BluePay review
Processing services are conveniently bundled, but rates and fees are unclear.
BluePay offers a full suite of payment processing services, including merchant accounts, payment gateways and e-commerce solutions. But its online reputation isn’t promising and it’s not up front about rates or fees.
- Choose this provider if you prefer to bundle your payment processing services.
- Consider something else if you’re looking for a straightforward merchant account with no other services.
Details
| Solutions | In-store, Mobile, E-commerce |
|---|---|
| Products | Payment processing, POS software |
| Monthly fees start at | Varies |
| Processing fees start at | 0.05% interchange fee for retail debit transaction |
| Contract required? | Yes |
| Processing time | 1-3 business days |
| High-risk merchants accepted? | No |
BluePay services
This provider has plenty to offer both small and large businesses alike:
- Merchant accounts. BluePay merchant accounts come in many shapes and sizes, including customized options for restaurants, retail stores, hotels, nonprofits and churches.
- Payment gateways. For those looking to accept online debit, credit and ACH payments, BluePay’s payment gateways come with fraud management tools, account verification, payment plugins and software integration.
- Mobile credit card processing. With the help of Clover Go, BluePay offers EMV processing so you can accept EMV chip and NFC payments from mobile devices.
- POS systems. BluePay offers POS solutions through its partners, and it can integrate with a number of popular systems.
- E-commerce. Choose from a number of shopping cart and credit card processing platforms, including JavaScript Encryption and Hosted Payment Forms.
- EMV credit card processing. Integrate EMV card processing into your point-of-sale system with NETePay software and TranCloud plug-and-play devices.
Features
BluePay’s services are equipped to offer customers a number of attractive features:
- Specialized merchant accounts. BluePay distinguishes its merchant account offerings with specialized accounts for a number of industries, including property management, vehicle rentals, e-commerce, restaurants and retail stores.
- Terminal compatibility. BluePay is compatible with a number of popular terminals, including Verifone, PAX, Ingenico, Equinox and First Data.
- Mobile payment friendly. To accept EMV and NFC payments, your business needs the Clover Go, a Bluetooth connection and the accompanying Android or iOS app.
- PCI compliant. Safeguard your customer’s data with point-to-point encryption, hosted payment pages, tokenization and security monitoring.
What hardware is available?
BluePay works with popular third-party POS systems and terminals, like MenuSoft and Squirrel Systems POS systems and Verifone, Equinox and First Data terminals. Or use the BluePay app along with an EMV reader and a tablet to accept payments on the go.
BluePay pricing and fees
BluePay offers three payment processing service tiers: Starter, Professional and Enterprise. Each tier provides a wider sweep of services — presumably at a higher price point.
But BluePay isn’t forthcoming about its rates or fees on its website, even after directly requesting the information through the live chat feature on its website. BluePay states only that its interchange fees start at 0.05% for retail debit transactions and 1.99% for mail order, telephone order and online transactions.
It does mention that rates hinge on the types of cards you accept, how you process payments and the type of data transmitted during each transaction. It also suggests its service helps merchants save between 15% to 30% on processing costs.
How common is this?
Unfortunately, lack of transparency in the merchant services industry is fairly common. If a provider you're interested in doesn't offer information about its rates on its website, try calling the sales team. But keep in mind that you'll be speaking to a sales rep — not a customer service agent — and you'll likely be asked to answer a list of questions about your business before you get an answer.
If you don't feel like chasing down rate information, opt for a more transparent provider that discloses its pricing information on its website, like Payment Depot or Helcim.
Our top pick:
- 2.6% + $0.10 per swiped credit card
- 3.5% + $0.10 per keyed-in credit card
- 0.05% + $0.49 per PIN-based debit
Our top pick: Chase Merchant Services
Accept payments in your store, online or on-the-go with clear pricing.
- Flat rates for credit and debit cards
- No setup or cancellation fees
- 24/7 customer support
- Next-business-day funding with a linked Chase business checking account
How do I open an account with BluePay?
While you can’t complete your application on BluePay’s website, filling out the available online form will help connect you with a rep:
- Go to BluePay’s website and click Get Started.
- Enter your name, the name of your company, your email address, phone number, country of residence, monthly sales volume and average transaction size.
- In the box provided, tell BluePay which services you’re interested in.
- Click Submit.
A BluePay service rep will be in touch within a business day.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 24/7 customer service. BluePay’s customer service is available 24 hours a day and includes a live chat feature on its website along with phone and email support.
- Multiple service tiers. BluePay acknowledges that a merchant account isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair by offering three levels of service to best meet the needs of individual businesses.
- Comprehensive features. No matter your processing needs, BluePay offers a selection of services and features, including merchant accounts, payment gateways and point-of-sale systems.
Cons
- Ambiguous pricing. BluePay isn’t forthcoming about rates, fees or contract lengths on its website, making it difficult to compare against its competitors.
- BBB trademark infringement. BluePay receives an F rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for displaying the BBB accreditation torch without BBB accreditation status.
- Difficult to cancel service. A number of Better Business Bureau reviews indicate the process of canceling a BluePay account is often fraught with miscommunication and erroneous fees.
What other products will I need?
BluePay offers merchant accounts, payment processing and accompanying hardware, but you need a business checking account to deposit funds.
What is BluePay?
BluePay is headquartered in Naperville, Illinois with additional offices located in Chicago and Aurora. It offers an additional location in Oakville, Canada. It was acquired by First Data in 2017 and now operates as CardConnect inside First Data’s circle of companies and services.
In 2018, BluePay took home two first-place American Business Awards in payment solutions and electronic commerce solutions. It was also awarded a TSG Real Transaction Metric Award in 2019 when it was recognized for its competitive authorization rates.
BluePay reviews and complaints
As of October 2020, BluePay is not an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau — a point of contention that resulted in an F rating from the BBB for displaying its accreditation torch without status.
Customer reviews on the BBB are largely negative, with multiple reports of a drawn-out cancellation process, hidden fees and account suspensions.
Compare other payment processors
How do I contact BluePay support?
BluePay can be contacted in one of three ways:
- Phone. Merchant and tech support can be reached at 866-739-8324 and is available 24/7.
- Email. Fill out a secure online form on BluePay’s website to receive a response from customer service within one business day.
- Live chat. BluePay’s live chat feature is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., CST.
Bottom line
BluePay offers a number of useful payment processing services for businesses large and small, including merchant accounts, point-of-sale systems and payment gateways. But its ambiguous rates and fees mean you’ll need to reach out to a rep to find out what’s available.
Compare other payment processors before you apply to ensure you get the best processing service for your business.
Frequently asked questions
What types of specialized merchant accounts does BluePay offer?
BluePay has a number of unique merchant accounts designed to support the following industry niches:
- E-commerce
- Restaurants
- Retail
- Custom merchant services
- Field services
- Property management
- Hotel and lodging
- Car and truck rental
- B2B e-commerce
- Nonprofits
- Member-driven associations
- Churches
- Government
How does BluePay keep data safe?
BluePay uses point-to-point encryption and tokenization to securely transmit sensitive data. It also employs a risk team available 24/7 for support and fraud monitoring.
What do I need to accept mobile payments through BluePay?
To begin accepting mobile payments, enroll in BluePay’s Professional or Enterprise payment processing package. Then, purchase an ID Tech VP3300 Bluetooth card reader and download the BluePay Mobile Processing App.
