Elavon Logo
star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: December 13th, 2020

Elavon is a payment processor providing merchant services to more than one million merchants in more than 30 countries worldwide. Formerly known as NOVA, Elavon was founded in 1991, has headquarters in Atlanta, GA, and is a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp. 

The company works with clients in a variety of industries including retail, healthcare, hospitality, restaurant, travel, and other services. It offers custom solutions for businesses of all sizes including sole proprietors, small or midsize businesses with one or multiple locations, and large enterprises. 

Elavon has an equipment lease subsidiary, Ladco Leasing, which is one of the major suppliers of credit card terminals and other payment processing equipment. Additionally, Elavon uses its own online payment gateway, InternetSecure, which can easily integrate with other gateways like Authorize.net.

Top Ranked Companies

thumb_up

The Good

  • Payment Features
  • Data Security
  • Flexible Options
  • Customer Loyalty Program

Payment Features

Elavon offers many user-friendly options for all payment needs, including the following: 

  • Tablet and mobile device solutions
  • PC solutions
  • Wireless terminals
  • Smart terminals
  • Installation and support 

You can create an Elavon account to simply take payments online, take payments via the Elavon app, create a simple payments page, or build an entire online store. You can integrate existing programs and emerging technologies with Elavon’s Converge and Fusebox payment gateways. 

For payment types, Elavon accepts all major card, contactless, and mobile-wallet payments, including the following:

  • Debit and credit cards
  • Gift cards
  • Smart cards (EMV)
  • Near field communication (NFC) for mobile
  • Mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and eCommerce
  • Mail-order payments
  • Telephone-order transactions

Elavon boasts same-day funding with no additional fees and no hidden fees. Processing fees are as follows: 

Terminal Offer

  • 2.65% + 19¢ swiped
  • 3.5% + 19¢ keyed
  • $10 monthly fee
  • $499.00 for the Ingenico iCT250 terminal

Mobile Offer

  • 2.65% + 19¢ swiped
  • 3.5% + 19¢ keyed
  • $10 monthly fee
  • $24.99 for the Magtek aDynamo mobile card reader

Previously, Elavon charged an early termination fee and PCI fee; however, it seems the company has since dropped those fees. There are no cancellation fees if you decide to switch processors. 

Data Security

Elavon’s time in business is an advantage in regards to security. It uses a secure platform backed by decades of experience. Elavon uses optimal security and operates under PCI compliance, incorporating EMV authentication and encryption and tokenization. 

These precautions render credit card payments and other data inaccessible to fraudsters.  

Flexible Options

Elavon offers flexible eCommerce options. You can even use your existing hardware and payment infrastructure, which can be easily expanded to 5,000 users and merchant numbers and can include additional capabilities as you grow. 

With Elavon, you have quick and easy access from any web browser using a secure login and without any specialized hardware or software requirements. 

Additionally, 24-hour customer service is available, which is important when you have an issue that needs to be resolved quickly to get you back online.

Customer Loyalty Program

Elavon provides merchants with easy to use customer loyalty programs and has a gift card program. Loyalty programs have been proven to reflect positively on ROI and they help create consumer goodwill and name-brand recognition. Elavon's program allows customers to easily track their rewards and redeem them at checkout. 

thumb_down

The Bad

  • Account Freezing
  • Customer Complaints

Account Freezing

As part of fraud protection measures, many payment processors have policies in place to withhold your funds while they investigate if they believe your business has transactions that took place outside their terms. 

Therefore, they sometimes will freeze your account for any number of alleged reasons. This is especially true with high-risk merchants and is what seems to be the case with Elavon.

Customer Complaints

Elavon does not appear to use any deceptive advertising practices; however, since the company relies on resellers, sub-ISO's, independent agents, and other partnerships to market services, they are often blamed for such, even if the reseller is to blame. 

Elavon's rates are clearly posted on its website; however, it is noted that "approval and acceptance are subject to underwriting review." Therefore, you will need to make sure you fully understand the rates and agreement before you sign anything.  

gavel

The Bottom Line

Elavon offers all the payment features and options we like to see in a merchant account processor as well as the security measures necessary to prevent data breaches. Per transaction pricing is reasonable and merchants have flexibility in the scope of payment solution required. 

In addition, the company’s 24/7 customer service availability and online self-serve portals are useful to clients so they feel optimally supported. 

As you should with any payment solutions provider, be sure to shop around and read the fine print prior to making a final decision. 

View Best Merchant Account Services Companies

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info
star star_border star_border star_border star_border

6 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

0%

4 grade

0%

3 grade

0%

2 grade

0%

1 grade

100%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Quality

star star_half star_border star_border star_border

Service

star star_half star_border star_border star_border

Trustworthiness

star star_border star_border star_border star_border
We couldn't find any matches for your request. Click here to try again.