What We Recommend Payanywhere For
Payanywhere’s tools are best suited for food businesses, merchants that sell inexpensive items, and small-scale mobile payment processing.
In particular, Payanywhere is best for:
- Businesses with a low average order value (AOV): Payanywhere’s payment processing fees are especially affordable for merchants that sell inexpensive items and don’t have a high AOV. This distinction makes it one of the top credit card readers for small businesses.
- Low-volume or mobile restaurants and food-based businesses: Payanywhere offers the ability to use split checks, open tabs, tips, and customer-facing touch-screen devices. It made our list of the best credit card payment apps, specifically for these restaurant-specific functions. It’s important to note that Payanywhere is not a full-fledged restaurant POS system.
When Payanywhere Would Not Be a Good Fit
- Processing high-value or high-volume transactions: If you sell expensive items or have a high AOV, Payanywhere’s fees will not be the most cost-effective option. Instead, check out one of these other cheap credit card processors.
- International payments: Payanywhere doesn’t support international payments. So, if you’re a global business serving customers worldwide, look for a different option, such as PayPal or Helcim, which are featured in our list of best international merchant services.
- Merchants who sell occasionally: Payanywhere charges a monthly account inactivity fee if you don’t use the platform frequently enough. So, if you’re only occasionally involved in selling, you might look for a different option such as Square or PayPal.
- Online businesses: We typically recommend Payanywhere as a mobile solution. If you need an online payment processor, choose one of our recommended payment gateways.
Looking for something different? See our guide of the best merchant services for small businesses to find the solution that’s right for you.
Payanywhere Overview
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| No chargeback fees | Charges an inactivity fee |
| Low fees on small transactions | Doesn’t accept international credit cards |
| Next-day funding | Platform is reportedly unstable and has frequent updates that interfere with performance |
| Free EMV chip card reader | Customers complain of lack of advanced features |
| Autopay for subscriptions and recurring payments | Poor customer service |
You need to create a Payanywhere account before you can apply with your business’s federal tax identification number. You can do everything online. The process goes through six different screens, including selecting between a pay-as-you-go or custom rate, choosing hardware, creating a login, and then applying for a merchant account. While the process is a little longer than Square or PayPal, it’s still fairly quick and easy. However, there’s no information on its website about account setup or migration assistance.
Payanywhere Pricing
Payanywhere offers pay-as-you-go and custom pricing options. Previously, custom pricing was reserved for businesses that process more than $30,000/month, but its recent website update encourages any business owner to reach out to Payanywhere’s sales team to get custom-quoted rates. There’s also an inactivity fee of $3.99/month after 12 months of not using your account, so you’ll want to look at other options if you only sell occasionally.
- Monthly Payment Processing Fee: $0
- Cancellation Fee: $0
- Swipe, Dip, or Tap Transaction Fee: 2.69%
- Keyed-in Transaction Fee: 3.49% + 19 cents
- Invoicing and recurring payments: 3.49% + 19 cents
- Virtual terminal payments: 3.49% + 19 cents
- Inactivity Fee: $3.99/month after 12 months of inactivity
- Same Day Funding: 1%
- Dispute Fees: $0
Payanywhere Payments Calculator
Enter your current in-store and/or online sales volumes and average order values for an estimate on the monthly fees you would pay using Payanywhere.
Payanywhere Alternatives & Fees Comparison
Stax by Fattmerchant | Square | PayPal Zettle | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for | Businesses using billing, invoicing, and virtual terminals | Small businesses just starting out | Occasional in-person sales |
Monthly fee | Starts at $99/month | Starts at $0/month | Starts at $0/month |
Card-present transaction fee | Interchange + 8 cents | 2.6% + 10 cents | 2.29% + 9 cents |
Keyed transaction fee | Interchange + 15 cents | 3.5% + 15 cents | 3.49% + 9 cents |
Ecommerce transaction fee | Interchange + 15 cents | 2.9% + 30 cents | 3.49% + 9 cents |
Looking for the lowest rates? The payment processing rates you will pay can vary based on your business’s size, type, and average order value. To find the most affordable option and compare multiple processing rates, read our guide on the cheapest credit card processing.
Payanywhere Hardware
For users who only need the means to accept on-the-go payments, Payanywhere supports mobile credit card readers, with the first one free for every merchant account. It also carries smart terminals and smart POS systems that you can purchase or rent by paying a licensing fee. You will also need to pay for the POS software attached to each device.
2-in-1 Bluetooth Credit Card Reader - $29.95 (first is free). Accepts EMV chip cards and magstripe cards via Bluetooth to your smart device or computer.(Source: Payanywhere)
3-in-1 Bluetooth Credit Card Reader - $49.95. Accepts traditional magstripe credit cards, EMV chip cards, and NFC contactless payments like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.(Source: Payanywhere)
PAX A60 Smart Terminal Mini - Custom License Fee or purchase for $249.95 (plus $9.95/month/device software fee). Features include: 5" touch screen with Android software, Camera for barcode scanning, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, and preloaded Payanywhere app.(Source: Payanywhere)
PAX A920 Smart Terminal - Custom License Fee or purchase for $349.95 (plus $9.95/month/device software fee). Features include: 5" touch screen with Android software, front and back cameras for barcode scanning, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, and preloaded Payanywhere app.(Source: Payanywhere)
PAX A80 Smart Keypad - Custom License Fee or purchase for $249.95 (plus $9.95/month/device software fee). Features include: 4" touch screen with Android software, built-in receipt printer, and preloaded Payanywhere app.(Source: Payanywhere)
PAX A80 + SP30 Smart PINPad Pro - Custom License Fee or purchase for $449.95 (plus $49.95 one-time setup fee and $19.95/month/device software fee). Features include: 4" touch screen with Android software, built-in receipt printer, and preloaded Payanywhere app.(Source: Payanywhere)
PAX E600 Smart Flex - Custom License Fee or purchase for $549.95 (plus $49.95 one-time setup fee and $19.95/month/device software fee). Features include: 8" touch screen with Android software, customer facing display, front and back cameras for barcode scanning, built-in receipt printer, charging dock, and accessory hub for countertop setup, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, and preloaded with Payanywhere app.(Source: Payanywhere)
PAX E700 Smart POS+ - Custom License Fee or purchase for $949.95 (plus $99.95 one-time setup fee and $39.95/month/device software fee). Features include: 12.5" HD touch screen with Android software, 4.3" customer facing display, front and back cameras for barcode scanning, built-in receipt printer, Ethernet and accessory ports for countertop setup, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, and preloaded with Payanywhere app.(Source: Payanywhere)
Payanywhere Features
- Payment types: Payanywhere can process Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, AliPay, and contactless payments like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. Customers can also split tabs, pay via invoice, or sign up for recurring payments. You can’t do e-checks with Payanywhere.
- Payout time: Payanywhere defaults to next-day funding with a 10 p.m. cutoff time (Saturday and Sunday deposits will appear on Mondays). Businesses like restaurants or bars that have hours past 10 p.m. can elect a “same-day” funding option that has a 10:30 a.m. cutoff time, so your transactions from overnight will deposit later that day. Though calling it “same-day” funding is a bit of a stretch, it is a fast turnaround time and comes with no added fees.
- Chargeback policy: Payanywhere sends merchants chargeback notification emails and offers an online portal where you can manage and dispute chargebacks. Unlike most credit card processing services, Payanywhere only charges a $25 fee if you lose the dispute—there are no automated fees.
- POS app: With the Payanywhere mobile app, you can process payments from a compatible smartphone or tablet. You can email, text, or print receipts to a connected printer. The app works offline, so you can swipe credit cards without an internet connection.
- Virtual terminal: Accept payments on your computer with its virtual terminal and cloud-based dashboard. You can also save and track customer information in the virtual terminal.
- Analytics reporting: Like most payment processors, Payanywhere gives you insight into payment-related data. View trends and historical sales for volume, payment type, customers, employees, and inventory.
Payanywhere Ease of Use
Payanywhere is ideal for mobile and in-person transactions, offering a full suite of hardware to administer these payments. It’s better suited for frequent sellers with a low AOV—and merchants who don’t need lots of bells and whistles when it comes to features. Payanywhere is a straightforward, simple system to learn. While that makes it easy to use, it also limits functionality. So, if you need more features to manage your business, you may look elsewhere.
There are also limited integration options as compared with other payment processors. That being said, you can connect Payanywhere with QuickBooks, Homebase, GRUBBRR, GiveHub, and others.
Some challenges include the inability to load photos, frequent software crashes and freezes, and other related glitches. This can create a negative checkout experience and a bad impression on your customers.
Payanywhere Customer Support
Payanywhere support reps are reachable via email, phone, or live chat. Some users report it takes a while for live chat techs to respond, but the option is there if that’s your preference. Merchants can also turn to the extensive library of support content to troubleshoot issues themselves. There are articles and videos to walk you through different obstacles.
What Users Think of Payanywhere
While Payanywhere has fewer reviews than other platforms, users are pleased with the payment processor. Payanywhere reviews highlight the simple yet effective software and integrations with popular POS systems like Square. In Google Play, Payanywhere has a 3.9 out of 5 rating based on over 4,000 reviews. In the App Store, it scores a 4.1 out of 5 based on around 700 reviews.
- Capterra: Seven users reviewed Payanywhere on Capterra, giving it 4.7 out of 5 stars. Most like how it’s easy to use and comes with affordable fees, though some have mentioned bugs with the software.
- G2: Only one current user review on G2 ranks Payanywhere a 4.5 out of 5. Again, the user likes that it’s easy to use and also comes with features for tracking inventory, taxes, and transactions. However, they find it difficult to accept various payment types.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a simple mobile payment processor, Payanywhere is a good option for businesses handling frequent, mobile in-person transactions. Processing rates are affordable for low order values, making it ideal for frequent sellers of inexpensive goods. With its pay-as-you-go subscription plan, fast application process, and easy setup, it’s also a great payment processing alternative to Square.
