By Nicolas Avila · October 10, 2026

Pix, card, or boleto: what each costs and when it is worthwhile

Photo: Avila Ops Tecnologia

Offer all three, but know what each does to your cash. Pix has the lowest fee, and the money arrives immediately. Credit cards have the highest fee, allow installments, and take time to pay out. Boleto has a fixed per-unit fee, clears within 3 business days, and some issued boletos are never paid.

The choice is not which to accept, but which to encourage. A Pix discount costs less than the card fee and brings money sooner. Interest-free payments split into many installments can consume the entire margin. Understanding each method prevents guesswork.

What does each method cost?

Percentages vary by payment intermediary and contract, so check your provider’s public fee table. The structure stays the same:

Watch boleto fees: if the intermediary charges per boleto issued rather than paid, every customer who generates one and abandons it costs money. Check the contract before enabling it.

When is each worthwhile?

Pix is worthwhile whenever customers are willing to pay upfront. It handles lower-value sales, customers without cards, and people unwilling to expose their data. Because fees are lower and money arrives immediately, a discount of a few percent for Pix usually costs less than the credit fee and also improves cash flow. Calculate using your percentages before setting the discount.

Cards are worthwhile for larger purchases when customers need installments to buy. The question is how many interest-free installments you can fund. Each adds cost; beyond a certain number, total fees exceed the product margin. Offer interest-free installments as far as the margin supports and pass on interest beyond that, with each installment’s value visible at checkout. The guide Payout timing: why card money takes time shows the cash flow effect.

Boleto is worthwhile for business buyers, people without cards or Pix, and large amounts where customers want a document. It loses to Pix in almost everything else: slower, some go unpaid, and inventory stays reserved meanwhile. Many stores keep boleto out of habit rather than use. Check your last three months’ numbers before deciding.

How do you configure it in the store?

Nothing here is permanent; you can change it later:

1. Pix enabled, with a QR code expiring quickly to release inventory. The guide what Pix does in a store explains how it works.
2. A Pix discount, if margins allow, shown in the product price (“R$ 120 with Pix”).
3. Cards with a maximum number of interest-free installments based on the calculation above, and interest-bearing installments enabled beyond it.
4. Boleto enabled only if there is demand, due within one or two days to avoid tying up inventory.

For monthly fees or subscriptions, there is also Pix Automático, which debits every month after a single customer authorization without further action: see how to use Pix Automático for recurring billing.

What to do now

Open the last three months’ sales report by payment method. Add each one’s fees and see how much it cost per real sold. This determines the Pix discount and installment limit. Instant Pix, cards, and boleto without platform commission: avilaops.com/loja-virtual or contact us on WhatsApp: wa.me/5517997811471.

Frequently asked questions

Can I offer a discount only for Pix?

Yes. Law 13.455/2017 permits different prices by payment method, provided the upfront price and discount are clearly disclosed before purchase. Show Pix and card prices side by side.

How many interest-free installments should I offer?

As many as the product margin supports after adding each installment’s cost. There is no single right number for every store. Start with few and increase if customers ask and the numbers work.

Is boleto still worthwhile?

For most small stores, barely. It serves business purchases and people who use neither cards nor Pix. If fewer than one in 20 orders uses boleto, consider disabling it and simplifying checkout.