Authorize.net Review: Best Payment Gateway in 2023

Authorize.net doesn’t have its own hardware but has a long list of compatible platforms and integrations. So, you can use your existing hardware or purchase a new system to set up your Authorize.net payments.

However, the provider offers a free mobile POS app, which supports several mobile credit card readers.

Authorize.net ID Tech Augusta USB Smart Card Reader	BBPOS Chipper™ 2X (currently not available)
Best for: Users with a First Data Nashville (FDC Nashville) merchant account	Best for: Users who want more flexible payment processing
EMV chip and magnetic stripe reader USB connection EMV payments accepted only through FDC Nashville merchant account	Comes with Bluetooth or Audio Jack versions USB Connection EMV payments accepted through several merchant account providers
$189 or $11.10/mo.	Bluetooth: $130 or $5.66/mo. Audio Jack: $65 or $5.66/mo.

Those with a merchant account with Wells Fargo and PaySafe should contact Authorize.net’s customer support to find out about compatible card readers. You will find other in-person hardware and accessories compatible with the platform in the partner POS portal.

As Authorize.net is a pure payment gateway service, you will need your own merchant account. If you don’t have one, you can sign up for an all-in-one service, which includes a merchant account with an Authorize.net partner or choose to contact a reseller like Worldpay, TSYS, and Wells Fargo for a merchant account with an Authorize.net integration.

Most applications qualify for validation through Authorize.net’s automated underwriting system; however, other businesses may be flagged for considerable risk, in which case, approval can take as long as two business days. Authorize.net will offer assistance in migrating data over from another platform, and there are no associated setup fees. Merchants don’t have to sign up for a long-term contract either—an added benefit.

Note that there are significant differences in the application forms of the payment gateway-only and all-in-one options, including the schedule of standard and additional fees.

Sign up for a payment gateway account directly on Authorize.net’s website. (Source: Authorize.net)

---

All-in-one account applicants are required to provide ownership information. (Source: Authorize.net)

---

The all-in-one account application includes an expanded agreement indicated at the bottom of the form. (Source: Authorize.net)

---

The Authorize.net merchant agreement is anchored on a payment gateway service. Adding a merchant account subscription through Authorize.net’s payment processing partners means additional services and fees. Don’t hesitate to ask an Authorize.net sales representative for all the details.

Some stipulations of note within the merchant agreement are as follows:

• Late payment fee is imposed 15 days after bill is due
• Authorize.net may suspend or terminate your service if it receives notice of your merchant account services termination from your merchant account provider

Payment Gateway-Only Merchant Service Agreement

Those accepting payments through invoices—such as wholesalers and subscription-based businesses—will find Authorize.net’s digital invoicing and recurring billing features an advantage. Not only does it come free with a payment gateway subscription, but these features do not require any integration. So, you can start sending invoices for one-time and recurring payments as soon as you have customized your settings.

Customizing your digital invoice is easy, allowing you to include discounts and accept partial payments via card or e-check payments. For subscriptions and repeat customers, Authorize.net’s recurring payments tools will enable you to save billing and payment information for a faster, automatic payment option. The responsive invoice design makes it easy for customers to read and make payments on any device.

Repeat customers can save their billing information and preferred payment methods with Authorize.net’s recurring payment tools. (Source: Authorize.net)

You can use Authorize.net to quickly and easily embed a “buy now” button on your existing website. Nonprofits can use the “donate now” embed option. These hosted payment forms are PCI-compliant and compatible with simple and advanced customization requirements.

Simple Checkout is an easy-to-use HTML code generator you can find on your merchant interface. After customizing the settings for your payment button, copy and paste the HTML code on your website and immediately start accepting payments.

For a more customized payment page, Authorize.net has a set of tools called Accept Suite, designed for developers looking to create a more streamlined checkout experience. It allows you to design a customized payment form from scratch and either host it on your own website or embed it as an Authorize.net hosted form while still maintaining PCI DSS compliance.

Authorize.net Accept Feature Matrix (Source: Authorize.net)

Although not that well known, Authorize.net does support in-person payments. It has an mPOS software (allows you to connect a card reader to your mobile device) and a vPOS (lets you process in-person payments on a desktop). Both are free to download and allow you to accept swiped and EMV payments. However, the biggest downside is that not all card readers and payment methods are available to Authorize.net payment processor partners.

Authorize.net accepts different payments types. (Source: Authorize.net)

Authorize.net also lets you accept e-check payments through its virtual terminal at a rate of 0.75% per transaction. It is included with your daily batch processing but will take up to three business days for funds to reach your bank. Most businesses use this service over paper checks because it is processed faster and works well if you regularly accept subscription or invoice-based payments.

E-checks can be processed on Authorize.net’s virtual terminal and take up to three business days for funds to be deposited into your bank account. (Source: Authorize.net)

*To determine your merchant processor, go to your merchant interface: Account > Merchant Profile > Payment Methods.

Reviews for the mPOS app, one way you can accept EMV and swiped payments, are less than encouraging, earning 3.3 out of 5 stars from about 160 reviews on Google Play and 2.5 out of 5 stars from around 225 reviews from the App Store. Users unanimously raise concerns over features not working properly and card readers getting disconnected.

The mobile POS app lets you create an SKU catalog, accept payments with tips, perform voids and refunds, manage transactions, and customize taxes, shipping information, and digital receipts. (Source: Authorize.net)

Customer support is available via phone 24/7, except on major holidays. Merchants can also submit an online support case or use Authorize.net’s live chat. There’s even an online support center with an FAQ section, where merchants can troubleshoot issues themselves.

Because it’s a specific platform with a narrow focus, the interface isn’t too cumbersome or overwhelming. People find it easy to get acclimated with the tool. Authorize.net was made to fit into a lot of existing platforms and processes, so it has a ton of integration options that make it easy to add to your existing merchant account and business software. It has integrations for ecommerce platforms, POS systems, accounting, and tools for pretty much every aspect of your business.

Authorize.net will save cards on file, billing information, and shipping locations for each customer to make it easier for returning customers to complete future purchases. Each profile can hold up to 10 payments and 100 shipping details and can be used within your merchant interface or on your website through an API. And because Authorize.net stores your customer information within its secure servers, you will always be PCI compliant.

However, while there’s a mention of integrating this feature on your website, there is no reference to creating a customer portal, which would allow your customers to sign up and manage their own profile. That said, APIs are available, so contact Authorize.net’s technical support to ask for options.

Most payment processors offer Authorize.net alongside their built-in payment gateways as an alternative or an add-on. Authorize.net is partnered with about 160 software development platforms and 145 systems ranging from accounting software to POS hardware. Additionally, its open API makes it flexible enough to work with third-party and custom-built technologies.

Authorize.net’s Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) helps identify, manage, and prevent suspicious and potentially fraudulent transactions, which can be costly. It lets you customize fraud detection with 13 rules-based filters and tools, such as country limitations and payment velocity settings to suit your business model. You can also set up per-transaction notifications to alert you of suspicious activity as soon as it happens. What’s best about this feature is that unlike popular payment gateways, it is included with Authorize.net’s monthly subscription.

No. Authorize.net charges a $25 monthly fee and a transaction fee. If you have the gateway-only package, you pay a 10-cent transaction fee (along with the processing fees from your merchant account). Authorize.net’s merchant account plan comes with a 2.9% + 30 cent transaction fee. There are no setup and installation fees, and you may cancel your service anytime.

Yes. It is a PCI-compliant payment gateway with top-notch security and anti-fraud features to protect your business and customers.

Customers’ credit card information is safely encrypted and stored in Authorize.net’s secure servers.