PayKings is a popular platform for high risk businesses that may struggle getting an account with traditional payment gateways such as Stripe. On top of high approval rates and dedicated account managers to guide you through the onboarding, PayKings pride themselves on their low fees.
So, if you’re looking for alternative payment methods for high risk industries, here’s how much PayKings costs.
What the PayKings website says
On their own website, there is no information about the specific costs of their high risk merchant accounts. This is all you get:
- No setup fees
- No hidden fees
- There are account termination fees
For everything else, you’re left in the dark. You’ll have to get started with the process of signing up for a high risk merchant account just to see the basic costs, which is not ideal if you’re just shopping around and need a basis for comparison.
The good news is, we did the research for you.
PayKings fees typically start at 2.49% for credit card processing
Like many other high risk payment processors, PayKings have tiered pricing, which means that pricing starts at 2.49% but there are tiers depending on the types of transactions. In other words, one transaction may run you 2.49% while a different one could set you back 4%.
If you run a regular business model (low risk businesses) their fees are as low as 1%. But if you just want to accept credit card payments as a regular business, you may want to look at other financial institutions for low risk businesses.
If you ask a sales representative at PayKings, they’ll tell you their competitive pricing is based on them working with 28 different banks and that their pricing starts “as low as…”. And whenever you hear that term, this means the pricing is tiered, and you need to investigate the specific costs for your business.
There is no account setup fee, but there is a fixed monthly fee
You can talk to PayKings’ independent sales agents and inquire about high risk merchant services. Setting up your account is completely free of charge.
However, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee for their credit card processing services, which is unfortunately not disclosed publicly.
If you want to stop using your PayKings merchant account before your contract runs out, you’ll be charged an early termination fee, which is also not disclosed anywhere on their website. However, you can expect to pay up to $500.
The best PayKings alternatives for high risk businesses
If you need more transparent fees for payment processing, there are a few worthy alternatives that high risk businesses should consider.
| Starting rate | Monthly/gateway fees | Chargeback/alert fees | Setup fees | Transparency level | Best for | |
| TailoredPay | From 2.6% | $10–$25 gateway fee + $0.05–$0.10 per transaction | No setup or annual fees | None | ⭐ High — publishes exact starting rates and alert costs | Merchants wanting clear, published pricing and fast payouts |
| Durango Merchant Services | Interchange + 0.25% | ~$30 monthly + $0.10 per transaction + $0.15–$0.25 authorization | $25 | None | ⭐⭐ Medium — averages shared publicly, quotes vary | Businesses with moderate risk or chargeback exposure |
| CCBill | ~3.9% + $0.55 per transaction | No monthly fee (PSP model) | Included in rate (additional network fees may apply) | $950 (Visa) + $500 (Mastercard) annual registration | ⭐⭐ Medium — partial disclosure via partner sources | Adult, dating, or subscription businesses needing all-in-one billing |
| PayDiverse | Quote-based | Varies (custom) | Varies | Depends on account | ⭐ Low — educational info but no public rates | Merchants needing flexible underwriting or dual-pricing options |
TailoredPay
TailoredPay specializes in high-risk merchant accounts and comes with transparent pricing.
- Rates start at 2.6% for lending and similar industries
- No setup fees and daily settlements included
- Chargeback alerts: $40 per alert, with no setup or annual fee
- Gateway fees: $10–$25 monthly plus $0.05–$0.10 per transaction
- Batch fee: small daily charge depending on volume
TailoredPay also has a price-match policy and guarantees industry-minimum rates. It’s one of the few high-risk providers publishing exact starting prices and chargeback costs, making it the best alternative to PayKings for anyone who values clarity and affordability.
Durango merchant services
Durango provides custom quotes, but average figures from industry sources give a clear idea of what to expect:
- Monthly fee: around $30
- Processing rate: interchange + 0.25%
- Transaction fee: $0.10
- Authorization fee: $0.15–$0.25
- Chargeback fee: $25
- Rolling reserve: 0–10% depending on risk
- No early termination fee
Durango’s pricing varies by business type and chargeback history, but these averages offer a solid reference point when comparing quotes.
CC Bill
CCBill offers two pricing models:
- PSP model (uses CCBill’s master account)
- Flat rate: ≈ 3.9% + $0.55 per transaction
- No monthly fees
- ISO model (merchant account under your own MID)
- Options for interchange +, tiered, or discount + pricing
- Annual fees: $950 (Visa) + $500 (Mastercard) for high-risk registration
The PSP model is most common for online businesses, providing predictable rates, though costs may increase slightly for very high-risk categories.
PayDiverse
PayDiverse serves a wide range of high-risk industries and offers custom quotes rather than fixed rates.
- Uses interchange + or tiered pricing models
- Offers dual pricing programs to offset transaction costs
- Emphasizes education on fees and pricing structures
- No public rate card available
If you prefer upfront, published rates, PayDiverse may require more back-and-forth before getting an exact quote, but it’s flexible with account structures and underwriting options.
Get the best high risk payment processor for your business
Choosing the right high risk payment processor can make a major difference in how smoothly your business operates and how much you actually keep after fees. While providers like Durango, CCBill, and PayDiverse each have their strengths, most keep their real costs hidden behind custom quotes and fine print.
At TailoredPay, we are upfront and fair.
It’s one of the few high risk merchant account providers that clearly publishes its starting rates, alert fees, and payment gateway costs, so you always know what you’re paying for. With daily settlements, flexible underwriting, and a price match guarantee, it gives you predictable pricing and strong fraud protection without surprise charges.
If you want transparent rates, fast approvals, and a processor that specializes in high risk industries, TailoredPay is the most reliable and cost-effective choice to support your business long term.