Last updated: August 22, 2025

MERCHANT ONE REVIEW (2025): FAST APPROVALS, CUSTOM PRICING, AND CLOVER OPTIONS

Merchant Services USA Advisor

Staff Editor

Overview

Merchant One is a full‑service merchant account provider with quick approvals, next‑day funding options, and custom pricing that includes interchange‑plus on request. The company publishes “qualified” rate ranges, a small monthly fee, and promotes a terminal placement program with Clover hardware available.

Best for

Small businesses that want hands‑on onboarding, dedicated account management, and equipment options (including Clover) with flexible pricing models.

Key takeaways

Publicly listed “qualified” rates: 0.29%–1.55% swiped; 0.29%–1.99% keyed; monthly fee $13.95 (your contract controls final pricing). Next‑day funding is advertised.
Interchange‑plus is available; ask to see a written schedule for all surcharges, PCI fees, and any ETF.
Third‑party reviews often note multi‑year contracts and early termination fees—read before signing.

Pros

Tailored customer support
Customizable pricing plans
Quick Approval and Setup
Multiple payment methods
Advanced data protection

Cons

Long-term contracts possible
Hidden fees likely
Varied customer feedback

MerchantOne for Different Business Types

MerchantOne for Retail Businesses (POS Systems & Free Terminals)

MerchantOne serves retail stores with seamless Clover POS systems and countertop terminals—such as the Pax S80, Pax S500, FD-130, and Verifone VX-520—available free upon enrollment. These EMV-capable and contactless-ready devices streamline checkout workflows, inventory management, and customer loyalty programs.

Learn more via our guide on merchant services for retail businesses.

Restaurants & Hospitality: Mobile & POS Processing

For cafés, bars, and full-service restaurants, MerchantOne offers mobile readers—including Clover Go and Flex—that support tableside EMV payments and contactless options. When combined with integrated tipping, receipts, and loyalty tools, it boosts efficiency and customer experience.

Explore more in our article on merchant services for restaurants.

E-Commerce Stores: Gateway & Virtual Processing Tools

Online merchants benefit from MerchantOne’s virtual terminal, payment gateway, and recurring payments, enabling integration with over 175 shopping carts, invoice generators, and fraud detection tools. Ideal for e-commerce businesses looking for scalable payment solutions.

Check out our comparison of merchant services for e-commerce.

High-Risk & Credit-Challenged Businesses

MerchantOne claims a 98% approval rate, often working with merchants who’ve faced rejection due to credit history. The flexible onboarding process and dedicated account managers make it a compelling option for high-risk industries seeking reliable payment processing.

MerchantOne by Business Goals

Goal: Custom Pricing (Lowest Processing Costs)

MerchantOne stands out with its interchange-plus pricing model—offering swipe rates between 0.29% to 1.55%, and keyed-in between 0.29% to 1.99%. Businesses receive custom pricing tailored to transaction volume and type.

Goal: Free Hardware & Fast Onboarding

MerchantOne provides free POS terminals under eligible contracts and often onboards businesses within a few days, giving quick access to processing tools and next-day funding opportunities.

Goal: Flexible Integrations & Business Tools

With over 300 third-party integrations (e.g., QuickBooks, Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot) and an open API, MerchantOne caters to businesses focused on automation, reporting, and omnichannel sales strategies.

Goal: Reliable Support & Account Management

MerchantOne provides dedicated account managers and 24/7 phone and email support, especially valuable for merchants who prioritize consistent service and assistance.

Goal: Security & Compliance (PCI & Fraud Protection)

MerchantOne adheres to PCI DSS compliance, securing cardholder data and providing fraud prevention tools for various payment types to protect both merchants and customers.

Pricing and fees

Web‑posted snapshot (not exhaustive): $13.95 monthly; 0.29%–1.55% (swiped qualified), 0.29%–1.99% (keyed qualified); terminal placement available; interchange‑plus available. Verify your adders, PCI, chargeback, and gateway fees in writing.

Contract and onboarding

Merchant One markets fast onboarding and dedicated account managers. Independent testers report that some contracts run three years with ETFs—ask for a copy of the Program Guide and any lease before activation.

Hardware and integrations

Clover POS portfolio plus countertop, wireless, and mobile readers; virtual terminal and gateway support.

Funding speed

“Next‑day funding” language appears on site; confirm your cutoff times and eligibility tier.

Security and compliance

PCI compliance via processor tools; train staff on card acceptance best practices and chargeback handling.

Real‑world cost example (illustrative)

A café processing $25,000/month at a $30 average ticket could do better on interchange‑plus if most transactions are card‑present chip/tap. Ask Merchant One to model both qualified/tiered vs. interchange‑plus for your statement.

Who it’s best for

Retail, restaurants, services, and B2B merchants that value setup help and portable hardware choices.

Who should consider alternatives

Merchants requiring transparent, published interchange‑plus with no long‑term commitment.

How to negotiate

Ask: month‑to‑month term, ETF waiver language, interchange‑plus with fixed basis‑points and per‑item cents, and written lists of all monthly/annual and incidentals (PCI, batch, chargeback, gateway).

Reputation and trust signals

Strong Trustpilot presence; BBB shows active profiles with complaints/resolutions—look at patterns and recency if that matters to you.

FAQs

What pricing does Merchant One offer—tiered “qualified” or interchange‑plus?

Merchant One markets “qualified” rate ranges on its website and also offers interchange‑plus on request. Your final pricing depends on card‑present vs. card‑not‑present mix, ticket size, volume, and risk profile. For the clearest apples‑to‑apples comparison, ask for interchange‑plus in writing, showing basis‑points (bps) over interchange plus per‑transaction cents, along with a line‑item list of monthly and incidentals (PCI, gateway, chargeback, batch).

Does Merchant One require a long‑term contract or early‑termination fee (ETF)?

Contract terms vary by account. Some merchants report multi‑year agreements with ETFs, while others negotiate month‑to‑month. Before you sign, ask for the exact term, auto‑renewal window, ETF amount, and the written cancellation process (notice period, address, confirmation). Request a copy of the merchant services program guide and any equipment lease documents up front and keep them on file.

How fast is funding and what impacts deposit timing with Merchant One?

Merchant One advertises rapid onboarding and next‑day funding options for eligible accounts. Your deposit speed depends on batch cut‑off times, weekends/holidays, and your risk profile. Confirm whether you are on T+1 or T+2 funding, whether weekend batches fund on Monday, and if instant/accelerated deposit options exist for an extra fee. Ask how disputes and reserves could affect payouts.

What hardware and gateways can I use with Merchant One?

Merchant One supports popular terminals and mobile readers, plus access to POS systems (including Clover in many cases). For e‑commerce and invoices, you’ll typically use a well‑known gateway (e.g., Authorize.net) and a virtual terminal. Confirm device ownership vs. rental/lease, upgrade paths, warranty/replacement SLAs, and whether your quote includes gateway fees, AVS, and recurring billing costs.

How do I minimize my effective rate with Merchant One?

Use chip/tap for card‑present to avoid downgrades, enable AVS/CVV for online/keyed transactions, and reduce chargebacks with clear receipts and delivery proofs. If you accept many rewards or business cards, interchange‑plus pricing with a tight bps markup often beats tiered plans. Share two recent statements and ask Merchant One to price both models side‑by‑side with all monthly fees included.

Does Merchant One help with PCI compliance and chargebacks?

Yes—most providers offer a PCI portal or SAQ assistance and a chargeback management process. Ask for your PCI timeline, non‑compliance fees, and whether you get alerts, templates, or staff training. For chargebacks, confirm dispute deadlines, documentation requirements, and whether you can enable fraud tools (AVS, CVV, 3‑D Secure) on your gateway to reduce exposure.

Can I add surcharging or dual pricing through Merchant One?

In many cases, yes—depending on your processor and jurisdiction. You must follow card‑brand rules and state laws, surcharge credit only (never debit), and post proper disclosures. Ask Merchant One which terminals or gateways support a compliant implementation, how receipts will show the fee, and whether they provide signage or setup assistance. Consider dual pricing if your state requires the total credit price to be displayed up front.

What should I negotiate before I activate my Merchant One account?

Request: (a) interchange‑plus with written bps + cents, (b) a full list of monthly/annual/incidentals, (c) removal of monthly minimums if possible, (d) clear contract term/ETF/auto‑renewal rules, (e) funding timelines and any instant deposit fees, and (f) ownership vs. lease terms for hardware. Get all promises in writing and save PDF copies of addenda and email confirmations.