Authorize.Net
Authorize.Net is one of the oldest and most trusted payment gateways in the market, operating since 1996. Owned by Visa, it provides secure and scalable online payment processing for small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large enterprises across various industries.
The gateway supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, and eChecks. It also offers fraud prevention tools, recurring billing, invoicing, and simple integration with major e-commerce platforms.
Merchants choose Authorize.Net for its reliability, flexibility, and high uptime. It's particularly suitable for businesses that want to retain control over the checkout experience while still relying on a proven backend for payment handling.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Regions | US, Canada, UK, Australia |
| Getting started | Online application |
| Setup Fee | $0 |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Commission per transaction | 2.9% + $0.30 (standard plan) |
| Payment methods accepted | Credit cards, eChecks, Apple Pay, PayPal |
| Fraud & Risk management | Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) |
| Accepted Currencies | USD, CAD, GBP, AUD |
| Set up type | Hosted + API Integration |
| Onboarding & Approvals time | 1–3 business days |
| Recurring Billing | Yes |
| Charges on Refunds | Yes |
| SDK Stacks | Java, .NET, PHP, Ruby, iOS, Android |
| Settlement time | 1–2 business days |
| Payouts support | Yes |
| Split payments | No |
| RegionsUS, Canada, UK, Australia | |
| Getting startedOnline application | |
| Setup Fee$0 | |
| Annual fee$0 | |
| Commission per transaction2.9% + $0.30 (standard plan) | |
| Payment methods acceptedCredit cards, eChecks, Apple Pay, PayPal | |
| Fraud & Risk managementAdvanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) | |
| Accepted CurrenciesUSD, CAD, GBP, AUD | |
| Set up typeHosted + API Integration | |
| Onboarding & Approvals time1–3 business days | |
| Recurring BillingYes | |
| Charges on RefundsYes | |
| SDK StacksJava, .NET, PHP, Ruby, iOS, Android | |
| Settlement time1–2 business days | |
| Payouts supportYes | |
| Split paymentsNo |
Pros
- Backed by Visa
- Easy integration with major platforms
- Strong fraud protection tools
- Supports eChecks and recurring billing
Cons
- Limited international currency support
- Slightly dated user interface
- No native split payments
- Monthly gateway fee applies on some plans
Authorize.Net Benefits for Small Business Transactions
Authorize.Net is a trusted technology platform designed to provide growing businesses with the tools to accept payments online and offline, to run an integrated online store, and to simplify the growing complexity of the electronic payment ecosystem. And with its integration flexibility and uptime reliability, Authorize.net is a perfect fit for growing operations which don’t want to sacrifice performance.
The fraud prevention suite also helps businesses prevent fraudulent transactions, chargebacks, and account takeovers, which is especially important in high-risk verticals like e-commerce and online services.
Ease of Use and Integration Options
Merchants can integrate Authorize.Net via API or through plug-and-play options available in popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. It also supports virtual terminals for manual entry and invoicing for remote billing.
After approval, merchants have the ability to log in and use a user-interface dashboard to manage transactions, customer profiles, recurring subscriptions, and reports – safely locked away within PCI DSS compliant infrastructure.
Authorize.Net Review: What Customers Say
Authorize.Net consistently receives positive reviews for its stability and support. On platforms like G2 and Capterra, it scores 4+ stars for ease of use, customer service, and reliability. It's often recommended for merchants who value control and scalability over flashy interfaces.
Having been around for a long time, the company can be considered reliable – although I’ve seen some users comment its dashboard could use a modern UI upgrade.
Security & Fraud Protection: How Safe is Authorize.Net?
While Authorize.Net has generally maintained a strong security track record, it faced scrutiny in the 2009 Heartland Payment Systems breach—Authorize.Net was indirectly impacted due to shared infrastructure. No direct compromise of Authorize.Net user data occurred, but it prompted a sweeping upgrade in fraud detection and encryption standards.
The company has since improved its Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS), incorporated tokenization, and updated to more modern PCI DSS Level 1 compliance standards to provide better security for its user data and merchant transactions.
Account Fees
Authorize.Net offers two pricing models: an all-in-one plan with payment processing (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, no setup fee), and a gateway-only plan ($25/month + per-transaction fees with your own merchant account). Custom enterprise pricing is also available.
Refunds do incur processing charges unless otherwise negotiated, and there are fees for chargebacks and certain premium tools.
For Business
It’s suitable for businesses seeking reliable infrastructure and advanced billing capabilities without having to build everything from scratch. The platform handles the heavy lifting—security, compliance, and availability—so teams can focus on growth.
Its strong support for recurring billing, fraud filters, and real-time reporting makes it ideal for subscription-based models, service providers, and professional organisations.
Which Type of Business
Authorize.Net works well for retail e-commerce, SaaS providers, professional services, non-profits, and even restaurants that offer online ordering. It's also a good fit for legacy businesses transitioning online.
However, it’s less ideal for high-risk businesses or those operating primarily outside the supported countries and currencies.
For Physical Clients
Authorize.Net supports physical store integration via card readers and point-of-sale systems. Merchants can connect their retail and online operations using the same backend.
The virtual terminal allows phone or in-person payments via any internet-connected device, making it a practical solution for hybrid operations.
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FAQ
Can I use Authorize.Net with Shopify or WooCommerce?
Yes, Authorize.Net offers official plugins and API documentation for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and other platforms. Setup is straightforward and requires merchant credentials, SSL certification, and API keys to begin accepting payments. It’s widely regarded as one of the most stable payment gateways for e-commerce use.
Does Authorize.Net support recurring billing?
Absolutely. One of the key advantages of Authorize.Net is its native support for recurring billing, making it a great choice for SaaS businesses, subscription services, and memberships. You can configure the frequency, amount, and duration directly in your dashboard or via API.
How secure is Authorize.Net?
The platform is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant and uses tokenisation, TLS encryption, and Advanced Fraud Detection Suite to secure transactions. Although it was indirectly affected by a third-party breach in 2009, there have been no major direct data leaks or fraud incidents since. The platform continuously updates its systems to align with modern security standards.
Is there customer support available 24/7?
Authorize.Net provides 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, and ticket system. They also maintain a large knowledge base, video tutorials, and an active developer forum for technical queries. Their support is known to be responsive and business-oriented.
Can I accept international payments with Authorize.Net?
Only to a limited extent. The platform supports merchants in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, and accepts payments in USD, CAD, GBP, and AUD. For broader international payment acceptance, you may need to consider integrations with third-party processors or alternative gateways with global reach.
