The popularity of card-based payments continues to accelerate. Research shows that in 2021, consumers used credit cards for 28% of payments. However, in February 2023, a similar survey showed 54% of consumers used a debit card and 36% used a credit card.
As such, payment service providers play a key role in processing transactions. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Payment Depot and PaySimple—two providers with a different market focus and operating structure—to help business owners find the best fit for their company’s goals.
About Payment Depot
Payment Depot, owned by Stax, is a small business-friendly merchant services provider. Established in 2013, this US-focused platform accepts all major payment forms. Besides major credit cards and debit cards, payment acceptance includes Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Payment Depot values merchant partnerships. The company enables merchants to save money with membership-based pricing and minimal fees.
Under Payment Depot’s terms, merchants receive a free virtual terminal and a payment gateway. Payment Depot does not require an extended-term contract and does not assess PCI compliance or card fraud detection fees.
About PaySimple
PaySimple (or Paysimple.com) is a payment solutions provider established in 2005 in Denver, Colorado. In 2019, the company was acquired by EverCommerce. PaySimple’s services are geared to service-based businesses (including SaaS providers).
The company offers integrated payment solutions plus tools for customers with complex business needs. Business owners benefit from an individual merchant account and cloud-based software. PaySimple handles major credit card and debit card transactions.
PaySimple’s customizable payment screens enable payment methods including eCheck processing and ACH payments. Its payment options include mobile payments, online payments, and recurring payments. PaySimple’s partners can enjoy payment processing functionality without learning specialized skills.
Payment Depot Features
All Payment Depot merchant partners enjoy the same account features. First, the company doesn’t require merchants to sign a long-term contract or pay nuisance fees.
All merchants receive an online virtual terminal for keyed-in card payments. Payment Depot uses the SwipeSimple mobile app and card reader for mobile transactions. The app runs on the iOS and Android operating systems. Merchants receive their funds within 24 to 48 hours.
Payment Depot offers integrations with multiple shopping carts, card terminals, and point-of-sale (or POS) stations. Finally, Payment Depot offers protection for merchant chargebacks and data breaches.
PaySimple Features
PaySimple enables merchants to accept multiple payment types. These include credit cards and debit cards, eChecks, and ACH payments. Each company receives an individual merchant account.
Although PaySimple lacks its own hardware, the company’s website says its software will “most likely” sync with existing hardware. The PaySimple app works on the iOS and Android operating systems.
Business owners have electronic invoicing capabilities (including recurring payments). By monitoring accounts receivables, the business can improve its cash flow. PaySimple also provides customer management (customer relationship management or CRM) tools. Finally, PaySimple offers a real-time Quickbooks Online accounting integration.
Payment Depot vs PaySimple: Common Features
Payment Depot and PaySimple share two key features. First, both payment processing providers accept major credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments. The PaySimple mobile app is configured for seamless contactless payments. Both providers offer month-to-month service with no cancellation fee.
Payment Depot vs PaySimple: Integrations
Business owners appreciate a payment processing service compatible with diverse payment hardware. Payment Depot’s service syncs with numerous payment terminals and card readers. Authorize.net’s payment gateway creates a seamless customer experience for online merchants. This payment gateway enables fast, easy shopping cart integrations.
PaySimple offers a direct integration with QuickBooks Online and Salesforce. Merchants who want to develop tailored email marketing programs can use Constant Contact and Mailchimp. PaySimple’s API supports companies’ custom integrations.
Payment Depot vs PaySimple: Comparing Pricing
Merchants frequently consider payment processing providers’ pricing in their decisions. Here’s a snapshot of each company’s pricing structure.
Payment Depot
Payment Depot uses a membership-based pricing structure. Each company’s monthly subscription fee reflects its annual processing volume (in USD). The business pays a wholesale interchange fee (with no markup) for each transaction.
Payment Depot’s membership is currently $79/month for companies with up to $250,000 annual transaction volume. Custom rates are available for higher transaction volumes.
PaySimple
PaySimple is transparent about its tiered pricing structure, which includes three “tiers” of processing rates. Each transaction fee depends on the type of card used. This model is unpredictable, making it difficult for small businesses to project expenses. ACH fees apply but are less expensive than card payments.
The PaySimple website also discusses a Starter Plan (better pricing) along with a Standard Plan. Merchants processing over $50,000 per month can receive a volume discount.
PaySimple’s Service Commerce platform is $69.95 per month for all available software. eCommerce transactions are also subject to tiered pricing plus a monthly $49.95 platform service fee. Other fees also apply.
Finally, PaySimple offers optional payment gateway and virtual terminal services. However, pricing is not available for these services. Other fees also apply.
Payment Depot vs PaySimple: Customer Support
Payment services providers should ideally furnish small businesses with timely, top-tier customer service. In fact, business owners often consider customer support quality very important. United States-based small businesses can expect services in English.
Payment Depot
Payment Depot provides live US-based customer support via phone, email, and live chat. Overall, Payment Depot is positively regarded for its support team’s know-how and desire to assist its partners.
PaySimple
PaySimple provides business owners with assistance via email, live chat, and customer support tickets.
The PaySimple support center includes articles, FAQs, and community discussions. PaySimple’s website includes a small business resources section containing downloads, guides, webinars, and demo videos.
Payment Depot vs PaySimple: Customer Ratings and Reviews
Learning about a user’s customer experience can be useful for small businesses. Payment Depot and PaySimple each have multiple reviews.
Payment Depot
The Capterra platform contains 57 Payment Depot reviews averaging 4.7 of five stars. The positive reviews praised the membership-based pricing structure and excellent customer support.
The G2 platform contains two Payment Depot reviews averaging 4.5 of 5 stars. Both reviewers were happy with their cost savings.
PaySimple
Online forums contain over 30 negative PaySimple reviews. The legitimate reviews relate to hidden fees, fund-holds, substandard customer service, and unexpected account cancellations.
PaySimple has also been criticized for the misleading rate quotes on the company’s website. The PaySimple tiered pricing structure includes Qualified, Mid-qualified, and Non-qualified rates. However, the website only provides the (lowest) Qualified rate without stating the other two higher rates.
The Better Business Bureau (or BBB) accredited PaySimple in February 2015. The company currently has an “A+” rating, formed by 17 business complaints in the past 36 months. PaySimple also has five negative informal reviews on its BBB profile. The company has not had any Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints or active class-action lawsuits.
Payment Depot Pros and Cons
Payment Depot’s payment processing services provide multiple advantages.
Pros
- No account setup or PCI compliance fee
- User-friendly membership pricing plan
- Free virtual terminal for every business
- Software that syncs with diverse hardware
- Multiple POS systems are available
Cons
- Currently limited to US-based small businesses
- Does not accept high-risk companies
PaySimple Pros and Cons
PaySimple focuses on service-based businesses. The company offers multiple advantages for this market, plus several disadvantages.
Pros
- Flexible platform with wide-ranging functionality
- Diverse billing solutions (including recurring payments)
- Impressive invoicing and subscription tools
- Affordable ACH and eCheck payments
- Excellent customer support
Cons
- Complex, expensive tiered pricing framework
- Murky quote-based pricing structure
- Not designed for high-volume, card-present businesses
- US-based companies and US Dollars only
The Best Solution for Specific Business Types
Payment Depot and PaySimple each represent the best choice for certain business types. However, each payment processing provider isn’t the best option for other companies.
Payment Depot
Payment Depot is an ideal choice for businesses that want a membership-based model. Companies with hefty credit card transaction volumes will also benefit from this structure. Businesses that desire non-proprietary, reprogrammable hardware will appreciate Payment Depot.
However, extremely low-volume sellers may not sell enough to counter the membership fees. Finally, Payment Depot does not accept high-risk merchants.
PaySimple
PaySimple is best for companies that handle recurring payments or subscriptions. Examples include fitness centers and businesses that process monthly customer orders (think Fruit-of-the-Month Club).
However, PaySimple provides only minimal support for in-person sales. The company is certainly not the most affordable payment processing provider.
Factors Each Merchant Should Consider
Each merchant should weigh multiple factors before making their decision. First, a merchant should decide on the payment methods needed and the likely transaction volumes. The merchant’s checkout options, and the overall system functionality, are also relevant. Next, each offering’s ability to sync with API integrations and business software is important.
Equally importantly, business owners should consider whether a provider’s customer support services meet the company’s needs. Finally, merchants should consider other business owners’ reviews in a provider decision.
Why Payment Depot is the Best Choice
In a head-to-head comparison of these payment processing providers, Payment Depot is the most cost-effective choice. The company’s membership-based service plan and affordable processing fees are popular with budget-conscious small businesses.
Payment Depot’s reputation for transparency and superb customer support are also important. These advantages make Payment Depot the best payment processing option. Contact our team today to learn more.
FAQs
Q: What are Payment Depot and PaySimple?
Payment Depot and PaySimple are payment service providers. Payment Depot is a US-focused platform that values merchant partnerships and operates on a membership-based pricing model. PaySimple, on the other hand, caters to service-based businesses and offers integrated payment solutions with a tiered pricing structure.
Q: Which payment methods do Payment Depot and PaySimple accept?
Both Payment Depot and PaySimple accept credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments including Apple Pay and Google Pay. PaySimple also allows eCheck processing and ACH payments.
Q: What are the pricing structures of Payment Depot and PaySimple?
Payment Depot operates on a membership-based pricing model. Currently, it charges a $79/month membership for companies with up to $250,000 annual transaction volume, with custom rates for higher transaction volumes. Meanwhile, PaySimple employs a tiered pricing structure, charging variable transaction fees depending on the card type. It also offers a Starter Plan and Standard Plan, as well as a $49.95 per month eCommerce platform service fee.
Q: What customer support do Payment Depot and PaySimple provide?
Payment Depot offers live US-based customer support through phone, email, and live chat services, while PaySimple provides support via email, live chat, and customer support tickets. PaySimple also has a support center with guides, articles, and community discussions.
Q: What are the key features of Payment Depot and PaySimple?
Both providers offer a month-to-month service with no cancellation fee. Payment Depot provides integrations with multiple shopping carts, card terminals, and POS stations. PaySimple allows the development of tailored email marketing programs via Constant Contact and Mailchimp and offers API support for custom integrations.
Q: How well are Payment Depot and PaySimple received by their users?
Payment Depot has been positively reviewed for its membership-based pricing structure and excellent customer support. PaySimple, however, has received negative reviews related to hidden fees, fund holds, substandard customer service, and unexpected account cancellations.
Q: For which kinds of businesses are Payment Depot and PaySimple best suited?
Payment Depot is ideal for businesses looking for a membership-based pricing model and those with high credit card transaction volumes. PaySimple, on the other hand, is best for companies handling recurring payments or subscriptions, such as fitness centers or subscription-based businesses.
Q: What are the unique advantages of Payment Depot?
Payment Depot offers a user-friendly membership pricing plan, a free virtual terminal for every business, software that syncs with diverse hardware, and multiple POS systems. It also provides protection for merchant chargebacks and data breaches.
Q: What sets PaySimple apart from other service providers?
PaySimple stands out for its flexible platform with comprehensive functionality, diverse billing solutions, impressive invoicing and subscription tools, affordable ACH and eCheck payments, and excellent customer support.
Q: How can I decide between Payment Depot and PaySimple?
It’s important to consider the payment methods needed, projected transaction volumes, checkout options, system functionality, API integrations, customer support services, and user reviews when deciding between Payment Depot and PaySimple. Consider also the types of transactions your business handles the most.
