Every payment processing solution START offers is built on a merchant account: the account that lets your business accept credit and debit cards, approved by a bank that knows what you sell. Find yours below, whether you run a standard business, work in a high-risk industry, sell from Canada or Australia, or already use the Authorize.Net or Cybersource gateway.
Selling online, in person or by phone? Start with a merchant account of your own, approved by a bank for your business.
Your own merchant account with interchange-plus pricing and the Authorize.Net gateway. Most merchants are approved in 1-5 business days, with no termination or annual fees.
Popular guides
Some industries get turned away or shut down by payment apps and many banks. Start with the high-risk guide, then read the one for your industry.
For businesses that banks and payment apps call high risk, including merchants declined or shut down elsewhere. Start here for how approval, rates, reserves and chargeback limits work.
Popular guides
Card processing for gun stores, FFL dealers and ammunition sellers, at the counter and online, with an account approved knowing what you sell.
Popular guides
Card processing for vape shops, smoke shops and online stores selling FDA-authorized nicotine vape products. No THC.
Popular guides
Card processing for CBD brands, shops and wholesalers selling hemp-derived CBD, with plain guidance on the 2026 hemp law change.
Popular guides
Businesses in Canada or Australia can process in their own country, in the U.S., or both. For both, START sets up two accounts and manages them together.
Canada only, the U.S. only, or both. Selling in both? START sets up two merchant accounts, a Canadian account in CAD and a U.S. account in USD, each with its own Authorize.Net gateway, managed together.
Popular guides
Australia only, the U.S. only, or both. Selling in both? START sets up two merchant accounts, an Australian account in AUD and a U.S. account in USD, managed together. High-risk businesses too.
Popular guides
A gateway connects your checkout to a merchant account. Authorize.Net and Cybersource refer merchants to START: we shop the merchant account, underwrite it and connect it to your gateway.
Authorize.Net refers merchants to START for the merchant account behind the gateway. We've set up over 60,000 Authorize.Net accounts in more than 20 years.
Popular guides
Cybersource refers merchants to START too. We shop and underwrite the merchant account, then send the account details back to Cybersource so your gateway is connected.
Popular guides
Web developers, agencies, hosting companies and software platforms can refer their clients to START. We handle approval, setup and support for the merchant.
Refer your clients for a merchant account with the Authorize.Net gateway. START handles approval, setup and support. Referral partners earn a fee per approved merchant; resellers and agents earn ongoing residuals.
Popular guides
Whatever your business, our merchant processing services follow the same three steps. Timing depends on your industry and country.
Tell us what you sell, how you sell it and where. We shop the merchant account (the acquiring bank) that fits your business.
The bank reviews your application, your website and what you sell. Most merchants are approved in 1-5 business days.
We set up Authorize.Net, usually within 24 business hours, or send your account details to Cybersource so your gateway is connected.
Want to read up first? Browse all merchant guides
Apply online, or send us your latest processing statement and we'll show you what you should be paying. No termination fees and no annual fees.
Prefer to talk? Call 888-573-7587, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 Mountain Time.
Complete our quick and secure form. We'll review your inquiry and present the best solution within 24 business hours.
We've received your inquiry and will review it promptly. A member of our team will contact you within 24 business hours to discuss your merchant account needs.
Need immediate assistance? Call us at 888-573-7587
Please try again or contact us directly at [email protected] or 888-573-7587.
1940 S. Fremont Dr STE 202
Salt Lake City, UT 84104