We take our role in providing guidance and education regarding the card payment industry very seriously. At our own expense, we have vigorously defended our right to continue expose unethical and predatory practices in the industry, successfully defeating every attempt to silence us. However, fending off frivolous lawsuits is costly. To sustain these efforts, one of the ways we generate revenue is through affiliate partnerships with ethical providers. This means that some of our outgoing links connect business owners to trustworthy, low-cost payment processors, which is what most of our readers seek. We see this revenue channel as a win-win-win for everyone involved. Business owners find good processors, processors get good clients, and we are able to continue to provide a valuable service to the small business community. We also recommend and link to many services that do not compensate us. Our priority is to guide you to the best solutions for your needs, regardless of potential revenue. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
All mentions of rate and fee costs are estimations based on publicly available information and client feedback. Actual costs may vary based on a variety of factors unique to your business.
This article provides a detailed review of AffiniPay, a credit card processing company that offers merchant accounts, payment gateways, and point-of-sale systems for businesses. We’ll examine their pricing, contract terms, and overall reliability, while also highlighting customer feedback and the quality of their support to give a realistic view of the user experience. In addition, we’ll compare AffiniPay with other payment processors to help business owners understand how it stacks up against competitors. The goal of this review is to provide the key information you need to decide whether AffiniPay is the right payment solution for your business.
About AffiniPay
Affini Pay Homepage
AffiniPay, founded in 2005, is a full-service merchant account provider specializing in retail and internet merchant accounts as well as processing for professional associations such as accounts, psychologists, and especially law professionals through its specialized platform LawPay. As of 2022, AffiniPay also owns legal software firm MyCase.
Products & Merchant Services
Payment Processing
AffiniPay handles payment processing for all major debit and credit cards, specializing in services for specific industries such as legal, accounting, nonprofit, architecture, engineering, design, medical, and construction. Their offerings include Level 1 PCI compliance, QR code payments, mobile payments, a payment gateway called ClientPay, recurring payments, fraud and chargeback protection, and ABA and IOLTA compliance.
Accounting Payment Processing
CPACharge, an AffiniPay product, is designed for accounting professionals, providing various payment methods, reporting, and reconciliation features, along with data security.
Architectural and Engineering Payment Processing
ClientPay allows professionals in architecture, engineering, design, and construction to securely accept credit card and eCheck payments.
Association and Non-profit Payment Processing
AffiniPay offers solutions for associations and nonprofits, enabling them to accept member payments, run reports, and ensure information security.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Clean Complaint Record
After a thorough search of other consumer protection websites, we were only able to locate 2 negative AffiniPay reviews. Neither of those reviews accuse the company of being a scam or ripoff. In fact, we found few non-BBB complaints filed against AffiniPay by clients at all, though there are a couple of negative reviews from former employees on GlassDoor. AffiniPay’s website states that the company employs an in-house customer support team, which is likely a major factor in the company’s excellent complaint rate. If you have your own AffiniPay review to make, please do so in the comments below.
AffiniPay Lawsuits
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against AffiniPay. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
We did find evidence of a patent infringement lawsuit brought by OHVA, Inc. in the Western District Court of Texas. The case was opened in early 2020 and closed less than a month later with few details on the outcome of the case.
AffiniPay Customer Support Options
The lack of AffiniPay complaints and strong support options in the form of a dedicated customer service line, FAQs on its website, and a clear contact form puts the company on track to qualify as a top-rated processor for customer service. For a company of AffiniPay’s size and time in business to be showing zero complaints is nearly unheard of, and we therefore award AffiniPay an “A” in this category.
Industry Scores & User Ratings
Online Ratings Summary
BBB Rating
1
Average Rating
1
AffiniPay BBB Rating
AffiniPay has been an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau since 2010 and currently maintains an “A+” grade. The company shows 5 complaints in the last 36 months. 4 of these complaints have been resolved to the satisfaction of the client. The other complaint was either resolved to the dissatisfaction of the client or received no final response. It should be noted that some if not all of these complaints may be for LawPay or one of AffiniPay’s subcompanies. AffiniPay has a 1 our of 5 star rating based on 1 customer review on the Better Business Bureau website.
What Merchants Say
In addition to those 5 complaints, AffiniPay has received 1 negative review to its profile. The review describes being denied service due to business type:
If I could review it 0 stars – I would. Started attempting to make an account with this company for a payment processor that I wanted to implement pertaining to my membership based subscription service business. At first, they stated that I could not make an account with them because the *** business registration code was not supported by their bank. After providing more information about my business the representative stated that his manager approved the decision and to submit financial documents, bank information, and also a personal ID card. I just formed my LLC so some information I did not have access to – such as recent bank statements. How would I have statements if I am trying to set up a payment processor?? But that is besides the point. So now, after having access to my bank information (account and routing numbers) and also my photo ID, they decided to deny my request for an application. Even after their manager approved it, all of a sudden they tell me they cannot move forward with my application due to the original reasoning that my business is not supported. This company is a scam, and just straight up fraudulent liars. Now I am trying to make sure they utmost properly dispose of my personal, sensitive information. The only reason I was using this company was because the other company I set up my website with (where I will be accepting the payments from) had Affinipay as their default partner and also with the lowest fees (other companies you have to pay additional, such as registration costs, monthly subscriptions, and payout fees). So I wasted weeks where I could have already set up the payment processor. The original representative I was chatting with back and forth via email just straight up stopped replying, and another rep took over. Please do yourself a favor and pick another merchant to process your payments. Very unprofessional and very fraudulent to deny my application after I submit sensitive info. AVOID AT ALL COSTS NOT WORTH IT.
An “A” Performance Overall
Given the company’s resolution rate, we agree with the BBB‘s rating at this time.
Processing Rates & Fees
AffiniPay Contract Overview
AffiniPay offers terms that appear very appealing for professionals and organizations, highlighting the absence of long-term contracts, application, startup fees, and monthly minimums on its website. This approach is designed to be highly competitive within the industry.
For associations that use YourMembership.com alongside AffiniPay, there’s a special rate available: interchange plus 1.39% and $0.25 per transaction, with a $15 monthly minimum fee waived for those processing over $1,000 monthly. This offer, while limited to specific clients, presents an attractive option, aligning AffiniPay’s offerings closely with the market’s most affordable solutions.
LawPay’s Specific Pricing
AffiniPay also operates the LawPay brand, tailored specifically for law firms, suggesting most AffiniPay merchants will likely encounter LawPay’s pricing structure. This includes a transaction rate of 1.95% plus $0.20, alongside a membership fee available monthly at $20 or annually at $180. This targeted approach helps law firms with predictable and straightforward billing.
Client Satisfaction and Terms Transparency
The lack of public complaints regarding AffiniPay’s pricing or contract terms suggests a high level of satisfaction among its users, reinforcing its position as a reliable processor, especially for professional associations. AffiniPay’s focus on specific professional sectors, such as legal services, further underscores its specialization in meeting the unique needs of its clients.
For those with additional insights or experiences regarding AffiniPay’s service terms, including any PCI compliance fees or termination fees, sharing your experiences could provide valuable context for others considering their services.
Businesses looking for competitive payment processing solutions are encouraged to explore our curated selection of the best merchant accounts to compare services that best fit their needs.
A glance at LawPay’s rate structure for legal professionals
Employee Reviews & Sales Practices
In-House Sales Team
AffiniPay appears to rely on an in-house sales team and its numerous partnerships with professional associations to market its services. There is no indication that the company hires independent sales agents, and, overall, we are unable to locate any negative AffiniPay reviews about their sales tactics.
Potential Deception
The LawPay website currently lists a rate quote of “2.95% & 20¢ per transaction.” This rate quote is not inclusive of the company’s per-transaction rates, as AffiniPay merchants may pay up to 3.5% per transaction under certain circumstances. We consider this type of rate quote to be deceptive in nature because it could give merchants an unrealistic expectation of the rates they will pay.
No Complaints
In spite of this, AffiniPay has not received any merchant complaints that cite misrepresentation of fees. We will not lower the company’s score at this time, however, If you suspect that AffiniPay is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a free, third-party statement audit.
AffiniPay Competitors
Compare AffiniPay to competitors that earned top marks.
AffiniPay stands out as an exemplary credit card processing provider. Though comprehensive details about its contract terms are somewhat limited, the company has maintained a spotless record across major consumer protection websites. This reputation is bolstered by the strong performance of its DBA, LawPay, which has established AffiniPay as a top-rated merchant account provider for legal professionals.
Even when working with reputable providers like AffiniPay, businesses should meticulously scrutinize all contract terms to ensure alignment with their specific needs. A careful review helps secure transparent agreements and provides confidence in the provider’s ability to deliver a high-quality service.
