Industry Category: eCommerce Merchant Account

The 10 Best eCommerce Merchant Accounts

eCommerce is a great option (and sometimes the only option) for businesses in a variety of industries. Whether you already have your online platform launched and are just looking for a payment processor, or need assistance with the entire setup, you should do your homework to compare the offerings from a variety of processors.

When you’re deciding on a payment processor, you need to have all of the facts so that you can make the best decision for your online-based business.

Look for minimum monthly transaction requirements, additional fees on processing transactions, the option for additional services such as invoicing and web development software, and high risk management solutions.

We’ve broken down the benefits and drawbacks of the top 10 best e-commerce processors in the UK to help you get started.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

01

0 1

Nochex

Nochex has been accepting payments since 2001 and supports online and mobile payments through Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. The last credible source on pricing information listed a one-time £50 setup fee and 2.9% plus 20p per transaction.

The Pros

No ongoing contract. No monthly fees, annual fees, reporting fees, or fraud protection and detection fees. Customisable checkout process to match your businesses’ branding. Customer service is available through phone, email and live chat. An extensive FAQ section is available on their website.

The Cons

Pricing is not listed on their website. Customer support is only available during regular business hours and some reviews complain that phone and email responses are slow or unhelpful. Not a good option for brick-and-mortar businesses.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

02

0 2

Axcess Merchant Services

Axcess Merchant Services was founded in 2007 and works with over 391 acquiring banks to provide a wide array of services for businesses of all sizes. Offers merchant account with payment gateway for chip and pin terminals and recurring billing.

The Pros

Solid options for high-risk businesses. They can manage over 100 currencies. Provides account analytics, mobile billing, virtual terminal services, security management, and fraud prevention.

The Cons

Pricing and contract information is not disclosed on their website. Minimal customer reviews are available online.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

03

0 3

First Payment Merchant Services

First Payment Merchant Services was established in 2001 and provides services to small to medium-sized businesses. Provides chip and pin devices and alternative funding methods to help merchants.

The Pros

One of the largest ISOs in the UK. They have a wide variety of equipment to lease which is good for businesses with both online and brick-and-mortar stores.

The Cons

Pricing is not disclosed on their website. Some reviews cite misleading information on pricing and fees. Mixed reviews about customer service.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

04

0 4

BlueSnap

BlueSnap was founded in 2001 and works with a global network of banks to provide individualized services. It provides access to 100 payment types, including all major credit cards, PayPal, ApplePay, MasterPass, Visa Checkout, Google Pay and more in over 180 countries. Fees begin at 1.40% + 20p. 

The Pros

Month-to-month contracts. No setup or cancellation fees. No monthly fees for the first 12-months. Pricing is clearly listed on their website.

The Cons

Monthly maintenance fee if you process below a certain amount. Not a good option for larger businesses with numerous monthly transactions. No high risk management options. Reviews state that they could have better customer service.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

05

0 5

Cardstream

Cardstream was established in 1999 and accepts payments from all major payment methods through phone, mail, and online. They integrate well with many e-commerce shopping cart solutions. There is no pricing information listed on their website, but the last known data was £18/month subscription fee and 9p for each additional transaction.

The Pros

No fees for setup or monthly minimums. There are no transaction limits and the first 350 transactions per month are free. Fully customisable payment platform. Simple integration. Customer service calls and emails are handled swiftly by knowledgeable representatives.

The Cons

A 12-month contract with automatic renewal and early termination fees. Pricing is not disclosed on their website. Customer service chat is only available during regular business hours and there is no live chat feature on their website.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

06

0 6

Verifone

Verifone was established in 1981 and provides services in over 150 countries. They process all major payment methods and provide solutions for payment gateways, virtual terminals, and online reports.

The Pros

They are good for businesses of many sizes and provides support for creating customer loyalty programs, mobile vouchers, and gift cards.

The Cons

Pricing is not disclosed on their website. There seemed to be a lot of negative complaints about devices and customer service.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

07

0 7

Handepay Merchant Services

Handepay Merchant Services was founded in 2006 and handles processing for small to medium-sized businesses. Accepts all major credit cards and Paypal for face-to-face, online, phone, and mail payment options. There is limited information available online for pricing, but they boast on their website that they will beat what you’re paying with your current provider.

The Pros

Doesn’t charge a monthly minimum, PCI-compliance, online statement fees, authorization fees, or joining fees. Online reviews site helpful customer service.

The Cons

No pricing disclosed on their website. Lengthy contracts with automatic renewal clauses that require a three-month notice in writing for cancellation. Early termination fees can be pricey, ranging from £225 to £375. Not a good option for larger businesses with numerous monthly transactions.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

08

0 8

SmartTrade App

SmartTrade App was founded in 1999 and supports face-to-face, over the phone, online and mobile payment processing. The app is available on both Android and iOS devices. They have three different packages available, starting as low as 0.45% app transaction fee and 1.65% card transaction fee.

The Pros

Solid option for emerging or small businesses. Transparent pricing models. No contract commitment. The starter package has no monthly fees. Digital invoicing and billing support available, and easy integration into accounting software.

The Cons

Not a good option for larger businesses with numerous monthly transactions. No high risk management options.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

09

0 9

2Checkout

2Checkout was established in 1999 and is fully PCI compliant. Accepts multiple payment methods, including credit and debit, as well as Paypal. They are optimized to support online and mobile payments. Flat-rate pricing information is available on their site and begins at 3.5% + 29p per transaction.

The Pros

Integrates well with over 100 shopping carts, including Shopify, Magento, Bigcommerce, and WooCommerce. It can process 87 different currencies in 15 languages. Customisable checkout process to match your businesses’ branding. Has options for high risk merchants.

The Cons

Slightly higher fees than other processors. Funds are held. Not a good option for brick-and-mortar businesses.

our review view website

A good fit for:

eCommerce Merchant Account

010

0 10

Ingenico

Ingenico was founded in 1980 and supports online and mobile payments from a variety of payment forms. The company lists three different package options on their website but there is no disclosed information on prices.

The Pros

They provide secure software that integrates into a variety of POS systems. Has solutions for businesses of all sizes.

The Cons

Lack of information on prices, early termination fees or hardware fees. No live chat option for customer support and phone centers are only available during limited hours. No high risk management options. Not a good option for brick-and-mortar businesses.

Provider of the Month

Why Nochex

Nochex can help you get paid online, over the phone, by sending invoices, using a wireless point-of-sale (POS) device or by setting up recurring payments. The company is a smart alternative to PayPal and Stripe.

See Our Full Review
Visit Nochex

Latest Articles