Bluesnap review – A good choice for payment processing? Features, fees, pros and cons explained

In today’s increasingly cashless society, businesses large and small need efficient and reliable payment processing systems to facilitate transactions. One such provider that has gained traction recently is Bluesnap. As a global payments company, Bluesnap aims to simplify the payment process while providing robust functionality. But does it deliver? This review explores what Bluesnap offers, its features, fees, the pros and cons, as well as viable alternatives.

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Overview of Bluesnap – what’s on offer?

Bluesnap is a payment gateway provider that operates on a global scale. Since its establishment in 2001, the company has aimed to simplify the payment process for businesses by offering an all-in-one payment solution that eliminates the need to manage multiple payment service providers.

One of Bluesnap’s main selling points is its global reach. The platform supports over 100 currencies and can process payments from 180 countries. This feature can be a significant advantage for businesses with international customers, as it offers a flexible and inclusive payment system that accommodates a wide variety of currencies.

Bluesnap’s solution also includes built-in fraud prevention. With their advanced risk management system, businesses can shield themselves from fraudulent transactions and chargebacks, which are prevalent issues in the e-commerce landscape.

Moreover, Bluesnap provides intelligent payment routing. This feature automatically directs transactions to the bank that is most likely to approve them, thus increasing the probability of successful transactions.

Lastly, Bluesnap is committed to simplifying the payment process. By integrating with various shopping carts and platforms such as WooCommerce, Magento, and Salesforce, it offers a seamless checkout experience to customers.

Pros and cons of Bluesnap

Pros

• Global Reach: Bluesnap’s ability to process payments in over 100 currencies and from 180 countries is a significant advantage for businesses aiming to expand their global reach.
• Built-in Fraud Protection: Bluesnap’s robust fraud detection system minimises the risk of fraudulent transactions, potentially saving businesses from significant losses.
• Intelligent Payment Routing: By directing transactions to the bank most likely to approve them, Bluesnap increases transaction success rates, thereby improving customer satisfaction and potential revenues.
• Easy Integration: Bluesnap can be easily integrated with popular shopping carts and platforms, providing a seamless checkout experience for customers.
• All-in-one Solution: By bundling various services, Bluesnap offers convenience, eliminating the need for businesses to juggle multiple payment service providers.

Cons

• Pricing: Some users have reported that Bluesnap’s fees can be higher than some of its competitors. This may be a turn-off for smaller businesses or those with tight margins.
• Customer Support: There have been complaints about Bluesnap’s customer service, with some users reporting slow response times and unhelpful support staff.
• Complicated Interface: While Bluesnap offers many features, some users have found the platform’s interface to be complicated and not as user-friendly as they would like.
• Chargeback Fees: In addition to transaction fees, Bluesnap charges a fee for each chargeback, which can add up quickly for businesses that frequently deal with this issue.

Bluesnap products and services guide

Bluesnap’s all-in-one payment solution is comprised of several core products and services:

Payment Gateway

The gateway supports global payments, offering flexibility for businesses with international customer bases. It also comes with built-in fraud prevention, chargeback management, and detailed analytics.

Merchant Account

Bluesnap provides merchant accounts that enable businesses to accept and manage payments easily. The account supports multiple payment types, including credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and mobile wallets.

Mobile Checkout

Recognising the rising trend of mobile shopping, Bluesnap offers mobile optimised checkout to provide a seamless experience for customers shopping on their smartphones or tablets.

Integrated Payments

Bluesnap’s API allows businesses to integrate the payment platform into their existing systems, simplifying the checkout process and providing a unified experience.

Subscription Billing

For businesses offering subscription-based products or services, Bluesnap provides a solution to manage recurring billing efficiently.

Bluesnap pricing, fees and charges explained

Bluesnap operates on an interchange-plus pricing model. This means businesses pay a fee, which is a percentage of the transaction amount, plus a fixed charge per transaction.

Bluesnap’s standard pricing is 2.9% + 30p per successful transaction. However, the actual rates may vary depending on the business’s size and transaction volume. Businesses are advised to get in touch with Bluesnap for a custom quote.

In addition to transaction fees, Bluesnap also charges a £15 fee for each chargeback. Note that there are no setup fees, monthly fees, or annual fees, which can make it more cost-effective for some businesses.

Alternatives to Bluesnap

While Bluesnap offers a comprehensive suite of payment solutions, there are several alternatives businesses may want to consider:

• Stripe: Known for its developer-friendly features, Stripe offers a range of payment solutions, including online and mobile payments, subscription services, and marketplace payments.
• PayPal: As one of the most popular online payment platforms, PayPal offers a range of services, including payment processing, invoicing, and the ability to accept payments in numerous currencies.
• Square: Particularly suitable for small businesses and physical stores, Square provides payment processing as well as additional features such as inventory management and customer engagement tools.

Conclusion – Is Bluesnap a good choice?

So what is the verdict of our Bluesnap review?

In conclusion, Bluesnap offers a robust suite of features that can cater to the needs of businesses with an international customer base. Its all-in-one solution and fraud prevention capabilities are stand-out features, providing convenience and security. However, its fees may be higher than some competitors, and its customer support and interface could be improved.

Before choosing Bluesnap, businesses should consider their specific needs and circumstances. For businesses with a strong global presence, Bluesnap could be an excellent choice. However, smaller businesses or those with tighter margins may want to consider alternatives with lower fees.

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