About CPO
Founded by Phillip Parker, a former merchant services executive, we have become a trusted go-to resource for unbiased payment processing research since 2009. We are dedicated to helping businesses avoid predatory business practices in the payment processing industry.
Our Mission
In an industry filled with confusing pricing, hidden fees, and high-pressure sales tactics, CardPaymentOptions.com was founded to bring transparency and clarity to payment processing.
We believe every business deserves access to honest and accurate information when choosing a credit card processor whether you're a small coffee shop processing your first transactions or an enterprise retailer handling millions in payments annually.
Our mission is to empower business owners with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes when setting up merchant services.
Our Purpose
Demystify payment processing and help businesses avoid costly mistakes.
Our Data
Analyze dozens of data points across hundreds of providers to create objective rankings.
Our Promise
Maintain strict editorial independence in all our recommendations.
Our Impact
We've educated millions of businesses on the best and worst payment processing companies.
We don't accept payments or commissions from processors in exchange for positive reviews. Our revenue comes from advertising and affiliate partnerships with providers that meet our strict ethical standards, offer transparent and fair pricing, and maintain high levels of client satisfaction over many years.
Our Story
How we became the trusted resource for payment processing research
2005: Entry into the Payment Industry
After graduating college, our founder Phillip Parker entered the payment processing industry as an independent merchant account sales executive. In that role, he witnessed firsthand the confusion around rates and fees, the prevalence of predatory practices, and how a lack of transparency left many business owners frustrated and losing money. To address these challenges, he created CardPaymentOptions.com—a clear, educational resource designed to help small businesses understand and navigate the payment-processing industry.
2007: Frustration Leads to a Mission
Appalled by the business practices he encountered from many of the processors he competed with, Phillip left the payment-processing industry to pursue a career in software development, yet he remained committed to exposing those predatory providers by transforming CardPaymentOptions.com into blog where he would publish comprehensive research and educational articles in his spare time.
2009: From Side Project to Full-Time Endeavor
As his research and writing on CardPaymentOptions.com gained traction, Phillip was able to turn it into a full-time endeavor, leaving his software development career to focus entirely on helping businesses navigate the payment processing world.
2014: Defeated First Attempt to Shut Us Down
His articles began to disrupt the ability for predatory processors to operate with impunity by exposing their deceptive practices in a public and accessible manner. This triggered threats and attempts to shut the website down, which included a frivolous lawsuit from a shadowy provider. After a year-long legal battle, we prevailed on summary judgment; Phillip and his team became even more committed to holding the industry accountable. Subsequent challenges and efforts to silence us have all been met with resounding defeats.
Today: Trusted Resource for Over 15 Years
We’ve grown into one of the most comprehensive independent resource for payment-processing research, featuring in-depth reviews of hundreds of providers and guiding millions of businesses to make informed choices.
Our Research Methodology
How we evaluate and score payment processors
The Six Pillars of Our Evaluation
Pricing & Fees
We analyze all costs including rate structures (interchange-plus, tiered, flat-rate, etc), monthly fees, equipment costs, early termination fees, and hidden charges. This data is gathered from service agreements, statements and client feedback.
Features & Technology
Evaluation of POS systems, e-commerce integrations, mobile capabilities, reporting tools, recurring billing, and developer resources. When possible, we directly test services and hardware. Otherwise, we rely on client feedback and public information.
Customer Support
We evaluate availability across phone, email, chat, and social channels. Measuring hold times, night and weekend availablity, and client feedack regarding effectiveness, professionalism, and resolution rates.
Contract Terms & Conditions
We review service agreements and equipment contracts for reasonability, transparency, and fairness. We focus on uncovering any predatory clauses, such as unjustified early termination fees, hidden costs, and unclear cancellation policies.
User Experience
We comb the internet and interview current and former clients to evaluate the overall user experience and identify any common pain points that may impact the user experience.
Sales & Marketing Practices
We evaluate sales tactics, marketing materials, and client feedback to determine the level of transparency and ethical nature of the provider's approach. Does the provider publicly disclose pricing? Do they use teaser rates? We score based on these and other factors.
Note: We update all reviews annually and revevaluate major providers quarterly to account for their greater impact on the market. Significant changes trigger immediate re-evaluation.