Credit Card Processing Solutions
Top Companies in 2025
Elavon vs Stripe
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- 24/7/365 technical support
- Easy-to-navigate software compatibilities
- International credit card processing services
- No monthly fees
- Affordable and portable chip reader
- Cross-border payment options for 50+ countries across 135+ currencies
- Transparent prices and fees
- Lack of price and plan transparency
- Funds may be held indefinitely
- Reports of frozen funds and deactivated accounts
- Lack of transparency on high-risk cases
- Have to pay for "premium" support
Elavon is a financial services company based in Atlanta, Georgia, and a subsidiary of U.S. Bank. Their focus is on providing merchant services to businesses of all sizes, with industry-specific payment processing options and advanced management features. They offer high industry security standards and serve over 2 million customers in 32 countries, processing a combined $6.5 billion in credit card transactions annually across various industries. Elavon is designed to scale with your business, adjusting their services as your company grows. The company has won awards like the 2023 TSG Real Transaction Metrics Awards and 2022 Best Mobile Payment Solution at the CNP Expo, reinforcing its position. They receive mixed reviews and complaints but respond promptly and satisfactorily.
Stripe is a merchant services provider that offers payment processing solutions for businesses of all sizes. They offer both merchant accounts and related services, including payment gateways, online transaction processing, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and credit card readers. Stripe is a payment processor that allows business owners to accept payment from a variety of methods or sources, including mobile wallets and "buy now, pay later" services. The company offers lots of additional services, including billing, invoicing, and sales tax automation. Stripe is renowned for its straightforward pricing model, where a flat rate is charged per transaction. It is a preferred option for businesses that predominantly operate online, as its distinctive features are primarily tailored toward enhancing online sales. Stripe is accredited with the BBB and has an A+ rating with them, but they have an average review score of 3.1/5 on Trustpilot. Their website offers two service options: an integrated "pay-as-you-go" plan that charges 2.9% +30¢ per card charge or a customized plan that involves interchange-plus pricing for businesses with higher volumes. Prospective clients must contact sales to discuss pricing for the latter plan.
- Transaction Speed : 1 business day (unless the charge requires additional verification)
- Customer Experience : Fair
- Money-Back Guarantee : True
- Gift Cards : Available
- Real-Time Reports : Available
- Transparent Pricing : Unavailable
- Pricing Model : Undisclosed
- Trustpilot Score : 1.3 out of 5
- BBB Rating : A+
- Transaction Speed : 24 hours
- Customer Experience : Good
- Gift Cards : Available
- Real-Time Reports : Available
- Transparent Pricing : Available
- Pricing Model : Interchange plus; separate feature rates & charges
- Trustpilot Score : 2.8 out of 5
- BBB Rating : A+
- High security and fraud protection measures
- A variety of payment methods provided
- International credit card processor (50+ countries)
- Extensive related services & features
- Affordable and portable chip reader
- Targeted solutions for startups & specific industries
- Billing & Invoicing
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware—Undisclosed
- Mobile Card Reader
- Multiple Payment Gateways
- Recurring Payments & Billing
- Reporting & Analytics
- Virtual Terminal
- Billing & Invoicing
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware—Undisclosed
- Mobile Card Reader
- Multiple Payment Gateways
- Recurring Payments & Billing
- Reporting & Analytics
- Virtual Terminal
- EMV Compliant
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- EMV Compliant
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- Annual Subscription—Undisclosed
- Free Trial—Undisclosed
- Freemium—Undisclosed
- Monthly Subscription—Undisclosed
- One-Time License—Undisclosed
- Annual Subscription—Undisclosed
- Free Trial
- Freemium—Undisclosed
- Monthly Subscription—Undisclosed
- One-Time License—Undisclosed
- Processing Services
- Accounting Software
- POS
- Productivity Software
- Processing Services
- Accounting Software
- POS
- Productivity Software
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- NFC Payments
- Online Payment Procesing
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- NFC Payments
- Online Payment Procesing
- Demos—Undisclosed
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Tickets
- Demos
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Tickets
Elavon vs. Stripe
Choosing between Elavon and Stripe for payment processing depends on your business model, whether you need global merchant services or developer-friendly online payments. Both companies provide secure, scalable solutions, but their focus areas differ. This comparison covers their features, pricing, security, and usability to help you decide.
Value-added services
Elavon, a subsidiary of U.S. Bank, offers comprehensive merchant services tailored for various industries, including retail, healthcare, and hospitality. Their offerings include in-person POS systems, mobile payment solutions, and robust reporting tools. Elavon provides specialized payment optimization features like multi-currency conversion and surcharge programs, making them ideal for businesses with international customers.
Stripe, on the other hand, focuses on online payment processing, offering a highly customizable API for businesses that require seamless digital transactions. Stripe supports various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and Buy Now, Pay Later options. They also provide automated invoicing, recurring billing, and tax calculation tools, making them a strong choice for eCommerce and subscription-based businesses.
Usability
Elavon’s services are designed for businesses seeking a complete payment processing solution with minimal technical setup. Their POS systems and virtual terminals are easy to use, and their customer support assists with integration. However, businesses relying heavily on online payments may find Elavon’s digital offerings less flexible compared to Stripe.
Stripe is highly regarded for its ease of integration with websites and apps. Their powerful API allows businesses to create a customized checkout experience, making them a favorite among developers. However, for businesses with limited technical expertise, setting up Stripe may require additional resources.
Data security
Elavon ensures high security with PCI-DSS compliance, tokenization, and encryption. They also provide fraud prevention tools and chargeback management to protect businesses from financial losses.
Stripe offers advanced security features, including PCI compliance, AES encryption, and fraud detection through Stripe Radar. Their security tools use machine learning to identify and prevent fraudulent transactions. Additionally, Stripe provides Dynamic 3D Secure authentication for extra protection.
Pricing
Elavon does not provide transparent pricing, requiring businesses to request custom quotes. Their pricing varies depending on the business size, industry, and specific payment needs. Some users report additional fees for hardware and chargeback management.
Stripe offers transparent, flat-rate pricing with no monthly fees. Their standard rate is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for online payments, with reduced rates for high-volume businesses. Additional services like invoicing and fraud protection come at an extra cost.
Stripe’s clear pricing structure makes it more accessible for small businesses and startups, while Elavon’s custom pricing may benefit larger enterprises with specific needs.
Conclusion
Elavon is best suited for businesses needing a full-service merchant solution with in-person and online payment processing, customizable POS hardware, and international transaction capabilities. Stripe, on the other hand, is ideal for digital-first businesses that require seamless online transactions, strong API integrations, and transparent pricing.
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