Adyen Alternatives for High-Risk and Regulated Businesses (2026)

Enterprise merchants widely use Adyen for global payments and compliance controls. However, Adyen has a list of restricted and prohibited products that makes it difficult for many regulated and high-risk industries to get approved. Categories such as prescription products, nutraceuticals, age-restricted goods, travel/ticket services, adult content, e-money, and gambling often require express written approval, which can delay or block onboarding.

This article is for businesses that have encountered friction with Adyen or anticipate restrictions due to their vertical. We outline practical alternatives that offer flexible underwriting, dedicated accounts, and compliance support, helping businesses maintain reliable payment processing even in restricted categories.

Methodology: How Adyen Alternatives Were Selected

We evaluated providers based on real gaps experienced by regulated and high-risk merchants with Adyen, focusing on:

1. Underwriting Flexibility – Can they onboard restricted or sensitive verticals without automatic rejection?

2. Compliance & Risk Controls – Do they provide fraud monitoring, chargeback handling, and regulatory reporting?

3. Account Structure – Are accounts dedicated or aggregated, and how does that affect stability?

4. Payment Capabilities – Do they support recurring billing, multi-currency payments, and complex payment flows?

Only providers addressing these gaps meaningfully were included.

1. SensaPay — Flexible Underwriting with Dedicated Accounts

Why it works where Adyen struggles

SensaPay underwrites merchants based on their business model rather than rigid category restrictions, reducing onboarding friction that often occurs with Adyen. Dedicated merchant accounts offer predictable processing and lower risk of sudden holds, making it easier for regulated businesses to operate.

What SensaPay brings

• Handles regulated verticals such as supplements, telemedicine, and CBD

• Subscription and recurring billing support

• Integrated chargeback monitoring

• Transparent, predictable pricing

Best for merchants who want an all-in-one platform to handle processing, recurring payments, and compliance without managing separate bank relationships.

2. PaymentCloud — Direct Bank Underwriting

Why it complements Adyen’s limitations

PaymentCloud partners directly with banks to underwrite high-risk verticals. This addresses the structural gap where Adyen may automatically decline certain industries. Merchants benefit from bank-backed approvals and guidance on reserves and risk management.

What it delivers

• Flexible underwriting for traditionally restricted verticals

• Multiple gateway support

• Realistic risk controls and reserve agreements

Ideal for merchants who already have or want to choose a gateway but need a bank-approved high-risk merchant account to process payments reliably.

3. Ryft — Compliance-First Platform Payments

Why it solves structural gaps

Ryft supports regulated marketplaces and platforms by enabling compliant routing of multi-party and split payouts. This resolves structural limitations that high-risk merchants face with Adyen, ensuring smooth processing for complex operational flows.

Key Features

• Split payout and multi-party routing

• Compliance reporting tools

• Fraud and risk monitoring

Best fit for marketplaces or platforms needing transparent fund flows and compliance oversight for multiple participants.

4. Novalnet — Enterprise-Grade Risk Management

Where it diverges from Adyen

Novalnet combines acquiring and gateway services with advanced risk management tools. Its more flexible underwriting policies compared with Adyen allow regulated businesses to process payments globally with fewer operational interruptions.

What you get

• Global payment support

• Integrated fraud prevention

• Risk scoring and monitoring
  
  
  

Great for large or international merchants needing enterprise-grade global processing with integrated risk and compliance management.

5. Authorize.net — Modular Control

Why this combo matters

This combination separates gateway technology from underwriting, providing technical flexibility while enabling approval for verticals restricted by Adyen. It addresses structural gaps for high-risk merchants who need modular processing and tailored underwriting.

Key Features

• Mature, reliable payment gateway

• Customizable risk and compliance controls

• Compatible with multiple acquiring banks

Best for tech‑savvy merchants who want full control over gateway choice and underwriting, particularly for complex or recurring payment models.

Comparative Analysis of Alternatives

Final Thoughts

Navigating payments as a high-risk or regulated business doesn’t have to mean compromise. With the right combination of flexible underwriting, compliance tools, and operational design, businesses can access processing that truly fits their needs. Choosing a provider isn’t just about replacing Adyen; it’s about finding a partner that supports growth, manages risk intelligently, and keeps everyday operations running smoothly. When those elements come together, payment infrastructure becomes a reliable foundation, giving merchants the confidence to focus on expanding their business rather than constantly troubleshooting transactions.