For businesses operating in high-risk industries such as online pharmacies, telemedicine, CBD, and supplements, obtaining certification from LegitScript is often a necessary step to ensure compliance with payment processors, banks, and advertising platforms like Google and Facebook. However, many businesses look for alternatives due to the stringent requirements and lengthy approval process.
At Corepay, we are a certified LegitScript payment processing partner partner and specialize in expediting the approval process while ensuring proper onboarding for our clients.
Is There A LegitScript Alternative?
The direct competitor to LegitScript is NABP, however they do not offer the monitoring service that LegitScript offers.
Why Is LegitScript Important?
LegitScript is the gold standard for certification in industries like online pharmacies and telemedicine. Without this certification, businesses may struggle to secure payment processing, advertise effectively, or operate legally in certain jurisdictions. Payment providers and advertising platforms often require LegitScript certification as a prerequisite for service.
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Challenges of LegitScript Certification
While LegitScript certification is highly beneficial, it does present challenges:
- Strict Compliance Requirements – Businesses must adhere to rigorous regulatory and operational standards.
- Long Approval Process – The process can take several months.
- High Costs – The application and ongoing monitoring fees can be expensive for startups and small businesses.
- Potential Rejections – Businesses that do not meet strict guidelines may be denied certification.
-Learn how to get Legitscript certified here.
LegitScript Alternatives
NABP
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is often mentioned in the same conversation as LegitScript, but the two serve very different purposes. NABP has been around since 1904 and is a nonprofit that supports state boards of pharmacy in protecting public health. It provides accreditation programs like VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites), which help regulators and consumers distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate online pharmacies.
For merchants, NABP accreditation can be useful if you’re operating a pharmacy and want to demonstrate legitimacy with regulators. However, NABP is not designed to meet the needs of merchants, ad networks, or acquiring banks in the way LegitScript is. Importantly, NABP does not provide ongoing monitoring. Accreditation is a point-in-time process rather than continuous oversight.
This is where many merchants run into roadblocks. If you’re in telemedicine, CBD, nutraceuticals, or other high-risk sectors, acquiring banks and card brands often require a solution that combines certification with ongoing monitoring, something NABP does not offer. For these situations, LegitScript (or a true monitoring alternative) is necessary to maintain compliance and keep merchant accounts stable.
NABP vs LegitScript
| Feature | NABP | LegitScript |
|---|---|---|
| Organization Type | Nonprofit, regulator-focused | Private compliance and monitoring provider |
| Main Role | Supports state boards of pharmacy, offers pharmacy accreditation (e.g., VIPPS) | Provides certification and active monitoring for high-risk merchants |
| Monitoring | No ongoing monitoring | Continuous review of websites, claims, and compliance |
| Industry Focus | Pharmacies, wholesalers, DMEPOS providers | Telemedicine, online pharmacies, CBD, nutraceuticals, supplements, weight-loss, and more |
| Recognition | Recognized by pharmacy boards and regulators | Required by ad networks (Google, Meta), payment processors, and card brands |
| Merchant Relevance | Helpful for pharmacies proving legitimacy | Essential for high-risk merchants needing processing stability and ad approval |
Ever-C
Ever-C is a close competitor to LegitScript. Ever-C offers compliance monitoring solutions aimed at high-risk industries, helping businesses manage risk, prevent fraud, and stay compliant. However, its acceptance among major payment processors and advertising platforms is not as widespread as LegitScript, making it a less reliable option for businesses seeking seamless integration with Google Ads and major banks.
How Ever-C Compares to LegitScript
| Feature | LegitScript | Ever-C |
|---|---|---|
| Certification for Online Pharmacies | Yes | No |
| Required by Google & Payment Processors | Yes | Limited |
| Compliance Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Fraud Prevention | Yes | Yes |
| Industry Acceptance | High | Moderate |
While Ever-C offers compliance monitoring and fraud prevention tools, businesses looking for guaranteed acceptance by payment processors and advertising platforms should still prioritize LegitScript certification.
Alternative Compliance Strategies
For businesses struggling with LegitScript certification, here are a few potential alternatives:
1. Working with a Certified LegitScript Partner
One of the best ways to navigate compliance challenges is by working with a LegitScript-certified partner like Corepay. Our expertise in high-risk industries allows us to:
- Guide businesses through the certification process efficiently.
- Expedite approval by ensuring all compliance requirements are met.
- Provide high-risk payment processing solutions, even if certification is still pending.
2. Exploring Regulatory Compliance Alternatives
While LegitScript is the preferred certification, businesses can still operate legally by ensuring they meet all local and federal regulatory requirements. This includes:
- Registering with the appropriate health and regulatory authorities.
- Obtaining necessary licenses for operating an online pharmacy or telemedicine business.
- Adhering to strict data security and patient privacy policies (such as HIPAA compliance for telemedicine).
3. Alternative Payment Processing Solutions
If a business struggles to obtain LegitScript certification, working with a high-risk payment processor like Corepay can be an effective solution. We offer:
- Custom payment processing solutions tailored to high-risk industries.
- Chargeback management and fraud prevention tools.
- Guidance on compliance requirements to improve the chances of securing certification in the future.
4. Organic Marketing and Alternative Advertising Strategies
Many businesses seek LegitScript certification primarily to advertise on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook. However, if certification is not feasible, alternative marketing strategies include:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – Driving organic traffic through high-quality content and keyword optimization.
- Affiliate Marketing – Partnering with influencers and industry leaders to promote products.
- Email Marketing – Building a direct relationship with customers through targeted email campaigns.
Conclusion
While NABP is sometimes mentioned as an alternative to LegitScript, it does not offer the same level of recognition or acceptance by payment processors and advertising platforms. Because NABP does not provide ongoing monitoring, it cannot fully replace LegitScript for merchants who need continuous compliance oversight. Businesses seeking guaranteed approval with banks and ad networks should prioritize LegitScript certification.
Partnering with a LegitScript-certified processor like Corepay ensures your business can move through the approval process smoothly while staying compliant with card brand and regulatory requirements.
If your business needs LegitScript certification or a reliable high-risk payment processing solution, contact Corepay today to learn how we can help you secure approval and grow confidently in a high-risk industry.
