Payment Cloud is a payment processor that handles credit card transactions for businesses
Payment Cloud is a merchant services company that processes credit and debit card payments for small and medium-sized businesses. It sits between your business, your customers' banks, and your bank — when a customer swipes or enters their card, Payment Cloud routes that transaction through the banking system, confirms the funds are real, and deposits the money into your business account.
The company specializes in businesses that traditional processors sometimes avoid: restaurants, retail shops, e-commerce stores, and other high-volume operations. Payment Cloud handles the technical side of accepting cards in person (with a card reader), online (through a website), or over the phone.
You do not need to understand the entire banking chain to use Payment Cloud. What matters is that you get a card reader or online gateway, your customers' payments go through, and the money lands in your bank account — usually within one to two business days.
Key Takeaways
- Payment Cloud processes credit and debit card payments for businesses and deposits the funds into your bank account, typically within one to two business days.
- The company offers card readers for in-person payments, online payment gateways for websites, and phone payment options depending on how your business takes orders.
- Payment Cloud charges a percentage of each transaction (called a processing rate) plus sometimes a per-transaction fee, which varies based on your business type and sales volume.
- You will need a business bank account and a merchant account set up with Payment Cloud before you can start processing payments.
- Payment Cloud handles the security and compliance work required to accept cards, so you do not have to manage that yourself.
How Payment Cloud processes a transaction
When a customer hands you a card or enters it online, Payment Cloud's system reads the card number and sends it to the customer's bank to confirm the money is there. The bank approves or declines the charge in seconds. If approved, Payment Cloud holds the funds temporarily and then deposits them into your business bank account — usually the next business day, though timing depends on when the transaction cleared and your bank's processing schedule.
The customer sees the charge on their statement as a transaction from your business. You see it as a deposit in your bank account, minus Payment Cloud's fee. Payment Cloud keeps a small cut for handling the technical work and the risk that a customer might dispute the charge later.
This happens thousands of times a day across thousands of businesses. Payment Cloud's job is to make sure each one goes through correctly and securely.
What equipment and setup you need
The equipment depends on how your business takes payments. If customers pay in your store or office, you need a card reader — a small device that connects to a tablet, phone, or computer and reads the card's information. Payment Cloud provides these readers, and they work with both chip cards and contactless payments like Apple Pay.
If you sell online, you need a payment gateway — software that sits on your website and lets customers enter their card details securely. Payment Cloud provides this too, and it integrates with most e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom websites.
If you take payments over the phone, Payment Cloud can set you up with a virtual terminal — a web-based tool where you type in the customer's card number and process the charge.
Before any of this works, you need a business bank account and a merchant account with Payment Cloud. The merchant account is the legal agreement that lets you accept cards; Payment Cloud sets this up during onboarding, which usually takes a few business days.
How Payment Cloud charges you
Payment Cloud makes money by taking a cut of each transaction. The cut comes in two forms: a processing rate (a percentage of the sale) and sometimes a per-transaction fee (a flat amount per card swipe). The exact rates depend on your business type, your sales volume, and the type of card being used.
For example, a restaurant might pay 2.5% plus $0.10 per transaction for in-person card payments, while an online retailer might pay 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. These are not fixed across all businesses — Payment Cloud negotiates rates based on your risk profile and volume.
You also pay for the card reader or gateway itself, though Payment Cloud often provides these at no upfront cost. Some plans include monthly fees; others charge only per transaction. Ask Payment Cloud directly what the total cost will be for your specific business type, because rates vary widely.
You do not pay anything if a customer's card is declined — you only pay when the transaction goes through.
In-person payments with a card reader
If you run a store, restaurant, salon, or any business where customers are physically present, you use a card reader. Payment Cloud's readers are small enough to fit in a pocket and connect to your phone, tablet, or register via Bluetooth or a headphone jack.
The process is straightforward: customer hands you the card, you insert it into the reader (or they tap it for contactless), the reader sends the information to Payment Cloud's system, the bank approves it, and you see the transaction on your screen. The customer gets a receipt, and the money deposits into your account the next business day.
Card readers also keep a record of every transaction, so you have a built-in sales log. You can see which cards were used, when, and for how much — useful for accounting and spotting fraud.
Online payments through a website
If you sell through a website, Payment Cloud provides a payment gateway that customers see as a checkout page. The gateway encrypts the customer's card information so Payment Cloud and your website never actually see the full card number — the bank does, and the bank sends back only a yes or no.
The gateway integrates with most shopping cart software, so you do not have to build anything from scratch. If you use Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or a custom site, Payment Cloud's gateway can plug in. Once it is set up, customers enter their card details at checkout, the transaction processes in real time, and the order goes through.
Online transactions usually take slightly longer to deposit than in-person ones — sometimes two business days instead of one — because the bank has to confirm the customer actually authorized the charge (since they are not present to sign).
Security and fraud protection
Payment Cloud handles the security compliance required by law. All card data is encrypted, meaning it is scrambled so that hackers cannot read it even if they intercept it. Payment Cloud is PCI compliant, which means it meets the Payment Card Industry's security standards — a set of rules that banks and card companies require all processors to follow.
You do not have to worry about storing card numbers on your computer or phone. Payment Cloud's system handles that, and your business is protected from the liability if a card number is stolen. If a customer disputes a charge, Payment Cloud handles the dispute process with the bank.
That said, you are still responsible for not doing anything obviously fraudulent yourself — like charging a card twice or processing a payment without the customer's permission. Payment Cloud will flag suspicious patterns and may freeze your account if it detects unusual activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for money to show up in my bank account?
Most transactions deposit within one to two business days. In-person card payments usually deposit the next day; online payments sometimes take two days because the bank needs extra time to confirm the customer authorized the charge. Weekends and holidays can add time.
What happens if a customer disputes a charge?
Payment Cloud handles the dispute with the customer's bank. You will be asked to provide proof that the customer authorized the charge — a receipt, email confirmation, or signed order. If you have proof, the bank usually sides with you. If you do not, the charge is reversed and the money goes back to the customer.
Can I use Payment Cloud if I am just starting out?
Yes. Payment Cloud works with new businesses, though you will need a business bank account and a business license or tax ID. The setup process takes a few business days, and Payment Cloud will ask about your expected monthly sales volume to set your processing rates.
What if my business is considered high-risk?
Some businesses — like online gambling, travel agencies, or subscription services — are flagged as higher-risk by card companies. Payment Cloud does work with high-risk businesses, but rates may be higher and the underwriting process may take longer. Ask Payment Cloud directly if your industry qualifies.
Do I need a separate account for each location if I have multiple stores?
Not necessarily. Payment Cloud can set up one account that covers multiple locations, though you may need separate card readers or terminals for each store. Ask Payment Cloud about multi-location pricing, as it sometimes offers discounts for businesses with several physical locations.