Websites using Epoch

Okay, let s break down Epoch, covering its overview, revenue (where available), alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

What is Epoch?

Epoch is a payment and risk management solution primarily focused on high-risk industries, particularly online entertainment and e-commerce. They specialize in handling payments and mitigating risks associated with businesses that often face challenges from traditional payment processors due to perceived or actual higher levels of chargebacks, fraud, or regulatory scrutiny. Epoch enables businesses to accept payments in several different currencies.

Here s a more detailed breakdown:

• Core Functionality:

  • Payment Processing: Handles a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and alternative payment options (APMs), depending on the region.
  • Risk Management: Offers tools and services to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions, manage chargebacks, and comply with relevant regulations. This is a key differentiator.
  • Subscription Management: Provides features for managing recurring subscriptions, billing cycles, and customer accounts, particularly important for online entertainment.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Offers data and insights into transaction activity, fraud trends, and overall payment performance.
  • Customer Support: Provides support for both merchants and their customers.

• Target Industries:

  • Online Entertainment (adult content, gaming, streaming)
  • E-commerce businesses in certain sectors (dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, etc.)
  • Other high-risk sectors that may have difficulty securing payment processing with mainstream providers.

Revenue Information:

• Privately Held: Epoch is a privately held company, so specific revenue figures are not publicly available.
• Estimates: It s difficult to provide accurate revenue estimations without inside knowledge. However, based on their market presence and the niche they serve, it s likely a multi-million dollar operation.

Alternatives to Epoch:

The best alternative depends heavily on the specific needs of your business. Here s a breakdown of potential competitors and when they might be a better fit:

• For High-Risk Businesses (Direct Competitors):
  • PayKings: Specializes in high-risk payment processing, offering similar services to Epoch.
  • Instabill: Another provider focusing on high-risk and international payments.
  • Durango Merchant Services: Provides payment solutions for businesses considered high-risk.
  • Soar Payments: Handles high-risk industries like nutraceuticals and firearms.
• For Subscription Management (If High-Risk is Not the Primary Concern):
  • Chargebee: A popular subscription billing platform with robust features.
  • Recurly: Another well-regarded subscription management and recurring billing solution.
  • Stripe Billing: If your business is not considered high-risk, Stripe s billing features are powerful and well-integrated.
  • Zoho Subscriptions: Part of the Zoho suite, offering integrated subscription management.
• For General Payment Processing (If You re Not High-Risk):
  • Stripe: A widely used and developer-friendly payment gateway.
  • PayPal: A very popular and well-known payment processor.
  • Square: Popular for in-person and online payments, especially for small businesses.
  • Adyen: A payment platform used by larger enterprises.
  • Authorize.Net: A long-standing and reliable payment gateway.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Alternative:

• Risk Tolerance: Is your business considered high-risk? This will significantly narrow down your options.
• Payment Methods: Which payment methods do you need to accept (credit cards, debit cards, ACH, alternative payment methods)?
• Subscription Management Needs: Do you need robust subscription billing and management features?
• Integration: How easily does the platform integrate with your existing website, e-commerce platform, or CRM?
• Pricing: Compare transaction fees, monthly fees, and other costs.
• Customer Support: Evaluate the quality and responsiveness of customer support.

Pricing:

• Not Publicly Disclosed: Like many payment processors specializing in high-risk industries, Epoch does not publicly list its pricing.
• Custom Pricing: Pricing is typically custom-tailored to each business based on factors such as:
  • Industry
  • Transaction volume
  • Risk profile
  • Payment methods used
  • Contract length
• Expect Higher Fees: Generally, expect higher transaction fees and potentially higher monthly fees compared to mainstream payment processors due to the increased risk involved. High-risk processors also need to handle fraud and chargebacks.
• Contact Them for a Quote: The best way to determine Epoch s pricing is to contact their sales team directly and request a customized quote.

Customer Care Details:

• Merchant and Customer Support: Epoch provides customer support for both its merchant clients and the end-customers making purchases.
• Methods of Contact:
  • Website: The Epoch website (epoch.com) provides contact forms and information.
  • Email: Likely available, though the specific email address might vary depending on the type of inquiry.
  • Phone: They likely offer phone support, especially for merchants. Check their website for the specific phone number.
  • Online Portal/Dashboard: Merchants typically have access to an online portal or dashboard for managing their accounts and accessing support resources.
• Reputation: Customer reviews regarding Epoch s customer service are mixed, as is typical with payment processors, especially those in high-risk sectors. Some users report positive experiences, while others have encountered issues. It s important to do your own research and read reviews from multiple sources.

In summary:

Epoch is a specialized payment processor designed for businesses in high-risk industries. While they offer essential payment processing, risk management, and subscription management features, their pricing is not public and is likely higher than mainstream providers due to the nature of the businesses they serve. If you operate in a high-risk sector, contacting Epoch and its alternatives for custom quotes is crucial to finding the best fit for your needs. Remember to thoroughly evaluate their terms, fees, and customer support reputation before making a decision.