Elavon vs Authorize.net
Authorize.net is primarily a payment gateway that you pair with a separate merchant account, while Elavon is a full-service acquirer that can provide both the merchant account and the processing gateway (including Fusebox) in one relationship.
| Factor | Elavon | Authorize.net |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Full-service acquirer (account + gateway) | Gateway-only, needs a separate merchant account |
| Pricing model | Custom, quote-based | Flat gateway fee plus your merchant account's rates |
| Portal | Fusebox merchant portal | Authorize.net Merchant Interface |
| Best for | Merchants wanting one processing relationship | Merchants who already have or want a separate merchant account |
Which should you pick? If you want a single provider for both the merchant account and the gateway, Elavon's bundled approach is simpler to manage. If you already have a merchant account and just need a gateway layer, Authorize.net is a common pairing.