Peculiarities of a High-Risk Merchant Account

High-risk merchant accounts are specialized payment processing services designed for businesses operating in industries with increased risk of fraud and chargebacks. Due to the inherent risks associated with these operations, these businesses often face increased scrutiny from traditional payment processors. Furthermore, such businesses constantly face elevated transaction fees, including increased interchange rates and assessment fees, and more stringent contractual requirements, such as lower chargeback thresholds and stricter compliance adherence, are often enforced.

Due to these increased costs, stricter requirements, and heightened scrutiny, businesses typically seek high-risk merchant accounts only when ineligible for standard merchant accounts due to factors such as their industry, processing history, financial stability, or the nature of their products or services.

Reliable High-Risk Merchant Account Providers in 2025

The success of any business, especially those operating in high-risk industries, hinges on selecting the right payment processor. These businesses often encounter unique and significant challenges in finding reliable, cost-effective payment processing solutions. Based on our internal data, historical pricing information, and reviews from reputable sources, we have compiled a list of top-rated, high-risk merchant account providers to assist you in your search.

PaymentCloud

PaymentCloud is a well-regarded provider of high-risk merchant account solutions known for its exceptional customer service and dedicated account management. With dedicated account managers and support for diverse industries, including CBD, firearms, adult entertainment, and more, PaymentCloud provides businesses with flexible processing options to meet their unique needs. This service is characterized by the following key advantages:

• Dedicated account management. Provides personalized support and guidance throughout the onboarding process and beyond.
• Wide range of payment methods. The service accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, ACH, eCheck, and cryptocurrencies.
• Competitive pricing. Offers potentially competitive pricing with a focus on transparency.

However, it is important to note the following potential downsides:

• May not be suitable for all high-risk businesses: May not be suitable for businesses with extremely high-risk profiles or those requiring ultra-high-volume processing.
• Monthly volume limits. It may have limitations on monthly processing volumes.

PaymentCloud emerges as a strong contender for businesses seeking a reliable and supportive high-risk merchant account provider. Their commitment to meeting the unique needs of diverse industries makes them a valuable partner for many high-risk businesses.

Durango Merchant Services

Durango Merchant Services has established a strong reputation for its exceptional customer support and its ability to find solutions for merchants with challenging profiles, including those with poor credit history or excessive chargebacks. They specialize in serving various high-risk industries, supporting various currencies, including cryptocurrencies, and offering robust fraud protection features to mitigate risk. The key advantages of this service are:

• Industry reach. Supports a wide range of high-risk industries, including international and offshore businesses.
• Fraud protection. Offers comprehensive fraud protection services to mitigate risk.
• Cryptocurrency support. Supports cryptocurrency processing, enabling businesses to accept a broader range of payment options.
• Customer support. Provides exceptional customer support to address merchant needs and resolve issues effectively.

However, there are also some considerations the merchant must pay attention to:

• Pricing transparency. Pricing details are available only through quotes, which can vary significantly depending on individual business needs.
• Potential cost. It may have monthly fees and minimum processing volumes.

Durango Merchant Services effectively caters to the needs of high-risk businesses with its comprehensive industry reach, robust fraud protection, and cryptocurrency support. While pricing transparency could be improved, Durango's ability to find solutions for challenging merchant profiles makes it a strong contender in the high-risk merchant processing market.

Easy Pay Direct

Easy Pay Direct offers a user-friendly and integrated payment gateway solution designed to streamline payment processing for businesses with high transaction volumes. Their platform supports multiple merchant accounts and offers a wide range of features, including a free virtual terminal and extensive third-party integrations. This service offers several key advantages, including:

• User experience. Offers a user-friendly and intuitive payment gateway.
• Enhanced interoperability. Supports high-volume transactions, enabling businesses to scale their operations effectively.
• Free virtual terminal. Provides a free virtual terminal for convenient and efficient transaction processing.
• Extensive third-party integrations. Offers seamless integration with a wide range of third-party applications.

However, some potential downsides of this provider include:

• Geographic limitations. Currently limited to US and Canadian markets.
• Pricing transparency. Pricing information may be limited and require further inquiry.

Easy Pay Direct is a strong contender for businesses seeking a user-friendly and integrated payment gateway solution, particularly those with high transaction volumes. However, their geographic limitations and lack of readily available pricing information may require further investigation for businesses operating outside of the US and Canada.

Soar Payments

Soar Payments specializes in serving high-risk businesses, offering competitive pricing, streamlined onboarding, and robust customer support. They provide a comprehensive suite of payment processing solutions, including merchant accounts, ACH processing, and payment gateways, catering to industries like collectibles, CBD, subscriptions, and more. The primary advantages of this service are:

• Competitive pricing. Offers competitive pricing with instant online quotes, eliminating the need for lengthy negotiations.
• Streamlined onboarding. Provides a straightforward and efficient application process.
• Responsive customer service. Provides responsive and helpful customer support to ensure timely resolution of merchant inquiries and issues.

Potential drawbacks to consider include:

• Geographic limitations. It may not be available to businesses operating outside of the United States.
• Limited industry support. May not support all high-risk industries or may have restrictions on certain types of businesses.

Soar Payments presents a compelling option for businesses seeking reliable and cost-effective payment processing solutions in the United States. However, potential clients should carefully consider their geographic limitations and potential restrictions on certain industries.

Bankful

Bankful offers comprehensive payment solutions, including credit card processing, cryptocurrency support, subscription billing, and advanced fraud prevention tools. Their platform features a user-friendly interface, robust integrations, and excellent customer service. Compared to other platforms, Bankful offers a list of such advantages as:

• Feature-rich. Offers a comprehensive set of features to address the unique needs of high-risk businesses.
• Advanced fraud prevention. Leverages robust fraud detection tools to enhance security and minimize chargeback risks.
• Intuitive platform. Provides an intuitive and easy-to-use platform for efficient payment processing.
• Dedicated support team. Offers dedicated customer support to address any questions or concerns promptly and effectively.

However, there are also some downsides to this service. The list includes:

• Higher startup costs. Higher startup costs compared to some competitors.
• Cost consideration. Monthly fees can impact profitability for businesses with low transaction volumes.
• Feature limitations. It may have limited advanced features for managing complex subscription models, potentially restricting flexibility and efficiency.
• Geographic limitations. Currently available only to merchants based in the US.

Overall, Bankful is an excellent service. However, before investing in it, you must thoroughly consider whether this provider fits your business model. If you plan to expand your business overseas or have a complex subscription model, you should probably opt for another platform.

Host Merchant Services

HMS offers a comprehensive suite of payment processing services catering to businesses' diverse needs. It provides excellent merchant support, enabling seamless mobile payments, integrated POS systems for in-store and online sales, secure e-commerce transactions, and EMV chip card technology support, ensuring secure and compliant payment processing for businesses across various industries. The key advantages of this service are:

• Competitive pricing. Offers potentially lower monthly fees compared to some competitors.
• Flexible contracts. Offers flexible contract terms with no cancellation fees, providing greater business flexibility.
• Hardware options. Provides a wide range of hardware options, ensuring businesses can find the equipment that best suits their specific needs.
• Exceptional customer service. Offers an exceptional level of customer support, ensuring a positive and seamless merchant experience.

Despite the advantages of this provider, merchants must also pay attention to some downsides, such as:

• Limited suitability for low-volume businesses. Pricing may not be competitive for smaller businesses.
• Annual PCI Compliance Fee. Businesses may be required to pay an annual fee to maintain PCI DSS compliance.
• Potential for statement fees. Additional fees may be incurred for specific statement options or services.

HMS is a well-regarded provider of merchant services, offering a comprehensive suite of payment solutions and excellent customer support. However, businesses should carefully evaluate their individual needs and compare pricing and contract terms from multiple providers before making a decision.