The Best High-Risk Merchant Accounts
High-risk processors come with higher pricing and longer contract terms, but our recommended providers are fair, honest, and transparent.
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WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Last updated onUpdated
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REVIEWED BY
Expert Contributor
Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.
We evaluated the best high-risk merchant accounts based on flexible underwriting, industry-specific support, chargeback tools, and payment options beyond what traditional processors provide. These are our top picks.
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Compare Our Top Picks
| Provider | Best For | Account Approval Time | Account Setup Fee | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Free Terminal Offer | 48 hours + | None | |
 | Best For High-Risk eCommerce | Not advertised | None | |
 | Best For Offshore Merchants | 24 hours to 6 business days | None | |
 | Best For MOTO Businesses | 24-72 hours | None | |
 | Best For Fast Account Approval | 3-5 business days (for full approval) | None | |
| Show More Options | ||||
 | Best For Load Balancing | 1-4 business days | $99 | |
| Show Fewer Options |
PaymentCloud
Best OverallBest Free Terminal Offer
PaymentCloud is a high-risk merchant account provider with a standout free terminal offer for retail merchants.
PaymentCloud works with low-, medium-, and high-risk businesses, but specializes in placing high-risk merchants through its network of processors and acquiring banks. It also offers gateway options, a free virtual terminal, QR-code payments, and custom pricing based on underwriting.
Supported Industries
Adult, CBD, MLM, nutraceuticals
Payment Gateway(s)
Authorize.Net, NMI, USAePay, etc.
Contract Requirements
Varies
PROS
- Excellent customer support
- Free credit card terminal
- Good public reputation
CONS
- No publicly disclosed pricing
Host Merchant Services
Best For High-Risk eCommerce
Host Merchant Services is a good fit for eCommerce merchants that want high-risk processing options, gateway flexibility, and website hosting support.
HMS primarily serves low-risk businesses, but it can support some high-risk industries through processing partners. Merchants can access Authorize.Net, Transaction Express, virtual terminals, POS hardware, free hosting, and custom high-risk pricing based on underwriting.
Supported Industries
Adult, debt collection, firearms, SEO
Payment Gateway(s)
Transaction Central, HMSExpress, Authorize.net
Contract Requirements
Month-to-month
PROS
- No early termination fee
- No monthly minimums
- Excellent customer support
CONS
- Expensive for low-volume merchants
Durango Merchant Services
Best For Offshore Merchants
Durango Merchant Services stands out for high-risk businesses that may need domestic, international, or offshore merchant account options.
Durango supports high-risk retail and eCommerce merchants with dedicated account managers, the Durango Pay gateway, virtual terminal access, mobile processing, shopping cart integrations, fraud protection, eCheck processing, and compatible credit card terminals. Pricing and contract terms vary by business type and underwriting.
Supported Industries
eCommerce, bail bonds, debt services, offshore businesses
Payment Gateway(s)
Durango Pay
Contract Requirements
Varies
PROS
- Offshore accounts available
- EMV-compliant mobile card readers
- Dedicated account managers
CONS
- Early termination fee may apply
Corepay
Best For MOTO Businesses
Corepay is a good fit for high-risk businesses that need mail order/telephone order processing, including merchants without a website.
Corepay supports many high-risk industries with MOTO-only accounts, eCommerce processing, ACH transfers, hardware options, payment gateway choices, and chargeback protection tools. Pricing varies, and high-risk merchants should expect higher processing rates than comparable low-risk businesses.
Supported Industries
MOTO, adult, CBD, firearms, travel, online dating, telemedicine, vape
Payment Gateway(s)
NetValve, Authorize.Net, etc.
Contract Requirements
Not disclosed
PROS
- No application or setup fees
- Proprietary NetValve gateway
- Antifraud & chargeback protection
CONS
- Few pricing disclosures
Soar Payments
Best For Fast Account Approval
Soar Payments stands out for fast high-risk preapprovals, especially for eCommerce merchants that need gateway and chargeback tools.
Soar works with multiple banks and processors to place high-risk merchants. It offers Authorize.Net, NMI, and USAePay gateway options, ACH and eCheck processing, PAX hardware, and ChargebackArmor support. Pricing is quote-based, and high-risk accounts may require a rolling reserve, monthly minimum, and longer contract.
Supported Industries
Cannabis, CBD, credit repair, firearms, nutraceuticals, travel industry
Payment Gateway(s)
Authorize.Net, NMI, or USAePay
Contract Requirements
Varies
PROS
- Automated custom pricing quote
- Automated application process
- Fast underwriting
CONS
- Early termination fees
Easy Pay Direct
Best For Load Balancing
Easy Pay Direct is a high-risk payment processor built around its proprietary EPD Gateway and support for multiple merchant accounts.
Its load balancing feature can route transactions across more than one account, which may help high-volume or higher-risk businesses manage processing limits and reduce disruptions. Easy Pay Direct is especially relevant for eCommerce merchants that need gateway flexibility, though multiple accounts may mean additional monthly fees.
Supported Industries
CBD, firearms, nutraceuticals, credit repair, bad credit merchants
Payment Gateway(s)
EPD Gateway, Authorize.Net, NMI
Contract Requirements
3 years
PROS
- Load balancing feature
- No ETFs for most merchants
- In-house sales team
CONS
- Account setup fee
The Best High-Risk Merchant Accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
Erica Seppala
Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.
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