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What is an ach transfer?

An ACH transfer moves money directly between US bank accounts electronically — the rails behind direct deposit and most bank-to-bank invoice payments. It's cheap (often under $1) but slow: 1–3 business days. For recurring client payments, it's the sweet spot of cost and reliability.

In practice

A client pays a $2,500 monthly invoice by ACH. The freelancer receives $2,499 after a $1 fee, three days later — versus about $75 in card fees.

Related terms

  • Wire transfer — A fast, irrevocable bank-to-bank transfer for large or urgent payments.
  • Payment gateway — A service that securely processes card payments.
  • Check payment — Payment by paper check through the banking system.

Invoice with bank details

Add your ACH details to professional invoices and get paid for under a dollar.

Create an invoice — free

Frequently asked questions

How long does an ACH transfer take?

1–3 business days typically. Same-day ACH exists but costs more and has cutoff times.

Is ACH safe for invoice payments?

Yes — it's bank-to-bank with strong protections. The main risk is insufficient funds on the sender's side, which bounces like a bad check.

ACH vs. wire transfer?

ACH is cheap and slow — ideal for routine invoices. Wires are fast and expensive — for urgent or very large payments.