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Leap Payments Review: Does It Deliver on Transparent Pricing?

Name: Leap Payments
Item: Leap Payments
Rating: 3
Author: Phillip Parker

Author: Phillip Parker

Updated: September 29, 2025

Maintained Since: September 28, 2015

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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.

Leap Payments

Rating

3/5

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Pros

Secure processing

Efficient merchant services

Virtual terminals available

Cons

Next day funding

High complaint rate

Inconsistent customer support

Potential hidden fees

Variable processing rates

Overview

In this Leap Payments review, we’ll examine the services offered by this merchant account provider, including credit and debit card processing, POS solutions, mobile payment tools, and e-commerce support. We’ll break down their rates, fees, and contract terms while also reviewing customer feedback to highlight both positive experiences and common complaints. With a focus on transparency, Leap Payments promotes simple pricing without hidden costs, but we’ll also explore concerns raised about support and sales practices. By the end, you’ll have a balanced view of Leap Payments’ strengths and weaknesses to help determine if their services are the right fit for your business.

About Leap Payments

Screen Capture of Leap Payments Homepage — Leap Payments Homepage

Leap Payments is a merchant account provider that was founded in 2005 according to the Better Business Bureau. Leap Payments is a former reseller of Elavon contracts, but it appears they are associated with WorldPay now. This is likely due to a conflict between Elavon and Leap Payments in 2020 over a large number of merchant losses. Leap is capable of placing both traditional and high-risk business types, but its marketing is much more focused on high-risk merchant accounts. According to the company’s website, it also offers merchants the option to choose a cash discount program.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Leap Payments provides credit card processing solutions for a wide range of businesses, including those classified as high-risk. Their offerings include retail merchant accounts designed to facilitate efficient debit and credit card transactions.

High-Risk Merchant Accounts

Specializing in high-risk merchant accounts, Leap Payments caters to businesses that banks often consider too risky for credit card processing.

E-Commerce Merchant Accounts

Leap Payments offers solutions for e-commerce businesses to accept credit cards online without incurring high additional costs.

Rate Lock and Transparent Pricing

Leap Payments guarantees a lifetime rate lock, ensuring that their rates remain constant for the duration of the account. They use interchange plus pricing, promoting it as a transparent method for credit card processing.

Additional Services

Leap Payments provides various additional services, including mobile processing, next-day funding, online invoicing, point-of-sale systems, and a virtual terminal. They also supply equipment for businesses and serve a variety of industries, especially those in high-risk categories.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Overview of Leap Payments Reviews

Our analysis has identified approximately 10 negative Leap Payments reviews, with at least one alleging the company to be a scam. This particular complaint highlights an issue where the client was charged higher fees than initially quoted. Common complaints across various platforms include fund holds on high-risk accounts, unauthorized fees post-aborted signup, undisclosed monthly and termination fees, and challenges during the account setup phase. These issues largely stem from standard industry practices rather than deliberate misleading by Leap Payments, with many instances resolved satisfactorily by the company. Additionally, a significant number of positive reviews for Leap Payments can be found on the company’s website and third-party review sites, indicating a strong level of customer satisfaction. We encourage you to share your Leap Payments experiences in the comments section below.

Leap Payments Customer Support Analysis

Leap Payments provides customer support via phone and email, ensuring clients have multiple channels for assistance.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop	5
BBB Rating	N/A

PaymentPop Rating for Leap Payments

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about Leap Payments on the PaymentPop website.

Positive Feedback

Leap Payments gave us exactly what we needed; clear pricing, fast setup, and no surprises. As a small business, it’s a relief to have a processor that’s upfront and easy to work with. Their customer service is responsive and actually helpful, which makes a big difference.

Leap Payments BBB Rating

Leap Payments currently has an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company has received 1 complaint on its BBB profile in the past 36 months.

What Merchants Say

It has also received 0 negative informal reviews although it should be noted that these reviews are not subject to verification by the BBB. A past review described odd requests for sensitive information:

I contacted Leap Payments for processing for my medical marijuana doctors referral business. Christopher Flores sent me a list of the required documents needed to apply. I submitted everything asked. First Mr. Flores never contacted me back. When I emailed him asking about the application, he wanted MY LOGIN DETAILS TO MY SQUARE ACCOUNT. YES, login such as my password *** user name (i have the email to prove it). I explained that i could send them a Square report but felt like after they received my information including my drivers license when has a photo, they increased requirements that wasn’t apart of what was initially requested. When I told him I have NEVER been asked for my account details and do not feel comfortable providing them, I never heard back from him. Now i have to change my bank account information, because they have it all. I have had to spend money on credit monitoring because they have all my personal and business informaton. All a waste of time and not a common courtesy to a least say that i wasnt approved. I **** not stop here to make sure this doesnt happen to anyone else.

Readers should understand which contract terms should be avoided so that they don’t end up in a situation like this.

An “A” Performance

Given the company’s nearly spotless complaint record, we agree with the BBB’s rating at this time.

Processing Rates & Fees

Flexible Contract Terms

Details regarding the standard Leap Payments contract are somewhat limited. While the company emphasizes its offering of interchange-plus pricing, it doesn’t specify the typical markup on transactions. Moreover, information about contract length, PCI compliance fees, monthly minimum fees, and early termination fees isn’t publicly disclosed, suggesting potential variability across clients. Leap Payments opts for selling rather than leasing processing equipment, a more favorable option for many businesses.

As a reseller of WorldPay contracts, prospective clients should acquaint themselves with the associated rate and fee structure. A standard WorldPay contract typically entails rates of 2.90% plus $0.30 for swiped transactions and 3.30% plus $0.30 for keyed-in transactions. The qualified rate is slightly lower at 2.70% plus $0.30.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Apart from in-store payment processing, Leap Payments highlights its virtual terminal and payment gateway services on its website. Supported gateway providers include Authorize.Net, NMI, BridgePay, among others. Pricing varies based on the chosen gateway provider. Additional fees, such as gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and transaction rates, are applicable to these e-commerce services.

Merchant Pricing Overview

While there’s one complaint mentioning a three-year contract with a $295 early termination fee, it lacks confirmation from other sources. Nevertheless, this fee aligns with those typically outlined in a standard merchant agreement with Elavon.

Considering Leap Payments’ provision of high-risk merchant accounts, its standard pricing may not align with budget-friendly merchant accounts. Positive testimonials outnumber negative reviews regarding Leap Payments’ pricing and fees, warranting an “A” rating in this category for now. Should you possess insights into the standard Leap Payments contract, we encourage you to share them in the comments below. Additionally, we recommend business owners to review our list of the top merchant accounts.

Lawsuits & Legal History

No current class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints against Leap Payments have been identified. Clients looking for non-litigious means to address grievances are advised to report their issues to appropriate regulatory bodies.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Inside Sales Team

Leap Payments appears to primarily market its services via a combination of in-house sales and strategic partnerships. There is no indication at this time that the company employs independently contracted sales agents, and we have found only a few Leap Payments complaints that accuse sales reps of failing to disclose fees. In one Leap Payments review (originally reported to the Better Business Bureau but since removed), the client stated that Leap Payments did not properly disclose its three-year contract term or early termination fee. The company responded by waiving the early termination fee and releasing the business from the agreement. Another Leap Payments review, found in the comment section below, states that the company’s effective transaction rate is much higher than the rates quoted. This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

No Deceptive Quotes

In light of Leap Payments’ response to the first complaint, as well as the presence of a large number of positive testimonials about the company’s pricing and sales process, we will assign Leap Payments an “A” in this section. To its credit, the company advertises interchange-plus pricing to all of its businesses and does not appear to list any deceptive promotions in its official marketing materials. If you suspect that you are being overcharged by Leap Payments, you can double-check your pricing with a third-party statement audit.

Leap Payments Competitors

Compare Leap Payments to competitors that earned top marks.

Pricing

Bottom Line

Leap Payments is currently regarded as a reliable credit card processing provider. The company prides itself on promoting one of the most transparent rate structures in the industry, which has earned it a significant amount of positive client feedback. Despite this, detailed information regarding its specific contract terms and associated fees remains elusive, which could be a factor for potential clients to consider.

Given the absence of detailed contract information, it is advisable for business owners to exercise due diligence. Before committing to Leap Payments, comparing its service offerings, pricing, and terms with those provided by the industry’s top-rated credit card processors is crucial. This comparison will help ensure that businesses not only secure a transparent deal but also one that aligns with their financial and operational needs, maximizing the benefits of their merchant services provider.

Read Actual User Reviews

See User Reviews Write a Review

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

Contact Leap Payments

Contact & Customer Support
Founder and CEO	Will Detterman
COO	Jill Detterman
Toll-Free Customer Support	(800) 993-6300
Fax Service	(800) 993-9635
Additional Support Channels	Online Support Form
Website	leappayments.com

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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