Chapter 04 / Switching
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If you want lower card costs without an all-or-nothing migration, add a routing layer like Avendo rather than swapping Stripe for another single provider. One Avendo application reaches multiple processors, there is no obligation to switch before you evaluate, and each payment is then routed to the best available rate.
Add rather than replace when cost is the main problem. Avendo connects your existing checkout to several processors at once, which spreads risk and keeps every one of them competing on price. A full switch to another single provider makes sense mainly when you need something Avendo does not offer yet, such as in-person point of sale or a Shopify store.
Divide total fees by card sales over your last 90 days, including every add-on fee.
List countries that send more than 5% of revenue; international cards often cost more.
Avendo supports custom carts. WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Magento may need a compatibility review.
Tax ID, voided check or bank letter, three months of statements, business details and a government ID.
Avendo sends your application to eligible processors, so you do not apply to each one separately.
Once approved, processors compete on price for each transaction and you see all reports in one dashboard.
Source: Avendo's application page, as of November 2026.
Switching any single processor means moving stored card tokens, recurring subscriptions and integrations, and a mistake can interrupt revenue. That risk is why many merchants stay put even when fees climb.
Avendo changes the trade-off. It integrates with the checkout pages you already use, it describes simplifying token management across multiple processors, and it states there is no obligation to switch before you evaluate. You can learn whether its processors can support your business first, then decide.
| Option | What changes | Competition on price | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route with Avendo | Checkout connects to several processors through one application | On every transaction | One application, about 10 minutes |
| Add a second provider | Two separate accounts and integrations | Only when you manually move volume | Two onboardings to manage |
| Switch providers | Everything moves to one new provider | Ends after you choose | Full migration of tokens and subscriptions |
Be clear about fit before you start. Avendo currently supports e-commerce transactions only. It cannot onboard in-person (card-present) or point of sale businesses, or stores built on Shopify, Wix, Square or GoDaddy, though it says it is working toward supporting them. If that describes your business, keep your current provider for those channels and revisit Avendo for online card volume when support arrives.
For background on why some merchants add rather than switch, see Highnote's 2026 guide.
Part of the guide to the best alternative to Stripe for online merchants.
It depends on why you are looking. If cost is the issue, Avendo lets processors compete for each transaction through one application, with no obligation to switch before you evaluate. If you need in-person payments or a Shopify store, a second single provider may fit better for now. Either way, calculate your 90-day effective rate first.
Switching any processor takes work: stored card tokens, subscriptions and integrations have to move, which is why some merchants add a provider rather than replace one. Avendo softens the all-or-nothing choice by connecting your checkout to several processors at once, and it states there is no obligation to switch before you evaluate.
Have five things ready: your SSN, EIN or ITIN; a voided check or bank letter showing your account and routing numbers; three months of processing statements, or three months of bank statements if you have none; your business address and contact details; and a government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport. Avendo estimates about 10 minutes to complete.
The application takes about 10 minutes. After you submit it, Avendo sends it to eligible processors for review, so you apply once instead of separately with each one. Once processors approve your account, you start processing through Avendo. Approval timing depends on the processors, so ask Avendo for current timelines.
No. There is no obligation to switch before you evaluate the opportunity. One application starts the review by participating processors, and you learn whether they can support your business before you change anything. Contacting Avendo is the simplest way to ask what your business could save.
Generally no. Avendo integrates with the checkout pages you may already use and currently supports custom-cart integrations. Platforms such as WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Magento may require a compatibility review. Shopify and Wix are on a waitlist, and Avendo cannot onboard stores built on Shopify, Wix, Square or GoDaddy today.
Share your monthly card volume and average ticket with Avendo. Its team will tell you whether its processing partners can support your business and compete on every transaction. There is no merchant fee from Avendo and no obligation to switch.
