Full Pricing Comparison
All rates below are starting figures for adult, dating, and AI merchants. “Starts at” means you could be paying more — particularly with processors that don’t publish their pricing. Verify all rates directly with each provider before signing anything.
| Fee Type | CURO / DialXS | CCBill | Epoch | Segpay | Verotel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processing Rate | From 5% — decreases with volume and quality | 10.8–14.5% (adult-specific) | From 15%, volume-tiered | Custom quote — not publicly disclosed | Basic 15.5% / Premium from 13% |
| Annual Fees | None | $500–$1,000/yr registration | $1,950/yr Visa/MC registration | $1,450/yr ($950 Visa + $500 MC) | €500/yr — waived at €100+/week volume |
| Rolling Reserve | 10% / 6 months | Varies — held 6 months after termination | None | ~5% / 6 months | 10% / 6 months |
| Recurring Surcharge | None | Included in rate | Included in rate | Included in rate | +1.5% on all recurring transactions |
| Chargeback Fee | €25.00 | Not disclosed | Included in flat rate | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Refund Fee | €1.50 | Not disclosed | Included in flat rate | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Onboarding | 5–7 business days (when docs are in order) | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | 24–72 hours post-KYC | Not disclosed |
| Payout Frequency | Weekly — adjustable to merchant needs | ~9 days on a fixed schedule | Not disclosed | Weekly | Weekly — USD, EUR, or GBP |
| Support | Dedicated named account manager | 24/7 team | Merchant support team | Helpdesk | Email and phone |
| Tech Stack | Fully in-house — hardware and software owned by CURO/DialXS | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary |
- CURO / DialXS
- From 5% — decreases with volume
- CCBill
- 10.8–14.5%
- Epoch
- From 15%, volume-tiered
- Segpay
- Undisclosed
- Verotel
- Basic 15.5% / Premium from 13%
- CURO / DialXS
- None
- CCBill
- $500–$1,000/yr
- Epoch
- $1,950/yr
- Segpay
- $1,450/yr
- Verotel
- €500/yr
- CURO / DialXS
- 10% / 6 months
- CCBill
- Varies — held 6 months after termination
- Epoch
- None
- Segpay
- ~5% / 6 months
- Verotel
- 10% / 6 months
Note: Rates reflect publicly available data and information provided directly by CURO Payments / DialXS as of June 2025. Verify all rates directly with each provider before making a decision.
Real-World Cost Illustration
Based on $10,000/month in adult processing volume — what you actually pay in fees.
| Processor | Monthly Fee at $10K Volume | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| CURO / DialXS | $500 | 5% starting rate |
| CCBill | $1,080–$1,450 | 10.8–14.5% + annual fee on top |
| Epoch | $1,500+ | 15% starting + $1,950/yr registration |
| Segpay | Varies | Custom quote required |
| Verotel | $1,300–$1,550 | 13–15.5% + 1.5% on recurring transactions |
Processor Profiles
Price is the starting point, not the whole story. Here is what each processor brings to the table — and where they fall short.
CURO / DialXS
Netherlands · Licensed CPSP (DNB) · Rate from 5%
CURO Payments operates via its DialXS brand and holds a Dutch National Bank (DNB) licence, giving it EU passporting rights. It is the only processor in this comparison to publish a sub-10% starting rate for adult and dating merchants.
Strengths
- Lowest published starting rate at 5% — drops further with volume and a strong chargeback ratio
- No setup fee, no monthly fee, no annual scheme registration charge
- DNB-regulated with EU passporting — strong compliance position
- Dedicated named account manager on every account, not a shared support queue
- Fully in-house tech stack: hardware and software built and owned by CURO/DialXS
- 5–7 business day onboarding when documents are in order
- Weekly payouts as standard, adjustable to merchant cash flow needs
Weaknesses
- Smaller brand recognition than legacy processors like CCBill or Epoch
- US merchants may encounter more friction due to the EU-centric acquiring setup
- 10% rolling reserve is standard for new accounts — industry-normal but worth planning for
CCBill
USA (Tempe, AZ) · Founded 1998 · Adult rate 10.8–14.5%
CCBill is the oldest and most recognised processor in adult billing. With over 25 years in the industry and substantial annual processing volume, it carries real credibility. The trade-off is cost — rates for adult merchants are among the highest in this comparison.
Strengths
- 25+ years in adult — the deepest industry track record of any processor here
- Robust subscription billing, affiliate management, and checkout tools
- 24/7 consumer and merchant support with multilingual billing pages
Weaknesses
- Adult rates of 10.8–14.5% are among the highest in this comparison
- Annual registration fees of $500–$1,000 add a fixed cost regardless of volume
- No cryptocurrency payment support
- Rolling reserve is held for six months after account termination — a migration risk
Epoch
USA / EU · IPSP / PayFac · Rate from 15% · No rolling reserve
Epoch is a long-established IPSP operating in both the US and EU. Its headline rates are the highest in this comparison at 15%, but the no-reserve model and automatic volume tiering make it attractive for merchants with strong cash flow needs.
Strengths
- No rolling reserve — unusual and beneficial for cash flow management
- All-inclusive flat rate covers billing support, compliance tooling, and fraud prevention
- Rates decrease automatically as volume grows — no renegotiation required
Weaknesses
- Starting rate of 15% is the highest in this comparison
- $1,950 annual Visa/MC registration fee on top of processing costs
- US and EU-incorporated businesses only — no crypto payment support
Segpay
USA (Fort Lauderdale) · Founded 2005 · Rate: custom quote · Annual fees $1,450
Segpay is a US-founded processor with dual licensing across the EU and UK. Its main differentiator is fast onboarding — approvals in 24 to 72 hours post-KYC — which makes it a viable option when speed matters more than rate certainty.
Strengths
- Fast approvals: typically 24–72 hours after KYC is complete
- Weekly settlements with short payout delays
- Dual licensing across the US, UK, and EU through FCA and CBI authorisations
Weaknesses
- Processing rates are not publicly disclosed — you will not know your number until you apply
- $1,450/year in fixed scheme fees ($950 Visa + $500 MC)
- Merchant eligibility limited to US, UK, and EU-incorporated businesses
Verotel
Netherlands (Amsterdam) · Founded 1998 · Basic rate 15.5% · +1.5% on recurring
Verotel was the first high-risk IPSP to receive EMI status from the Dutch Central Bank. It supports crypto payments and transparent published pricing, but its rates are high and the recurring surcharge is a meaningful drag on subscription revenue.
Strengths
- First high-risk IPSP with official EMI status from the Dutch Central Bank
- Transparent published pricing — Basic and Premium tiers clearly defined
- Cryptocurrency payment support and weekly payouts in USD, EUR, or GBP
Weaknesses
- Basic rate of 15.5% is among the highest in this comparison
- +1.5% surcharge on all recurring transactions, taking effective renewal rate to 17%
- Documented merchant complaints regarding frozen funds and account closures
- CB ratio above 1% triggers an automatic 2.5% surcharge
7 Things to Watch Before You Sign
The headline rate is the start of the conversation, not the end of it. These are the terms that catch merchants off guard — often after they have already signed.
1. Annual Scheme Registration Fees
Epoch charges $1,950/year. Segpay charges $1,450/year. CCBill charges $500–$1,000/year. CURO / DialXS charges nothing. Always calculate your effective rate including these annual costs, especially at lower monthly volumes where they represent a larger percentage burden.
2. The Recurring Surcharge Trap
Verotel adds 1.5% to every recurring transaction. On a 15.5% base that is effectively 17% on your repeat revenue — the most profitable transactions in a subscription business. Model this against your rebill rate before comparing headline rates.
3. Reserve Lockups on Exit
CCBill holds your rolling reserve for six months after account termination. If you decide to migrate and do not plan six months ahead, you will be operating without access to that capital during the transition period.
4. Chargeback Ratio Surcharges
Verotel automatically adds a 2.5% surcharge if your four-week chargeback ratio exceeds 1%. A bad fraud month can permanently raise your processing cost until ratios recover — compounding the damage.
5. Rate Opacity
Segpay does not publish its processing rates. When a processor refuses to quote publicly, apply to multiple providers simultaneously and negotiate with real data. A quote without a benchmark is not a negotiation.
6. Payout Timing
CCBill’s standard payout cycle runs approximately nine days after the billing period closes. For platforms that pay out to creators or affiliates on their own schedule, settlement timing matters as much as rate.
7. Merchant Geo Restrictions
Epoch accepts US and EU-incorporated merchants only. Segpay is limited to US, UK, and EU. If your business is incorporated elsewhere, your processor shortlist is shorter than these comparisons suggest.
Who Wins What
No single processor wins every category. Here is where each one leads.
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest Rate | CURO / DialXS | 5% starting, decreases with volume |
| Industry Longevity | CCBill | 25+ years, deepest adult billing expertise |
| Fastest Onboarding | Segpay | 24–72 hour approvals post-KYC |
| Best Cash Flow | Epoch | No rolling reserve held against the account |
| EU Regulatory Standing | Verotel / CURO | Both hold DNB authorisations |
| Best for AI / NSFW | CURO / DialXS | Modern rates, dedicated account managers, in-house tech stack |
Methodology and Disclosure
This analysis covers five processors active in adult, dating, and AI merchant billing as of June 2025. Rate data is sourced from each processor’s published pricing pages, publicly available documentation, and information provided directly by CURO Payments / DialXS. All rates are starting figures — actual rates depend on business type, volume, chargeback history, and acquirer discretion. Merchants should verify all pricing directly with each provider before making a decision.
