Credit card processing that gets you approved—
and keeps you processing
Accept credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay with higher authorization rates, built-in chargeback protection, and underwriting done up front — so there are no surprise shutdowns.
99% approval rate · 25+ acquiring banks · No long-term contracts
Checkout
$184.00
Card number
Expiry
12 / 28
CVC
•••
rate
Accept every major card & wallet
A+BBB RatingAccredited Business
4.8/5GoogleCustomer reviews
4.5/5MetaCustomer reviews
5/5Merchant MaverickExpert review
Top RatedTop Credit Card Processors2026
#2,150Inc. 5000Fastest growing
Built for merchants
who want to scale
Everything you need to take payments today — and a partner that keeps saying yes as your volume grows.
Accept every way your customers want to pay
Take credit and debit cards online, in store, or over the phone — including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Sterling Merchant plugs directly into Shopify, WooCommerce, and every major shopping cart, so checkout just works from day one.
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover
- Apple Pay & Google Pay included at no extra cost
- Shopify, WooCommerce, and major cart integrations
24/7 support with a dedicated account manager
You're never routed to a call center. Every Sterling Merchant account comes with a named account manager who knows your business, plus round-the-clock support for the moments that can't wait until Monday.
- Dedicated account manager from day one
- 24/7 support by phone, email, and chat
- Direct access to our risk and underwriting team
Higher approval rates — even if you've been declined
Being dropped by Stripe, PayPal, or Square doesn't disqualify you. With 25+ acquiring bank relationships, we match your business to the bank most likely to say yes — and keep saying yes as you grow.
- 99% application approval rate
- Merchants with prior terminations welcome
- TMF / MATCH list businesses considered
What sets us apart
from other processors
Built-in chargeback protection
Intercept disputes before they become chargebacks, auto-refund below your threshold, and keep your ratio healthy.
White-glove service
A dedicated account manager handles setup, integrations, and growth — you never explain your business twice.
Higher authorization rates
Smart routing across 25+ acquiring banks means more of your legitimate transactions get approved, not declined.
Transparent pricing
Clear rates agreed up front. No hidden fees, no long-term contracts, no setup or cancellation charges.
Apple Pay & Google Pay
Digital wallets are included on every account, so one-tap checkout works everywhere your customers shop.
Flexible integrations & APIs
Connect your cart, CRM, or custom stack with developer-friendly APIs and plugins for every major platform.
True processing experts,
30 years in the making
Payments is all we do. Our team brings more than 30 years of combined industry experience, with underwriting and risk handled in-house — so you talk to people who can actually say yes, not a script.
30+ years of combined payments experience
In-house underwriting and risk team
25+ acquiring bank relationships
Dedicated account manager on every account
Connects to the platforms you already sell on
Shopify
WooCommerce
WordPress
NMI
Authorize.netand many more...
From application to approval
in three simple steps
Apply online in minutes
Complete a simple online application — no paperwork marathon. Tell us about your business, volume, and what you sell.
Underwriting review
Our in-house team reviews your file up front and matches you with the right acquiring bank — so there are no surprise shutdowns later.
Approval & go live
Standard accounts are often approved the same day. Connect your store or terminal and start processing right away.
One account,
every sales channel
For eCommerce
Built for DTC brands, subscriptions, and digital products. Convert more visitors with a fast, wallet-ready checkout and fraud tools tuned for online sales.
- One-click integrations for Shopify & WooCommerce
- Subscription and recurring billing built in
- Fraud screening tuned for card-not-present sales
- Optimized checkout with Apple Pay & Google Pay
For Retail
Countertop terminals, tap to pay, and phone orders — with next-day funding and pricing that stays predictable month after month.
$36.20
Tap, chip, or swipe
Approved ✓- Modern terminals with tap, chip, and swipe
- Next-day funding to your bank account
- Virtual terminal for phone and mail orders
- Simple flat or interchange-plus pricing
Approved where others decline.
60+ verticals supported.
From mainstream retail to industries most processors won't touch — we underwrite your business on its merits.
Merchants who made the switch
and stayed for the service
“Sterling ACH has helped to significantly reduce the number of checks we have to put in the mail, which has saved us on postage and time spent.”
“Sterling Merchant has been a great asset to our organization for the past 5 years. They are always quick to respond and a pleasure to work with.”
“Sterling Merchant has been great at keeping our payment processing fees at an absolute minimum.”
“Sterling ACH has helped to significantly reduce the number of checks we have to put in the mail, which has saved us on postage and time spent.”
“Sterling Merchant has been a great asset to our organization for the past 5 years. They are always quick to respond and a pleasure to work with.”
“Sterling Merchant has been great at keeping our payment processing fees at an absolute minimum.”
“Thanks to the insightful advice and great service offered by the team at Sterling Merchant, our ecommerce business operates more efficiently.”
“eCheck verification has reduced returned checks for our clients by 63%, resulting in thousands saved on bank fees. They also offer A+ developer support!”
“Very reliable verification and great customer service. Customer support is always responsive and available.”
“Thanks to the insightful advice and great service offered by the team at Sterling Merchant, our ecommerce business operates more efficiently.”
“eCheck verification has reduced returned checks for our clients by 63%, resulting in thousands saved on bank fees. They also offer A+ developer support!”
“Very reliable verification and great customer service. Customer support is always responsive and available.”
Trusted by thousands of businesses and entrepreneurs across 60+ industries
Card processing questions,
answered.
Sterling Merchant combines modern payment technology with 25+ acquiring bank relationships and up-front underwriting. That means higher approval rates, no surprise shutdowns, a dedicated account manager, and 24/7 support — including for high-risk and high-growth businesses that mainstream processors decline.
Ready to
get started?
Apply in minutes. Most standard accounts are approved the same day.
Get StartedNo long-term contracts · No setup fees · No cancellation fees