Hi,

I need API to process transactions, so 3-d party processors, like PayPal are out.

It looks like Verisign PayFlowPro and Authorize.net offer API for credit card processing.

What can you tell about them, cons/pros?

Thanks a lot!
Victor

All electronic payment gateways will offer an API.

From the two that you mentioned, I like Verisign a lot better. I have worked with both - and Verisign will give you free transactions on their gateway (1,000), whereas Authorizenet.com usually will charge you, even for testing transactions sometimes. The other main gateway, LinkPoint, will give you free transactons.

You will also pay a transaction cost though at the merchant account side along with a discount rate and sometimes other charges.

It also depends on where you are located. There are very few MAPs that will support merchants not based in the United States and that are compatible with the above gateways

Authorize.net is a well known, quality service.

yeah Authorize.net is good than Varisign.

I hate Verisign please dont give them your money. Authorize.net is a great way to process cards over the internet.

Go with Authorize.net much better choice over Verisign

Currently I am with LinkPoint and I am very happy with them. Verisign would be my next choice. Authorizenet.com has way too many problems with downtime to even be considered

Originally posted by websites4u2day
Currently I am with LinkPoint and I am very happy with them. Verisign would be my next choice. Authorizenet.com has way too many problems with downtime to even be considered


Is linkpoint Card Service International? I used them when I had my computer shop. They had a good service but they would say anything to you to get in the door. I left when my contract was up.

Originally posted by shell-box
Is linkpoint Card Service International? I used them when I had my computer shop. They had a good service but they would say anything to you to get in the door. I left when my contract was up.
LinkPoint is owned by Cardservice which is owned by First Data. It seems you might have had an agent / representative who, unfortunately, gives other agents a bad rep.

Yeah I had a bad rep a liar for a salesman. (most salesmen are liars but this guy....) Seemed like once they got me in the door they didnt give a crap. Of course when I was with them was in 2000 so I dont know how new they were then. They really rubbed me wrong though. I would only assume they dont treat all their customers like me or they wouldnt have very many.

I've worked with both Authorize.Net & Verisign.

Authorize.Net is far more universally compatible with 3rd party apps than Verisign and it has a lot more merchants - over 100,000+ and it processes over a 1 million transactions/day.

Verisign, however, is also a good system and is a good match for certain niche applications that might require it. I don't think you'd go "wrong" with either option.

The one thing to consider is the # of transactions you are processing per month. Verisign has a higher setup & monthly cost which may not make the 1,000 included free gateway trans cost effective for you.

So you really need to consider a mix of: what 3rd party system you are using (and/or custom app?), what # of transactions per month you will be processing and if there are any value-added features that you would like and if additional costs apply.

For me, while both of the above gateways work well - I particularly like eProcessingNetwork as being a "best of both worlds" alternative to both... from the standpoint of built in fraud detection, built-in recurring billing, compatibility with Authorize.net via an emulation mode and a lower cost structure than both of the others.

Check out credit card processing accounts on eBay, I can't believe how low the rates are. No minimum transactions/month and around $7/month, and around 1.5% fees. I am considering finding our processor there.

Just curious, but why would you want to find your merchant provider on Ebay?

Paying the lowest monthly/transaction fees should not be the only factor when choosing a merchant provider. Support, compatability, policies, etc should all be considered as well. What do they charge per transaction above the discount rate? What will a chargeback cost you? Are they willing to help you fight fraudulent chargebacks? Is there a holdback or delayed release time?

If you do decide to use Ebay, at least thoroughly research the company first. Any legit merchant account provider will have no problem providing the necessary information for you to check them out. If they hesitate, stay far away from them.

Authorize.net is really good been using it for few days

I have some kind of offtopic question, if you do not mind. Do Verisign and Authorize operate Worldwide?

I mean can one order their services from outside U.S. and EU?

Originally posted by maxo
I have some kind of offtopic question, if you do not mind. Do Verisign and Authorize operate Worldwide?

I mean can one order their services from outside U.S. and EU?
Keep in mind that these are only electronic payment gateways. You can order these gateways - yes. But it is just United States merchant processors who are compatible with these companies. There are some processors that do support merchants outside the U.S. with at least some type of U.S. presence

Corey is right on the money... the hard part is establishing the merchant account portion if you are based overseas.

The setup of a payment gateway is as simple as the reseller placing the order and specifying the merchant account ID and other configuration details.