GoCardless Review - the right option in 2024?
About GoCardless
Founded back in 2011, GoCardless is a UK-based payment service provider that specialises in direct debit payments. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most popular online payment solutions for businesses across the UK, Europe and Australia.
The company stands out from other payment processors by offering efficient and cost-effective recurring payments for merchants and customers alike. By leveraging direct debit technology provided by banks, GoCardless makes it easy to set up and manage regular payments without any hassle or delays.
GoCardless’s popularity can be attributed to its ease of use, low fees, and comprehensive customer support. Its user-friendly interface makes it a great option for businesses, and its wide range of features make it an even more attractive choice for merchants. Interested? Read on to see if GoCardless is the right fit for you.
GoCardless reviews
| Trustpilot | 3.3 / 5 (1,609 reviews) |
| G2 | 4.65 / 5 (Grid Report - 2022) |
| Featured Customers | 4.8 / 5 (1512 reviews) |
Taken together, GoCardless has an average rating of 4.25 / 5 across three review platforms.
Features and benefits
GoCardless provides a wide range of features that make it an ideal payment solution for businesses of all sizes. Made with recurring payments in mind, GoCardless offers the following features:
Automated payment collections
Your GoCardless account allows for automated payment collections, meaning you don’t have to worry about manually tracking down customers or asking them to pay. With GoCardless, you can set up recurring payments with just a few clicks and let the service take care of everything else.
Additionally, GoCardless also allows for one-off payments and manual collections, giving you the flexibility to choose which payment method works best for your business.
Recurring payments
That said, GoCardless is the perfect choice for businesses that rely on recurring payments. Its direct debit technology allows for efficient and secure transactions, with customers’ bank details being stored securely in your account. This means that you don’t have to worry about collecting customer payment information every time they make a purchase.
Flexible payment schedules
GoCardless also allows for flexible payment schedules, giving you the freedom to choose when payments are debited from customers’ accounts.
If you need to make changes to your payment schedule, GoCardless makes it easy to do so with its easy-to-use interface, so you don’t have to worry about manually tracking down customers and updating payment information.
Low transaction fees
GoCardless offers competitive fees compared to other payment service providers. With no monthly fees or setup costs in the Standard tier, you can rest assured knowing that your money isn’t going towards unnecessary expenses.
The higher tiers prices reflect the additional functionality that comes with them, such as enhanced personalisation, fully integrated customer experience, and customised rates. (Plus, there are no hidden fees associated with GoCardless services.)
Improved cash flow
Another benefit of using GoCardless is improved cash flow. With automated payment collections, you can be sure that your customers’ transactions will be processed on time. This helps to reduce the risk of late payments and enhances customer experience, as they won’t have to worry about manually paying every month.
Integrating external software
Connecting your accounting and invoicing software to GoCardless' services is far from difficult, allowing for seamless payment processing. Your account has compatibility to a range of API software, tracking payments can be done quickly and efficiently.
Should established programs not fulfil your needs, GoCardless provides API functionality that allows developers to build custom integrations with their own applications.
Pricing
GoCardless offers three tiers of pricing: Standard, Plus, and Pro. While the plans all vary in their monthly fees, GoCardless also offers a Volume-based pricing option. This tier is customised to suit your financial needs, and comes with quality-of-life services similar to the base tiers.
There are no hidden fees for setting up each GoCardless account, and the transaction fees are streamlined across all tiers.
| Pricing Plans | Standard | Plus | Pro | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | None | +50€ | +250€ | Varies |
| Transaction fee (Eurozone) | 1% +0.20€ | 1% +0.20€ | 1% +0.20€ | Varies |
| Transaction fee (International) | 2% +0.20€ | 2% +0.20€ | 2% +0.20€ | Varies |
| Minimum fee | £1 | £1 | £1 | £1 |
| Maximum fee | Varies by currency | Varies by currency | Varies by currency | Varies by currency |
Eligibility
As the first global network for recurring payments, GoCardless was designed with businesses and merchants in mind. However, GoCardless services are also offered to charities, registered companies and individuals.
Your personal information must be verified before making an account, regardless of your account type, tier, or funds. GoCardless will then request basic information of the company or organisation that you represent, as well as proof of registration with the relevant governing body to your country.
If your company is not registered, you can still use GoCardless’ services by setting your account type to individual.
How to sign up
Signing up to GoCardless is easy and can be done from the company’s website in a matter of minutes. All you need to do is provide some basic details about your business such as its name, address, contact information as well as a valid bank account number.
After this, you will be asked to verify your identity by providing additional information such as proof of address or a bank statement. Once all these steps are completed, you will be ready to start accepting payments with GoCardless.
There are no commitments to holding your GoCardless account, either – create an account experiment with the service, and close it if you don’t feel like it’s the right fit for you.
Additionally, if you're interested in testing out your API functions with GoCardless' services, you can first try the company's Sandbox account. It allows you to test out the API without having to go through the full account creation process.
International payments
GoCardless also makes it easy for businesses to accept payments from customers in other countries. The platform supports many currencies, making it an ideal solution for those looking to expand their operations beyond the UK.
Customers can pay you directly via SEPA or Bacs Direct Debit – depending on their country of residence – and GoCardless will take care of converting the funds into your local currency.
Serving over 75,000 businesses globally, GoCardless supports a range of countries and currencies via Wise (formerly known as TransferWise). GoCardless currently supports businesses based in over 30 countries, and customers in the following:
United Kingdom
Eurozone
Sweden
Denmark
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
United States
GoCardless also supports the following currencies:
GBP (British Pound Sterling)
EUR (Euro)
SEK (Swedish Krona)
DKK (Denmark Krone)
AUD (Australia Dollar)
NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
CAD (Canada Dollar)
USD (United States Dollar)
As previously mentioned, GoCardless is powered by Wise. Each international transaction costs 2% of the transfer total, as well as 20€.
Restrictions
Although a capable payment service provider, there are some restrictions to keep in mind. GoCardless does not support payments from customers based outside of the supported countries and currencies listed above.
Be aware that certain types of transactions may not be accepted by the GoCardless platform due to regulatory requirements or for other external reasons separate from GoCardless.
Customer support
GoCardless provides several means of getting in touch, with a team of experts available to answer any questions you may have, and multiple channels available for customers to get help.
The company’s website features an extensive help centre which includes detailed guides and FAQs on all aspects of using the platform, as well as live chat and email support for more complex inquiries. If you need more information or have an urgent query, GoCardless offers phone support, as well.
Alternatively, account holders with the custom, volume-based pricing tier have access to priority support, and Dedicated Solutions Engineers.
Contact info
Support ticket: (Link)
Help Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: +44 20 8338 9540
Available Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm UTC
Integrations
One of GoCardless' greatest assets is its API integrations. The company offers a wide selection of plugins, APIs, and SDKs that allow developers to connect their applications with GoCardless services. These integrations are available for both small businesses and larger enterprises, giving customers the freedom to customise their payment solutions according to their needs.
The list of supported software includes popular accounting services such as Xero, QuickBooks Online and Freshbooks (though others are also supported).
Alternatively, GoCardless also has its own API software that can be integrated into other accounting software, to further streamline the payment process. API Developers may want to take advantage of the Sandbox account, where they can customise the API to suit their financial needs.
User experience
Overall, GoCardless provides an easy-to-use and intuitive platform that is ideal for businesses, charities, and individuals. The company has a simple setup process which can be completed in minutes, as well as advanced features such as multi-currency support and payment tracking tools that make managing regular payments easier than ever.
Additionally, GoCardless is also highly secure and compliant with all relevant regulations in each country it operates in - giving you the peace of mind that your customers’ data will always remain safe with them.
At present, GoCardless does not have a mobile app.
Plus, Pro, and Custom tier account holders can take advantage of GoCardless' many payment services, as well as create customised mobile experiences for their customers.
Pros and cons
Pros
Automated payment collections
Flexible payment schedules
Low transaction fees
Improved cash flow
Comprehensive customer support
Cons
Limited international availability
Does not support certain types of payments
No standalone mobile app
Conclusion
Considering its impressive features and cost-effective pricing structure, it’s easy to see why GoCardless has become the preferred payment solution for so many businesses across the UK.
The platform is highly secure and compliant with all relevant regulations, making it ideal for those looking to process payments in a reliable and safe manner. Its advanced reporting tools enable you to track your customers’ transactions easily - helping ensure your cash flow stays running smoothly at all times.
With its intuitive and free setup process, GoCardless is a great option for those who need to establish recurring payments quickly. The company’s comprehensive customer support and security measures provide users with peace of mind.
And when it comes to paying, the transactional fees sit at roughly 2% for international payments (1% within the Eurozone).
GoCardless' API integration capabilities also make it an attractive option for developers looking to build customised payment solutions. Its wide range of APIs and SDKs, as well as its Sandbox account, give users the ability to create powerful payment systems with ease.
All in all, GoCardless is a great choice for businesses that need reliable recurring payments. With its low fees, comprehensive customer support and secure services - not to mention its impressive list of features - it’s no wonder why so many merchants are choosing GoCardless as their payment solution in 2023.
If you are looking for a reliable and cost-effective recurring payments service provider, then GoCardless may be the right choice for you.
FAQs
GoCardless is a UK-based payment service provider that specialises in direct debit. It allows for secure, automated and cost-effective recurring payments to be made quickly and easily, without the hassle of dealing with brick-and-mortar locations. GoCardless also boasts API integration support, as well as its own API software.
GoCardless uses encryption to store customer data on secure servers, and all payments are covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee. GoCardless accounts are also safeguarded against online threats, being stored in designated client monies accounts.
GoCardless offers four tiers of pricing: Standard, Plus, Pro, and Custom. Standard tier requires no monthly fee, where the remaining tiers vary in pricing (refer to chart above). Transaction fees are streamlined across all tiers, at 1% for payments within the Eurozone, and 2% for international payments.
GoCardless allows for automated recurring payments, one-off payments, and manual collections. It supports many currencies, including GBP, EUR, SEK, DKK, AUD, NZD, CAD, and USD. However it does not support certain types of payments due to regulatory reasons or other reasons beyond the control of GoCardless.
GoCardless offers a range of customer support options, including an extensive help centre, live chat and email support. Additionally, account holders with the custom, volume-based pricing tier have access to priority support and Dedicated Solutions Engineers. Phone support is also available for urgent queries.
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