FreeAgent, an online accounting software provider, is partnering with GoCardless, a payment provider, to set up online payments directly through FreeAgent, without paying large credit card fees (view press release). The integration will enable users to get paid directly from their customers’ bank accounts without the need to set up a merchant account to handle the transaction or pay any credit card fees. When FreeAgent customers set up with GoCardless, they can take direct debits from their clients’ bank accounts.

GoCardless charges 1% of the total transaction value, up to a maximum of GBP2, whereas on average card providers charge 2.5% with no cap.

“A client payment portal that allows users to have their invoices paid online is one of the most popular feature requests we’ve ever had, so we’re delighted to now be introducing it into FreeAgent,” said Roan Lavery, product director at FreeAgent. “GoCardless is a brilliant UK company with big ideas that’s pioneering a new direction in the online payment space. By teaming up with them, we’re making life easier for thousands of small businesses and freelancers across the UK by giving them a cheaper and much less stressful way of getting paid online.”