2026 Soar Payments Review: Good for High Risk Business?
Soar Payments is one of the most popular payment processing solutions for high-risk industries. Founded in 2015, they specialize in offering high-risk merchant accounts and helping hard-to-place businesses accept payments with ease.
And while Soar Payments generally has a good reputation, there are a few reviews out there that raise a red flag. If you’re a high-risk merchant looking for a next payment gateway or merchant account, here’s what you should have in mind when it comes to Soar Payments.
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High-risk industries supported
Soar Payments focuses almost exclusively on businesses that struggle to get approved by traditional processors. If you’ve been declined by providers like Stripe or PayPal, chances are you fall into one of these categories.
Here’s a breakdown of the main high-risk industries Soar Payments works with:
Adult and subscription-based businesses
Adult content, cam sites, and subscription platforms often deal with high chargeback rates and strict card network rules. Soar Payments supports these models, including recurring billing setups that many processors refuse outright.
CBD and hemp products
CBD businesses operate in a gray area due to shifting regulations and banking restrictions. Soar Payments works with compliant CBD merchants, including online stores and retail operations, as long as they meet documentation requirements.
Nutraceuticals and supplements
This includes vitamins, weight loss products, and wellness supplements. These businesses are often flagged due to aggressive marketing claims and refund disputes, but Soar Payments provides accounts tailored to manage that risk.
Online gambling and gaming
Certain types of gaming and betting businesses are considered high risk due to regulatory complexity and fraud exposure. Soar Payments supports approved operators that follow legal guidelines and proper licensing.
Travel and ticketing
Travel agencies, tour operators, and ticket sellers frequently face high chargeback rates due to cancellations and delays. Soar Payments helps these businesses maintain stable payment processing, even during seasonal volatility.
Credit repair and financial services
Businesses offering credit repair, debt relief, or financial consulting are heavily scrutinized by banks. Soar Payments supports these categories, provided they follow compliance standards and avoid misleading claims.
E-commerce and dropshipping
Dropshipping stores often get flagged for long shipping times and inconsistent product quality. Soar Payments works with established sellers who can demonstrate reliable fulfillment and customer support.
Tech support and digital services
Remote tech support and digital service providers are commonly labeled high risk due to past fraud in the space. Soar Payments can support legitimate operators with proper verification and business history.
What real Soar Payments reviews are saying about their high-risk merchant services
We’ve combed through Reddit, TrustPilot, G2 and many other corners of the internet to find out how happy merchants are with their high-risk accounts with Soar Payments. Here’s the breakdown.
There are unexpected (early) termination fees
Almost every high risk merchant account provider has early termination fees that you have to pay if you breach your contract before the end of the term. That’s mentioned during the application process and it’s something that your account representative will also tell you as you start processing with Soar.
The problem is that “early” for Soar Payments can be a big stretch of time. Here’s what one reviewer on Google said:
“Started with Clearant thru Soar in 2020. Was informed that a termination fee would be charged if canceled within a year. 3 1/2 years later they charged me $395.00 termination fee. Don’t trust either of these companies”
In short, you could be filled the full fee despite being with Soar Payments for years. Make sure to double check your contract terms before signing up and especially before cancelling.
Prop firm merchant accounts may have payout problems
Soar Payments offers merchant accounts for prop trading firms, which are considered high risk with just about every merchant account provider. According to one review on TrustPilot, this specific type of account may face issues with payouts.
“Simply the worst prop firm that has ever existed. Not to mention that many people I know never received their payouts, and they made claims that were simply not true. They only like collecting money, not paying it out.
One of their excuses was that I supposedly didn’t follow the consistency rule, even though it was 23% on their website and you had to stay below 25%. On the payout day, I logged in and—interestingly—it suddenly became 28%. I even have screenshots of it. For another payout, they claimed I was “copy trading” because someone on a completely different account entered the same position 3 minutes later”
The approval process is fast, but you may run into issues as soon as you start processing
The positive reviews on Soar Payments state that approvals are fairly quick. The negative reviews highlight the same issue from another perspective.
If you think Soar Payments is just the right fit and you sign up, you have your funds put in a rolling reserve or have them held for a while until Soar gets additional information about you and your customers.
In other words, going through approval and underwriting fast means that the merchant account provider may have conveniently skipped some details that they will start requesting fairly soon.
As one reviewer said:
“this company is a big scam as soon as you process your first transaction they will put your funds on hold STAY FROM THIS COMPANY. I sent them all the documents but in the end they start making excuse that they cannot release my funds because they were not able to talk to one of my customers.”
And another reviewer on TrustPilot had the same problem:
“This Company’s customer support sucks, This company is total scam, Whatever documents they asked for before signing up and after signing up I provided them and as soon as I processed my first transaction they put money on hold and they asked my a signed document and invoice I provided them than they said they cannot release the funds until they talk to each of my customer, this company is total scam please stay away from it, if you need more information that how do they scam business email me, BE AWARE FROM THIS COMPANY”
The customer support is responsive and moves fast
Despite some of the major complaints, there is also a big positive theme in Soar Payments reviews: during the application process (and after), the support team is there for you. There are many reviews with this statement, but here’s a recent one from TrustPilot:
“I have had a great experience with SoarPay. I chose to work with them largely because they’ve been around a long time in the high-risk merchant account space, which mattered to me. The underwriting process was straightforward and moved faster than I expected. Once the account was approved, their client support team was easy to reach and genuinely helpful whenever I had questions. We’re using them for a high-ticket subscription product, and everything has worked as it should. Overall, it’s been a solid, no-drama experience.”
Soar Payments pricing
Pricing with Soar Payments is one of those areas where you won’t find clean, fixed numbers like you would with Stripe or Square. Instead, everything is tailored to your business risk level, which is standard for high-risk merchant accounts. But if you dig into real reviews and third-party breakdowns, some clear patterns show up.
No upfront setup fees
One of the more consistent positives across reviews is that Soar Payments does not charge application or setup fees, which can otherwise run up to $200 with some high-risk providers.
This lowers the barrier to getting started, especially for new or previously declined merchants.
Custom pricing based on risk
Soar Payments doesn’t publish standard rates. Instead, you receive a custom quote after applying, based on factors like your industry, chargeback history, and monthly volume.
From what reviewers and analysts report:
- Low-risk businesses may get interchange-plus pricing
- Mid and high-risk merchants are usually placed on tiered pricing models
- Rates can vary significantly depending on how risky your business is
In other words, two businesses in the same niche can still end up with very different pricing.
Monthly and operational fees
Beyond transaction rates, reviews highlight a set of standard ongoing fees you should expect:
- Monthly minimum fees
- Merchant account or “on-file” fees
- Gateway fees for tools like Authorize.net or NMI
- Chargeback handling fees
- ACH processing fees (if used)
These are typical across high-risk processors, but they do add up, so it’s important to review your full quote carefully.
Early termination fee
One standout downside mentioned in reviews is a $495 early termination fee if you cancel your contract early.
That’s not unusual in high-risk processing, but it does mean you’re somewhat locked in once you sign.
“Industry minimum pricing” promise
Some reviews mention Soar Payments’ “industry minimum pricing” guarantee, where they claim to match or beat competitor offers if you provide proof.
In practice, this suggests there’s room to negotiate, especially if you already have quotes from other providers.
What real users say about pricing
Across review platforms and third-party analyses, pricing feedback tends to fall into two camps:
What users like:
- Clear breakdown of fees before signing
- No hidden markups or surprise charges
- Ability to negotiate better rates
Common complaints:
- Pricing is not transparent upfront
- Higher fees compared to low-risk processors
- Costs can escalate quickly for very high-risk businesses
Some of this comes down to the nature of high-risk processing itself. Providers take on more financial exposure, so pricing reflects that reality.
Why TailoredPay is the best Soar Payments alternative for high-risk payments
Soar Payments clearly does a lot right. Fast approvals, strong support during onboarding, and broad coverage across high-risk industries make it a solid option on paper. But once you look closer at real reviews, a few patterns start to stand out.
Unexpected early termination fees, fund holds right after processing starts, and unclear pricing structures are recurring concerns. In some cases, merchants report being approved quickly, only to face additional scrutiny, rolling reserves, or payout delays shortly after going live.
That’s where TailoredPay takes a different approach.
Instead of rushing approvals and handling risk later, TailoredPay focuses heavily on proper underwriting upfront. This reduces the chances of sudden fund holds, payout issues, or last-minute compliance requests once you start processing. For high-risk merchants, that stability matters more than getting approved a few days faster.
Another key difference is transparency and long-term fit. TailoredPay works closely with acquiring banks that understand high-risk business models, whether you’re in supplements, CBD, adult, or subscription-based services. The goal isn’t just to get you approved, it’s to place you with the right bank from day one so you can process transactions without constant friction.
You also get:
- Clear expectations around reserves, fees, and risk exposure before you sign
- Access to multiple acquiring partners, not just a single setup
- Fraud and chargeback prevention tools tailored to high-risk verticals
- Support for complex payment needs, including recurring billing and international processing
Soar Payments can work if you want a quick approval and are willing to navigate potential bumps later.
TailoredPay is the better choice if you want a stable, transparent, and long-term payment solution that actually holds up once you start processing.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a low-risk merchant and a high-risk merchant?
A low-risk merchant typically has stable sales volume, low refund rates, and operates in industries with fewer regulatory concerns. High-risk or mid-risk businesses, on the other hand, may deal with higher chargebacks, recurring billing, or stricter compliance requirements, which makes approval and pricing more complex.
Does Soar Payments work with mid-risk businesses as well?
Yes, Soar Payments can support both high-risk and mid-risk merchants. Businesses that fall between traditional low-risk merchant categories and more restricted industries can still qualify, depending on their sales volume, processing history, and business model.
Which e-commerce payment gateways does Soar Payments support?
Soar Payments integrates with several e-commerce payment gateways, including options like Authorize.net and NMI. These gateways allow online businesses to securely process transactions, manage subscriptions, and handle customer payments across different platforms.
Does Soar Payments offer e-check processing services?
Yes, Soar Payments supports e-check processing services, which can be useful for high-risk businesses that face limitations with card payments. E-checks help diversify payment options and reduce reliance on traditional credit card processing.
How does Soar Payments handle chargeback management?
Soar Payments provides tools and guidance for chargeback management, but merchants are still responsible for maintaining low dispute rates. This includes monitoring transactions, responding to disputes quickly, and following best practices to avoid excessive chargebacks.
Can I use virtual terminals with Soar Payments?
Yes, virtual terminals are available and allow you to process payments manually through a secure online dashboard. This is especially useful for phone orders, invoices, or businesses that don’t rely solely on e-commerce payment gateways.
Does sales volume affect approval and pricing?
Absolutely. Your monthly sales volume plays a major role in both approval and pricing. Higher or inconsistent volume can increase perceived risk, which may lead to higher fees, reserves, or stricter underwriting requirements.