Find the perfect fit
Use Archways to compare Merchant with alternatives and find the best software for your needs.
Merchant (Shark Processing) is a specialized payment processor built for businesses in high-risk industries—think CBD, adult, supplements, or online gaming—who struggle to get approved by mainstream providers. Its standout advantage is deep expertise in underwriting and risk management for these verticals, plus a broad menu of payment options (credit cards, ACH, international payments) that many competitors simply won’t touch. However, onboarding can be more involved than with standard processors, and rates are typically higher to offset risk, so it’s not a fit for low-risk, high-volume e-commerce. Value-wise, it’s a lifeline for businesses that would otherwise be shut out of online payments, but you’ll want to weigh the premium pricing against your transaction needs and risk profile.
Check if Merchant is a good fit for your needs
This information is provided by Archways for guidance purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, specific details may need to be confirmed with the vendor.
Implementation is more complex than standard processors, often requiring detailed documentation, compliance checks, and custom underwriting; expect a longer onboarding timeline and ongoing support for chargeback management.
At minimum, you’ll need a finance or operations lead to manage the relationship, and legal/compliance input is strongly recommended for regulated industries; larger teams may involve IT for integration with e-commerce or POS systems.
Best suited for businesses processing consistent monthly volumes (typically $10k+), as low-volume merchants may find the fees and onboarding effort disproportionate; scales well for mid-market and enterprise, but not ideal for micro-merchants.
Conversational support, onboarding, automation
SaaS, fintech, PLG, high inbound support
5-500 agents
Chat, in-app, email, social
Contact sales to get pricing information