Amazon Pay Review for US Businesses (2024)

All US entrepreneurs and businesses venturing into the vast online marketplace of Amazon have likely heard of Amazon Pay. It’s a trusted and seamless payment solution that comes with its perks but, like everything else, isn’t without its downsides.

In this detailed review, we'll provide you with an in-depth review of Amazon Pay. Additionally, we'll also touch upon a notable alternative - Wise Business, recognized for its effective handling of overseas payments.

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Is Amazon Pay safe?

When considering online payment platforms, security is naturally one of the top priorities for businesses. Amazon Pay is a product of one of the most well-established ecommerce platforms globally, which means security and safety won’t be much of a concern.

Amazon Pay draws on a multi-layered approach to user protection and uses state-of-the-art encryption, making sure that transactions are completed securely. It’s also backed by the same fraud protection technology used on Amazon.com. Credit card data is encrypted and securely stored, only necessary information is shared, and machine learning helps to identify risky attempters.

There’s also a comprehensive dispute resolution process, thanks to their A-to-Z Guarantee. Not only will users have added confidence in the safety of their transactions, but businesses can enjoy higher conversions and more sales on their sites.¹

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How does Amazon Pay work?

At its core, Amazon Pay is a service that allows Amazon customers to pay for products on third-party websites by using their payment and shipping tied to their Amazon account. That means shoppers don’t need to create separate accounts on each website, providing a smoother shopping experience that benefits both your business and the customer.

To put it into perspective, let's say a customer is purchasing a product from your online store. If you have integrated Amazon Pay into your payment system, the customer will have the option to select Amazon Pay at checkout. The customer will then be prompted to log into their Amazon account, where they can choose from their available saved payment options. They won't need to enter their card details manually because those will already be securely stored in their Amazon account.

After the transaction, the money is deducted from the customer's chosen payment method, and the order information is passed to the seller, minus any sensitive payment details, for security and privacy.

Amazon Pay Fees

Amazon Pay pricing is transaction-based, with an authorization fee and a processing fee (a percentage) attached to the transaction amount. Taxes will also apply if applicable.

For web and mobile solutions, the fees are 2.9% + $0.30, while for real-world goods and services, the fees are 4% + $0.30.

If you’re receiving payment from a payment method issued outside of the US, cross-border processing fees will apply instead of the domestic one. In this case, web and mobile solutions come with a 3.9% + $0.30 fee, and real-world goods and services come with a 5% + $0.30 fee. To illustrate with an example, a $10 real-world transaction would incur a $0.80 total fee.²

For disputed chargebacks, the fee is $20 + tax where applicable. For refunds, customers get refunded either the domestic or cross-border processing percentage fee.

Amazon pay advantages and disadvantages

At this point, you might be questioning: “Is Amazon Pay right for my business?” Let’s go over the pros and cons of this payment method, so you can make an informed decision.

Amazon Pay competitors and alternatives

In the online payment landscape, Amazon Pay isn’t the only player in the field. There are several other alternatives that come with unique features and capabilities that might suit your business better.

Wise Business for Overseas Payments (Can use on Amazon)

Wise Business is a cost-effective way to manage and receive funds from overseas transactions. It's an international account made easy and caters to the dynamics of ecommerce businesses.

The account is especially noteworthy for its transparency and affordability. Unlike some other options, it boasts an up-front fee structure without any hidden costs. They offer real, mid-market exchange rates, meaning you won’t have to stress about the commonly inflated rates found with other services.

Its multi-currency account feature is another strength - allowing you to hold and manage money in multiple currencies. This can be beneficial to international ecommerce businesses as it provides the opportunity to receive funds in the currency of the country where the sale took place.

Stripe

Stripe is a comprehensive payment platform aimed at simplifying the way businesses accept payments online. It's designed to suit businesses of all sizes, from startups to established companies, powering their global operations.

The biggest draw to Stripe is its expansive range of features. It doesn't just limit itself to payment processing but extends its services to include subscription services, mobile payments, and more. In essence, it helps you to build a more personalized payment system.

Another big benefit of Stripe is its capacity to handle international transactions, supporting payments in over 135 currencies. And with its API, website developers can create custom checkout experiences, integrations with other services, and add capabilities over time.

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PayPal

Of course, it’s impossible not to mention the industry giant, PayPal. Known for its security and convenience, PayPal is an excellent platform for managing online payments.

This global payments system supports ecommerce transactions in over 200 markets worldwide. This widespread accessibility is one of its most significant advantages. Many customers already have PayPal accounts and trust the platform, which can enhance the checkout experience and potentially reduce cart abandonment.

Like Amazon Pay, PayPal has a Seller Protection policy, which adds an extra layer of security for businesses. This policy can protect merchants from certain types of fraud and chargebacks, which helps maintain smooth operations. But while PayPal brings a lot of positives to the table, it has certain drawbacks, specifically its variable transaction fees.

Amazon Pay FAQ

How do I set up Amazon Pay?

1. Head over to the Seller Central website and sign in with your Amazon credentials. If you don't have an account, you'll need to create one. Remember, this account will be tied to your business, so make sure the details align with your business information.⁴
2. Select and set up Amazon Pay as a payment system in your ecommerce platform’s settings. If you don’t have one yet, you’ll need to go to the Amazon Pay website.
3. You'll be led through several steps to link your Amazon Pay and ecommerce platform together, including entering integration credentials and managing settings.
4. Add the Amazon Pay button to your checkout process.

How long does it take Amazon to process payment?

Disbursements are processed daily, and it’ll take 1 to 2 business days for the payment to go through and pop up in your bank account.⁵ Be sure to keep the reserve policy in mind, as those in Reserve Tier I will have to wait 7 days for funds to be released.

What are Amazon Marketplace payments for?

If you have an Amazon Payments Seller account and have the Amazon Payments Marketplace Feature activated, shopping cart providers, ecommerce platforms, and other providers allow Amazon to take funds from the buyer, deduct its own fees, and then transfer the remaining amount to your bank account.⁶

Amazon Marketplace payments are essentially the middleman between the customer's payment and your bank account. They ensure that the money you've earned from your sales on Amazon makes its way safely and securely into your bank account.

Receive International payments with Wise Business

As a business owner, connecting a payment gateway and merchant account is the backbone of accepting online payments. And to fully process these payments, you need to have a business account linked to where the funds will eventually land.

Looking to save when sending and receiving overseas payments?

Receive money
with Wise Business >>

300k businesses use Wise every quarter
Trustpilot Score: Great on 190,000+ reviews⁷
Use Wise account details on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and more