Stripe is often the go-to choice for many developers because it’s fast to set up, easy to code, and built with a sleek interface. But what seems simple on the surface can quickly become limiting—especially if you’re aiming for long-term growth, higher profit margins, and true control over your client relationships.
If you’re an Independent Software Vendor (ISV), integrating payments into your platform is one of the smartest ways to add value to your software, provided you pick the right partner!
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- Personalized service for merchant account application support,
- Personalized service and support ongoing for your clients’ payment processing questions,
- The ability to customize payment processing rates and fees,
- The ability to offer Dual Pricing for your clients and eliminate all credit card processing fees for them,
- Multiple Hardware device integration choices,
- Integration of online payments and mobile payments
- Integration of all the new technology tools like text-to-pay and tap-n-pay,
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- Integration of tools like recurring billing,
- Integrated ACH processing
- QuickBooks integration done for you,
- Help for your clients to fight chargebacks, and not lose them,
And last but not least,
- the opportunity for a lucrative share of the ongoing residual income from payment processing.
Let’s break down the major differences between Stripe and full-service merchant account partners, so you can decide what’s best for your business model.
Risk and Support
Stripe relies heavily on automation, especially for underwriting and fraud detection. That means accounts can be shut down or frozen with little warning. Merchants often face long wait times and email-only support. Stripe does not fight for the merchant to win chargebacks. The money and the product are just lost.
With a full-service merchant services partner, you and your clients get real human support. The full-service merchant services provider will guide the merchant through fraud prevention and fighting a chargeback.
Payment Processing Rates and Fees
Stripe takes a flat-rate pricing approach—usually 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. While that simplicity appeals to startups, partnering with a real merchant services provider team allows you to customize rates and fees and keep them low. You certainly don’t want your clients leaving your software for a competitor with lower payment processing fees.
Full-service merchant account providers allow you to:
- Set your own pricing
- Offer dual pricing or surcharging
- Leverage interchange-plus models
- Save money on B2B transactions
Earning Residual Income Share
If you want your payment processing to become a revenue stream—not just a feature—full-service merchant services support is the clear winner. ISVs using Stripe typically earn little more than a referral fee or modest revenue share. And you can’t adjust pricing on rates and fees. The ISV is providing a guaranteed customer for the full-service merchant services provider and there fore deserves a large share of the residual revenue.
Client Stickiness with Merchant Services Relationship Partner – Long Term Client Retention and Monetization
With Stripe, your client’s are simply a number. Any support that is provided is definitely not personal. You’re handing your ISV clients over to 1-800-IGNORE-ME.
Full-service providers flip that script. Electronic Money Company scores high with its ISV partners with white-glove service and support. They answer the phone live, guide your clients through the application and onboarding, and build your relationship with your clients They are the opposite of 1-800-IGNORE-ME. This difference is critical to long-term client retention and monetization.
A high level of service matters when your software depends on reliable payment processing. A good merchant services partner can provide stickiness for your software. Clients frustrated with customer support for payments may leave your software for another system with better payment service and support.
Hardware and In-Person Payment Capabilities
Stripe is primarily built for online payments. Its Stripe Terminal solution is limited and lacks the depth of hardware devices.
Full-service partners, however, offer:
- A wide range of EMV terminals, mobile readers, and device options
- Seamless in-store, mobile, recurring billing and online payment flows
- Integrations with accounting and all the new technologies including text-to-pay or tap-n-pay
If you want your software to serve both online and brick-and-mortar businesses, this flexibility makes a huge difference with a full-service merchant services provider.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Long, Term Fit
Stripe may be a starting point, but if you’re serious about scaling your ISV client base and maximizing revenue, it’s important to look beyond the basics.
A full-service merchant account partner gives you:
- Full pricing control and higher profit margins
- Ownership of the merchant relationship
- More flexibility across in-store and mobile solutions
- Better service and support with custom options
- A long-term path to recurring, scalable income
In short: You don’t just integrate payments—you MONETIZE them!
Want to Learn More? Talk to an Expert?
Call Electronic Money Company, with expertise and an excellent reputation as a full-service payment partner. Call 505-296-2847 or Contact Us: https://electronicmoneycompany.com/contact-us/
“Here is why Electronic Money Company has clients for life and why we integrated their payment processing to our software. In the world of merchant services, it’s easy to think of the services as a commodity (who has the best rates is all that matters) but unfortunately even if that’s all that matters to you it’s very difficult to tell one from another or to be able to predict good future service from bad service since all you start with is the sales person in front of you spewing lots of numbers and jargon that seems to differ from one sales person to the next (each saying that the other one is lying). As someone who has tried quite a few merchant service providers over the years I can tell you that all of my relationships have turned sour due to hidden fees and percentages creeping onto my monthly bills over the course of time. All except for one. Electronic Money Company has been the first HONEST company I’ve ever worked with. Their service has been outstanding. If we have a question, they answer it or find the answer quickly and they have delivered as promised with no hidden fees or sleazy car salesman tactics. If you need merchant services for your company or integrated payments for your software, Electronic Money Company is the place to be. Plus they have great rates and are always willing to beat the competition.”
Rob Weinstein, Event Rental Systems
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