Selecting the right merchant account affects fees, settlement speed, fraud protection and PCI compliance. Compare total costs, prefer tokenized/hosted solutions over email or manual card handling, and read contracts for hidden fees or reserves.
Third-party merchant accounts (payment facilitators and aggregated processors) let startups accept cards quickly but usually charge higher fees, impose reserves, and limit control. Use them as a short-term bridge while preparing to qualify for a direct merchant account.
Third-party merchant solutions - PayFacs, aggregators, and merchant cash advances - can get you processing quickly, but they often cost more and can strain cash flow. Read contracts, compare alternatives, and model repayment impacts before you sign.