| Processors in this analysis |
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At a Glance
Full Pricing Comparison
All rates below are starting figures for adult, dating, or AI merchants. “Starts at” means you could be paying more — particularly with processors that don’t publish their pricing.
| Fee Type | CURO / DialXS | CCBill | Epoch | Segpay | Verotel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processing Rate | From 5% Best Decreases with volume & quality |
10.8–14.5% Adult-specific range |
From 15% Volume-tiered |
Custom quote Not publicly disclosed |
13–15.5% Basic: 15.5% / Premium: from 13% |
| Recurring Surcharge | None Best | Included | Included | Included | +1.5% Watch On all recurring transactions |
| Annual Fees | None Best | $500–$1,000/yr Annual registration |
$1,950/yr Watch Visa/MC registration |
$1,450/yr $950 Visa + $500 MC |
€500/yr Waived at €100+/week |
| Rolling Reserve | 10% / 6 mo | Varies Held 6 months after termination |
None Best | 5% / 6 mo | 10% / 6 mo |
| Chargeback Fee | €25.00 | Not disclosed | Included Part of flat rate |
Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Refund Fee | €1.50 Best | Not disclosed | Included | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Onboarding | 5–7 days When docs are in order |
Not disclosed | Not disclosed | 24–72 hrs Fastest | Not disclosed |
| Payout Frequency | Weekly (flexible) Best Adjustable to merchant needs |
~9 days Fixed schedule |
Not disclosed | Weekly | Weekly USD, EUR, or GBP |
| Support | Dedicated AM Best Named account manager on every account |
24/7 Team | Merchant Support | Helpdesk | Email + Phone |
| Tech Stack | Fully In-House Best Hardware & software owned by CURO/DialXS |
Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary |
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.
Deep Dives
Processor Profiles
Price is the starting point, not the whole story. Here’s what each processor brings — and where they fall short.
Risk Intelligence
7 Things to Watch Before You Sign
The headline rate is the beginning of the conversation, not the end of it. Here are the things that catch merchants off guard.
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01
Annual Scheme Registration Fees
Epoch charges $1,950/year. Segpay charges $1,450/year. CCBill charges $500–$1,000/year. CURO / DialXS charges none. Always calculate your effective rate including annual fees. |
02
The Recurring Surcharge Trap
Verotel adds 1.5% to every recurring transaction. On a 15.5% base that’s effectively 17% on your most profitable transactions — repeat revenue. |
03
Reserve Lockups on Exit
CCBill holds your rolling reserve for six months after termination. Plan migrations at least 6 months in advance or expect revenue to be frozen during your switch. |
|
04
Chargeback Ratio Surcharges
Verotel adds an automatic 2.5% surcharge if your 4-week CB ratio exceeds 1%. A bad fraud month can permanently raise your processing cost until ratios recover. |
05
Rate Opacity
Segpay doesn’t publish its processing rates. If a processor won’t publish a starting rate, get multiple quotes simultaneously and negotiate with data, not guesswork. |
06
Payout Timing
CCBill’s standard payout is nine days after the billing period. For platforms with creators to pay, settlement timing matters as much as rate. |
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07
Geo Restrictions on Merchants
Epoch only accepts US or EU-incorporated merchants. Segpay is limited to US, UK, and EU. If you’re incorporated elsewhere, your shortlist may be shorter than you think. |
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Editorial Verdicts
Who Wins What
No single processor wins every category — here’s where each excels.
|
💰
Lowest Rate
CURO / DialXS
5% starting, drops with volume.
|
🕰️
Industry Longevity
CCBill
25+ years, $1B+ processed annually.
|
⚡
Fastest Onboarding
Segpay
24–72 hour approvals post-KYC.
|
💳
Cash Flow
Epoch
No rolling reserve held.
|
🌍
EU Regulatory
Verotel / CURO
Both hold DNB authorizations.
|
🔮
Best for AI / NSFW
CURO / DialXS
Modern rates, dedicated AMs, in-house tech.
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This analysis is published for educational and informational purposes by The Payments Edge. Competitor data is sourced from publicly available pricing pages, industry reviews, and published documentation as of June 2025. Rates and fees are subject to change. Merchants should verify all pricing directly with each provider before making a decision. CURO Payments / DialXS is a featured partner. |