Scaler Technologies_
    [01]_SCALER PAY
    STRIPE ALTERNATIVE

    Stripe Froze Your Account. Switch to $0 Processing — No Algorithms, No Fund Holds.

    Stripe is a payment API, not a merchant account. When its algorithm flags your business, there's no human review process and no phone number. Scaler Pay is a different product category: a dedicated merchant account, your own merchant ID, a direct bank relationship, and zero-fee processing for small business.

    Free rate check

    Get set up in 3 business days.

    Tell us about your business — we'll call you with rates and answer any questions. No commitment required.

    [02]_THE FREEZE PROBLEM

    Why Stripe Freezes Small Business Accounts — and Why You're More Vulnerable Than You Think

    Stripe is an aggregator. Your transactions sit under Stripe's umbrella merchant ID. Their risk is your risk. When any of Stripe's merchants have a fraud event, their algorithm adjusts risk thresholds across the entire portfolio — including yours — without individual review.

    Accounts get flagged for: a spike in monthly volume, selling a product category their risk team doesn't recognize, or a chargeback ratio above threshold. The result: email only, weeks to resolve, $47,000+ in documented holds past promised release dates (BBB data, 2026). No phone. No review. Just waiting.

    01Spike in monthly volume (seasonal business, product launch)
    02Product category not recognized by Stripe's risk tier
    03Chargeback ratio above threshold — even from a single bad batch
    04Automated fraud flag with no human review trigger
    [03]_REAL COST

    What Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30 Actually Costs You Over 12 Months

    With Scaler Pay: $0 processing fees on any of these volumes.

    VolumeStripe/MoScaler Pay/Yr
    $10k/mo$290 + $60 = $350$0
    $25k/mo$725 + $150 = $875$0
    $50k/mo$1,450 + $300 = $1,750$0

    Based on Stripe 2.9% + $0.30/txn standard rate. Actual costs vary by card mix and transaction volume.

    [04]_DEDICATED ACCOUNT

    Dedicated Merchant Account vs. Stripe: Why the Difference Is Not Just Price

    A dedicated merchant account is a different product category from Stripe, not just a cheaper version of it. With Scaler Pay:

    • 01Your own merchant ID Not shared with millions of other businesses. Your account is isolated from portfolio-wide risk events.
    • 02Direct bank relationship You have a direct relationship with the acquiring bank — not a relationship with a payment API that has a relationship with a bank.
    • 03A phone number When something goes wrong at 6 PM on a Friday, you call us. Not email. Not a chatbot. A real account manager.
    [05]_IN-PERSON & ONLINE

    How Cash Discount Processing Eliminates Stripe Fees Entirely — Including for Online Payments

    Cash discount works for in-person AND online payments. For online transactions: the card service fee is shown at checkout as a standard card service fee before the customer confirms payment. Customers can often avoid it by paying via ACH/bank transfer, which processes at no cost.

    This works for e-commerce stores, service bookings, and professional services invoices. See how Scaler Pay's fee model compares to Stripe's in detail.

    USE CASES

    E-commerce products, service bookings, professional services invoices, subscription billing with ACH option. In-person: retail, restaurants, salons, auto shops, service businesses.

    For restaurant owners considering a switch, also see our switching from Square guide.

    [06]_DIRECT COMPARISON

    Stripe vs. Scaler Pay: A Direct Comparison for Small Business

    FeatureStripeScaler Pay
    Monthly feeNone (but per-txn fees compound)$0
    Per-transaction fee2.9% + $0.30/txn$0
    Account stabilityShared merchant ID — algorithmic holdsDedicated merchant ID — direct bank
    Human supportEmail only — no phonePhone support — real account manager
    Fund hold riskHigh — algorithm-driven, no reviewLow — dedicated account, direct relationship
    Setup timeSame day (app)24–72 hours
    [07]_FAQ

    Questions, answered.

    Stripe is an aggregator — all merchants process under Stripe's shared merchant ID. When Stripe's risk algorithm detects anything unusual across its entire portfolio, it adjusts risk thresholds that can affect your account even if you did nothing wrong. A spike in your monthly volume, selling a product category their risk team doesn't recognize, or a chargeback ratio above threshold can trigger a hold with no human review and no phone number to call.

    Stripe's standard reserve period is 90–120 days in most hold scenarios. Some merchants report longer holds — up to 180 days — while disputes are reviewed over email. BBB data shows $47,000+ in documented holds past promised release dates in 2026. There is no phone line to expedite resolution. You are waiting for the algorithm.

    Payment card data is stored in Stripe's vault, not in your Stripe account — so card numbers are not transferable between processors (PCI compliance prevents this). Customers will need to re-enter payment details for recurring charges. For one-time transactions, the transition is seamless. Discuss your specific subscription setup on your activation call.

    Scaler Pay's cash discount program covers both in-person and online payments. For online payments, the card service fee is shown at checkout as a standard card service fee before the customer confirms. Customers can often avoid it by paying via ACH/bank transfer. This works for e-commerce, service bookings, and professional services invoices.

    At Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30/transaction rate (estimating 200 transactions/month), a business processing $10,000/month pays approximately $350/month — $4,200/year. With Scaler Pay's cash discount program, processing fees drop to $0 for the merchant. Annual savings: approximately $4,200 on a $10,000/month volume.

    Yes. Cash discount programs are legal in all 50 states. For online transactions, the disclosed service fee must be shown to the customer before they confirm payment — the same transparency requirement that applies in-person. Scaler Pay's checkout integration handles this disclosure automatically.
    [08]_APPLY

    Switch in 24 Hours — No Setup Fee, No Contract, No Algorithm

    Apply in 2 minutes — we'll call you within one business day with your rates and account details. Learn more about Scaler Pay.

    Free rate check

    Done With Stripe's Algorithm?

    Dedicated merchant account. $0 fees. A real person to call.

    Payment processing services provided through licensed processing partners. Approval subject to review. Cash discount programs are permitted in all 50 states when disclosed at point of sale.