Best for
Small or medium-sized businesses seeking a merchant account provider with a transparent pricing model and no contracts.
Specializes in
Guardian Payment Systems specializes in offering transparent pricing and no-contract merchant account services.
Pricing Summary
Setup Fee: $0
Monthly Fee: Undsiclosed
Swipe Rate: Interchange-Plus
Keyed-in Rate: Interchange-Plus
Early Termination Fee : None
Contract Terms:
Guardian Payment Systems is a merchant account provider that was founded by small business owners who were fed up with long contracts and hidden fees. One of the company’s main missions is transparent pricing as well as no contracts and no hidden fees such as an early termination fee.
The company is currently located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Ryan King is the current owner.
Guardian Payment Systems was founded with the purpose of offering a merchant account provider to small business owners that had a transparent pricing model. In addition to transparent pricing, Guardian Payment Systems also offers no contracts and no early termination fees.
The company offers interchange-plus pricing. They do charge a transaction fee on top of that but do not specify what the fee is. That is because it likely varies from business to business depending on how small or large or high risk the business is.
The company tries to make its services very user-friendly and small-business friendly. The website is clean and simple and easy to use. The contact information goes straight to the company and they claim they will answer their phone day or night.
Set-up is simple and the payment service integrates with a business's existing POS system. If the business needs a POS system they can purchase one at cost through the website.
Guardian Payments is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank and is based in Arkansas.
Guardian Payments boasts interchange-plus pricing and no contracts. This payment model applies to in-store, online, and mobile payment methods.
Head Quarters
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Year Founded
2010
CEO
Ryan King - Owner
Employees
10
Merchant Provider Risk Tolerance
Hardware and Software
Guardian Payment Systems offers a virtual terminal and a payment gateway. They claim their software integrates with most POS systems and most website platforms.
The company also offers physical equipment although it doesn’t specify what types or brands. They do advertise that they sell the equipment to you at cost with no mark-up. It does not appear that they offer leases.
Value-Added Services
A gift card and loyalty programs are available.
Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Clover POS integration.
Supported Payment Types and Services
All major credit cards such as:
Visa
Mastercard
Discover
American Express
Most online payment apps include:
Apple Pay
Google Wallet
Discloses All Important Terms
No
Public Pricing Available
No
Guardian Payment Systems offers a competitive interchange-plus pricing model that comes contract-free. This means no early termination fees or other fees associated with long-term contracts.
The company does also charge a transaction fee which can mark up the interchange rates. However, it does not state on its website what that transaction fee is. This could vary from business to business which is why the price is not clearly stated.
They make no mention of other types of fees such as a PCI compliance fee or other monthly fees. This does not mean they do not charge them though.
Pricing Model
Interchange Plus
Swiped Rate
Interchange-Plus
Keyed-in Rate
Interchange-Plus
Mobile Payment Rate
Interchange-Plus
Virtual Terminal Rate
Interchange-Plus
Monthly Fee
Undsiclosed
Payment Gateway Fee
Undisclosed
Batch Fee
Undisclosed
Early Termination Fee
None
PCI Compliance Fee
Undisclosed
Equipment Lease Terms
None
Address Verification Service (AVS)
Application Fee
Account Setup Fee
$0
Gateway Setup Fee
Annual Fee
Monthly Minimum
Undisclosed
Statement Fee
Undisclosed
One of Guardian Payment System’s claims to fame is no contracts. This makes it easy for customers to sign up or leave at any time.
The no-contract model is not standard in the industry. The company website states that if they need a legal document to force you to do business with them, they aren’t doing it right.
In addition, Guardian Payment Systems claims to sign a contract with the business owner stating they will not raise rates.
Contract Length
No Contract Required
Early Termination Fee
None
Guardian Payment Systems has a contact form on their website for anyone to reach them with questions or issues. They also have an email address and a phone number.
The company claims an in-house customer service team and says they will answer their number day or night.
BBB Rating
Guardian Payment Systems has had an accredited Better Business Bureau profile since 2013. They have an A+ rating on BBB. There are no reviews or complaints associated with this BBB profile.
Other Online Reviews
There are few ratings and reviews on Guardian Payment Systems to be found online, but those that are online are almost all positive.
BBB
A+ and has been Accredited since 2013.
5 Stars / 2 Reviews
5 Stars. Based on the opinion of 2 people
Yelp
N/A
Total Online Reviews
10+
Total Online Complaints
Lawsuits
None
If you're in the market for a merchant account provider, be sure to check out our user reviews, our merchant accounts guide and our top popular merchant provider picks