Operating in a high-risk industry presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to processing payments. Whether you’re in sectors like online gaming, CBD, adult entertainment, or nutraceuticals, your business is considered high risk due to factors such as high chargeback rates, regulatory scrutiny, and legal complexities. Because of these risks, many traditional payment processors won’t work with high-risk businesses. That’s where high-risk payment gateways come into play, offering tailored solutions designed to meet the needs of businesses with a higher probability of financial risk.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the top 10 high-risk payment gateways in the US, analyzing their features, strengths, and why they stand out in this competitive space. Let’s get started.
1. PaymentCloud
PaymentCloud is a go-to solution for businesses in high-risk industries, offering an extensive range of features designed specifically for merchants who often struggle to find traditional payment processors. PaymentCloud specializes in industries such as adult services, vape products, CBD, and credit repair.
Key Features:
- No Setup Fees: One of PaymentCloud’s major selling points is its no-setup-fees policy.
- Chargeback Prevention Tools: It offers advanced chargeback mitigation tools that help businesses minimize losses.
- Seamless Integration: It integrates easily with most e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify and WooCommerce.
- Multi-Currency Support: Ideal for global businesses, PaymentCloud supports multiple currencies for international payments.
Why PaymentCloud?
PaymentCloud is known for its outstanding customer service, with a dedicated account manager assigned to every merchant. The company excels in onboarding businesses quickly and navigating the complexities of high-risk industries. Their chargeback protection services and seamless integration into e-commerce platforms make them one of the top options in the US.
2. Host Merchant Services (HMS)
Host Merchant Services is known for providing high-risk payment processing solutions for a wide range of industries, including adult entertainment, credit repair, and CBD. What sets HMS apart is its commitment to offering competitive rates and fast approvals.
Key Features:
- Instant Approval: High-risk businesses can expect instant approval, reducing downtime and ensuring faster payment processing.
- Transparent Pricing: HMS offers no hidden fees and competitive transaction rates starting at 2.5%.
- Robust Security: The platform includes high-level encryption and PCI compliance, ensuring transaction security.
- 24/7 Customer Support: HMS offers 24/7 customer service, so merchants can get help whenever they need it.
Why Host Merchant Services?
If you’re looking for a reliable payment gateway with fast approvals and transparent pricing, Host Merchant Services is an excellent choice. Their focus on customer support and fraud prevention makes them a preferred gateway for businesses that need security and quick onboarding.
3. Soar Payments
Soar Payments is an ideal option for businesses in industries like nutraceuticals, firearms, and online tech support. Soar Payments offers customized payment solutions, making it versatile for both domestic and international businesses.
Key Features:
- High-Risk Merchant Accounts: Soar Payments offers competitive rates for high-risk merchant accounts with personalized pricing.
- Chargeback Management: The platform offers in-depth chargeback mitigation and reporting tools, essential for high-risk businesses.
- Multi-Currency and International Support: Soar Payments supports multiple currencies, making it easier for businesses to accept global transactions.
- Advanced Fraud Detection: The payment gateway comes with robust fraud detection protocols.
Why Soar Payments?
Soar Payments stands out due to its flexibility in supporting both domestic and international high-risk merchants. Their advanced fraud detection tools and chargeback management solutions make them a top contender for high-risk businesses needing comprehensive payment processing.
4. PayKings
PayKings is a high-risk payment processor specializing in offering customized solutions for industries like e-cigarettes, online gaming, and nutraceuticals. They work closely with businesses to offer tailored pricing and high-risk merchant accounts.
Key Features:
- Custom Pricing: PayKings offers custom pricing models based on transaction volume, ensuring scalability for growing businesses.
- Chargeback Protection: The platform comes with built-in chargeback prevention and management tools.
- Multiple Integration Options: PayKings integrates easily with major shopping carts and e-commerce platforms.
- No Long-Term Contracts: PayKings provides flexibility with no long-term contract requirements or cancellation fees.
Why PayKings?
PayKings is an excellent option for businesses that need tailored payment solutions. They provide hands-on support to navigate regulatory challenges and ensure businesses stay compliant, particularly in niche high-risk industries.
5. Durango Merchant Services
Durango Merchant Services is a seasoned player in the high-risk payment processing market, providing solutions for industries such as CBD, firearms, and adult entertainment. Durango’s long-standing experience gives it a strong foothold in high-risk sectors.
Key Features:
- Dedicated Support: Durango assigns a dedicated representative to each merchant, offering personalized customer support.
- High Approval Rates: Their experience allows for a high approval rate for high-risk businesses.
- Mobile Payment Support: Durango supports mobile payments, making it ideal for businesses that need flexibility.
- Chargeback Monitoring: Merchants benefit from tools that help them track and reduce chargebacks.
Why Durango Merchant Services?
Durango’s reputation for reliability and personalized support makes it a top choice for high-risk merchants, particularly those looking for a partner with deep industry experience. They also offer flexible payment options, including mobile payments, giving businesses more flexibility in how they operate.
6. HighRiskPay
HighRiskPay is an instant-approval payment gateway that caters to businesses in industries such as online gaming, adult entertainment, and telemarketing. HighRiskPay specializes in quick onboarding, making it a great choice for businesses that need fast setup.
Key Features:
- Instant Approval: High-risk businesses can get approved within hours, reducing setup time.
- No Setup Fees: The platform doesn’t charge setup fees for most high-risk accounts.
- Fraud Prevention: HighRiskPay offers real-time fraud detection and monitoring tools.
- Chargeback Protection: Their chargeback protection services help merchants mitigate risks effectively.
Why HighRiskPay?
With its focus on fast onboarding and no setup fees, HighRiskPay is perfect for businesses that need to start processing payments immediately. The company’s fraud protection and chargeback services provide peace of mind for merchants.
7. eMerchantBroker (EMB)
eMerchantBroker is one of the leading payment gateways in the high-risk market, catering to businesses in industries such as debt consolidation, credit repair, and tech support. EMB is well known for its high chargeback tolerance and low fees.
Key Features:
- High Chargeback Tolerance: EMB allows merchants to operate even with high chargeback ratios, making it ideal for high-risk businesses.
- Fast Approval: Businesses can get approved within 24 hours.
- Comprehensive Fraud Detection: EMB offers detailed fraud detection and chargeback prevention tools.
- Customized Payment Solutions: EMB offers tailored solutions based on business needs, ensuring flexibility.
Why eMerchantBroker?
EMB is a great choice for high-risk businesses that have higher-than-average chargeback ratios. The company’s flexible approval process and competitive rates make it one of the most sought-after gateways in the high-risk space.
8. Instabill
Instabill is a top-rated payment processor for high-risk industries such as online gaming, forex, and digital content. Instabill provides merchant accounts for businesses that have been denied by traditional processors.
Key Features:
- Multiple Payment Options: Instabill supports various payment methods, including credit cards, ACH, and wire transfers.
- Flexible Contract Terms: There are no long-term commitments or cancellation fees.
- Global Reach: Instabill offers international merchant accounts, supporting global payments and multi-currency options.
- Chargeback Prevention: The platform offers chargeback prevention tools that help reduce risk.
Why Instabill?
Instabill excels in providing international high-risk payment processing, making it perfect for businesses that operate globally. Their flexible contracts and multiple payment options make them an attractive option for high-risk merchants.
9. Easy Pay Direct
Easy Pay Direct is known for its EPM (Enhanced Payment Management) system, which allows businesses to connect multiple merchant accounts to ensure smooth transactions. This is especially useful for high-risk businesses that need backup processing options.
Key Features:
- Multiple Account Management: Easy Pay Direct allows businesses to route transactions through multiple merchant accounts.
- No Setup Fees: There are no hidden or setup fees for most high-risk accounts.
- Real-Time Fraud Detection: The platform offers robust real-time fraud detection.
- Chargeback Monitoring: Easy Pay Direct also provides extensive chargeback monitoring and management services.
Why Easy Pay Direct?
Easy Pay Direct’s unique EPM system makes it ideal for businesses that want to avoid downtime or disruptions in processing. Their fraud detection tools and chargeback management services are also top-tier, making them a great choice for high-risk industries.
10. PayDiverse
PayDiverse caters to high-risk businesses in industries such as travel, adult services, and CBD. The platform offers global payment solutions, making it easy for high-risk merchants to accept payments internationally.
Key Features:
- Global Payments: PayDiverse supports multiple currencies and international transactions.
- Low Transaction Fees: Their transaction fees are highly competitive in the high-risk space.
- Fraud Prevention: PayDiverse offers in-depth fraud detection and chargeback mitigation tools.
- Easy Integration: The platform integrates easily with most e-commerce platforms.
Why PayDiverse?
If you’re running a high-risk business with global operations, PayDiverse offers one of the most comprehensive solutions for international payments. Their low transaction fees and fraud prevention tools also make them stand out among high-risk payment gateways.
Conclusion
Finding the right payment gateway for your high-risk business in the US can be daunting, but this list of top 10 providers offers a wide range of solutions. Whether you need fast approval, chargeback protection, global support, or low fees, these gateways cater specifically to the unique needs of high-risk businesses. Take time to assess your business’s specific needs, and choose a gateway that offers the best features for your operation to thrive.
FAQs:
- What makes a payment gateway high-risk?
High-risk payment gateways cater to businesses with higher chances of chargebacks and fraud, offering specialized tools for these risks. - Are high-risk payment gateways more expensive?
Yes, due to the higher risk of chargebacks and fraud, high-risk gateways often charge higher fees, typically between 2.5% and 5% per transaction. - Can high-risk payment gateways handle international payments?
Yes, many high-risk gateways, such as PayDiverse and Instabill, offer global payment solutions with multi-currency support. - What industries typically need high-risk payment gateways?
Industries like online gaming, CBD, adult entertainment, and credit repair often require high-risk payment processing solutions. - What are the best chargeback protection tools?
PaymentCloud and Soar Payments offer advanced chargeback prevention tools to monitor and reduce disputes.
