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In this review of SphereCommerce, a merchant account provider backed by Waud Capital Partners, we explore their services and partnerships, with a focus on payment processing for sectors such as healthcare and nonprofits. We break down key elements like rates, fees, contract terms, customer feedback, and industry reviews, while also considering the effect of recent legal challenges. The analysis extends to internal practices, including employee experiences and marketing tactics. This review provides a clear and balanced overview of SphereCommerce to help businesses decide whether their services align with their needs.
About Sphere
Sphere Commerce Homepage
A Waud Capital Partners private equity company, Sphere is a merchant account provider partnered with a multi-level marketing company called ACN. More commonly known as SphereCommerce, the company was created following Waud Capital Partners’ 2017 acquisitions of Anovia Payments and TrustCommerce, a payment gateway provider, Anovia relied on TSYS Merchant Solutions for its processing networks in the U.S. and First Data (now Fiserv) for its processing network in Canada, and these relationships may remain unchanged under its new name. In fact, it appears that Sphere functions in a more-or-less similar fashion to Anovia Payments even after the acquisition.
SphereCommerce is partnered with a number of businesses, including Radix Health, Raintree Systems, Qgiv Inc., MDofficeManager, and Saina Health.
Sphere announced on October 12, 2023, that it has entered into an agreement to sell its commercial division to NMI, a full commerce enablement company.
SphereCommerce Products and Services
Payment Processing
Sphere Commerce processes all major credit and debit cards, offering specialized branches of service: Health iPASS focuses on mobile payments for hospitals and healthcare providers, Qgiv caters to non-profits and fundraisers, and TrustCommerce serves more traditional merchants. Through TrustCommerce, Sphere provides POS systems, virtual terminals, ACH processing, an open API, PCI compliance, e-commerce solutions, data reporting and analysis, recurring billing, and mobile payment solutions.
Integrated Payment Software for Healthcare and Nonprofits
Sphere Commerce specializes in integrated payment software solutions for the healthcare and nonprofit sectors.
Patient Payment, Check-in, and Engagement Software
The company offers software that supports the entire patient journey, including payment processing, check-in, and engagement.
Online Giving Solutions for Nonprofits
Sphere Commerce provides a comprehensive online giving platform for nonprofits, facilitating donations from supporters.
Integration Capabilities
Sphere Commerce boasts an ecosystem with over 150 integration partners, enabling seamless integration with Electronic Health Records (EHR), Practice Management Systems (PMS), and other specialized software solutions.
Products & Merchant Services
Payment Processing
Sphere Commerce processes all major credit and debit cards, offering specialized branches of service: Health iPASS focuses on mobile payments for hospitals and healthcare providers, Qgiv caters to non-profits and fundraisers, and TrustCommerce serves more traditional merchants. Through TrustCommerce, Sphere provides POS systems, virtual terminals, ACH processing, an open API, PCI compliance, e-commerce solutions, data reporting and analysis, recurring billing, and mobile payment solutions.
Integrated Payment Software for Healthcare and Nonprofits
Sphere Commerce specializes in integrated payment software solutions for the healthcare and nonprofit sectors.
Patient Payment, Check-in, and Engagement Software
The company offers software that supports the entire patient journey, including payment processing, check-in, and engagement.
Online Giving Solutions for Nonprofits
Sphere Commerce provides a comprehensive online giving platform for nonprofits, facilitating donations from supporters.
Integration Capabilities
Sphere Commerce boasts an ecosystem with over 150 integration partners, enabling seamless integration with Electronic Health Records (EHR), Practice Management Systems (PMS), and other specialized software solutions.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
Review of SphereCommerce Complaints
Our investigation has uncovered a limited number of negative SphereCommerce reviews. However, we have identified more than 70 complaints about Anovia Payments, which are relevant to SphereCommerce due to their association. Accusations range from fraudulent practices to various operational concerns. Issues highlighted by complainants include disputes among employees, misleading pricing quotes, hidden contract terms, excessive fees, difficulties in reaching customer support, and unjustified fund holds. We welcome you to share your SphereCommerce experiences in the comments below.
Customer Support Provided by Sphere
Sphere’s official website offers several avenues for customer support, including a direct phone line and an email form for less urgent inquiries.
Industry Scores & User Ratings
Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop
1
BBB Rating
1.67
Average Rating
1.67
PaymentPop Rating for SphereCommerce
Negative Feedback
Sphere is a horrible merchant services to deal with. They came out of nowhere when it was Anovia. They send your stuff to collections to a attorney threatening to sue for $1800 from a small business that has use merchant services since 2018..
Positive Feedback
There are no positive reviews published about SphereCommerce on the PaymentPop website.
SphereCommerce BBB Rating
Sphere Commerce currently has a “D+” rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company is showing 18 complaints over the last 36 months. Only 4 of the 18 complaints were resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant. SphereCommerce has a 1.67 out of 5 star rating based on 6 user reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.
What Merchants Say
Sphere has also received 9 informal reviews on their BBB profile. 8 of these reviews are negative in tone. The latest review that was negative in tone describes never receiving an invoice and being sent to collections:
Not once have I received an invoice that explains what my charges are. I have contacted them multiple times asking for a breakdown of charges so I can understand them before paying them. Instead, they have sent me to collections. There are a lot of better options out there. I would avoid sphere.
In light of the company’s moderate complaint volume and resolution ratio, we have adjusted the BBB’s rating to a “C.”
Processing Rates & Fees
Contract and Pricing Variability
The terms of SphereCommerce contracts are expected to mirror those of Anovia, with limited public information available regarding their pricing structure. Although Anovia does not disclose its pricing and fees, insights from client complaints suggest that Sphere likely offers terms similar to partners like TSYS and First Data (Fiserv).
Standard First Data (Fiserv) Contracts
First Data (Fiserv) typically presents a range of contract options, including a multi-year agreement with a $495 early termination fee and a $19.95 monthly PCI compliance fee. Pricing is tiered, with businesses processing under $50,000 monthly encountering rates of 2.69% plus $0.19 for swiped transactions and 3.69% plus $0.19 for keyed transactions. Those surpassing $50,000 monthly transactions face rates of 2.29% plus $0.19 for swiped transactions and 3.29% plus $0.19 for keyed transactions, alongside potential equipment leases from First Data Global Leasing.
TSYS Pricing Structures
Previously, TSYS outlined three pricing plans on their website. The “Pursue” plan displayed rates of 2.5% plus $0.20 for swiped transactions and 3.5% plus $0.20 for keyed transactions. The “Grow” plan featured rates of 1.99% plus $0.20 for swiped transactions and 3.1% plus $0.20 for keyed transactions, while the “Accelerate” plan offered rates of 1.7% plus $0.20 for swiped transactions and 3% plus $0.20 for keyed transactions.
TSYS Contract Terms
TSYS Merchant Solutions typically requires a three-year service agreement, with automatic renewals unless canceled within a specific window. Exiting outside this period may incur a $295 Early Termination Fee (ETF) and quarterly PCI compliance fees of $18.80 ($75.20 annually), contributing to challenges in avoiding early termination charges.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
Alongside in-store payment processing, Sphere promotes its virtual terminal and payment gateway services without disclosing pricing. However, additional fees like gateway fees, technical support fees, batch fees, and transaction rates often accompany these e-commerce services.
Additional Sphere Charges
Recent complaints highlight a minimum $495 early termination fee, with potential liquidated damages calculated based on remaining contract months and average monthly processing fees. Monthly service fees of $22 and a $30 charge for “Anovia Insights” have also been cited. Fund-hold issues, potentially linked to account setup errors, have been mentioned in reviews. For detailed merchant account options, we recommend consulting our list of the best merchant accounts.
Competitive Pricing Evaluation
Reviews of Sphere’s backend processors indicate standard contract terms, and client feedback on Anovia suggests it isn’t a cost-effective merchant account provider. Consequently, Sphere receives a “D” rating in this regard. Additional insights into Sphere’s fees or contracts are welcome in the comments section. E-commerce solutions, including a virtual terminal, offered by Sphere Commerce
Lawsuits & Legal History
In a noteworthy case, Bradley Sanger v. Trust Commerce Technology, the plaintiff sued the payment processor for failing to deliver promised services, fund withholding, and engaging in deceptive practices. This case was resolved through an out-of-court settlement, the details of which remain confidential.
Like Anovia Payments, Sphere primarily hires in-house, W2-employed sales representatives to market its services directly. While this is preferable to the industry standard of hiring independently contracted agents, it is worth noting that Anovia is partnered with a telecommunications company called ACN to refer clients. In general, this compares favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
Partnered With ACN
Although there are numerous negative ACN reviews online, a Sphere representative has stated that ACN sales reps do not have the ability to offer specific pricing or product recommendations to businesses. In addition, clients interact with Sphere for the entire sales process, and ACN representatives are not involved directly with the process. Sphere also has a referral program in place that allows business owners to make residuals by referring other merchants to Sphere.
Broken Sales Promises
This sales structure is designed to prevent businesses from experiencing deceptive practices when dealing with Sphere. However, we have located a low-to-moderate number of Anovia Payments complaints describing issues with the account setup process and rate guarantees from Anovia reps. It seems that some Anovia reps promise to beat or match clients’ current rates, but some dispute whether this guarantee is fulfilled. Other SphereCommerce reviews mention nondisclosure of the company’s contract length and expensive termination fees. It is likely that these issues may persist under the Sphere brand name. If you suspect that you are paying an undisclosed SphereCommerce fee, we recommend that you obtain a fee reduction audit from an independent third party. If you have any such SphereCommerce complaints to make, please do so in the comment section below.
Mixed Client Feedback
All told, the number of negative Sphere reviews we’ve received since our Anovia Payments review’s initial publication raises some concerns about Sphere’s sales approach. This has forced us to lower the company’s score in this section to a precautionary “C.”
Sphere Competitors
Compare Sphere to competitors that earned top marks.
Sphere is currently ranked as an average credit card processing provider, based on trends observed in customer complaints. These complaints frequently point to problematic areas in Sphere’s operations, particularly regarding customer service and sales tactics. Additionally, the pricing structure of Sphere is noted to be above the industry average, which could be a significant deterrent for cost-conscious businesses.
Given these factors, companies considering Sphere for their credit card processing needs should proceed with caution. It is essential for businesses to conduct a thorough inquiry into all potential fees associated with Sphere’s service before committing to any agreements. Understanding the full cost framework is crucial to avoid any unexpected financial burdens down the line. Moreover, businesses are advised to also explore other credit card processing providers that may offer more competitive rates and hold stronger customer satisfaction records. Comparing Sphere’s services and pricing with these providers can help businesses make a more informed decision that aligns with both their budgetary constraints and service expectations.
E-commerce solutions, including a virtual terminal, offered by Sphere Commerce
