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How Trustworthy Is Appstar Financial as a Merchant Services Provider?

Name: Appstar Financial
Item: Appstar Financial
Rating: 2.3
Author: Phillip Parker

Author: Phillip Parker

Updated: October 3, 2025

Maintained Since: June 15, 2011

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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.

Appstar Financial

Rating

2.3/5

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Pros

Accepts multiple cards

No setup fee

Provides POS equipment/software.

Cons

Customer service complaints

Equipment leasing issues

Potential cancellation fees

Three-year contract

Hidden fees possible

Overview

In this review of Appstar Financial, a U.S.-based merchant account provider serving small and mid-sized businesses, we’ll examine their services and business practices, including rates, fees, contract terms, and common customer complaints to give a clear picture of what clients can expect. We’ll cover their payment processing options for in-person, online, and mobile transactions, as well as additional offerings such as POS systems, gift and loyalty programs, and e-commerce solutions. The review will also highlight recent legal issues, customer support performance, and marketing tactics, including the use of independent sales agents and telemarketing, while weighing how these practices impact customer relationships. Our goal is to provide a balanced and informative overview to help businesses decide whether Appstar Financial is the right fit for their payment processing needs.

About Appstar Financial

Screen Capture of Appstar Financial Homepage — Appstar Financial Homepage

Appstar Financial is a U.S.-based merchant account provider that primarily targets its credit card processing services to small and mid-sized businesses. Although we have not been able to verify it independently, numerous Appstar Financial reviews indicate that the company may be under the same ownership or affiliated with the following merchant services providers (as indicated by third-party reviews and information): Apex Merchant Group, Eliot Management Group, Trans Tech Merchant Group, Summit Merchant Solutions, First American Payment Systems, Merimac Capital, and Certified Payment Processing.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Appstar Financial offers payment acceptance services, including credit and debit card payments, EBT, check services, and gift cards, tailored for small to medium-sized retail, home-based, and e-commerce merchants. Their offerings also include a cash advance program, discounts for cash payments, EBT processing, e-commerce solutions, online reporting, and ACH processing. They provide various processing equipment such as card readers, terminals, and mobile payment solutions. Previously, they had a “$100,000 breach” program to address payment fraud, but it appears to no longer be available.

E-Commerce Solutions

Appstar Financial’s e-commerce solutions are designed to help businesses enhance their online presence. This includes setting up a virtual terminal on computers or mobile devices, enabling businesses to accept, securely store, and manage payments from a single dashboard. Their solutions include options like (link unavailable), (link unavailable), and Shopify, or integration directly into existing POS systems.

Mobile Solutions

Appstar Financial provides mobile solutions that enable businesses to use their point of sale (POS) system on the go. This includes mobile terminals and smartphone hardware attachments for processing payments, monitoring inventory, and engaging with customers. These mobile solutions allow businesses to process payments anywhere, organize and maintain real-time inventory data, and target new customers with user-friendly marketing features.

Gift and Loyalty Card Programs

Appstar Financial offers customizable gift and loyalty cards that can be branded with a merchant’s logo and design. These programs enable merchants to track card usage and offer promotions and discounts to customers.

POS Systems

Appstar Financial provides various POS systems, including countertop terminals, mobile POS devices, and integrated POS solutions. Their offerings include the Clover family of products and the Samsung self-service kiosk. These systems can integrate with tracking and reporting, business management, and customer engagement tools to streamline operations.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Comprehensive Overview of Appstar Financial Reviews

Our thorough research has unveiled over 100 negative Appstar Financial reviews, with numerous business owners labeling the company’s practices as predatory. The complaints frequently cite deceptive sales tactics by representatives, incessant telemarketing calls, undisclosed fees (including Early Termination Fees and PCI compliance fees) prior to account setup, and unwarranted holds on client funds. Additionally, there are reports from former agents about mistreatment and being assigned to non-genuine appointments with business owners. We encourage those with personal experiences with Appstar Financial to share their reviews in the comments section below, contributing to a broader understanding of the company’s operations.

Customer Support Offered by Appstar Financial

Appstar Financial lists a toll-free customer support number on its website, although it remains ambiguous whether this line serves sales inquiries, support requests, or both. Despite the availability of this contact method, the effectiveness of Appstar Financial’s customer service department appears to fall significantly short of the standards set by leading credit card processors known for exceptional customer service.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
BBB Rating	3.65
Trustpilot	2.6
Google	4.2
Average Rating	3.48

Appstar Financial BBB Rating

As of this review, Appstar Financial has maintained Better Business Bureau accreditation since 2002 and has an “A+” rating despite having 25 complaints filed within the last 36 months. Only 7 of these 25 complaints were resolved by the company to the satisfaction of the client. The remaining 18 were resolved to the dissatisfaction of the client or received no final response.

Positive Feedback

Provide great customer service been with them over 6 years

Negative Feedback

This company has the worst customer service I have ever seen.. We were promised lower fees and would actually benefit from switching. This was totally false.. we used the equipment for one week and soon discovered the “hidden” fees and poor business practices they used.. Contract had been signed less than 30 days and upon telling then we no longer wished to continue our services with them was told it would be 485$ to get out of the contract plus 25% restocking fees for returning the readers, one of which had never been used. Be aware, we should have looked here first, hopefully others will and learn from our costly mistake.

Trustpilot Rating for Appstar Financial

Appstar Financial has a 2.6 out of 5 based on 12 user reviews on Trustpilot.

Positive Feedback

Appstar financials’ fees, cost, and budgets of the system made this quite attractive. I and my friends have been using their entire service, as well as the customer service team has been beneficial too. The service is quite simple, quick and economical to use as well. The costs are surprisingly low that you will notice as the money is automatically transferred to your bank account.

Negative Feedback

I cannot tell you how bad this company is. It is such a shame that they hire reps that are as dishonest as The Core Company .. I have spoken to so many merchants in my immediate area that made the mistake of switching to this company because of what was promised. When you try to follow up, there is no customer support. The rep really doesn’t want to bother with you and when they do they are rude rude rude. I haven’t spoken to one person who could get out of their contract within 30 days even though it was promised a no cancellation fee if not satisfied. You will also note that on their website there is actually no way to review this company. I’m warning you people ….stay away from this company… far far away

Google Rating for Appstar Financial

Appstar Financial has a 4.2 out of 5 star rating based on 860 user reviews on Google.

Positive Feedback

I have been with Appstar for years and have been greatly pleased with them throughout my time with them. They have great customer service which I have only needed twice in 10 years.

Negative Feedback

Great when you are with them but all their hidden fees and charges if you ever try to leave them will kill you. Avoid them in the first place. They will hit you with thousands in lease fees, not to mention almost 500$ cancelation per account.

Processing Rates & Fees

Variable Contract Terms

Appstar Financial’s merchant account costs and fees may vary depending on factors such as business type and the agent setting up the account. Credit card processing fees seem to comprise a swipe rate of 1.59% plus $0.10 and 2.19% plus $0.10 for keyed-in transactions. Despite these seemingly low rates, there have been numerous complaints from business owners alleging higher processing rates than initially quoted. Many report being charged unexpectedly high fees and feeling misled about Appstar’s cost-effectiveness compared to their previous merchant account providers. To make an informed decision, business owners are encouraged to review our list of the best merchant accounts.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Apart from its storefront payment processing, Appstar Financial also promotes its virtual terminal and payment gateway services. However, specific pricing for these services is not disclosed. Typically, additional rates and fees, including gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and extra transaction rates, apply to these e-commerce services.

Appstar Financial provides e-commerce solutions, including access to a payment gateway

Appstar Financial’s Additional Fees

Appstar Financial’s standard merchant account agreement appears to entail a three-year service commitment with a $495 Early Termination Fee (ETF) and an annual PCI compliance fee of $125, automatically deducted from a business owner’s checking account. Additionally, the contract seems to renew automatically for successive one-year terms, with limited cancellation options. Those opting for equipment leases may encounter further conditions and fees, including long-term, non-cancellable contracts. Business owners are advised to consider more affordable merchant account providers.

Appstar Financial offers access to virtual terminals

Lawsuits & Legal History

In late 2016, Appstar Financial, operating under Amazon Processing LLC, was implicated in a class-action lawsuit alleging multiple violations of The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991. The case was voluntarily dismissed in early 2017, suggesting a potential settlement, although specific details remain unclear.

A subsequent lawsuit in March 2017 accused Amazon Processing LLC of improperly classifying workers as independent contractors to avoid providing standard employee benefits, such as breaks or overtime pay. Available information indicates that Amazon Processing was mandated to compensate the plaintiff, though the case’s status as a class-action lawsuit is undetermined.

Clients seeking non-litigious remedies to their grievances with Appstar Financial are advised to report their issues to appropriate regulatory organizations.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Independent Sales Agents

Based on customer reviews, it’s apparent that Appstar Financial relies heavily on telemarketing and independently contracted outside sales agents to market and sell its credit card processing services. Like most merchant service providers that use these tactics, the company appears to incentivize agents by linking higher commissions with higher rates and fees for its customers, including lease terms on credit card processing equipment. Due to this practice, agents are often focused on setting up expensive merchant accounts and long credit card processing service agreements in exchange for higher payouts. These business practices do not compare favorably to those in our list ofbest credit card processors.

Deceptive Sales Practices

It is unclear if Appstar Financial management condones aggressive sales tactics or encourages high merchant account pricing, but some complaints from former and current employees express sales strategies so aggressive and misleading that the reviewers are in disbelief . It appears that, at a minimum, there is a lack of oversight and education of many of its agents. Additionally, it looks as if Appstar Financial enforces agreements even when clients describe the use of deceptive sales tactics by an agent. Other than problems regarding Appstar’s telemarketing and sales agents, we found no other obvious examples of deceptive marketing, but if you suspect that the company is charging you undisclosed merchant account fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit.

Appstar Financial Competitors

Compare Appstar Financial to competitors that earned top marks.

Pricing

Bottom Line

Appstar financial credit card processing company holds a position as a substandard provider. Its standing is influenced by several customer complaints and unfavorable contractual terms that fail to align with the best interests of clients, significantly dampening its overall rating. Complaints often cite high fees, hidden costs, poor customer service, early termination fees, and deceptive sales tactics, which are compounded by aggressive telemarketing. These issues have placed this company among the worst-rated providers on CPO.

Despite these challenges, potential clients should carefully approach contract negotiations with this company. Businesses must meticulously review the proposed terms, paying close attention to fees, service clauses, and penalties that could hinder their financial flexibility. Comparing this provider’s pricing and conditions to those offered by top-rated merchant account providers is essential. Doing so ensures competitive rates and favorable terms, empowering businesses to make better-informed decisions for their credit card processing needs.

Read Actual User Reviews

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All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact Appstar Financial

Contact & Customer Support
CEO and Founder	Mark Leibowitz
Headquarters	4619 Viewridge Ave, Ste. C, San Diego, California 92123
Toll-Free General Customer Service	(866) 754-5368
Website	appstar.net

About Us

CardPaymentOptions.com

Established 2009

My name is Phillip Parker, and I started this website back in 2009 as a simple blog to call out shady credit card processors that were taking advantage of small business owners. At the time, I had no idea this side project would grow into a leading voice pushing for transparency and integrity in the payment processing industry. I also didn't anticipate just how far some of these companies' owners would go to try to silence me.

I was recruited out of college for a sales role with a credit card processor. At the time, I didn't realize the “training” was really about tricking me... into selling business owners expensive processing with hidden fees and long-term service agreements. In my first few sales, I unknowingly cost friends and family thousands of dollars after they trusted me to switch their services. When it finally clicked that something was seriously wrong, I was furious. I quit immediately and made a promise to expose that company and any others operating the same way. That promise is what led to the creation of this website.

As I wrote about these processors, their tactics, and the people behind them, the articles started to spread among business owners. News organizations picked up the stories, readers shared them online, and traffic to the blog took off. Unsurprisingly, that also caught the attention of the companies and individuals I was exposing.

Over the last 17 years, I've received several anonymous death threats and defeated four lawsuits meant to intimidate me into taking my blog down. Their efforts to muzzle me only made my determination to expose them even stronger, leading me to work with state authorities to help shutdown some of the worst offenders.

I'm proud to say that of the millions of people who have read my work, thousands have taken the time to write and thank me for helping them narrowly avoid a very costly mistake. This blog has played a small role in pushing the industry toward more ethical practices - but there are still bad actors out there, which means the work isn't done.

If I can offer one piece of advice, it's this: get every promise in writing, and take the time to review contracts carefully. Tools like ChatGPT can help surface red flags and uncover expensive surprises buried in the fine print.

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading. I truly appreciate you being here, and I wish you every success with your business.

Our Research Methodology

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 availability, and client feedback 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.

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