Paymentsense is a UK-based merchant services provider that offers card payment solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With over 70,000 businesses on its customer list, Paymentsense ranks as one of Europe’s largest merchant service providers. This review seeks to examine the provider’s features, fees, pros, and cons, helping you decide whether Paymentsense is a good choice for your business.

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Overview of Paymentsense – what’s on offer?

Since its establishment in 2010, Paymentsense has developed an extensive range of services to cater to the diverse needs of UK businesses. Their products aim to meet the demands of both online and brick-and-mortar stores, covering everything from card machines to online payment gatebooks.

Paymentsense offers four types of card machines: Countertop, Portable, Mobile, and Integrated card machines. These offer flexibility to accommodate the specific requirements of different businesses, whether that’s face-to-face transactions, flexibility within premises, or the ability to accept payments on the go. The Integrated card machine is particularly unique, providing seamless integration with the Paymentsense EPOS system, Connect.

For online businesses, Paymentsense provides a secure payment gateway, alongside Virtual Terminal and Pay by Link services. These facilities enable merchants to accept and process payments securely from their website, over the phone, or through a payment link sent via email.

Paymentsense’s payment gateway supports a plethora of shopping cart integrations, which can benefit businesses that use ecommerce platforms such as WooCommerce, Magento, or Shopify. Additionally, Paymentsense offers services for international payments, with the ability to handle transactions in more than 140 currencies.

Pros and cons of Paymentsense

Pros

• Variety of Card Machines: Paymentsense offers four different types of card machines, providing businesses with flexibility based on their specific needs.
• Online Payment Solutions: Their secure payment gateway, Virtual Terminal, and Pay by Link services cater to online businesses efficiently.
• Integration Capabilities: The company’s payment solutions integrate with many leading shopping cart solutions and EPOS systems.
• Wide Range of Currencies: Paymentsense allows transactions in over 140 currencies, making it a good option for businesses with international customers.
• 24/7 UK-Based Customer Support: Paymentsense provides round-the-clock customer support, ensuring businesses receive assistance when needed.

Cons

• Long-term Contracts: Paymentsense typically locks businesses into long-term contracts, which may not be ideal for companies seeking short-term solutions.
• Early Termination Fees: There are hefty fees for businesses that wish to terminate their contract early.
• Mixed Customer Reviews: Some customers have complained about hidden charges and issues with customer service.
• No Published Pricing: The lack of transparent, published pricing can make it challenging for businesses to compare costs.

Paymentsense products and services guide

Paymentsense’s product range focuses on both physical and digital payments. Their card machines are designed to cater to various business needs. For instance, the Countertop card machine is ideal for businesses with a fixed checkout point, while the Mobile card machine is perfect for those needing to take payments on the move.

The Portable card machine, on the other hand, operates within a certain radius of its base unit, making it suitable for businesses like restaurants where payment is taken to the customer. The Integrated card machine is designed for seamless operation with the company’s EPOS system, Connect.

For online businesses, Paymentsense’s secure payment gateway allows businesses to take payments via their website. The gateway integrates with over 40 shopping carts and offers features like fraud screening and recurring payments.

The Virtual Terminal is perfect for businesses that accept payments over the phone, while Pay by Link lets merchants send a link to customers via email or text, through which they can make a payment.

Paymentsense pricing, fees and charges explained

Paymentsense operates on a quote-based pricing model, meaning costs can vary depending on factors like business type, size, and transaction volume. Businesses would need to contact Paymentsense directly to get an accurate quote.

Their pricing model typically consists of a monthly rental fee for the card machine, a transaction fee based on a percentage of each transaction’s value, and a minimum monthly service charge if your transaction fees don’t reach a certain threshold.

Early termination of the contract could result in substantial fees, which is something businesses should consider when signing up. Additionally, some customers have reported unexpected charges, so it’s important to read the terms and conditions thoroughly.

Alternatives to Paymentsense

While Paymentsense offers a wide range of services, there are other payment processors in the UK market that may be a better fit for some businesses. Companies like Square offer similar services with no long-term contracts or monthly fees, and they publish their pricing transparently.

Zettle is another good alternative, with straightforward pricing and a strong reputation for customer service. Worldpay, one of the largest payment processors globally, could also be a suitable option, particularly for larger businesses with high transaction volumes.

Conclusion – Is Paymentsense a good choice?

Paymentsense’s variety of card machines, online payment solutions, and integration capabilities make it a versatile choice for many UK businesses. However, the lack of transparent pricing and long-term contracts could be problematic for some.

It’s crucial for businesses to assess their specific needs and circumstances before deciding. If you require a flexible card machine, cater to international customers, or need robust integration with your EPOS system or ecommerce platform, Paymentsense could be a viable option.

However, if your business requires short-term commitment, transparent pricing, or values consistently high customer service, you might want to consider alternatives like Square or iZettle.

FAQ – Paymentsense review