"margin:0 0 10px;color:#111111;font-size:21px;line-height:1.3;\">Compare Cashfree Against Your Actual Payment Mix<\/h3>\n  <p style=\"margin:0 0 14px;color:#444444;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;\">Review your eligible payment methods, GST deductions, settlement needs and post-offer charges before signing up.<\/p>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cashfree.com\/contact-sales\/?source-action=Blog%20Content&amp;action=Contact%20Sales&amp;button-id=ContactSales_incontent\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#00A878;color:#FFFFFF;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:11px 18px;border-radius:8px;\">Talk to our team<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I choose a zero MDR payment gateway in India?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best payment gateways offer the highest success rates with the lowest total cost of your payment mix. In addition to the platform fee, also consider fixed charges and settlement cycles against your actual total sales volume rather than just comparing headline rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What payment gateway charges should Indian businesses expect in 2026?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Domestic payment gateway charges vary by provider and payment method. Cashfree has published standard domestic rates of 1.95% plus 18% GST; Razorpay lists 2% plus GST. Premium methods and custom pricing can differ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does zero MDR mean zero charges?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. The base platform fee can be zero, but that does not establish that every charge is waived. During Cashfree\u2019s festive offering, the eligible platform fee is zero but GST is still deducted using the standard 1.95% calculation basis. Additionally the high-cost payment methods like AMEX, EMI, and international cards are not included in the zero platform fee offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What hidden charges do payment gateways in India have?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Potential additional charges include setup fees, annual maintenance charges (AMC), refunds, chargebacks and premium add-ons. These are not necessarily hidden if properly disclosed. Even if not included in the initial quote, always check for these charges in the complete contract, terms and conditions, and pricing policy documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which payment gateway is best for Shopify stores in India?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cashfree is one payment gateway option for Shopify stores in India. Cashfree offers a native Shopify plugin, and qualifying transactions can process under the 0% platform-fee offer as part of the festive offering. Compare setup requirements and Shopify\u2019s own third-party transaction fees separately; do not assume a fixed five-minute onboarding time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I get custom pricing on Cashfree?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Businesses with high average order values, micro transaction volumes, and a specific payment mix can negotiate custom enterprise pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When does the 0% MDR Festive Offer end?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current Festive Offer runs through 31 March 2027. For each merchant, the offer ends whichever is earliest: (a) the Rs 20 lakh cumulative GMV cap is reached, (b) the campaign end date is reached, or (c) fair-usage disqualification is triggered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does the 0% offer apply to international payments?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. The Festive Offer is valid only on domestic transactions processed through Cashfree\u2019s Payment Gateway. International Payment Gateway (IPG) transactions, including international Visa and Mastercard payments, are excluded. Apply the current international rate for the method and merchant agreement; standard international card pricing is listed at 2.99 percent plus GST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TL;DR A zero MDR payment gateway offer can waive one fee without removing every charge. Cashfree\u2019s eligible new-merchant offer waives platform fees on up to \u20b920 lakh of cumulative domestic GMV, but still deducts GST calculated on its standard 1.95% rate. Compare exclusions, validity, settlement charges and the post-offer rate before deciding. Is Cashfree the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":42069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1383],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-payments"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Zero MDR Payment Gateway in India: What 0% Really Means<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Does a zero MDR payment gateway mean zero charges? 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