If you're running a high-risk business, getting approved for a merchant account can feel like playing defense before you've even made a sale. The wrong provider can freeze your funds, spike your fees, or shut you down after one bad chargeback. The right one can keep you processing, even when your industry makes banks nervous.
We broke down five of the most trusted high-risk merchant account providers in 2025. Each serves a different type of merchant, whether you're just getting started or scaling fast.
HighRiskPay
Best for: Merchants who need fast approvals without jumping through hoops
HighRiskPay has built a reputation as the go-to for businesses that can't get approved elsewhere. We're talking supplements, adult content, travel, digital products, basically anyone who’s heard “no” from Stripe or PayPal.
What makes them stand out is how quickly they move. Many merchants get approved within 48 hours, with no upfront fees and minimal red tape. That speed can be a lifesaver when you're already under pressure to stay live.
What to know:
- No setup costs
- Offshore options available
- Limited in-platform tools (you’ll need to rely on outside software for advanced reporting)
Nuvei
Best for: Global merchants dealing with complex risk and regulation
Nuvei plays at a different level. They’re a heavy hitter in the international space, and their risk tools are among the most advanced in the industry. If you're operating in multiple countries or juggling high-volume sales, Nuvei gives you the infrastructure to manage it.
They’re also particularly tuned into programs like Visa VAMP, helping merchants stay compliant before a problem turns into a shutdown. And with over 150 currencies and 200 markets supported, you're not stuck cobbling together patchwork solutions.
What to know:
- Global reach and built-in fraud tools
- Great for merchants in travel, gaming, or crypto
- Approval can take a few weeks, so it's not ideal if you're in a hurry
PaymentCloud
Best for: Merchants who need a guide through the application minefield
PaymentCloud is where many high-risk businesses go after getting burned by mainstream processors. What sets them apart is how hands-on their team is. You're not just filling out forms, you’re also getting help with every part of the process, from compliance to bank matching.
They also work with a large network of backend processors, which boosts your odds of finding a bank willing to take you on, even if you’ve already been rejected elsewhere.
What to know:
- Personalized onboarding and guidance
- Flexible options through 20+ banking partners
- Fee structure isn’t publicly listed, so you’ll need to ask
Worldpay
Best for: High-volume merchants that need scale and stability
Worldpay has long been a heavyweight in payment processing. While they don't focus exclusively on high-risk industries, they offer custom solutions for verticals like travel, online gambling, and other regulated sectors.
Their infrastructure is enterprise-level. If you’ve already scaled past the startup phase and need robust reporting, smart chargeback tracking, and uptime you can rely on, Worldpay can deliver. But it’s probably overkill for smaller merchants.
What to know:
- Built for businesses processing at scale
- Access to in-depth reporting and analytics
- Long onboarding cycle and stricter underwriting
Easy Pay Direct
Best for: Businesses with large transactions or unpredictable sales volume
If your average ticket size is high or you’re in a volatile industry (coaching, travel, SaaS, events), Easy Pay Direct is built for you. Their Enhanced Payment Management system lets you route payments through different banks, which helps you avoid volume caps or random freezes.
This kind of load balancing is a huge safety net if you’ve ever had a processor cut you off mid-launch. It gives you more control without needing a technical team to set it all up.
What to know:
- Perfect for merchants doing large or lumpy sales
- Strong documentation and support
- Setup is more involved and best for those already familiar with merchant accounts
Final Thoughts: What Works Best for You Depends on Your Risk (and Your Reality)
The best high-risk processor isn’t the one with the slickest sales pitch. It’s the one that keeps your account alive when chargebacks start rolling in or when Visa’s new rules flag your industry as “problematic.”
HighRiskPay is great for speed. Nuvei is built for scale. PaymentCloud will walk with you every step. Worldpay suits enterprises that need reliability. Easy Pay Direct gives you flexibility when traditional processors won’t.
No matter where you land, don’t assume approval is the finish line. In high-risk payments, the real challenge starts after you go live.
FAQ
What is a high-risk merchant account?
A high-risk merchant account lets you process payments even if your business falls into a category banks consider risky. That includes industries like supplements, travel, adult content, or anything with high chargeback potential.
Why do processors label some businesses as high-risk?
It comes down to data and reputation. If an industry has a history of fraud, refunds, or regulatory issues, banks want extra protection. Even if your business is clean, your industry could still get flagged.
How do I choose the right high-risk processor?
Look at what matters most to your business. Need fast approval? Prioritize speed. Need fraud protection or global payouts? Go with a processor that offers those tools. Always check their chargeback policy and contract terms before signing.
What’s the impact of Visa VAMP on merchants?
Visa's Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) pressures processors to clean up risk. If your chargebacks spike or your processor isn’t managing risk well, your account could be frozen or terminated. Working with a VAMP-aware provider can help keep you out of trouble.
Can I use Stripe, Square, or PayPal for high-risk payments?
Usually not. These platforms have strict rules and don’t tolerate chargebacks or regulatory gray areas. Even one dispute can get your account shut down. You’re better off with a processor that understands your industry.
What happens if I get too many chargebacks?
You could be placed in a monitoring program, lose your processing privileges, or get hit with rolling reserves and higher fees. Even if your processor doesn’t shut you down, your account health can take a hit that’s hard to recover from.
Before You Start Processing, Make Sure You’re Ready to Fight Disputes
With 30K+ merchants applying this week, approval is just the first step. Don’t lose your account to chargebacks. Chargeblast helps high-risk merchants prevent disputes before they happen, stay under card network thresholds, and avoid merchant account shutdowns.
