What Is White-Label Merchant Processing? A Guide for Platforms and SaaS Companies

01 September 2025

Written by Libby James

Libby James is co-founder, director and an expert in all things merchant services. Libby is the go-to specialist for business with more complex requirements or businesses that are struggling to find a provider that will accept them. Libby is regularly cited in trade, national and international media.

White Labelled Payment Processing

As digital platforms compete to deliver better user experiences, many are turning to integrated payment solutions. One popular option, white-label merchant processing, allows businesses to embed payment functionality into their platforms while retaining full control over branding and user experience.

This approach differs from integrated embedded payments, where the payment functionality is integrated but typically branded and supported by the third-party provider. In this article, we’ll explore how white-label merchant processing works, who it’s for, how it compares to embedded payments, and how to choose the right solution for your business.

What Is White-Label Merchant Processing?

White-label merchant processing enables software companies, platforms and marketplaces to offer fully branded payment services without developing payment infrastructure from scratch. By partnering with a payment provider, the platform uses ready-built technology, but the entire user experience - from interface to customer support, appears as though it’s coming directly from the platform itself.

This model gives businesses the opportunity to deliver seamless, secure payments, reinforce brand loyalty, and generate new revenue, all under their own name.

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Why Software Companies Choose White-Label Payment Solutions

As the demand for all-in-one platforms grows, SaaS providers and other digital platforms are increasingly seeking ways to add more value. White-label merchant processing stands out for several key reasons:

1. Complete Brand Control

Unlike standard embedded payment models, white-labelling lets platforms customise the payment interface, notifications, invoices, receipts and more. Customers never see the underlying provider—everything reflects the platform’s brand.

2. New Revenue Streams

White-label models often allow platforms to set their own pricing structure for payment services. This means businesses can earn revenue through transaction fees, onboarding, or premium features without the burden of building the technology themselves.

3. Customised User Experience

With full control over the payment journey, platforms can tailor user flows to match their audience. Whether it’s recurring billing for SaaS users or split payments for marketplaces, white-label solutions can be fine-tuned to meet specific use cases.

4. Better Customer Retention

Users are more likely to stay loyal to a platform that offers all the functionality they need without redirecting them to external portals for payments. By offering an end-to-end branded experience, white-label processing enhances user satisfaction and platform stickiness.

5. Reduced Development Burden

Building a compliant, secure and scalable payment system is costly and time-consuming. White-label options allow platforms to go to market quickly using trusted infrastructure, while still owning the user relationship.

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How White-Label Differs from Embedded and Integrated Payments

While white-label, embedded, and integrated payments all enable platforms to accept payments within their software, they differ in terms of branding, ownership, technical complexity, and revenue potential.

Integrated payments typically refer to pre-built payment functionality added to software platforms via APIs or plugins, often with minimal customisation.
Embedded payments are deeply integrated into the platform’s user interface, but the infrastructure and branding still belong to the provider.
White-label merchant processing goes a step further, giving full control of branding, support, pricing, and user experience to the platform itself.

Here’s how they compare:

Feature	White-Label Merchant Processing	Embedded Payments	Integrated Payments
Branding	Fully customisable and under your brand	Provider-branded or lightly co-branded	Provider-branded
User Experience	Fully controlled by your platform	Seamless but partially controlled	Basic integration with standard user flows
Revenue Opportunities	High – you set pricing and margins	Moderate – usually revenue share	Limited or none – revenue retained by provider
Customer Support	Can be white-labelled or managed in-house	Managed by the provider	Managed by the provider
Technical Resources	Moderate to high – deeper integration and branding	Moderate – depending on use case	Low – simple implementation via API or plugin
Speed to Market	Slightly longer due to customisation	Faster – pre-integrated APIs or SDKs	Fastest – out-of-the-box or plug-and-play setup
Control Over Payments	High – including pricing, reporting, UX and support	Medium – limited pricing and branding options	Low – provider controls most of the payment journey
Best For	Platforms wanting full ownership and monetisation	Platforms prioritising speed and ease of integration	Platforms adding basic payment features quickly

How to Choose a White-Label Payment Provider

If you’ve decided that white-label merchant processing is the right fit, the next step is choosing the right provider. This is a strategic decision that can impact your brand reputation, user satisfaction, revenue, and scalability.

Here are the key factors to consider:

Customisation Options

Look for a provider that offers high levels of customisation across branding, user interface, documentation, and customer support. You should be able to fully control the user experience, including onboarding, billing, and reporting.

Technology & Integration

Ensure the provider has reliable, developer-friendly APIs or SDKs, comprehensive documentation, and support for the payment methods you require (cards, wallets, bank transfers, etc.). The solution should integrate smoothly with your existing stack, CRM, ERP, accounting, and reporting tools.

Revenue Model Flexibility

Choose a provider that supports flexible pricing structures, allowing you to create your own revenue model. This could include markups on transaction fees, setup fees, or value-added services.

Compliance & Security

The provider should be PCI DSS compliant and follow strong data protection and encryption standards. Ensure they support KYC/AML onboarding processes if you're offering merchant accounts under your brand.

Scalability & Features

Think long-term. Can the solution handle your growth? Look for support for multiple currencies, international payments, recurring billing, split payments, and platform-level reporting.

Support & SLAs

White-label providers should offer service level agreements (SLAs), technical support, and escalation paths. If you’re taking responsibility for customer support, you may also want co-branded or invisible support channels for backend issues.

Reputation & Reliability

Finally, research the provider’s track record, uptime, and experience with similar business models. A solution that works well for marketplaces may not suit a B2B SaaS platform.

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Typical Use Cases for White-Label Merchant Processing

SaaS platforms: Add branded billing and checkout options to increase product value
Marketplaces: Enable vendor payments and revenue splitting within a unified interface
Niche software solutions: Offer tailored payment services for industries like fitness, legal, or education
Fintech startups: Enter the market quickly without building from scratch
Banks and institutions: Launch digital products without re-engineering backend systems

Wrapping It Up

White-label merchant processing gives growing platforms the tools to take charge of their payments infrastructure, enhance user experience, and unlock new commercial opportunities, all while keeping their brand front and centre.

For companies that want maximum flexibility, control and potential for monetisation, white-label solutions often provide the best long-term value compared to more rigid embedded payment integrations.

Compare White-Label Solutions Using The Payments Directory®

Choosing the right white-label payments partner starts with knowing your options. The Payments Directory® is a trusted comparison tool for businesses exploring embedded and white-label solutions. Use it to filter by features, integration types, regions, and business models, so you can find the right fit faster, with confidence.

FAQs

What’s the difference between white-label and embedded payments?

White-label merchant processing allows a platform to offer fully branded payment services, giving full control over the user interface, pricing, and customer support. Embedded payments integrate payments into the platform but are typically branded and supported by the third-party provider, with less control for the platform.

Do I need technical expertise to implement a white-label payment solution?

Some level of technical resource is usually required, particularly for branding and integration. However, many white-label providers offer developer-friendly APIs, integration support, and documentation to reduce complexity.

Can I customise the customer experience with white-label payments?

Yes. One of the key advantages of white-label merchant processing is the ability to tailor the entire user journey, onboarding, checkout, communications, and reporting, to match your brand and audience.

Is customer support also white-labelled?

Often, yes. Some providers allow you to manage support directly or offer support on your behalf under your brand. This allows you to control quality and ensure a consistent experience across your platform.

What kind of businesses typically use white-label payment solutions?

White-label payment processing is commonly used by SaaS platforms, marketplaces, financial institutions, niche service providers, and fintech startups that want to embed payments into their offering and maintain full control over the brand experience.

Can I earn revenue from white-label merchant processing?

Yes. Many platforms use white-label payments to create new revenue streams through transaction fees, onboarding charges, and premium services. You can typically define your own pricing structure.

Is a white-label solution scalable for international markets?

Most leading white-label providers support multi-currency, multi-language, and international payment methods. This makes white-label processing a suitable choice for platforms looking to expand globally.

How do I find the right white-label provider for my business?

Use tools like The Payments Directory® to compare white-label providers based on features, integration types, compliance standards, and support levels. Look for a provider with a solid reputation, flexible API infrastructure, and transparent commercial terms.

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