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Cayan

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6.9

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: October 1st, 2025

Note: Cayan was acquired by TSYS in 2017. 

Cayan is a payment processor and credit card processor company that identified a way to streamline equipment purchases while providing reasonable rates to benefit small businesses. Founded in 1998, Cayan is credited with being the first to build its own mobile application to accept credit card transactions and certify what is known today as point-to-point encrypted card readers. Cayan is currently one of the most trusted payment processing and merchant account providers in the nation. Headquartered in Massachusetts, the company's forward-looking statements reveal plans to accelerate growth through its acquisition by TSYS. 

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The Good

  • Affordable Pricing and Good Customer Service
  • Innovative Technology
  • Genius Platform
  • No Cancellation Fees
  • Helpful Website

Affordable Pricing and Good Customer Service

When it comes to pricing and fees, Cayan credit card processing is fair and competitive. The best way to double check whether a company's pricing and fees structure is fair is to check its merchant services reviews. The merchant accounts company does charge anywhere from $0.00 to $7.95 monthly fees for its services, and other costs and fees are as follows: 

  • Online transaction fees: Starting percentage of 0.28% plus $0.25 per debit transaction and 1.98% plus $0.19 per credit transaction
  • POS transaction fees: Starting percentage of 0.28% plus $0.25 per debit transaction and 1.98% plus $0.19 per credit transaction
  • Mobile payment fees: Starting percentage of 0.28% plus $0.25 per debit transaction and 1.98% plus $0.19 per credit transaction

In addition to clearly stating its various fees, Cayan boasts a helpful and friendly customer service department whose phone lines are open 24/7. Those who would like to chat online with a customer service representative also have that option every day from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. 

Innovative Technology

Cayan credit card processing is well-known for its ability to adapt and innovate, meaning merchants who want to provide their customers with the ability to make credit card payments will be able to do exactly that; the company has led the industry in a number of transaction processing and payment gateway advancements and has created credit-card processing platforms to help cater its products to best suit a company's needs. Cayan provides three different transaction platforms for business owners to choose from. While each one varies in terms of exactly what is offered and the associated costs, the unparalleled level of support and security from Cayan remains the same. The platforms are broken down as follows: 

Genius: Fully integrated POS platform designed for a wide range of business types

  • Payment and transaction flexibility: Allows customers to pay with regular credit or debit cards, gift/loyalty cards, chip cards (EMV), or mobile applications (Apple Pay, Android Pay, etc.)
  • Customizable features: Allows customers to pay with regular credit or debit cards, loyalty/gift cards (American Express gift card, Vanilla Visa gift card, Roblox gift card, etc.), chip cards (EMV), or mobile applications (Apple Pay, Android Pay, etc.)
  • On-screen marketing: Includes a dashboard/interface that provides advertising and loyalty program abilities
  • Robust security and EMV: Takes advantage of tokenization and encryption to protect customers' financial information in an effort to reduce data breaches and fraud
  • Countertop enhancements: Cuts out multiple hardware components to offer an all-in-one solution (which could process credit card payments, mobile payments, etc.)
  • Business management: Includes services such as offline processing, remote updates, merchant warehouse and inventory tracking, and intelligent PIN steering technology to help businesses grow

Flex: Straightforward and easy-to-set-up platform that allows for online management

  • Merchant services: Eliminates long-term contracts and offers simple credit card processing methods
  • 24/7 support: Provides technical and customer support around the clock and encourages customer engagement 
  • Merchant portal: Offers access to a number of reports and self-service support tools
  • PCI compliance service package: Brings and keeps a business up to code in terms of PCI compliance

Enterprise: Open-source platform that provides customizable and scalable commerce solutions

  • Point of sale: Minimizes integration changes and allows for new payment methods and transaction options
  • Mobile: Provides seamless and highly secure payment processing through mobile apps
  • Online: Allows for complete app or website management through an API

Genius Platform

The Genius platform offered by Cayan is not just built for business owners. Developers also appreciate the strides Cayan has made to create a product that seamlessly integrates and processes transactions. With a number of integration options, Cayan offers POS developers access to both NFC and EMV payments. Additionally, developers can take advantage of intense security and support. 

No Cancellation Fees

One of the concerns with most merchants/clients is the tendency for companies to "tie you in" with large cancellation fees and long contracts. Potential Cayan customers don't have to worry about this; the company does not currently charge a cancellation fee or early termination fee for its payment technology and services.  

Helpful Website

Cayan's website rivals the largest merchant service companies in the industry simply because of its sheer depth of helpful content. The site has a blog, guides for new merchants, and even a glossary that includes information and definitions of more complex payment processing terms like interchange fees, integrated point-of-sale systems (IPOSs), and MerchantWare gateway.

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The Bad

  • Lack of Transparency on Website
  • Billing Issues/Problems with Merchant Service

Lack of Transparency on Website

Although Cayan does provide a number of helpful resources and articles about payment processing on its website, there is no information to be found about contracts. This is important information that potential customers typically like to know before they decide to do business with a company, so this lack of transparency can be frustrating. 

Billing Issues/Problems with Merchant Service

Cayan does receive a good amount of positive reviews, but many of the negative customer reviews floating around the web (on social media, on Best Company, and on other review sites) concern issues with billing. This concentration on billing problems likely means that customers either are being charged incorrectly or weren't informed about certain payment processor charges. Though a quick look at Cayan reveals a well-organized merchant accounts company, you may want to research into such complaints yourself. Other complaints concern various issues with equipment and day-to-day merchant service.  

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The Bottom Line

Cayan offers affordable pricing and is upfront about its transaction fees. The company also boasts payment solutions and innovative payment technology, including the Genius platform for both businesses and developers. However, the company is not transparent about contract information on its website. To find this contract payment information, consumers are encouraged to contact the company and thoroughly research the company's merchant services reviews. Cayan has the potential to have a competitive advantage within the merchant services industry. We highly recommend potential clients and merchants consider Cayan's quality of credit card payment processing services against other merchant account providers. 

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Star Rating

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4.4

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256 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

75%

4 grade

13%

3 grade

2%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

9%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Jamie Clark Lexington, KY

We got it to make it more convenient and easy for my customers to pay with credit cards. Overall we've been pretty happy but we've had an ongoing situation with them. It has taken them a while to get our company's address changed after we moved locations. It took them more than 2 weeks to update it and even then they got the address wrong. They put it down as Winchester Avenue when it should be Winchester Road. I called in to report it and was told that they would fix it, but to this day they haven't taken care of that. I wish they had a quicker turn around for that kind of situations. Other than that, we're having no problems processing credit card payments. It's all very easy to do and the system is very user friendly.

7 years ago

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Kitty Kincaid Anchorage, AK

Sometimes the customer service has the correct answer, sometimes they don't. I do like that they have 3 different options to process payments and they are all great. The only issue that has really made me angry was when I bought the hand held device, the card reader thing some 3 years before those systems were actually in place. They didn't send me the easy record system, instead they sent a phone one and when I tried to transmit the information, it wiped it all completely. They need to be more careful with the equipment and documentation that they sent out. It was a headache to deal with that. In the end it worked, but they keep trying to get me a new device when I don't need it. Other than that, I get a great response from them.

8 years ago

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Lisa Cosby Dalton, GA

I switched to Cayan because I just hated Paypal. Customer service always gets right back to me on anything. I do everything online with them, don't really use their equipment, just their software. I'd like them to email me my statements. I don't ever get them on my email and I have to go to their website to get that, so I'd like them to just mail it my way. My experience with them has been fine, I'm happy with the company.

7 years ago

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Gordon Scherzer Cary, IL'

I got their service a while ago, before they changed their name to Cayan. I've had no problems with them so far. The only thing I've run into is that I have to keep changing my damn password every month. They should have an easier way to do the password reset.

8 years ago

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Terry Meeler Raleigh, NC'

I signed up for a merchant warehouse that was eventually acquired by Cayan, so I became their customer too. When that happened they were atrocious at first, but they have improved since then and are actually quite good now. They could always have cheaper rates of course.

8 years ago

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RobertSpencer

Perhaps I did not find it in my accounts section of Cayan but a Summary off all costs charged by Cayan would be very helpful at Tax Time. Otherwise easy to use and reliable.

7 years ago

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Thomas Mincemoyer Huntingdon, PA

I used to have an account, so when I needed it again I got it from them. Service is always good, but the response is very slow when you have a service request. They should improve that. The software works great though.

7 years ago

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anonymous Spring, TX

Recent update caused more issues that I originally had. I have to manually enter anyone without a chip, costing more in fees. I have tried to address it, but no assistance. Other than this, excellent to work with. l9ve

8 years ago

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Franklin Jones Buford, GA

Customer service has always been there and has always been fair to us. I do think they could reduce some of their rates, mainly the monthly one since it's a little much.

7 years ago

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William Flynn Sebastian, FL

I went with them since they have lower costs and they are always convenient and helpful. I do think they can improve the software and lower the cost a bit.

8 years ago

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Tim Nance Winchester, KY

It has been easy to use and they have good response time. There are some options or features that I'd like the equipment to have, but they are just not there.

8 years ago

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chaim akerman

Never find any one person to take care of their mistake. They owe me $ 1056.52 for over a month now. Never got my money. They constantly bill me for 3 devices when I only have 2. The worst thing is you can't understand them over the phone so you never get the proper help. Hope this review goes to the top. Otherwise nothing will get done. The free swipe doesn't work with Lightspeed. And the genius handheld disconnects constantly from the pos.

7 years ago

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Lauri Kenneth Clements Bothell, WA

I got it mostly because I needed to integrate that software to the equipment that I had. It's very easy to get in touch with somebody if I need to.

7 years ago

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11thFrame.com Oregon, WI

Have had few issues. Report page is not easy to get info I want. And annoyed by password changing for account so frequently.

8 years ago

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Mitch K. Brooklyn, NY'

4/5 star rating is for the remote service they provide which is easy to use. Rates are very competitive with other merchant service companies.

8 years ago

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Giac Nguyen Lodi, CA

The price is good, and the customer service is fine as well. They are very good and helpful. As for the software, there's nothing special about it.

8 years ago

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Donald Collins Kissimmee, FL

Their prices were what convinced me. Their service is pretty good and the equipment is great. They are doing a great job.

8 years ago

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Khristine Ellison North Las Vegas, NV

I got it since it seemed fast, easy, and convenient to use. My equipment doesn't work properly though.

7 years ago

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DouglasCawley

They get things done immediately which i appreciate. But they charge about 3 times what i was paying BA Mechants.

7 years ago

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italy cafe columbus ohio Columbus, OH'

one of the best and honest company , the only thing is wrong with it is there is no room for drivers tip

8 years ago

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Jennifer

customers learning how to use machine has been a bit more difficult then we thought

7 years ago

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Glenn Scott - Jimano's Pizzeria -Wisconsin location Pleasant Prairie, WI

They are no problems with them, but do wish I was not forced to use them and incur the extra fees

7 years ago

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Jay Hansen Corsicana, TX

The thing doesn't remember the last transaction that I made and I can't re-print anything.

8 years ago

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Anonymous Albuquerque, NM

I got it because I needed to take credit cards. Overall it's ok.

7 years ago

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Pizza ambassador Dania Beach, FL

A little slow to settle $ in acct it takes 3 days to get $ in ACCTS

8 years ago

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Cabin in the mountain Brooksville, FL

I think that the rate they charge is too high for a small business persons

8 years ago

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Fredrick Highsmith Camden, AR

They make it easy to resolve problems and their equipment is easy to use.

8 years ago

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Bright Eyes Lashes

I've had no problems so far & their rates are low.

7 years ago

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Exclusive Car Service Inc. The Bronx, NY

Reliable and Consistent professional service.

7 years ago

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joe mcdonald Watertown, MA'

user friendly, accuracy and timeliness..

8 years ago

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AndreSmadja

Great system, customers happy and business running easier.

7 years ago

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Kim Juneau, AK

The rep answered my questions professionally

7 years ago