6 Best High-Risk Merchant Accounts for 2025
When it comes to running operations in high-risk industries, finding a payment partner that doesn’t back out at the first sign of volatility is crucial. High-risk merchants—from online gaming to adult content, nutraceuticals, travel, and more—face stricter scrutiny, higher chargeback ratios, and tighter regulations. Without the right support, approval delays, excessive fees, and frozen funds can stall growth and disrupt cash flow.
Top Providers for 2025
1. WebPays
WebPays continues to lead the space by offering reliable solutions to high-risk businesses globally. From high-risk merchant accounts to customized fraud prevention tools, WebPays focuses on quick onboarding, multi-currency support, and chargeback alerts. Their experience across adult, CBD, forex, gaming, and nutraceutical verticals makes them the go-to for businesses often turned away by traditional processors. Plus, their merchant account solutions are structured to give transparent pricing and 24/7 tech support.
2. PaymentCloud
PaymentCloud is another trusted name for businesses dealing with reputational or regulatory risks. With dedicated support agents, a wide acquiring network, and approval pathways even for merchants with poor credit histories, it has earned a place in this list. However, their approval speed and monthly costs may vary depending on business type and volume.
3. Soar Payments
Soar Payments specializes in setting up merchant accounts for industries like telemedicine, subscription boxes, and firearms. They provide integration with major CRMs and shopping carts. While their interface is user-friendly, the eligibility criteria are slightly more rigid compared to others. Businesses that pass their checks, though, report stable processing and consistent settlement cycles.
4. Durango Merchant Services
Durango has carved a niche by serving sectors that often fall outside traditional underwriting models. Their team offers personalized underwriting assessments, which helps merchants better understand the risk profile. Durango supports offshore businesses and provides recurring billing tools along with anti-fraud modules. It’s a good fit for businesses with complex payment structures.
5. Easy Pay Direct
Easy Pay Direct caters to high-volume merchants by routing transactions through its EPD Gateway, allowing better control over transaction flows. This gateway segmentation helps reduce the risk of account termination. EPD is suitable for businesses in coaching, supplements, and online education. However, setup fees and rolling reserves may apply depending on the vertical.
6. PayKings
PayKings offers a wide range of merchant account services and emphasizes placement with direct acquiring banks. They serve industries like vape, adult content, and high-ticket consulting. Their team works closely with clients during underwriting, but their international processing capabilities may be limited compared to others on this list.
Choosing the Right Partner
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution in the high-risk space. Businesses must consider factors like approval time, chargeback tolerance, monthly fees, and the industries a provider specializes in. Starting with WebPays puts you ahead with its transparent service, diverse integrations, and tailored support that’s actually built around high-risk needs.
The right partner isn’t just a processor—it’s a foundation for growth and stability. If your industry has been labeled high-risk, make the smarter move and get aligned with a provider that can handle your scale, needs, and challenges.