Corepay vs Stripe
The Payment Processor Built for Merchants Stripe Declines
Stripe is a powerful developer platform, but it's not built for all merchants. Corepay specializes in the industries Stripe declines, with fast decisions and a dedicated account manager from day one.
Why Specialty Merchants Choose Corepay Over Stripe
Stripe excels for low-risk e-commerce, SaaS, and marketplaces. But if your business operates in a specialty vertical, Stripe's automated risk scoring will eventually freeze your account or shut you down without warning. Corepay is purpose-built for the merchants Stripe declines, with dedicated underwriting, chargeback tools, and a real account manager who knows your business.
Why Stripe Fails So Many Merchants
Sudden Account Freezes
Stripe freezes accounts without warning when its automated risk system flags your business category, leaving you unable to process payments.
No Dedicated Support
Stripe offers email-only support with no dedicated account manager. When your account is frozen, there is no one to call.
Category Restrictions
Stripe declines entire business categories including CBD, online pharmacy, and telehealth regardless of compliance.
Reserve Holds Without Explanation
Stripe can hold a percentage of your revenue in reserve with little explanation and no negotiation on terms or release timeline.
Corepay vs Stripe: Side by Side
| Feature | Corepay | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty merchant approvals | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated account manager | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fast approval decisions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Chargeback alert integrations | ✓ | ✗ |
| No application or setup fees | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-currency support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interchange-plus pricing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Transparent reserve terms | ✓ | ✗ |
What You Get With Corepay
Specialty Underwriting
We approve merchants in categories Stripe declines, with underwriting that evaluates your actual business, not just your MCC code.
Dedicated Account Manager
Every merchant gets a named contact who knows your business. No ticket queues, no chatbots, no waiting.
Chargeback Prevention
Ethoca and Verifi alert integrations catch disputes before they post, protecting your ratio and your account standing.
Interchange-Plus Pricing
Transparent pricing with no hidden markups. You see exactly what interchange costs and what our margin is on every transaction.
Fast Decisions
Most merchants receive an approval decision quickly after submitting a complete application. No weeks of waiting.
Multi-Currency Acquiring
Accept 135+ currencies with local acquiring in key markets, improving approval rates for international customers.
Corepay by the Numbers
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98% Approval rate for eligible merchants
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1 day Average time to approval decision
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1,000+ Merchants processed
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$0 Application fee
How to Switch From Stripe to Corepay
Apply in Minutes
Complete our free online application in under 5 minutes. No application fee, no credit check required to apply.
Get Approved Fast
Our underwriting team reviews your application and provides a decision, typically within one business day.
Integrate in Hours
Connect Corepay to your existing platform. We support Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and more. Your dedicated account manager is available to help.
Start Processing
Go live and start accepting payments. Your account manager stays with you beyond launch to help you grow and protect your revenue.
Why Merchants Switch From Stripe to Corepay
Stripe is one of the largest payment processors in the world, and for good reason. Its developer tools, documentation, and API are best in class for low-risk SaaS and ecommerce businesses. But Stripe was not built for every merchant.
Merchants in specialty categories, including CBD, supplements, adult content, firearms accessories, nutraceuticals, and subscription billing, routinely face account freezes and terminations from Stripe. These shutdowns often happen without warning and with little recourse. Corepay exists specifically for these merchants.
Where Stripe Falls Short
Stripe uses automated risk scoring to evaluate merchants. This system works well for low-risk businesses but creates problems for specialty verticals. Merchants report accounts being frozen mid-transaction, funds held in reserve for months, and no dedicated contact to resolve the issue.
Corepay takes a different approach. Every application is reviewed by a human underwriter who understands your industry. Decisions are returned within 24 hours, and every account includes a dedicated account manager available around the clock.
Making the Switch
Switching from Stripe to Corepay does not require rebuilding your checkout. We integrate with the same platforms Stripe connects to, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce. Your dedicated account manager handles the gateway configuration and walks you through every step of the transition.
Works With Your Existing Stack
Corepay connects natively to the platforms you already run, so switching from Stripe doesn't mean rebuilding your tech stack.
View All Integrations
