How programmes are priced
Per card issued, not per seat, per month or per API call. The model is deliberately simple, because a programme's economics need to be legible before an institution commits to it.
The model
Physical cards
A single per-card price covering production, personalisation, packaging, dispatch, scheme processing and lifecycle support for the life of that card.
Virtual cards
A single per-card price on actual issuance. Applies to all virtual cards, including reissues, replacements and tokenisation events.
Software and maintenance
Platform, API, dashboard, maintenance and ongoing support are included in the per-card price rather than billed separately.
Volume
Rates are set against committed volumes. Pilot pricing and production pricing are agreed as part of the same framework.
What is included
| Component | Included in per-card price |
|---|---|
| Card production and personalisation | Yes, physical cards |
| Packaging and dispatch | Yes, physical cards |
| BIN ranges and scheme certification | Yes, on Zen-managed BINs |
| Card design preparation and scheme submission | Yes |
| Authorisation and settlement processing | Yes |
| API, integration layer and dashboard | Yes |
| Platform maintenance and updates | Yes |
| Lifecycle support for the life of each card | Yes |
| Bespoke integration or custom development | Scoped separately |
| Taxes and duties in the applicable jurisdiction | Excluded |
Frequently asked questions
How is a Zen Card programme priced?+
Per card issued, with separate rates for physical and virtual cards. Platform software, maintenance and lifecycle support are included for the life of every card issued, rather than charged as a recurring platform fee.
Is there a monthly platform fee?+
The standard model bundles software, maintenance and ongoing lifecycle support into the per-card price rather than charging a separate recurring platform fee. Programmes with bespoke scope may be structured differently.
Are virtual cards charged on every issuance?+
Yes. Per-card pricing applies to all virtual cards, including reissues, replacements and tokenisation events, because each one is a distinct issuance on the platform.
What drives the price for a specific programme?+
Volume, card mix between physical and virtual, jurisdictions in scope, funding assets, fulfilment requirements and any bespoke integration work. We issue a scoped commercial proposal rather than a published rate card.
Get a scoped proposal
Share your expected volumes, card mix and target jurisdictions, and we will come back with commercials.