Host Merchant Services

Review

Overall Rating

4.6/ 5.0

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In-Depth Analysis

4.6

Price

Ease of Use

Features

Support

Pros

Excellent customer support.
Transparent, interchange-plus pricing.
No long-term contracts or cancellation fees.
Free payment gateway and virtual terminal setup.
Fast, next-day funding available.

Cons

Limited international processing capabilities
No built-in invoicing or quoting tools
Not ideal for very large enterprise operations
Fewer advanced integrations than some larger platforms
Some features require third-party add-ons

Overview

Host Merchant Services is a Delaware-based credit card processing company known for its transparent pricing, personalized support, and high approval rates. Founded in 2009, the company serves a wide range of industries—from retail and restaurants to eCommerce and high-risk verticals—by offering flexible merchant account solutions backed by ethical business practices.

The company provides a full suite of payment services, including in-person payments, mobile processing, virtual terminals, eCommerce integrations, ACH/eCheck processing, and recurring billing. Host Merchant Services also offers custom POS systems, QuickBooks integration, and free payment gateway setup, making it a one-stop solution for merchants of all sizes.

With a commitment to no hidden fees, lifetime customer support, and interchange-plus pricing, the company sets itself apart from larger, less personalized competitors. All accounts come with month-to-month contracts, free setup, and next-day funding, ensuring a hassle-free experience for business owners.

Known for its straightforward approach and exceptional customer satisfaction, Host Merchant Services continues to grow as a trusted partner for small to mid-sized businesses seeking secure, affordable, and honest payment processing.

Stax History and Founder

Host Merchant Services was founded in 2009 by Lou Honick, a former tech entrepreneur with a strong background in internet infrastructure and a passion for transparent business practices. After witnessing widespread confusion and hidden fees in the payment processing industry, Honick launched Host Merchant Services with a clear mission: to bring honesty, simplicity, and personalized service to credit card processing.

The company started small but quickly gained traction by focusing on interchange-plus pricing, no long-term contracts, and fully transparent statements—a sharp contrast to many traditional processors at the time. Lou Honick’s hands-on leadership helped build a culture rooted in customer education, ethical pricing, and long-term client relationships.

Over the years, Host Merchant Services expanded its offerings to support eCommerce, mobile, retail, and high-risk businesses, all while maintaining its commitment to individualized service. With in-house support teams and a strong emphasis on merchant retention, the company has grown steadily and sustainably without relying on aggressive sales tactics.

Today, under Honick’s continued leadership, Host Merchant Services is recognized for its industry-leading customer service, flexible payment solutions, and unwavering focus on merchant success—making it a standout in an industry often criticized for complexity and opacity.

What Is Stax Best At?

Host Merchant Services is best known for its transparency and merchant-first approach. With no hidden fees, month-to-month contracts, and interchange-plus pricing, the company has earned a strong reputation for fair and honest credit card processing. This makes it especially appealing to small and mid-sized businesses seeking clarity and control over their payment costs.

Beyond pricing, Host excels at personalized customer service, offering U.S.-based support with no outsourcing. Each merchant receives one-on-one guidance during onboarding and throughout the life of the account. Whether a business is processing in-person, online, or via mobile, Host ensures setup is fast and support is always accessible.

Host Merchant Services also stands out for its flexible, all-in-one payment solutions. From retail POS systems to virtual terminals and eCommerce integrations, the platform is built to accommodate businesses across industries, including some considered high-risk. Combined with rapid funding and transparent billing, Host delivers an experience designed for long-term satisfaction and success.

Stax Products and Services

Host Merchant Services offers a full suite of payment processing solutions, including credit card and debit processing, ACH/eCheck acceptance, mobile payments, and virtual terminals. These services are designed to support businesses of all sizes across retail, hospitality, service, and eCommerce sectors.

The company provides customizable POS systems, including Clover and SwipeSimple devices, along with online payment gateways, shopping cart integrations, and tools for invoicing, recurring billing, and reporting. It also supports high-risk merchants by connecting them with suitable backend processors and banks.

Card-less Transactions

Host Merchant Services supports card-less transactions through its virtual terminal, payment gateway, and recurring billing tools. Merchants can accept payments by manually entering card or ACH details for phone, email, or online transactions—ideal for service-based and remote businesses that need secure, PCI-compliant payment solutions without a physical card present.

Customer Support

Host Merchant Services is known for its exceptional U.S.-based customer support, available by phone, email, and live chat. Every merchant receives dedicated onboarding assistance and ongoing access to experienced support staff. With no outsourcing and a focus on fast, helpful responses, Host prioritizes long-term relationships and merchant satisfaction.

Features & Functionality General Features

Host Merchant Services offers essential features such as virtual terminals, mobile processing, ACH/eCheck acceptance, recurring billing, and invoicing. The platform also supports eCommerce integrations, custom POS setups, PCI compliance assistance, and real-time reporting, making it ideal for both low- and high-risk businesses.

24-Hours Funding

Host Merchant Services provides next-day funding for most merchants, ensuring fast access to processed funds. This quick turnaround supports healthy cash flow, especially for small businesses that rely on daily revenue to operate smoothly.

Advance Funding

Host Merchant Services does not offer direct merchant cash advances, but can refer merchants to trusted third-party lenders when working capital is needed. This ensures businesses have access to funding without compromising transparency or account stability.

Built-In Payment Gateway for Online Transactions

Host Merchant Services offers a built-in payment gateway that supports secure, real-time credit card and ACH transactions. It integrates with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, and includes features such as fraud protection, recurring billing, and tokenization for a seamless and secure checkout experience.

Virtual Payment Processing

Host Merchant Services provides a secure virtual terminal for merchants to manually enter credit card or ACH payments from any device with internet access. This feature is ideal for phone orders, remote billing, and card-not-present transactions, with support for recurring payments, invoicing, and PCI compliance built in.

Features

Hardware & Software

Host Merchant Services provides a variety of modern hardware options, including EMV-compliant countertop terminals, mobile card readers, and Clover POS systems tailored for retail and restaurant environments. On the software side, merchants gain access to virtual terminals, payment gateways, and custom POS applications with features like reporting, invoicing, and recurring billing. This combination offers a flexible, scalable solution for both in-person and online payment needs.

Standard Terminals for Countertop Transactions

Host Merchant Services offers secure countertop terminals that support EMV chip, magstripe, and contactless payments. These devices are ideal for retail, hospitality, and service-based businesses that need fast, reliable, and PCI-compliant payment acceptance at the point of sale.

Smart Payment Depot Terminals

Host Merchant Services provides smart terminals equipped with touchscreen interfaces, built-in receipt printers, and Wi-Fi or 4G connectivity. These advanced devices support EMV, NFC (tap-to-pay), and mobile wallet payments, offering a seamless checkout experience for modern retail and service environments.

Mobile Hardware

Host Merchant Services offers portable mobile card readers that connect to smartphones or tablets via Bluetooth. These devices support EMV chip, magstripe, and contactless payments, making them perfect for on-the-go businesses, delivery services, and mobile vendors who need fast, secure transactions anywhere.

Features

Pricing Options Automations

Features

Sales Channels

Features

Verdict

Host Merchant Services stands out for its transparent pricing, personalized support, and flexible solutions. With no long-term contracts, interchange-plus rates, and next-day funding, it’s a strong choice for small to mid-sized businesses across retail, eCommerce, and service industries. Backed by U.S.-based support and full-featured hardware/software options, it offers a dependable, merchant-first processing experience.

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