Quick Look: Payment Gateways
Web Commerce Today, Issue 47, June 15, 2001
Payment gateways are the bridge between your website and the credit card processing companies contracted by the bank that handles your merchant credit card account. Some hosted online stores include a payment gateway. Many of these I am not familiar with. I only list them with URLs for you to research.
There are many payment gateways available in the US, though many of them are probably private labeled with service provided by the main players. For countries outside the US, search on the category "Credit Card Merchant Services" in the Yahoo! directory for your country.
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VeriSign Payment Systems |
I believe that VeriSign Payment Systems is the premier payment gateway in the US at present. It has two services: (1) PayFlow Pro is very flexible and adaptable to all sorts of situations. (2) PayFlow Link is a lower cost payment screen where the order form is on VeriSign's secure site. For an extra charge you can get fraud screening using eFalcon technology. VeriSign's original business was Digital Certificates, and it acquired its only major competitor, Thawte. VeriSign has acquired Signio to get payment services (and, most recently, CyberCash) and Network Solutions to get into the domain name business. It is a major e-commerce player. The best prices for PayFlow Pro and Link can be found not on VeriSign's site, but bundled with merchant credit card accounts from Internet-friendly banks: Humboldt Bank, First Bank of Beverly Hills, etc. I'm one of the original users of PayFlow Pro and have had good service from the company, and good technical help when I needed it. It has gone through four name changes since I first signed on, and you may see these previous names on websites that aren't up-to-date: Online Analysis, PaymentTech, Signio, and now VeriSign Payment Systems. |
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CyberCash |
Perhaps the best-known payment gateway, it spent lots of money on brand building, but didn't develop a stable cash flow. It was recently acquired by VeriSign which will continue the service. I am guessing that VeriSign will eventually convert CyberCash to its own technology, so I don't recommend making CyberCash your first choice. |
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CyberSource |
Company has lots of experience in fraud detection, offering the first fraud system on the Web, especially for instant downloadable software. Medium priced. Has relationship with WorldPay and multiple servers and the ability to use many currencies; international offices. One product is referred to ICSv2. Good solid company. |
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Authorize.net |
Located in Utah, the company is an early player. I don't think you can buy directly from Authorize.net; you have to buy through a reseller. Beware, some of the reseller ISOs lack scruples; instead buy it with a package from Humboldt Bank or First Bank of Beverly Hills. Authorize.net is very widely accepted in shopping carts. By having a merchant relationship with PlanetPayment.com (www.PlanetPayment.com) internationals can use Authorize.net as their payment gateway. While I can't quote you the technologies, my understanding is that Authorize.net is not as robust a platform as VeriSign Payment Systems; it's better for small businesses than high-traffic/high-sales sites. Offers eFalcon fraud screen at an extra charge. |
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ClickPay |
Bundled with a merchant account; no separate charge. |
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LinkPoint International |
Compatible with many of the second-tier of shopping cart programs, but also Mercantec SoftCart and Miva Merchant. This is the gateway program bundled with CardService International merchant accounts, and is the exclusive gateway used by Bigstep.com. Available in a less expensive LinkPoint HTML and a flexible LinkPoint API. Also available with fraud protection. |
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First Data SurePay |
First Data Corp. processes about 70% of credit card transactions in the US -- that means that most of the Internet payment gateways have linked websites to it. It now provides its own payment gateway. Looks like sophisticated integration is possible. |
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Netbanx |
UK payment gateway. Processes Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard, JCB, Switch, and Delta. Supports direct merchanting with Bank of Scotland, Barclays Merchant Services, Lloyds Cardnet Merchant Services, Nat West Streamline Merchant Services, Midland Merchant Services, Roynet Merchant Services (Royal Bank of Scotland). Customers can pay in 100 different currencies, settled in 16 currencies. |
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Banca Sella GestPay |
Italian payment gateway. |
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Bank of America eStores |
Provides payment gateway, shopping cart for existing site, and full online store development. Payment gateway currently compatible with only a few lesser known shopping cart programs. |
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Plug 'n Pay DirectLink Gateway |
Provides a variety of e-commerce tools, including an affiliate program. |
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Banco Comercial Portugues |
Portuguese payment gateway |
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CIPAS Indonesia |
Indonesian payment gateway. |
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WorldPay |
Provides payment gateway in different countries. Processes 120 currencies, Merchants don't necessarily need a merchant credit card account. Based in the UK. Has separate webpage languag sections for UK, US/Canada, Singapore, Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and Sweden. Prices for US are: set-up fee $399, monthly fee (includes 3 currencies) $25/month, discount rate 2.59% (4.5% for multiple currencies), remittance fee to merchant's bank £2.50. Merchants usually receive weekly remittances 4 weeks after the online sale. |
There are many, many other payment gateways in different countries. Please e-mail me with your feedback on the payment gateway you use to rfwilson@wilsonweb.com?subject=Payment_Gateway
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