Authorize.Net Review

Contrary to popular belief, Authorize.net is not primarily a merchant account provider or a credit card processor. Instead, Authorize.net is what is known in the merchant services industry as a “payment gateway.” This means that the company provides software and applications that route credit card payments from the point of sale to the actual credit card processor. Payment gateway providers like Authorize.net are an additional but necessary service if a merchant wishes to use a virtual terminal, website shopping cart, or some mobile processing applications. Authorize.net also powers e-check payments, phone payments, and monthly billing.

Though the company specializes in gateway services, it partners with resellers to provide merchant service accounts to businesses. Working with resellers makes rates, fees, and other facets of a contract negotiable, which is an important consideration for any merchant considering Authorize.net to set up those services.

E-Commerce Integration

‘s payment gateway integrates with various e-commerce platforms and shopping carts, ensuring businesses can provide customers with a smooth and secure online shopping experience. It supports both one-time and recurring payments.

Virtual Terminal

For merchants who don’t need a physical card terminal or who accept payments over the phone or via mail order, offers a virtual terminal. This web-based application allows secure transaction processing from any internet-connected device.

Advanced Fraud Detection Suite

To protect against fraudulent transactions, provides the Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS). This suite includes customizable filters and tools that help merchants identify and block suspicious transactions.

Mobile Payment Solutions

‘s mobile payment solutions enable businesses to accept payments using mobile devices. The platform includes a mobile app and card reader compatible with smartphones and tablets, facilitating secure and efficient transactions at events, pop-up shops, or in-person consultations.

Recurring Billing and Subscription Management

For businesses that rely on regular billing or offer subscription-based services, offers a recurring billing and subscription management feature. This allows merchants to set up and manage automatic billing schedules.

Developer Tools and API

provides developer tools and a comprehensive API, enabling businesses to create custom payment solutions. The API allows for integration with websites, mobile apps, or custom software.

Customer Support

offers customer support via phone, email, and live chat, ensuring merchants can get assistance when needed. The platform’s knowledge base also includes resources and guides for troubleshooting and optimizing the use of the payment gateway.

Understanding Authorize.net Reviews

Our analysis has identified several negative Authorize.net reviews on platforms such as Ripoff Report, predominantly centered around customer service issues, functionality problems, fund holds, billing disputes, and unexpected fees. Although some reviews label Authorize.net as a fraudulent operation, the confusion often stems from the misunderstanding of Authorize.net’s role as a payment gateway rather than the merchant’s credit card processor. This misperception is frequently attributed to resellers failing to clearly define the relationship between Authorize.net and the credit card processing services. We encourage you to share your experiences with Authorize.net in the comments below to help clarify its services.

Customer Support Offered by Authorize.net

Authorize.net provides a comprehensive FAQ and troubleshooting page, an email contact, and a 24/7 toll-free customer service number. The platform also offers live chat support, although it requires user login for access.

PaymentPop Rating for Authorize.net

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Authorize.net on the PaymentPop website.

Authorize.net BBB Rating

Authorize.net has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2009 and currently has an “A+” despite 73 complaints filed against the company within the last 36 months. Authorize.net has a 1.57 out of 5 star rating based on 14 user reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.

In addition to the 73 complaints filed with the BBB against the company, Authorize.net has received 19 informal reviews on its profile. All but 2 of those 19 reviews were negative. The most recent negative review describes a client having difficulty processing payments:

Clients who find themselves in this situation may find our guide on How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors useful if they have exhausted all other options.

A “B” Performance Overall

The moderate complaint rate is mitigated somewhat by the company’s large size, but due to increasing proportion of negative reviews, we have adjusted its rating to a  “B.”

Trustpilot Rating for Authorize.net

Authorize.net has a 1.4 out of 5 star rating based on 54 user reviews on Trustpilot.

Negotiable Pricing

Authorize.net provides various pricing options tailored to clients’ needs, including an all-in-one option, payment gateway, or enterprise solutions. Businesses with existing merchant accounts might find the gateway-only plan suitable but are advised to compare pricing with their current service provider. For those requiring only Authorize.Net’s payment gateway, a per-transaction fee of $0.10 and a daily batch fee of $0.10 are applicable, alongside the $25 monthly gateway fee.

However, pricing may vary for clients opting for the all-in-one option. Typically, there’s a $25 monthly gateway fee and a per-transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30. Since Authorize.net operates through resellers with flexible pricing, negotiations can significantly reduce or eliminate many fees. Moreover, the company offers interchange-plus pricing as part of its enterprise solutions. While Authorize.net’s rates are transparent, they may not compete with those of the cheapest merchant accounts.

Be Mindful of Varying Contract Terms

Publicly filed complaints against the company often cite confusion regarding third-party resellers offering Authorize.net services. Some clients believed the reseller provided a proprietary payment gateway. Though these issues don’t directly relate to Authorize.net’s contract terms, it’s essential to note that terms can vary, and resellers may not disclose alterations from the original suggested retail price. Refer to the Authorize.net Service Agreement. Lease terms for POS terminals may vary depending on the third party offering the merchant contract.

There are no recorded class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints against Authorize.net. Those looking to resolve issues without litigation are advised to report their concerns to the appropriate supervisory bodies.

Clear Pricing Breakdown

Authorize.net’s website provides the suggested retail price of its services, and it clearly states that resellers may alter the costs as they see fit. The company’s pricing breakdown is complete with explanations of each term and is easy to access from the main page. As explained on their website, the Authorize.net payment gateway does not have a contract itself or early termination fees.

Transparency Wins

Because Authorize.net’s services are resold by a huge number of other businesses, the figures provided on its actual site are subject to change, but the company is being helpful by offering a suggested cost for clients to use in potential negotiations and is therefore awarded an “A.” However, if you suspect that Authorize.net is charging you undisclosed fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to eliminate hidden costs.

Authorize.net maintains a solid reputation as a credit card processing gateway, benefiting from its substantial market share and longstanding presence in the industry. As one of the most prevalent payment gateways, it offers businesses a straightforward solution to accept credit card payments both via computers and through websites. Its prominence and widespread acceptance within the merchant services sector underscore its position as a top choice for gateway services.

However, despite the overall positive feedback, Authorize.net has encountered a low-to-moderate volume of complaints, which primarily highlight areas needing improvement such as customer support and reseller training. These complaints suggest that while Authorize.net performs well in many areas, there is room for enhancement in its customer engagement and education for resellers to ensure better service delivery. Business owners considering Authorize.net are recommended to carefully review their service agreement and also explore other top merchant account providers that integrate with Authorize.Net to ensure they are selecting the best fit for their specific needs.