PaymentCloud is a credit card processing company serving high-risk merchants (companies that operate in industries with more-than-average chargebacks). It caters to companies from a wide range of industries in all states. PaymentCloud approves businesses that can’t get approved elsewhere. In fact, when Stripe – one of the world’s largest payment companies – rejects an applicant, it often refers them to PaymentCloud.
Monthly fee: $15
Per swipe fee: 1%-5% + $0.15-$0.25
Setup fee: None
Cancellation fee: None
PCI compliance fee: $120/year
Best for: High-risk, ecommerce
PaymentCloud offers a wide range of third-party terminals. Some of these terminals can be seen on its website, and the full selection is made available when you apply. All its terminals are supplied by Ingenico or Verifone, two of the largest EMV terminal manufacturers.
Here are the most popular options:
PaymentCloud is an authorized reseller of MaxxPay’s range of POS-enabled devices. In fact, it has POS solutions for all types of businesses and situations.
Options include:
PaymentCloud is strong on credit card processing, but it falls short on other merchant services. The website lacks information on the services offered. From what we can gather, PaymentCloud offers the following:
Like other third-party payment processors, PaymentCloud has a tiered pricing structure that varies depending on your risk status and location. It charges according to a traditional interchange + percentage + flat fee model, which means charges can vary from transaction to transaction based on the payment method (e.g. credit or debit card, swipe or key in) used by your customer. Overall, the cost per transaction can be anywhere from 1-5% of the transaction amount, with the average leaning toward the high end of that range.
We’re happy to report that PaymentCloud charges fewer additional fees than is typical of companies that deal with high-risk merchants. It charges a small $15 monthly fee and a $120 PCI compliance fee, but there are no setup fees and very little evidence of hidden fees.
PaymentCloud clearly takes pride in serving a wide range of high-risk industries, including: Accounting & Tax; document preparation, property management, adult entertainment, drop shipping, SaaS, bail bonds, electronics, self defense, CBD and hemp, guns and firearms, SEO/Sem services, cigars and tobacco, high-volume sales, smoking accessories, clothing and apparel, hunting and outdoor equipment, tech support, subscription, jet charter, vape and e-cig, credit repair, multi-level marketing, web design, debt consolidation, non-profit, digital downloads, nutraceuticals and supplements.
When it comes to contracts, the terms vary from merchant to merchant.
Like other merchant services companies serving high-risk merchants, PaymentCloud is not a direct payment processor. What PaymentCloud does is partner with banks and direct credit card processors to get you approved and have you accepting payments without interruptions. In PaymentCloud’s case, it is an authorized ISO of multiple banks, including Chesapeake Bank, Esquire Bank, and BMO Harris Bank.
PaymentCloud has developed a reputation for taking its customers seriously. It takes a very hands-on approach to the application process, doing its best to ensure that each high-risk merchant gets approved by one of its partnering banks. What’s more, it stays with you throughout your time as a customer, increasing the likelihood that you continue to accept payments without any troubles. PaymentCloud offers round-the-clock tech support and can be contacted at (800) 988-2215.
PaymentCloud can rightly call itself a high-risk merchant specialist. Over the years, it has built up a reputation for serving dozens of high-risk industries. It continues to be one of the premier merchant services companies catering to merchants who struggle to get approved elsewhere.