Stax

JUNE 17, 2025

Contact sales ISOs vs MSPs: What’s the Difference? ISOs are often mentioned in the same breath as MSPs (Member Service Providers), and for good reason—they’re nearly identical in function. Aside from the naming conventions, there’s no meaningful operational difference between an ISO and an MSP.

ISOs 88

ISOs MSPS Credit Cards Acquirers 88

Clearly Payments

DECEMBER 9, 2023

ISOs: Bridging Acquirers and Merchants Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs) or Merchant Service Providers (MSPs) operate as indispensable intermediaries, bridging the gap between acquirers and merchants. Acquirer: The acquirer, akin to a “bank” for the merchant, assumes the risk by underwriting their credit.

ISOs 59

ISOs Acquirers Credit Cards MSPS 59

Exact Payments

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Unlike traditional merchant service providers that resell payment processing, PayFacs own processing accounts and underwrite and onboard sub-merchants under their accounts. What makes PayFacs unique as compared to other MSPs is that they own a merchant payment processing account directly with an acquiring bank.

Facilitators 52

Facilitators ISVS ISOs Payment APIs and Integration 52

Exact Payments

OCTOBER 30, 2023

Merchant services providers Merchant services providers (MSPs) equip merchants with all the tools they need to start processing card payments. There are several types of MSPs, including independent sales organizations (ISOs) and payment facilitators. Independent sales organizations ISOs are a type of merchant services provider.

Facilitators 52

Facilitators Processors Payment APIs and Integration ISOs 52

PYMNTS

MARCH 11, 2020

Connor noted that historically, acquiring was centered around indirect sales channels, through independent sales organizations (ISOs) or merchant service providers (MSPs). The shift through the last several decades has been from the ISO to a value-added reseller (VAR) referral relationship — and now, to SaaS companies.

Payment APIs and Integration 52

Payment APIs and Integration VARS Payments MSPS 52

Clearly Payments

DECEMBER 5, 2023

ISOs (Independent Sales Organizations) or MSPs (Merchant Service Providers) ISOs, or Independent Sales Organizations , act as intermediaries between merchants and acquirers. The level of detail required can vary, but accuracy is crucial to expedite the underwriting process.

Processors 52

Processors ISOs Payment APIs and Integration Payments 52

Clearly Payments

DECEMBER 1, 2023

In the intricate landscape of payment processing, merchants are confronted with a choice between three types of payment processors: Acquirers, Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs or MSPs), and Aggregators (PSPs or PayFacs). An ISO is what Visa calls their approved merchant account providers and an MSP is what MasterCard calls them.

ISOs 109

ISOs Acquirers MSPS Processors 109