Elavon Payment Processing Review

Elavon is a global merchant services provider that has served businesses for more than three decades. As a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, it brings the strength of a major financial institution while delivering comprehensive payment solutions to over a million customers worldwide. Its offerings cover a wide spectrum, including card-present, online, and mobile payment options for businesses of all sizes. 

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Elavon operates in over 10 countries and supports merchants in various sectors such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, and education. Its position as both a processor and acquirer allows businesses to manage all payment-related operations from a single source. This vertical integration simplifies the onboarding and troubleshooting processes.

The quality of Elavon’s services, however, can differ based on the channel a merchant uses to sign up because of its extensive network. Although its infrastructure helps a lot of businesses, smaller retailers have sometimes complained about unclear pricing and terms of contracts, particularly when dealing with independent resellers.

Essentially, Elavon provides a variety of tools and stability. It is perfect for companies that require scalable solutions and appreciate having a large banking organization on their side. It may be necessary for those who are looking for more transparent pricing or simplified interfaces to carefully assess if it meets their needs.

Supported Payment Methods and Hardware | Elavon Payment Processing Review

Elavon is a versatile choice for companies that accommodate a range of client preferences because it accepts a large number of payment methods. All of the major credit and debit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, are accepted by merchants. Additionally, it supports ACH transactions, mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, contactless payments, and EMV chip cards.

Hardware-wise, Elavon offers a variety of POS terminals and systems that are appropriate for food service, retail, and other face-to-face transactions. Traditional countertop terminals, tableside service devices, and tap-to-pay mobile terminals are among the available options. Through collaborations with hardware suppliers like Ingenico and Poynt, these devices are made available to businesses, providing them with dependable and secure equipment.

For industries with more complex checkout needs, Elavon offers integrated POS systems that support inventory management, tipping, and customer engagement features. These can be particularly useful in hospitality and quick-service restaurant environments. The company also offers proprietary systems like talech, a cloud-based POS solution tailored for small and mid-sized businesses.

Merchants operating online or in hybrid environments will appreciate the consistency between Elavon’s in-store and online payment capabilities. However, the variety of hardware and integration options can be overwhelming for those without technical support. Understanding what combination of devices and services is best suited for your business may require additional consultation with Elavon’s sales team.

Online and eCommerce Capabilities

Elavon offers a robust set of tools for businesses operating in the online space. Its solutions cater to both basic web stores and more advanced eCommerce environments. Through its Converge payment gateway, merchants can accept credit card payments, digital wallets, and recurring billing online. This gateway can be embedded directly into websites and integrates with most shopping cart platforms, including WooCommerce, Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento.

For businesses without a full website, Elavon provides hosted payment pages and virtual terminals. These allow merchants to send payment links via email or SMS, making them suitable for service providers and remote businesses. Recurring billing features are also supported, which is essential for subscription-based models.

Elavon places a high priority on security in their eCommerce solutions. The system is completely PCI compliant, and all online transactions are tokenized and encrypted. For merchants who handle sensitive customer data, the company also provides fraud prevention tools to keep an eye on suspicious activity and lower chargebacks.

Although Elavon offers a wide range of eCommerce services, their setup might not be as simple as that of some more recent suppliers. To completely implement and maximize integrations, merchants might require help from Elavon’s technical support or web developers. Although the tradeoff is a high degree of control and customization for those who are willing to put in the time, this can be a challenge for small businesses without dedicated tech resources.

Mobile and Contactless Payments

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, mobile and contactless payments are more than a convenience; they are a necessity. Elavon recognizes this trend and provides solutions that allow businesses to accept payments on the go. This is particularly beneficial for service professionals, event vendors, food trucks, and mobile sales teams.

Compact card readers that pair with smartphones or tablets via Bluetooth are part of Elavon’s mobile point-of-sale systems. These readers are adaptable for contemporary use because they support contactless, magnetic stripe, and EMV transactions. Merchants can process sales, generate digital receipts, and monitor basic transaction history while on the go when they are paired with Elavon’s mobile app.

All of Elavon’s point-of-sale devices accept contactless payments, such as tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. This guarantees that companies can satisfy the increasing demand from customers for touchless and speedy transactions, which is particularly important in retail settings following the pandemic.

For larger businesses, Elavon also offers enterprise-level mobile payment integration, allowing for field-based sales operations with centralized reporting. However, while the mobile solutions are functional and secure, they may not have the sleek design or ease-of-use found in apps from some fintech competitors. The interface is more traditional and might require some learning curve for users who are new to mobile POS systems.

Overall, Elavon provides a reliable suite of mobile and contactless payment tools, but usability and modern UI could be areas for improvement.

Integration with Business Tools

A significant advantage of Elavon’s system is its ability to integrate with a range of business tools. From accounting platforms to inventory management systems and CRMs, Elavon offers multiple pathways to synchronize payment data with daily business operations.

One of its key offerings is the integration with QuickBooks, allowing businesses to reconcile transactions directly within their accounting workflows. This reduces manual entry errors and saves time during bookkeeping. Additionally, Elavon’s Converge platform supports APIs that allow developers to build custom integrations for ERPs, CRMs, or proprietary software.

Elavon’s Talech POS platform has integrated tools for managing inventory, staff, and customer data for the hospitality and retail sectors. This enables smaller businesses to manage operations from a single dashboard and reduces the need for external tools. The provided API documentation, however, can be used by larger businesses that already use programs like Salesforce or NetSuite to incorporate Elavon’s payments into their more comprehensive systems.

Businesses have more freedom in creating their payment ecosystem thanks to the integration process, even though it might not be as smooth as plug-and-play systems provided by more recent platforms. Companies that offer managed services or IT support will probably benefit the most from Elavon’s customization capabilities. Businesses can get better insight into their performance, streamline financial operations, and get rid of data silos thanks to Elavon’s dedication to integration.

Security Features and PCI Compliance

Security is a top priority for any business handling payment data, and Elavon takes this responsibility seriously. Its solutions are built with multiple layers of protection, starting with P2PE and tokenization, which help secure sensitive cardholder information from the moment of entry to the final transaction approval.

Elavon also supports PCI DSS compliance by offering resources and tools to help merchants meet required security standards. This includes access to Self-Assessment Questionnaires, security scans, and customer service support for compliance-related questions. Businesses that use Elavon’s P2PE-certified devices are likely to have a smoother PCI compliance process.

To combat fraud, Elavon provides features like AVS, CVV checks, and real-time risk monitoring. These features are especially beneficial for online businesses where card-not-present fraud is more common.

Additionally, Elavon offers a Breach Protection Program for qualifying merchants. This coverage can help mitigate the financial damage associated with data breaches, including reimbursement for card brand penalties and forensic investigation costs. Despite these robust protections, some merchants report that navigating Elavon’s security documentation can be complex. Understanding what is covered and what steps must be taken on the merchant’s side may require careful review and ongoing diligence.

Overall, Elavon provides industry-standard security, backed by resources to help businesses maintain compliance and minimize risk.

Reporting and Analytics Dashboard

A reliable reporting system is essential for monitoring business performance and making informed decisions. Elavon offers a user-friendly reporting and analytics dashboard through its Converge platform. This dashboard gives merchants access to real-time transaction data, settlement details, and customer insights.

Users can generate custom reports to analyze sales trends, payment types, and transaction volumes over various time periods. These reports can be exported in multiple formats, making it easier to share with finance teams or integrate into accounting systems. Some POS solutions, like talech, also include analytics that track inventory turnover and employee performance.

Business owners have flexibility in reviewing and managing payment activity thanks to the dashboard’s accessibility on desktop and mobile devices. Merchants can stay on top of any discrepancies by configuring notifications and alerts for unusual activity. Although the reporting tools are useful, they might not provide as much visual polish or depth as advanced business intelligence platforms. Bigger businesses looking for more advanced analytics might still favor combining Elavon’s data with external programs like Power BI or Tableau.

The analytics features offered by Elavon provide a good balance between usability and functionality for the majority of businesses, particularly small to mid-sized merchants. They give the user the essential information needed to manage operations without being overly complicated.

Pricing Structure and Contracts

Elavon’s pricing structure is often a deciding factor for potential customers, but it is not always straightforward. The company offers several pricing models, including interchange-plus, tiered pricing, and flat-rate plans. However, exact pricing details are typically only available through a sales consultation or partner reseller.

Depending on the conditions of their contract, businesses may be charged monthly fees, gateway fees, PCI compliance fees, and early termination fees. If not made clear during onboarding, these extra fees can mount up and surprise some companies. Additionally, some retailers complain that Elavon’s pricing transparency differs based on whether they register directly or via an outside ISO.

A three-year contract with automatic renewal clauses is one of the terms that Elavon usually requires. If a company chooses to cancel before the contract expires, early termination fees may be incurred. Although this is common in the payments sector, it might put off companies seeking more adaptable, month-to-month contracts.

To get the best deal, businesses should negotiate terms carefully and request a full breakdown of fees in writing. Those with higher processing volumes might benefit from custom rates, while smaller businesses should evaluate whether the costs align with their expected usage.

In short, Elavon’s pricing can be competitive, but clarity and contract terms should be carefully reviewed.

Customer Support and Service Quality

Elavon has a range of advantages and disadvantages when it comes to customer service, which has the power to make or ruin a payment processor experience. The business offers online help center, phone, and email customer service around-the-clock. This 24/7 accessibility is helpful for companies that are open after regular business hours.

Additionally, Elavon provides account management and onboarding support to qualified merchants. Additional assistance is accessible via a different channel for Talech POS system users, which could speed up the resolution of device-related problems. The Elavon support portal offers technical documentation and frequently asked questions covering everything from PCI compliance to terminal setup.

However, some merchants report inconsistent service quality, particularly when dealing with issues through resellers or independent agents. Response times and knowledge levels can vary depending on the representative assigned. This inconsistency may cause frustration during urgent situations such as system outages or settlement delays.

Businesses that value dedicated support should consider asking about account manager availability during the onboarding phase. Elavon also provides multilingual support, which is beneficial for businesses operating in diverse communities or across different countries.

While Elavon’s support infrastructure is broad, the quality of the experience may depend heavily on how and where the account is set up.

Pros and Cons Summary

Elavon provides a comprehensive range of payment processing tools backed by U.S. Bank’s sound financial standing. Businesses looking for a one-stop shop for online, mobile, and card-present payments will find its services ideal. Strong integration capabilities, enterprise-level security, and a large selection of hardware options to suit various industries are all provided by the platform.

But there are some disadvantages to Elavon. Contracts may contain long-term commitments with early termination fees, and pricing structures may be unclear. Compared to more recent, simplified options, smaller companies may find the system configuration or onboarding procedure to be a little more complicated. Furthermore, even though customer service is available around-the-clock, the quality of the service may differ depending on the channel used to create the account.

The platform is best suited for medium to large businesses that can take full advantage of its customization, security features, and integration depth. Smaller merchants or those seeking minimal setup and predictable fees may want to explore other providers before making a commitment. In summary, Elavon is a reliable and feature-rich processor that excels in stability and scale, but it requires thoughtful evaluation to ensure it aligns with your business needs.

FAQs

Q1: Is Elavon good for small businesses?

A: Elavon can serve small businesses, but they should carefully evaluate fees, contract terms, and whether the setup process meets their resource capabilities.

Q2: Can Elavon be used with existing POS hardware?

A: Yes, in many cases. Elavon supports third-party hardware but compatibility should be confirmed before signing up.

Q3: Does Elavon support recurring billing?

A: Yes, Elavon offers recurring billing options through its Converge platform, suitable for subscription-based models and services.