Ellen Cibula
Written by Ellen Cibula Payments, Finance, and AI Expert: Learn More

Are you a high-risk business?

Dealing with payments as a high-risk business can be difficult but it doesn’t have to stop you from taking payment. We’ve compiled the seven best payment processors that specialize in offering high-risk solutions so you don’t have to worry about not being able to take payment.

All of these providers provide exceptional customer service, low fees and most importantly meet your compliance requirements. They offer innovative solutions such as recurrent billing and fraud services which make sure your customers feel their data is safe while making purchases on your website.

Check out this blog post now to find out more about the 7 best high risk merchant services available! You’ll never miss a sale again!

ellen’s pick

National Processing

National Processing logo
  • Transparent Fees
  • 20+ Years Experience
  • Wide Range of Features
  • High-Risk Merchant Accounts
  • Low ACH and Check Fees

Read Review

many high risk industries

Easy Pay Direct

EasyPayDirect Logo
  • Card-present and card-not-present solutions
  • No monthly minimum volume requirements
  • Recurring Billing
  • ACH Payments
  • Transparent fees

Read Review

TL;DR 7 best payment processors with high-risk merchant services

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right processor; I know this from experience because I used to work at a large payment processor that worked with high-risk businesses. We went above and beyond to ensure that our merchant accounts could meet our client’s needs. As a result, I have a lot of insight into what processors are best for businesses with high risk.

In this blog post, I will rank and review the top high-risk payment processors on the market. I will look at features, high-risk industries, pros, cons, and pricing to help you decide which tool is right for your business.

This site is supported by its readers. If you purchase through a link on my site, I may earn a commission. For more information see my Disclosure Policy

What are the Best High-Risk Payment Processors?

Here is my ranked and reviewed list of the best payment processors that offer high-risk merchant services.

ellen’s pick

National Processing
Simple. Transparent. Payment Processing Solutions.

National Processing

National Processing is a payment processor that specializes in high-risk merchant accounts. It has been in business for over 20 years and is one of the most experienced high-risk processors in the industry. National Processing offers many features, including chargeback protection, fraud prevention, recurring billing, and invoicing. It also offers high-risk merchant accounts for many high-risk industries, like drop-shipping, guns and firearms, credit repair, and non-profit.

National Processing offers payment solutions for retail, restaurant, eCommerce ACH (eCheck), cash discount, MOTO (card-not-present), and high-risk businesses.

Top Features

  • Chargeback protection
  • Fraud prevention
  • Recurring billing
  • Invoicing
  • High-risk merchant accounts

High-Risk Industries

  • Drop-shipping
  • Firearms/ammunition
  • Credit repair and debt consolidation services
  • Nonprofit
  • Tobacco/vape-related
  • And more…

National Processing Pros

  • Transparent fees
  • 20+ years of experience
  • Wide range of features
  • High-risk merchant accounts
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee
  • Low ACH and eCheck fees

National Processing Cons

  • No online quoting system
  • Negative online reviews from customers who are unhappy with the customer service and high fees.

Pricing

National Processing fees are very competitive. National Processing also offers a variety of different pricing options so that you can find the best price for your business. Whether you’re looking for a flat fee or a per-transaction fee, National Processing has a pricing option that will fit your business needs. National Processing is the best choice for your business with competitive fees and various pricing options.

National Processing’s pricing includes a monthly fee plus a per-transaction fee.

  • Restaurant, $9.95 per month, 0.14% plus $0.07 per transaction
  • Retail, $9.95 per month, 0.18% plus $0.10 per transaction
  • eCommerce, $9.95 per month, 0.29% plus $0.15 per transaction
  • Cash Discount, $39.95 per month, 0.0% plus $0.00 per transaction
  • Non-profit, $9.95 per month, 0.12% plus $0.06 per transaction
  • ACH Processing, $15.00 per month, 0-1.5% plus $0.48 per transaction
  • Subscription, $59.00 per month, 0.0% plus $0.09 per transaction
  • Subscription Plus, $199.00 per month, 0.0% plus $0.05 per transaction

Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take

National Processing is a great choice for high-risk merchants. It offers many features, including chargeback protection, fraud prevention, recurring billing, and invoicing.

Many high-risk industries

Easy Pay Direct
THE EASY WAY TO PROCESS PAYMENTS ONLINE

Easy Pay Direct

Easy Pay Direct is a payment processor designed to make your life easier. Easy Pay Direct serves high-risk merchants, CBD and Hemp businesses, and Enterprise companies by offering in-store, mobile, online gateway, and credit card processing.

With Easy Pay Direct, you can process credit cards, electronic checks, and ACH transactions. It allows you to use email invoicing, recurring billing, batch uploading, and online payment forms to collect payments.

Top Features

  • Accept Online Payments
  • Setup Recurring Billing
  • Send Email Invoices
  • Accept Credit Cards from Anywhere
  • Debit Bank Accounts (ACH Processing)
  • Cash Checks from Any Computer

High-Risk Industries

  • Multi-level marketing
  • Subscription
  • Seminars
  • Insurance
  • CBD
  • Any business that operates wholly online.
  • Travel businesses, including airline and airplane charter services, timeshares, travel clubs, vacation planning, vacation rentals, tour operations, etc.
  • Life coaching, hypnosis, etc.
  • Online gaming, lotteries and sweepstakes, bookmaking, sports betting, and similar services.
  • Bankruptcy attorneys, attorney referral services, and similar organizations.
  • Debt collectors, collection agencies, credit repair services, check cashing, loan brokers, financial planning, and similar services.
  • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services.
  • Furniture sellers.
  • E-cigarette, vaping, CBD, etc. websites.
  • Get rich quick companies, online “business opportunities,” and other similar opportunities promising fast profit for takers.
  • Extended warranty companies.
  • Nutraceuticals and vitamin supplement organizations.
  • Fantasy sports.
  • Entertainment download sites (music, movies, games, etc.).
  • Weapon sales, including knives, triggers, magazines, ammunition, etc.
  • And more… 

Easy Pay Direct Pros

  • Accepts many high-risk businesses
  • Transparent fees

Easy Pay Direct Cons

  • $99 one-time setup fee

Pricing

  • $29.99 per month (online only)
  • Card-present rate: 1.59% + $0.17
  • Card-not-present rate: 2.44% + $0.29
  • ACH (eCheck) rate: 1.6% + $0.29

Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take

Easy Pay Direct is the solution for you if you need a high-risk merchant account with transparent fees.

Fast Approvals

Durango Merchant Services
Let’s get you processing! Transparent pricing. Quick approval.

Durango Merchant Services

Durango Merchant Services is a high-risk payment processor that offers a variety of features to its users. Some of these features include ACH processing, credit card processing, check processing, online reporting, fraud protection, and customer

Durango Merchant Service offers merchant accounts for businesses in various industries, including annual memberships, multilevel marketing, gaming, and more.

Top Features

  • ACH Processing
  • Credit Card Processing
  • Check Processing
  • Cryptocurrency Processing
  • Mobile Payments
  • Payment Info Tokenization (Customer “Vault”)
  • Multi-currency Merchant Accounts
  • Level II and III processing
  • Recurring Billing
  • PCI Certification
  • Online Reporting
  • Fraud Protection
  • Customer Service and Technical Support
  • Shopping Cart Integration

High-Risk Industries

  • Annual memberships
  • Bail bonds
  • Online electronics
  • Gaming
  • Multilevel marketing
  • Debt services
  • Fortune telling
  • Firearms
  • And more…

Durango Pros

  • Interchange Plus Pricing
  • Customized pricing for high-risk merchants

Durango Cons

  • Pricing details are not readily disclosed.

Pricing

Pricing is determined by many factors, including but not limited to: the type of business, average transaction amount, monthly processing volume, and length of time in business. The per-transaction fee ranges from 1.00%-4.99%. Other fees are not disclosed.

For more pricing information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Durango Merchant Services directly.

Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take

Durango Merchant Services is an excellent choice for high-risk merchants because they offer many features and merchant accounts for many high-risk industries. However, their pricing is not disclosed without contacting Durango Merchant Services.

best value

PaymentCloud
The Best Merchant Services for Small Business

PaymentCloud

PaymentCloud is a payment processor designed for businesses of all sizes and all risk levels. It has excellent customer service and very few negative online reviews. It also offers high-risk merchant accounts for many high-risk industries, including adult products, CBD businesses, guns and firearms, nutraceuticals, jet charters, and others.

With PaymentCloud, you can accept credit cards, debit cards, and ACH payments. You can also set up recurring billing and invoicing.

Top Features

  • Global payment access with card-present and card-not-present solutions.
  • Accept credit cards, debit cards, ACH and eCheck payments, and cryptocurrency payments via POS, mobile, online, and MOTO solutions.
  • Online solutions include Payment Gateways, Virtual Terminals, Software- and CRM Integrations, and Shopping Carts.
  • Retail POS credit card processing via chip, magstripe, and QR code.
  • Recurring billing and invoicing.
  • Fraud and Chargeback Preventions Services.
  • PCI compliance.
  • 24/7 customer support.
  • Flexible pricing options.

High-Risk Industries

  • Accounting & Tax Prep
  • Adult
  • Airlines
  • Bail Bonds
  • Bar & Restaurant
  • CBD
  • Cigars & Tobacco
  • Clothing & Apparel
  • Continuity-Subscription
  • Debt Collection
  • Debt Consolidation
  • Digital Downloads
  • Document Preparation
  • Drop Shipping
  • Ecommerce
  • Educational Seminars
  • Electronics
  • Guns & Firearms
  • Hair & Beauty Salon
  • Health & Fitness
  • High Risk
  • High Volume
  • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Hunting & Outdoor Equipment
  • Jet Charter
  • MLM
  • Moving Companies
  • Nonprofit
  • Nutraceuticals & Supplements
  • Property Management
  • SaaS Companies
  • Self Defense, Tasers & Stun Guns
  • SEO & SEM Services
  • Smoking Accessories
  • Sports Betting Advice
  • Tech Support
  • Telemedicine
  • Travel Agency
  • Vape & eCig
  • Web Design Services
  • And more…

PaymentCloud Pros

  • The ability to take high-risk payments.
  • PCI compliance.
  • Fast application and approval.
  • 24/7 customer support.
  • Flexible pricing options.

PaymentCloud Cons

  • Quote-based fees that are not available online
  • Fees may be higher for high-risk transactions

Pricing

PaymentCloud has a variety of pricing options depending on your business needs. However, these fees are not disclosed until you request a quote.

Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take

PaymentCloud is a high-risk payment processor that is designed for businesses of all sizes. With PaymentCloud, you can accept credit cards, debit cards, ACH, and cryptocurrency payments. You can also set up recurring billing and invoicing. PaymentCloud is a good choice for businesses that need to take high-risk payments. This could include businesses in the adult entertainment industry, the guns and firearms industry, or the CBD industry.

Still unsure? Check out some alternatives to PaymentCloud.

Stop waiting and try PaymentCloud today.

Competitive pricing

Host Merchant Services
Merchant Services You’ll Love Built With Reliability, Low Cost, Great Service, and Scalability

Host Merchant Services

Host Merchant Services is a payment processor that helps businesses accept credit and debit card payments. The company offers a variety of features, including support for mobile payments, fraud protection, and customer loyalty programs. In addition, Host Merchant Services allows businesses to track sales and inventory levels in real time. As a result, the company has become a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. Host Merchant Services also helps businesses that offer debt collection/recovery, e-cigarettes, airlines, adult novelties/toys, life coaching, gambling and casino, and many more. Host Merchant Services is worth considering whether you’re just starting or looking for a new payment processor.

Top Features

  • Fraud Protection
  • 24/7/365 Phone and Email Support
  • Free EMV-compliant mobile swiper or terminal with merchant account
  • Free Terminal Replacement
  • No Hidden Fees
  • Lifetime Rates
  • Next-day Funding
  • Online Reporting

High-Risk Industries

  • Debt Collection/Recovery
  • Electronic cigarettes
  • E-Liquid
  • Adult novelties/ toys, including membership sites
  • Life Coaching
  • Nutra Deals
  • Airlines
  • Offshore business
  • Selling anything that “borders” on illegal
  • Loan Modification companies
  • Some travel
  • Timeshares
  • Gambling and casinos
  • Modeling agencies
  • Pawn shops
  • Vape shops
  • Real estate
  • SEO services
  • Vitamin and supplement sales
  • And many more…

HMS Pros

  • Competitive Pricing
  • Fast Approvals for High-Risk Industries

HMS Cons

  • Early Termination Fees.

Pricing:

  • Tiered Pricing Structure
  • Retail storefront: interchange + 0.25% + $0.10 per transaction
  • Restaurant: interchange + 0.20% + $0.09 per transaction
  • ECommerce Rate: Interchange + 0.35% + $0.10 per transaction
  • Monthly Fee: $14.99
  • Batch fee: $0.20 per batch
  • Voice Authorization: $0.75
  • Gateway Fee: $5.00/month (optional)
  • Annual 1099 Reporting Fee: $24.00

Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take

Host Merchant Services is an excellent choice for high-risk businesses. It offers competitive pricing, fast approvals for high-risk industries, and a tiered pricing structure. However, there are early termination fees.

best for global merchants

SMB Global
Standard risk? High risk? Something in between? No problem.

SMB Global

SMB Global is a payment processor that offers merchant accounts for businesses in various industries, including adult entertainment, e-cigarettes, gaming, and more.

Some of the features that SMB Global offers include chargeback protection, fraud prevention, recurring billing, and invoicing.

Top Features

  • Specializes in high-risk merchant accounts.
  • Offers a wide range of features, including chargeback protection, fraud protection, and PCI compliance.
  • Offers several value-added services, such as merchant cash advance and check processing
  • International and offshore solutions

High-Risk Industries Served

  • Auto Parts & Accessories
  • Collections
  • Credit Repair
  • Diet & Weight Loss Programs
  • E-cigarettes/ Vaping/ Tobacco
  • Electronics (online)
  • Extended Warranties
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Financial Services
  • Firearms, Ammo, & Accessories
  • Furniture Sales (online)
  • Multi-level Marketing
  • Nutraceuticals/Herbal Supplements
  • Online Gaming & Casinos
  • Precious Metals, Coins
  • Self Storage
  • Vacation/Travel/Flights
  • And more…

SMB Global Pros

  • Customized pricing solutions
  • Free, EMV-compliant countertop terminals and mobile readers for qualifying businesses for card-present

SMB Global Cons

  • Early termination fees
  • Fees are not transparent

Pricing

SMB Global does not disclose its fee schedule; contact SMB Global directly to get a quote.

Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take

SMB Global is a great choice for high-risk global businesses because they offer a wide range of features and merchant accounts for many high-risk industries.

USA Only

Soar Payments
HIGH RISK?
NO PROBLEM!

Soar Payments

Soar Payments provides merchant accounts for hard-to-place and high-risk businesses; it is known for its transparency and great customer support. Some features that make Soar stand out are its interchange optimization, PCI compliance assistance, virtual terminal and mobile app capabilities, online reporting and statements, and ACH processing. Soar Payments is a great option for high-risk businesses that need a customizable payment solution.

Top Features

  • Instant online quote
  • No hidden fees
  • 24/7 live customer support
  • Interchange optimization
  • PCI compliance assistance
  • Retail (card-present)
  • Ecommerce
  • Virtual terminal and mobile app capabilities
  • Free equipment options
  • Online reporting and statements
  • ACH processing
  • Customizable payment solutions

High-Risk Industries

  • Antiques & Collectibles
  • Apparel & Clothing
  • Bad Credit
  • Bus Lines
  • Cannabis Support Businesses
  • Caterers
  • CBD Oil & CBD Products
  • Continuity/Subscription Products
  • Country Clubs
  • Credit Repair
  • Credit Monitoring
  • Debt Collection
  • Digital Streaming
  • Document Preparation
  • Events
  • Fantasy Sports
    Firearms & Ammunition
  • Furniture & Home Furnishings
  • Gyms, Fitness & Yoga
  • Health & Beauty
  • Hotels & Lodging
  • Insurance / Warranty
  • Legal Services
  • Magazine Subscriptions
  • Martial Arts
  • Medical Billing & Coding
  • Medical Supplies
  • Membership & Recurring Billing
  • MLM Companies
  • Transportation & Moving
  • Non-Profit
  • ​Nutraceuticals
  • Pawnbrokers & Pawn Shops
  • Pet Products
  • Precious Metals
  • Pro Sports & Athletic Fields
  • Property Management
  • SaaS Companies
  • Seminars & Coaching
  • SEO / SEM / Ad Agency
  • Smoking Accessories
  • Sports Betting
  • Survivalist & Tactical Gear
  • Taxes and Accounting
  • Telemedicine
  • Ticket Agencies & Brokers
  • Tobacco & Cigar
  • Travel & Timeshare
  • Vape / e-Cig / eJuice
  • Veterinarians
  • Web Design & Development
  • Other Mid & High Risk

Soar Payments Pros

  • Instant online quote
  • No hidden fees
  • 24/7 live customer support

Soar Payments Cons

  • USA-based businesses only (no Offshore & Non-USA Businesses)
  • Prices may be higher for medium- and high-risk merchants
  • Early termination fees.
  • Does not serve Ultra-High-Risk industries (e.g., Any Illegal Activity, Adult, Bitcoin, Debt Collection/Consolidation/Relief, Forex, Gambling & Casino, Hate or Racial Content, Kratom, Marijuana, ​Payday Loan / Cash Advance, Pharmaceuticals, Tech Support, Very Poor Credit, or MATCH List)

Pricing

Soar Payments does not disclose their pricing; you must contact Soar for a quote.

Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take

Soar is a great choice for international merchants because they offer many features and merchant accounts for many high-risk industries.

What is a High-Risk Payment Processor?

Merchants are considered high-risk because of their industry, business model, or financial history. High-risk industries are businesses that sell highly regulated goods and services or fall into legal gray areas. The most common high-risk business models are those that accept payments online, offer a recurring or subscription payment plan, or have extended delivery times. A business with a poor financial history or financial difficulty with a previous processor may need a high-risk merchant account.

To process payments, these high-risk merchants need a feature-packed payment processor to handle their transactions. Once you obtain a payment processor, you can set up your payment system to start accepting payments.

Summary

When it comes to high-risk payment processing, it is important to do your research and find the right provider for your business. The seven providers I have listed are all great options, but each has its unique set of features and benefits. I suggest taking a close look at each to see which will work best for you and your business. Thanks for reading!

FAQ

A high-risk payment gateway will process transactions for high-risk merchants.

Businesses considered high-risk might have trouble getting a merchant account with a traditional bank. They may need a high-risk merchant account; the seven payment processors reviewed in this article all offer high-risk merchant accounts.

A business may be considered high-risk because of its industry, business model, or financial history.

* High-risk industries are businesses that sell highly regulated goods and services or fall into legal gray areas.
* The most common high-risk business models are those that accept payments online, offer a recurring or subscription payment plan, or have long delivery times.
* A business with a poor financial history or financial difficulty with a previous processor may need a high-risk merchant account.

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