Kurv Review

Pros

• Transparent pricing
• Flat-rate, interchange-plus, & zero-fee options
• No ETFs
• Direct processor

Cons

• Two-year contract with automatic renewal clause
• Mixed customer service reviews
• Occasional complaints about unexpected fees

What Is Kurv?

Kurv (formerly Electronic Merchant Systems) is a full-service payment processor that provides merchant accounts, payment processing, and point-of-sale solutions for businesses of all sizes.

As a direct processor, Kurv handles underwriting and transaction processing in-house, giving businesses a single provider for managing their payments. The company offers a wide range of services, including in-person and online payment acceptance, POS systems, and payment gateways.

Kurv serves a variety of industries, including retail, eCommerce, and some higher-risk business types, although approval and pricing will depend on underwriting and specific business factors.

Electronic Merchant Systems previously received criticism for its pricing practices, contract terms, and sales approach. But Kurv represents a rebrand and shift from practices that negatively impacted our rating at the time of our last review update.

Products & Services

Kurv offers a comprehensive set of payment processing tools designed to support both in-person and online businesses.

Notable features include:

• Merchant Accounts: Kurv is a direct processor that offers merchant accounts and payment processing services to businesses of all sizes.
• Flexible Pricing Models: Kurv offers multiple pricing structures, including traditional processing and “zero-fee” surcharge-style programs that allow businesses to offset processing costs by passing fees to customers.
• High-Risk Processing: Kurv may support high-risk merchants in certain industries, though approval and pricing will depend on underwriting.
• In-Person Payments: Kurv supports in-person payments through traditional terminals as well as Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android, allowing businesses to accept contactless payments directly from a mobile device.
• Mobile Apps: Kurv offers iOS and Android apps that can be used to accept payments, track transactions, and manage your account on the go.
• Payment Links, QR Codes, & Remote Payments: With Kurv, businesses can send payment links to customers, generate custom QR codes, and accept remote or contactless payments instantly.
• Virtual Terminal: Kurv provides a browser-based virtual terminal for manually entered and card-not-present transactions, including phone and mail orders.
• eCommerce & Payment Gateway Integrations: Kurv supports online payments through payment gateway integrations and compatibility with popular eCommerce platforms and shopping carts, including Shopify and WooCommerce.
• Recurring Billing & Invoicing: Businesses can set up recurring payments, manage subscriptions, and send invoices or payment requests to customers.
• POS Systems & Omnichannel Payments: Kurv offers point of sale solutions for retail and restaurant businesses, with support for in-person, mobile, and online payments.
• Inventory Management: Kurv’s POS systems include inventory management tools that help businesses track stock levels, manage products, and monitor sales trends.
• Gift Cards & Loyalty Programs: Kurv offers built-in gift card and customer loyalty features to help businesses drive repeat sales and improve customer retention.
• Reporting & Analytics: Kurv includes reporting tools and a merchant portal that provide real-time insights into transactions, sales activity, and account performance.
• Security & Fraud Protection: Kurv includes PCI compliance, fraud detection tools, and transaction monitoring to help protect businesses and customer data.

Fees & Rates

Before the rebrand, pricing details were not disclosed on the website. However, Kurv now fully discloses all of its pricing on its website.

Note that advertised pricing applies to low-risk businesses.

That’s not the only difference under the rebrand, either. Gone are the tiered pricing model and numerous additional fees that were previously charged. Kurv offers competitive flat-rate pricing, interchange-plus pricing, and a Zero Fee model that lets you pass processing fees to your customers.

There are no batch fees, early termination fees, or monthly subscription fees. There are also no monthly minimums for most accounts, though a monthly minimum of up to $25 may apply to underused or idle accounts.

The few fees you may encounter include:

Note that while Kurv advertises no hidden fees, there are a handful of complaints about unexplained charges. As with any other processor, make sure to carefully review your contract and ask questions before committing.

In terms of hardware, Kurv offers a handheld smart terminal and an all-in-one terminal, which cost $199 and $399, respectively. While these can be rented starting at $24.95 per month, we always recommend purchasing your equipment outright, as you end up paying far more when you lease equipment. You also risk paying an additional fee if your equipment is not returned.

At the time of this review, Kurv has an offer for a free handheld terminal for new customers. However, no additional information is provided. We recommend making sure you understand any requirements (such as contracts and ETFs) before signing up for free hardware.

You also have the option to use Tap to Pay to accept in-person payments. This option is free of charge to all customers.

Sales & Advertising Transparency

Kurv has really stepped up its sales and advertising transparency. The website is easy to navigate and includes just about everything you need to know about the company and its services — including the welcome addition of pricing information.

That said, not all information is available online. For example, high-volume businesses or those that want to use interchange-plus pricing will need to contact a sales rep for a custom quote. However, this is pretty standard for all processors.

Kurv also has active profiles on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The company also has a YouTube channel. These accounts are updated regularly to provide helpful guides, tutorials, and company updates. A company blog is also available to provide general information on payment processing.

Contract Length & Early Termination Fee

Kurv uses a standard two-year contract with an automatic renewal clause, so your agreement will renew unless you cancel within the required timeframe.

While the contract length may be a drawback for some businesses, Kurv no longer charges an early termination fee, allowing you to close your account without paying a penalty for ending your agreement early. This is a significant improvement over the company’s previous contract terms.

However, businesses using rented equipment may be charged a fee (up to $395) if the equipment is not returned after account closure.

Customer Service & Technical Support

You can reach Kurv’s customer support by phone or email. These options are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

There are a few self-help options available. Videos are available on YouTube, and there are some FAQs scattered across various pages on the website. Unfortunately, there’s no central knowledgebase that compiles all of this information in one spot.

As far as the quality of support, it’s a mixed bag. While some users praise their account representatives and report positive experiences, others cite slow response times or difficulty resolving more complex issues.

Kurv Reviews, Complaints & Testimonials

Kurv’s customer reviews are mixed, with the company receiving a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars (based on 150+ reviews). Kurv is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, where it holds an A+ rating and has a score of 3.48 out of 5 stars based on 20+ user reviews.

Negative Kurv Reviews & Complaints

Some customers expressed disappointment and frustration in dealing with Kurv. Common complaints include:

• Potential rolling reserve requirements
• Hidden fees charged without explanation
• Difficulties reaching customer support by phone
• Holds placed on funds

Positive Kurv Reviews & Testimonials

Other customers had a much better experience with Kurv, with some customers stating that they most liked:

• Good onboarding experiences
• Excellent support
• Fast setup
• Competitive rates

Final Verdict

Kurv has shifted significantly since its rebrand from Electronic Merchant Systems, with improvements to pricing transparency, fee structure, and overall product offerings.

Kurv stands out for its flexible pricing models, modern payment tools, and support for both in-person and online businesses. Features like Tap to Pay, QR code payments, and zero-fee processing options make it more competitive with newer, tech-forward payment providers.

That said, Kurv still uses a standard two-year contract with automatic renewal, and some businesses may need to contact a sales representative for custom pricing or more advanced setups. Additionally, while many users report positive experiences, customer service reviews remain somewhat mixed.

For businesses that value flexibility, modern payment options, and transparent pricing, Kurv is worth considering. Just be sure to review the details before signing up.

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Credit Card Processing With Superior Support

Helcim	Visit Site Read our Review

With Helcim, you get everything you need to accept credit card payments online or in-person with a free account, plus high-quality support from real humans. Start For Free.