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Is PayAnywhere the Right Mobile Payment Solution for You?

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Maintained Since: August 3, 2011

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PayAnywhere
Rating
D
2/5
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Pros

Low transaction fees
No monthly fees
User-friendly app

Cons

ACH processing limitations
Chargeback fees reported
No free card reader
Limited ecommerce integration
Platform instability issues

Overview

In this review of PayAnywhere, a mobile credit card processing service by North American Bancard, we provide a clear look at their offerings, covering rates, fees, contract terms, and overall user experiences, including industry ratings and common complaints. We highlight PayAnywhere’s core features such as mobile POS solutions, a virtual terminal for e-commerce, recurring billing, and reporting and analytics tools, while also assessing the quality of their customer support. The review addresses challenges raised by customers, including pricing issues and legal concerns, and weighs the pros and cons of their services. To give readers perspective, we also compare PayAnywhere’s pricing and features with other providers, helping businesses determine whether it is the right fit for their payment processing needs.

About PayAnywhere

Screen Capture of PayAnywhere Homepage
PayAnywhere Homepage

PayAnywhere, sometimes spelled as “Pay Anywhere,” is a mobile credit card processing service offered by North American Bancard. However, this service warrants its own review because it is a departure from North American Bancard’s traditional merchant services. It should be noted that even though the service is powered by North American Bancard, the actual processor of the credit card transactions is Global Payments.  The company also offers a tablet-based point-of-sale system called PayAnywhere Storefront in addition to its two mobile phone card readers.

A Growing Processing Service

PayAnywhere, developed by North American Bancard, launched in 2010 as a competitor to Square’s mobile credit card processing service. Although it has not achieved the same level of popularity as Square, PayAnywhere has gained media attention and has outlasted competitors like Intuit’s GoPayment.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

PayAnywhere offers payment processing for all major debit and credit cards across various business types. The company focuses on its PayAnywhere software, which includes a mobile app, virtual terminal, invoicing, recurring billing, employee tools, inventory management, data analytics, PCI Plus security, and next-day funding. This software is integrated with PayAnywhere’s hardware, which includes smart terminals, smart point-of-sale systems, mobile readers, and accessories such as printers, docks, and cash drawers.

Mobile Point-of-Sale Solutions

PayAnywhere’s mobile point-of-sale (POS) solutions are a key feature. The company provides a user-friendly mobile app for smartphones and tablets turning these devices into mobile payment terminals.

Virtual Terminal

For businesses that do not need a physical payment terminal, PayAnywhere offers a virtual terminal. This web-based application allows merchants to securely process payments from any internet-connected computer, making it suitable for e-commerce businesses, phone or mail order companies.

Recurring Billing

PayAnywhere supports recurring billing for businesses that need to charge customers regularly. The platform includes features for setting up and managing recurring payments.

Detailed Reporting and Analytics

PayAnywhere provides merchants with comprehensive reporting and analytics tools. These tools enable businesses to track sales trends, monitor customer spending habits, and gain insights into their financial performance.

Customer Support

PayAnywhere offers customer support through phone, email, and live chat. Their support team assists merchants with any questions or issues related to their payment processing services.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Overview of PayAnywhere Feedback

Our investigation has identified over 300 negative PayAnywhere reviews, with numerous accounts labeling the service as a scam or ripoff. Despite PayAnywhere’s extensive client base, which naturally could lead to some level of dissatisfaction, there’s a noticeable uptrend in complaints. Recurring concerns among merchants include fund holds aimed at minimizing fraud risk and a wide interpretation of fraudulent transaction criteria, affecting several legitimate businesses. We encourage those with personal experiences to contribute their PayAnywhere reviews in the comments section below.

Understanding PayAnywhere’s Fee Structure

While PayAnywhere’s official pricing details are accessible online, there have been reports of additional charges not explicitly covered in the initial pricing disclosure. These include a $25 Chargeback fee, a $25 NSF (Non-Sufficient Funds) fee, and an undefined $15 “Retrieval” fee. If you’ve encountered unexpected fees beyond the standard processing charges, please share your experience in our comments section.

Customer Service Experience with PayAnywhere

A significant point of contention has been PayAnywhere’s customer service, described by some as lacking and unprofessional. The customer support system appears integrated with that of North American Bancard, sharing similar criticisms for service quality and falling short of the standard set by leading credit card processors for customer service. This comparison suggests PayAnywhere’s live customer support does not sufficiently surpass that of competitors like Square.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop1
BBB Rating1.12
Trustpilot Rating2.2
Google Maps3.9
Our Rating2
Average Rating2.3

PaymentPop Rating for PayAnywhere

Negative Feedback

They are refusing to release funds that have been paid by our customer. The equipment has been delivered and they have the customer contact Information. They are claiming they need to do audit and want access to our bank account. We have done many large transactions with them. There is no reason for their actions.

Positive Feedback

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

PayAnywhere BBB Rating

Pay Anywhere has an average customer review rating of 1.12 stars and a rating of “C-” on the BBB site based on 33 customer reviews. Common themes in the reviews include fund-holds, issues with equipment, and poor customer service.

Negative Feedback

world’s worst customer service. I would give it a zero if i could. Allowed a charge back of over $6k without even tellng me about the dispute and before doing an investigation. Massively screwed up my account. Would not correct its error. Lied to me repeatedly and then terminated my account after falsely stating that i had violated the terms of the contract. I have a letter into the President of the Company. I am about to *** them for fraud, amongst other things.

Positive Feedback

Pay anywhere is so easy to use! I love all the options at POS. Perfect for my vendor events.

Trustpilot Rating for PayAnywhere

Pay Anywhere has an average customer review rating of 2.2 stars on the Trustpilot site based on 12 customer reviews. Common themes in the reviews include fund-holds, issues with customer service, and unexpected fees.

Negative Feedback

Predatory business. I was never offered training or onboarding by the salesperson or the company. The salesperson disappeared after I signed on, and when I tried to terminate service, they maintained that I’m still responsible for the remainder of my service term. Seek payment processing elsewhere.

Positive Feedback

We personally use the PayAnywhere mobile card processing service for some time now with great results. Our funds are in our account the next business day in the morning every time! There was an issue with a batch report and customer service was on the line in two minuets. We found them most helpful as we are thrilled with the service!

Google Maps Rating for PayAnywhere

PayAnywhere has a 3.9 out of 5 star rating based on 112 user reviews on Google Maps.

Positive Feedback

Payanywhere has truly transformed the way I handle payments. The convenience of accepting credit card payments on the go with my mobile device is a game-changer for my business. The system is reliable, and the transaction rates are competitive. The reporting features also help me keep track of sales effortlessly. Overall, a must-have for any business owner looking for a reliable and efficient payment solution.

Negative Feedback

Worst company I’ve ever dealt with still withdrawing money from my account after multiple attempt to cancel service, nothing but lies are told by these people

Processing Rates & Fees

PayAnywhere Pricing

As of this review, PayAnywhere’s smartphone app entails no setup fees, monthly fees, or cancellation fees. Additionally, it provides a complimentary card reader compatible with smartphones. Extra 2-in-1 readers can be purchased for $29.95, and 3-in-1 Bluetooth Credit Card Readers are available for $49.95. Under the “Pay As You Go” plan, transaction fees are akin to competitors like Square and GoPayment, with a 2.69% fee for card swipes and 3.49% plus $0.19 for keyed transactions, applicable to all card brands. A monthly inactivity fee of $3.99 applies if no transactions are processed for over 12 months.

Standard PayAnywhere Plan

Merchants selecting the “Standard” plan and using PayAnywhere Storefront will face varying fees: 1.69% for Qualified swiped transactions, 2.69% for Non-Qualified swiped transactions, and 3.69% plus $0.19 for keyed-in transactions. Storefront users are subject to a $12.95 monthly basic service fee and a $79 monthly minimum fee for volumes at or below $5,000. PayAnywhere Storefront also offers a complimentary tablet to each client, compatible with most Apple, Android, and many Blackberry models.

Frozen Accounts and Fund-Holds

Recent complaints regarding PayAnywhere highlight issues with its cash reserve and termination policies. Similar to competitors, the company frequently freezes accounts or withholds payments in anticipation of potential chargebacks. This practice contrasts with the transparency and fairness expected from top credit card processors.

Client Complaints

PayAnywhere’s terms allow considerable latitude in establishing reserve accounts, including the right to collect interest on withheld funds. However, client complaints suggest inadequate measures to prevent merchants from exceeding their limits. Business owners seeking to avoid fund hold issues may find better options with a top-rated mobile credit card processing app.

Lawsuits & Legal History

In March 2017, PayAnywhere was the subject of a class-action lawsuit in California for allegations including fraudulent business practices and unjust enrichment. The lawsuit, Gerald McGhee v. North American Bancard LLC, has yet to be resolved. This situation, along with other legal challenges faced by North American Bancard, PayAnywhere’s parent company, raises concerns for potential users of the platform.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

No Deceptive Advertising

PayAnywhere does not appear to use any deceptive marketing or sales tactics in its official sales materials. It looks as though the company primarily markets its service through advertising, public relations, strategic partnerships, and referrals from North American Bancard. This compares favorably to our list of best credit card processors.

Fund-Hold Issues

Some merchants have reported that, like Square, PayAnywhere fails to mention prior to account setup that it may hold funds to mitigate risk. Specifically, some negative PayAnywhere reviews state that the company holds large amounts of funds with no prior warning of its hold policies and that the company takes a long time to release these funds. We have lowered the score of this section to reflect merchants’ sentiment that PayAnywhere’s marketing is slightly misleading when it comes to its fraud prevention policies.

PayAnywhere Competitors

Compare PayAnywhere to competitors that earned top marks.

Host Merchant Services logo
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Helcim logo
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CDG logo
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Bottom Line

PayAnywhere, a subsidiary of North American Bancard, represents an average option in the realm of mobile credit card processing. The service has accumulated a moderate volume of complaints over the years, mainly due to its fee structures and customer service issues. However, it’s noteworthy that the service allows for versatility with its hardware options, which includes mobile readers and smart terminals tailored for a variety of business needs.

Despite some negative feedback, businesses could potentially secure favorable terms with PayAnywhere by thoroughly preparing for negotiations and clearly understanding their own processing needs. It’s advisable for businesses to diligently review and possibly negotiate their contracts, especially in areas concerning fees and service terms. Additionally, comparing PayAnywhere’s services with other top-rated providers in the industry might provide further insights or better alternatives.

Read Actual User Reviews

See User ReviewsWrite a Review
All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact PayAnywhere

Contact & Customer Support
CEOMarc Gardner
Headquarters250 Stephenson Hwy., Troy, MI 48083
Toll-Free General Customer Service(877) 387-5640
Equipment Setup(888) 579-4787
Websitepayanywhere.com