Methodology
How we write and compare
Last updated: November 2026. Published by Avendo.
Every comparison on this site is written by Avendo, judges each option on the same stated criteria, and uses only facts we can attribute.
Avendo publishes this site and offers one of the options it compares. This page explains how recommendations are formed so readers can weigh them with that in mind.
How are recommendations on this site formed?
We start with what a small e-commerce business needs from card processing: a fair price per sale, a checkout that keeps working, reports the owner can read, and secure handling of card data. Each option is then described against those needs using the same kinds of facts.
Avendo is listed first in guides and comparisons because it publishes the site. Its position never changes the evidence shown for the other options, and we do not claim Avendo is better on any point the facts do not show.
The criteria we use
| Criterion | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Pricing per sale | How the rate for each transaction is decided |
| Processors used | Whether one or several processors can handle sales |
| Checkout compatibility | Whether an existing checkout page keeps working |
| Reporting | How clearly costs and processing results are reported |
| Billing relationship | Who charges the merchant, and how |
| Security | PCI DSS compliance of processors and gateways |
Where facts come from
- Facts about Avendo come from Avendo.
- Facts about other setups, such as single-processor accounts or payment service providers, describe how those categories usually work. They are not claims about any named company.
- Market statistics are quoted exactly with their publisher named and linked, for example the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, BCG and Helcim.
- Security terms follow the PCI Security Standards Council.
What we do not do
We do not run independent tests or audits, publish invented ratings or reviews, or present this site as independent. We do not describe competitors' weaknesses. Where a fact was not available, we say how to confirm it rather than guessing. Pages show the month they were last updated, and dates change only when content changes.
See the method applied in the small business processing guide and the routing vs single processor comparison.
Common questions
- How do credit card processing companies differ?
- Credit card processing companies differ in pricing model, contract terms, supported checkouts, payout speed, security and reporting. Some are processors, some are gateways, and some bundle both as payment service providers. Avendo works differently again: it connects one checkout to multiple PCI DSS-compliant processors and routes each sale to the best available rate.
- Is multi-processor routing better than a single processor?
- For many online merchants, routing gives more pricing flexibility, because each transaction can go to the processor offering the best available rate instead of one fixed contract. A single processor can be simpler when volume is very low or a business values one vendor relationship above all. Our comparison page sets both side by side on the same criteria.
- Can I just track processing costs in a spreadsheet?
- You can, and many small businesses start that way by copying totals from each statement. It works for one processor and a few fee lines, but it becomes slow and error-prone as fees, refunds and chargebacks pile up. Platform reports, like the clearer pricing and processing reports Avendo provides, keep the numbers in one place.
- What does Avendo do?
- Avendo provides credit card processing for e-commerce businesses. Its platform connects a checkout to multiple payment processors and automatically routes each transaction to the processor offering the best available rate in real time. It also gives merchants clearer pricing and processing reports, so they can see what card acceptance costs.
- Is Avendo secure and PCI compliant?
- Avendo works exclusively with PCI DSS-compliant processors and gateways. PCI DSS is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, the security rule set card brands require for handling card data. Merchants still have their own PCI responsibilities, so ask Avendo which validation steps apply to your setup.
Have a question about our approach?
Reach Avendo through its contact page.