Shift Processing

What Shift Processing does

Shift Processing is a US-based merchant payment processor headquartered in Indianapolis that specializes in zero-fee credit card processing and high-risk merchant accounts. Founded in 2005 and operating with 51-100 employees, the company serves thousands of small and mid-sized businesses across all 50 US states, with a particular concentration in verticals that mainstream processors refuse — cannabis, CBD, Kratom, and other regulated or nutraceutical industries. The company also targets general retail, service-based, eCommerce, and restaurant businesses, plus Korean-American SMBs through a dedicated language-specific service line. Shift is the operating identity; 'Dual Payments' appears to be a related or successor brand (per the dualpayments.com redirect), and the company has historically operated under multiple trade names including Shift Credit Card Processing and Shift Merchant Services.

The core technology platform centers on a proprietary Point-to-Point (P2P) architecture that routes cannabis and high-risk transactions off traditional credit card rails, enabling dispensaries to accept major card brands (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover) through domestic US acquiring banks with FDIC insurance on funds — an offering not available from mainstream processors. The technology stack also includes a proprietary e-wallet with 1.43-second instant-funding settlement, a cloud-based tablet POS system with inventory and customer management, restaurant and retail POS modules, EMV chip and NFC/contactless terminal support, and direct API integrations with eight eCommerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Magento, OpenCart, ZenCart).

The revenue model is multi-stream: (1) zero-fee processing generates revenue from customer-borne service fees rather than merchant transaction fees, with merchants paying nothing in interchange, statement, PCI-DSS, batch, PIN debit, regulatory, or annual fees; (2) a cash discount program passes processing costs to customers paying with credit; (3) high-risk merchant accounts generate per-transaction fees plus low monthly minimums ($25 for CBD); (4) POS software subscriptions at $19.99/month provide recurring revenue; and (5) tiered service (Professional, Corporate, Enterprise) with Enterprise targeting Multi State Operators and publicly traded companies. Distribution is direct-sales-led with phone-based acquisition, a 2-minute qualifying strategy call, a website-driven self-service onboarding path, free equipment bundling (POS systems and EMV terminals) as an acquisition incentive, and an agent/referral network — particularly in the Korean business community.

Name

Shift Processing

Legal name

Shift Processing

Website

https://shiftprocessing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Shift Processing is a US-based payment processor headquartered in Indianapolis that offers zero-fee credit card processing and specialized high-risk merchant accounts for cannabis, CBD, and Kratom businesses, serving thousands of SMBs across all 50 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Payment Processing Services

NAICS

Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320), Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (52232)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated POS Payments (ISVs & Vertical POS Platforms) (FSAMADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

POS, SoftPOS & In-Person Acceptance Infrastructure (FSAGABAO), Merchant Acquiring & Card Processing (PSPs) (CRAFALAB), POS Payment Software & Middleware (Terminal OS, Apps, Device Management) (FSAMADAC)

Keywords

• Merchant account services
• Payment processing
• High-risk processing
• POS systems
• Zero-fee processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Transaction Fee Pass-Through (Zero Fee Model): Shift Processing adds a small service fee to credit card transactions that customers choose to pay with. The merchant receives 100% of the transaction amount with zero fees. The company generates revenue from the service fee charged to end consumers who pay with credit cards, not from merchants.
2. Cash Discount Program: Merchants offer a 4% cash discount to customers paying with cash, while credit card prices remain standard. This effectively passes processing costs to customers who choose premium payment methods.
3. High Risk Merchant Processing: For cannabis, CBD, Kratom and other high-risk industries, Shift charges minimal monthly fees and competitive processing rates. Revenue comes from per-transaction fees offset against the zero-fee model for qualifying merchants.
4. POS Software Subscription: Shift offers POS software for $19.99/month (passed through from equipment manufacturer). While processing is free for merchants, this software subscription provides an additional revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Shift Processing is a US merchant services provider that processes credit and debit card payments for small and mid-sized businesses, with a proprietary Zero Fee model that eliminates merchant processing fees by adding a small service fee to customer card transactions. The company provides free POS systems, EMV terminals, and dedicated merchant accounts tailored to retail, restaurant, eCommerce, and high-risk industries (CBD, cannabis, Kratom). It also offers a Cash Discount Program, instant e-wallet funding, and integrations with major eCommerce platforms.

Product overview

Shift Processing is a credit card payment processing company offering a portfolio of payment solutions centered on its proprietary Zero Fee Processing model, which eliminates processing fees for merchants. The core offering includes a Free POS System and EMV Terminals provided at no cost, supplemented by specialized POS solutions for Retail and Restaurant businesses. The company differentiates through specialized high-risk merchant accounts for CBD, Kratom, and Cannabis businesses, all featuring month-to-month contracts without rolling reserves. Integration capabilities span major eCommerce platforms including WooCommerce, WordPress, Magento, and Shopify through direct API connectivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zero Fee Processing: Proprietary zero fee credit card processing program that eliminates processing fees for merchants by adding a small service fee to credit card transactions.
• Cash Discount Program

Products and services

• Zero Fee Processing A proprietary pricing model that eliminates credit card processing fees for merchants by adding a small service fee to customer card transactions. The merchant receives 100% of the transaction amount while the service fee covers processing costs. Targeted at retail, service-based, eCommerce, and high-risk SMB merchants across all 50 US states.
• Cash Discount Program A pricing structure that allows merchants to offer a discount to customers paying with cash while credit card prices remain standard, effectively passing processing costs to customers paying with cards. Targeted at retail and service SMB merchants.
• Free POS System A free point-of-sale system provided to qualifying merchants that turns a tablet into a payment processor and cash register. Includes inventory management, customer management, and employee management features. Targeted at small and mid-sized merchants switching to the Shift Cash Discount or Zero Fee program.
• Retail POS System A tablet-based point-of-sale solution designed for retail businesses, featuring integrated credit card processing, unlimited inventory management, barcode scanning, and reporting capabilities. Works month-to-month without long-term contracts.
• Restaurant POS System A restaurant-specific POS solution with features including table management, gift card management, split tickets, kitchen display integration, and menu customization for quick service, table service, and fine dining establishments.
• EMV Terminals EMV-compliant credit card terminals including Verifone VX520, Pax S80, and Ingenico ICT220. These terminals accept chip cards, contactless payments, Apple Pay, and NFC payments to reduce fraud and chargeback risk. Provided free to qualifying merchants.
• High Risk Merchant Account Merchant accounts designed for businesses classified as high-risk, including those with high chargeback rates, high average tickets, or operating in industries like CBD, Kratom, cannabis, and adult entertainment. Features month-to-month contracts and no rolling reserves.
• CBD Merchant Account Specialized merchant account for CBD businesses to accept credit card payments both in-store and online. Features 99% approval rate, low monthly minimums of $25, and no hidden fees.
• Kratom Credit Card Processing Domestic US-based merchant account solution for Kratom sellers enabling credit card acceptance without offshore accounts. Features same-day funding, no reserves, and instant payment in under 2 seconds using proprietary e-wallet technology.
• Cannabis Credit Card Processing Point-to-Point (P2P) technology-based payment processing for cannabis dispensaries enabling credit card acceptance in the 39 US states where cannabis is legal. Features FDIC-insured funds held in US banks, no cryptocurrency workarounds, and curbside/delivery payment options.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% reduction in processing fees for merchants using Zero Fee model
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• UC (United Cannabis Association)minorOthersShift Processing is listed as 'Official Credit Card Processor' for UC, indicating a preferred processor relationship with this cannabis industry organization.
• ORCA (Ocean River Cannabis Association)minorOthersShift Processing is listed as 'Official Credit Card Processor' for ORCA, indicating a preferred processor relationship with this cannabis industry organization.
• HempfestminorOthersShift Processing is listed as 'Official Credit Card Processor' for Hempfest (Seattle's cannabis festival), indicating sponsorship and processing partnership.
• OCIA (Organic Cannabis Industry Association)minorOthersShift Processing is listed as 'Official Credit Card Processor' for OCIA, indicating preferred processor relationship with this organic cannabis certification organization.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Stripe: Leading online payments platform with deep e-commerce platform integrations. Directly comparable to Shift on the e-commerce merchant acquiring side and the platform-integration breadth Shift highlights (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.).
• Square (Block): Mainstream SMB payments and POS incumbent that competes with Shift's general retail/service/e-commerce offering. Massive scale and brand recognition make Square the dominant alternative for non-high-risk merchants.
• Clover (Fiserv): Large SMB POS and payments platform from Fiserv with broad hardware/software stack. Competes with Shift on free POS hardware positioning and integrated payments for retail and service merchants.

Direct peers

• Stax (formerly Fattmerchant): Subscription-based SMB payment processor with flat-pricing model and integrated POS. Comparable value proposition to Shift for cost-sensitive small merchants, especially in retail and service verticals.
• Helcim: SMB payment processor offering transparent interchange-plus pricing, POS, and e-commerce integrations. Direct competitor to Shift's mainstream SMB business on pricing transparency and platform integrations.
• PayKings: High-risk merchant account provider serving CBD, Kratom, firearms, adult, and supplements. Comparable niche focus, pricing model, and target merchant profile to Shift's high-risk division.
• Maverick Processing: High-risk merchant services provider targeting CBD, cannabis, and similar verticals with domestic US bank accounts. Direct competitor for the same regulated merchant pool Shift targets.
• Durango Merchant Services: High-risk payment processor focused on CBD, Kratom, nutraceuticals, and other restricted verticals with domestic US acquiring. Highly comparable to Shift's high-risk book of business and pricing structure.
• PaymentCloud: High-risk merchant account specialist serving e-commerce, CBD, cannabis-adjacent, adult, and nutraceutical merchants. Closest direct competitor to Shift on the high-risk acquiring side, with overlapping vertical expertise and similar SMB go-to-market.

Emerging players

• Toast: Restaurant-specific POS and payments platform with integrated processing. Comparable to Shift's Restaurant POS module and competes for the same food-service merchants with deeper vertical software.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shiftprocessing
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC70mpDlCL8zuvTT9TLgbbnw
• Facebookfacebook.com/shiftprocessing
• Pinterestpinterest.com/shiftprocessing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shift Processing