Aurora Payments
Flute (formerly Aurora Payments) is a US-based embedded payments platform serving 113,000+ small businesses and vertical SaaS partners across beauty, transportation, jewelry, bail bonds, retail, and professional services with payment acceptance, working capital, and merchant management tools, processing over $40 billion annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersTempe, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Aurora Payments does
Flute (formerly Aurora Payments) is a US-based payments technology company headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, that provides embedded payment infrastructure and merchant services to 113,000+ small and mid-sized businesses and to the vertical SaaS platforms that serve them. The company's core product is the ARISE embedded payments platform, an API-first infrastructure that consolidates payment acceptance (in-person, mobile, online, ACH, Level 2/3), accounts receivable management, recurring billing, working capital lending, instant payouts, network tokenization, and fraud protection into a single system that software companies can embed natively into their applications.
Flute operates through three primary distribution channels: direct-to-SMB sales and self-serve developer onboarding, OEM/embedded integrations with vertical SaaS platforms (including bail bonds, ground transportation, jewelry retail, and salon management), and an ISO/agent network. The company is registered as an ISO/FSP with seven sponsor banks (Esquire Bank, Evolve Bank & Trust, Citizens Bank, KeyBank, Deutsche Bank, Merrick Bank, and Elavon/U.S. Bancorp), enabling broad acquiring reach and competitive interchange.
Revenue is generated principally through transaction-based fees on payment volume (currently over $40 billion in annual processing), supplemented by working capital lending income, hardware sales, and recurring subscription fees for SaaS partners. Private equity firm Corsair backs the company, and three acquisitions (One Payment in September 2022, NailSoft in April 2023, and VN Systems in October 2023) drove processing volume from approximately $11 billion to $12 billion and ultimately over $40 billion under the unified Flute brand. Derek Dean succeeded founder Brian Goudie as CEO in May 2025, with Goudie moving to Executive Chairman.
Aurora Payments firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aurora Payments
- Legal name
- Flute
- Website
- https://risewithaurora.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Flute (formerly Aurora Payments) is a US-based embedded payments platform serving 113,000+ small businesses and vertical SaaS partners across beauty, transportation, jewelry, bail bonds, retail, and professional services with payment acceptance, working capital, and merchant management tools, processing over $40 billion annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aurora Payments industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Payment Processing / Merchant Services
- NAICS
- Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Merchant Acquiring Banks & ISO/MSP Acquirers (FSAMABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Integrated Payment Processors (PSP/Acquirer) (FSAMABAA), Embedded Payments (Pay-ins, Pay-outs, Wallets) (FSAGALAB), Merchant Acquiring & Processing Platforms (BPAMAFAB)
Keywords
Where Aurora Payments is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tempe
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aurora Payments business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Payment Processing / Transaction Fees: Aurora Payments generates revenue primarily through transaction fees on payment volume processed across its merchant portfolio. The company processes over $40 billion in annual payment volume across 113,000+ clients, with the One Payment acquisition alone adding 6,000 merchants and $1 billion in annual processing.
- Working Capital / Embedded Lending: Flute offers working capital loans to merchants as part of its fintech platform, providing fast access to capital to cover expenses or invest in growth. Revenue generated through lending interest/fees on funded amounts.
- Hardware Sales: Sale of payment terminals and hardware devices including portable, mounted, and mobile POS devices. Hardware is offered alongside the payment processing platform.
- Recurring Billing / Subscription Services: Subscription-style services for SaaS platforms and ISVs embedding Flute's payment infrastructure, including dashboard, reporting, invoicing, and fraud protection tools.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Quote-based pricing for payment processing services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Aurora Payments product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aurora Payments (now Flute) operates a unified merchant payments platform for small businesses and the vertical SaaS platforms that serve them. Its core offerings include the ARISE embedded payments infrastructure for software integrations, payment acceptance across in-person, mobile, online and ACH channels, business management tools (dashboard, invoicing, recurring billing), growth services (working capital, instant payouts), and security features (network tokenization, fraud protection). It is registered as an ISO/FSP of multiple major US banks for merchant acquiring.
Product overview
Flute (formerly Aurora Payments) operates as a unified payments platform for small businesses in retail, hospitality, professional services, and other industries. The platform consolidates payment acceptance (in-person, mobile, online), business management tools (dashboard, invoicing, recurring billing), growth features (working capital, instant payouts), and security features (network tokenization, fraud protection) into a single modular system where merchants can choose features based on their needs. The product portfolio includes the core Flute platform along with acquired brands NailSoft (salon management/POS) and VN Systems (merchant services), powered by the ARISE embedded payments infrastructure for software integrations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Flute Platform Unified payments platform consolidating payment acceptance, working capital, and business management tools for small businesses in retail, hospitality, and professional services.
- Payment Processing Core payment acceptance functionality enabling merchants to process transactions across multiple channels with support for tap-to-pay, card payments, and various payment methods.
- In-Person Payments Payment acceptance solution for in-person transactions at the counter, table, or field, supporting bring-your-own-device and a wide range of point-of-sale devices.
- Mobile Payments Mobile payment acceptance solution allowing merchants to take payments from a phone or mobile POS via card, tap, QR code, and other methods.
- Online Payments Online payment capabilities including PCI-compliant payment pages, recurring billing setup, and virtual terminal for manual order processing.
- Payment Hardware Range of payment terminals including portable, mounted, and app-based options supporting swiping, tap-to-pay, and QR code scanning.
- ACH Payments ACH bank transfer payment capability for processing electronic funds transfers directly from customer bank accounts.
- Embedded Payments (ARISE) Embedded payment infrastructure (ARISE) enabling software platforms to integrate payment processing directly into their applications.
- Level 2 & Level 3 Processing Enhanced payment processing for B2B and corporate transactions with additional line-item data support.
- Dual Pricing & Surcharging Flexible pricing models allowing merchants to offer discounted prices for cash payments or apply surcharges for credit card transactions.
- Dashboard and Reporting Customer management tools helping SaaS platforms onboard, manage, and support merchant customers with automation, centralized support, and real-time visibility.
- Invoicing Customizable, on-brand invoice creation supporting multiple payment options including credit, debit, ACH, and digital wallets.
- Recurring Billing Subscription and repeat order management with tokenized customer payment data stored in a secure customer vault.
- Working Capital Business funding access providing fast access to working capital for covering expenses or investing in growth without hidden fees or complicated rates.
- Instant Payouts Fast fund access enabling merchants to receive payments immediately rather than waiting for standard processing cycles.
- Network Tokenization Security feature using network-issued tokens that change after each use to prevent payment declines and protect sensitive customer data.
- Fraud Protection Built-in fraud protection safeguards against chargeback abuse, card testing, and other common attacks with encrypted payment data handling.
- NailSoft (Salon Management & POS) Salon management and point-of-sale system for the nail salon and beauty industry, brought under the Flute platform via acquisition.
- VN Systems (Merchant Services for Health & Beauty) Merchant services for the health and beauty sector, especially salon management, integrated into Flute's platform via acquisition.
Quantifiable outcome
- Processing over $40 billion in annual payment volume
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aurora Payments
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aurora Payments technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature5 records
Aurora Payments partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Bail Bond DigitalcoreAurora Payments and Bail Bond Digital formed a strategic partnership to embed Aurora's ARISE payments infrastructure directly into Bail Bond Digital's bail operations platform. The integration consolidates payment acceptance, accounts receivable management, and collections activity into a single system, connecting payment activity directly to bond and case data. The partnership aims to help bail agencies reduce reconciliation time, accelerate collections, and maintain tighter control over receivables.
- JariscoreJaris, a US-based embedded finance platform, launched its automated merchant onboarding solution live with Aurora Payments among three partners (also Dart Bank via WestTown Payments and JustiFi). The platform combines AI-powered automation with KYB/KYC processes to enable merchants to enroll in payment processing, lending, instant payouts, and banking services through a single application. Aurora uses Jaris to accelerate merchant activation and reduce manual underwriting delays.
- Dart Bank (via WestTown Payments)supportingDart Bank (via WestTown Payments) is a partner in the Jaris automated merchant onboarding ecosystem. Jaris enables Dart Bank to offer payment processing, lending, and banking services through a single AI-powered application to merchants.
- JustiFisupportingJustiFi is a partner in the Jaris automated merchant onboarding solution, enabling JustiFi to deliver faster, more compliant financial services to its merchant base through AI-powered automation and integrated KYB/KYC verification.
- 2S LimouSOLUTIONcoreAurora Payments and 2S LimouSOLUTION partnered to integrate Aurora's embedded ARISE payment platform across 2S's suite of transportation software solutions. The integration enables chauffeured transportation operators to process payments securely within the same platform used for dispatch, booking, fleet management, and invoicing, eliminating the need for external payment terminals. This partnership marks a significant advancement in the digital transformation of the global ground transportation industry.
- DCIT (BusinessMind)coreAurora Payments and DCIT partnered to integrate Aurora's ARISE payment technology into BusinessMind, a software platform for jewelry retailers and manufacturers. This integration enables managing payments, inventory, and customer data within a single system tailored for the jewelry industry, creating a unified workflow for high-value retail transactions.
- LimoGridcoreAurora Payments and LimoGrid announced a partnership to launch integrated payment solutions for transportation operators, enhancing reservation, dispatch, and fleet management systems. The integration allows operators to manage payments, bookings, and invoicing within a single platform, streamlining operations and generating new revenue streams for both companies.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aurora Payments competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Adyen: Enterprise-grade unified payments platform with embedded-payments tooling via Platforms; competes with Flute at the upper end of the ISV/scale-up SaaS segment and increasingly in SMB.
- Fiserv: Broad incumbent merchant acquirer offering Clover SMB POS hardware and software — competes with Flute across retail and food-service SMB segments with materially greater resources.
- Global Payments: Large diversified payments and merchant-acquiring incumbent (including the legacy Heartland business) overlapping with Flute on SMB and ISO-channel card acceptance.
- PayPal: PayPal/Braintree offers an embedded-payments platform (Commerce Platform) and working-capital (Working Capital / PayPal Business Loan) directly analogous to Flute's embedded ARISE and lending products.
Direct peers
- Stripe: Global developer-first PSP with a strong embedded-payments offering via Stripe Connect and Issuing, competing for the same vertical SaaS integrations that Flute targets with ARISE.
- Block (Square): Square operates an integrated SMB payments, hardware, software, and capital (Square Loans) stack — directly comparable to Flute's accept/manage/grow/protect modules across the SMB segment.
- North (North American Bancard): Closely comparable ISO/MSP-style SMB payments processor with a multi-bank sponsor model, merchant cash advance, and ISO/agent channel — Flute's most direct US competitor at similar processing volume scale.
- Stax Payments: Subscription-priced SMB payments processor targeting ISVs and verticals with embedded payments — closely overlaps Flute's OEM/embedded GTM motion and SMB-focused positioning.
- Payment Depot: Interchange-plus SMB merchant services competitor with an ISO/agent channel and small-business focus, comparable in scale and merchant-acquirer structure to Flute.
Emerging players
- Toast: Vertical-SaaS company (restaurants) with embedded payment processing, working capital, and hardware — illustrates the model Flute is pursuing across multiple verticals and is a credible competitor if Toast expands beyond food service.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aurora Payments social profiles
Digital presenceAurora Payments financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aurora Payments leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Aurora Payments subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Aurora Payments funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aurora Payments M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments3 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aurora Payments
What does Aurora Payments do?
Aurora Payments (now Flute) operates a unified merchant payments platform for small businesses and the vertical SaaS platforms that serve them. Its core offerings include the ARISE embedded payments infrastructure for software integrations, payment acceptance across in-person, mobile, online and ACH channels, business management tools (dashboard, invoicing, recurring billing), growth services (working capital, instant payouts), and security features (network tokenization, fraud protection). It is registered as an ISO/FSP of multiple major US banks for merchant acquiring.
Is Aurora Payments a public or private company?
Aurora Payments is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Aurora Payments founded?
Aurora Payments was founded in 2014. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Aurora Payments based?
Aurora Payments is headquartered in Tempe, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aurora Payments make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Payment Processing / Transaction Fees are the primary driver. The others are working Capital / Embedded Lending, hardware Sales and recurring Billing / Subscription Services.
Who are Aurora Payments's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Adyen, Fiserv, Global Payments and PayPal. Direct peers are Stripe, Block (Square), North (North American Bancard), Stax Payments and Payment Depot. Toast is listed as an emerging player.
Does Aurora Payments have an API?
Yes. Flute offers a public API enabling developers to integrate payment processing into software platforms. The API supports payment acceptance, merchant management, and financial operations. Developers can access the developer portal for documentation, API reference, and authentication guides. Developer documentation is at developer.flute.com.
What industry is Aurora Payments in?
Aurora Payments's product category is Payment Processing / Merchant Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMABAB, Merchant Acquiring Banks & ISO/MSP Acquirers, with a secondary code of FSAMABAA, Integrated Payment Processors (PSP/Acquirer). Its NAICS code is 522320.