Payment Processing · By Zach Schleien · · · 7 min read
The Top 5 Payment Processors for Non-US Founders with a US LLC
Compare fees, tax responsibilities, and business eligibility before applying. A Delaware LLC alone does not establish processor eligibility.
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What do you sell?
You have a Delaware LLC and an EIN. The next step is finding a payment processor that supports both your business and its non-US owners.
That is where founders can get stuck. Forming a US company does not settle questions about identity checks, supported countries, banking requirements, or restricted products. A merchant of record can take on certain payment and tax responsibilities, but it does not bypass those checks.
This list compares payment processors for non-US founders with a US LLC by cost, tax handling, and business fit. For OnlyFans management agencies, start with Whop; for adult entertainment, focus on specialist underwriting rather than general-purpose software processors. Every processor's terms allow holds.
1. Stripe: The Standard Choice (With a Catch)
Stripe belongs on the shortlist for software and other supported online businesses. The catch is eligibility: do not assume that a Delaware LLC and an EIN are enough to open and keep a US account.
What You Pay
- Domestic cards: 2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge.
- International cards: An additional 1.5%, plus 1% when currency conversion applies.
- Monthly fee: None.
- US standard payouts: 2 business days, with the first payout typically taking 7-14 days.
What to Check Before Applying
Ask Stripe which identity documents, business addresses, and bank accounts it accepts for your ownership structure and country of residence. Do not rely on a blanket promise that a foreign passport replaces every other requirement.
Stripe does not publish a fixed reserve period; terms are set per account. If you already have a restriction, our guide explains what to do if your Stripe account is frozen.
Best fit: Supported software and online businesses that want to manage their own payment setup. Adult businesses should use a specialist approved for their category instead.
2. Whop: The "All-in-One" Growth Solution
Whop is a relevant option for lower-ticket digital products, paid communities, and OnlyFans management agencies. The agency recommendation does not extend to individual adult creators.
For non-US founders, the important distinction is what Whop's merchant-of-record role actually covers. Whop is merchant of record for card network rules and payment settlement. It is merchant of record for tax only when Whop Collects and Remits is enabled.
Verified Costs
- Domestic cards: 2.7% + $0.30, with no monthly fee.
- International cards: An additional 1.5%, plus 1% for currency conversion.
- Tax and remittance: 2% when tax is collected.
- Financed transactions: 15%.
- Instant bank deposit: 4% + $1.00. Standard payouts can take up to 5 business days.
For eligible digital offers, financing can help buyers spread out a purchase. Compare the cost against your margin using our guide to BNPL for high-ticket digital product sales. Financing availability should not be assumed for agency or adult-related transactions.
Ask about owner verification and payout-country support before moving customers. Whop's merchant-of-record role does not establish that every non-US founder can apply without an SSN, ITIN, or supported bank account.
3. Helcim: The Low-Fee Powerhouse
Helcim is worth comparing for eligible B2B businesses that want interchange-plus pricing. That model separates the underlying card cost from Helcim's markup.
How the Pricing Works
- Online and keyed payments: Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 for businesses processing under $50K per month.
- Higher volume: Lower markup tiers are available.
- Monthly fee: None.
- Deposits: Next business morning.
The quoted markup is not your full processing rate. Your actual cost also depends on interchange and the cards your customers use, so Helcim is not automatically cheaper for every business.
Before comparing savings, ask whether Helcim supports your non-US ownership, operating location, bank account, and business category. This is not an adult-processing recommendation.
Use our Helcim vs Stripe pricing guide to compare the pricing models against your actual sales mix.
4. Paddle: Pure SaaS Compliance
Paddle is a strong option for software founders who want merchant-of-record services rather than payment processing alone. It handles global sales tax and VAT, fraud, and chargebacks for transactions sold through its service.
What You Pay
Paddle charges 5% + $0.50 per checkout transaction, with no monthly or migration fees. Compare that bundled service with the full cost of processing and managing transaction taxes yourself, not just another provider's card rate.
Merchant-of-record services do not remove your LLC's accounting, income-tax, or filing responsibilities. They also do not make every product or founder location eligible.
Best fit: Supported SaaS and software businesses prioritizing transaction-tax administration. It is not the route recommended here for adult entertainment.
For communities and other digital offers, our Whop vs Paddle comparison explains the differences, including Whop's conditional tax-remittance role.
5. PaymentCloud: The High-Risk Specialist
PaymentCloud is an option to investigate when your business needs specialist underwriting. Check its current pricing page and request a written proposal for your exact business category and non-US ownership structure.
For adult entertainment, the priority is a dedicated high-risk merchant account explicitly approved for the activity you sell. Do not assume that an account approved for consulting also covers adult content or related services.
Easy Pay Direct is another specialist to consider. It offers high-risk merchant accounts and multiple merchant accounts with failover routing if one goes down. Pricing is quote-based; acceptance of your specific category and ownership still requires underwriting.
Ask for These Terms in Writing
- The approved products, services, and billing model.
- Support for your owners' countries of residence and your payout account.
- Processing fees, dispute charges, reserve terms, and settlement conditions.
- Any restrictions on recurring billing or adult-related activity.
Commas (formerly FanBasis) told us it does not accept OnlyFans management agencies or adult entertainment.
Our guide to high-risk merchant accounts explains how to assess proposals before signing.
UK company or non-US owner of a US LLC? (checked October 3, 2026)
These are two different setups, and providers treat them differently.
- A company registered in the UK (or another country): the provider checks whether it supports businesses based in that country. For example, Easy Pay Direct says UK merchant accounts are not available yet, while Durango and Whop name the UK in their country lists.
- A US LLC owned by someone who lives outside the US: the business country is the US, but the provider still checks where the owners live, their identity documents and where payouts go.
A Delaware LLC and an EIN do not establish owner or bank eligibility by themselves. Ask every provider, in writing, whether it accepts your owners' countries of residence and your payout bank before you move customers.
Comparison: Which is Right for Your LLC?
| Provider | Best Fit to Evaluate | Published Pricing | Key Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Supported software and online businesses | 2.9% + $0.30 for domestic cards | Owner verification, banking, and category eligibility |
| Whop | Digital products, communities, and OnlyFans management agencies, not individual creators | 2.7% + $0.30 for domestic cards | Tax MoR applies only with Whop Collects and Remits enabled |
| Helcim | Eligible B2B businesses comparing interchange-plus costs | Online: interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 under $50K per month | Non-US ownership and operating-location eligibility |
| Paddle | Supported SaaS and software | 5% + $0.50 per checkout transaction | Product eligibility and scope of MoR services |
| PaymentCloud | Businesses seeking specialist underwriting | Check current pricing and request a proposal | Written approval for the specific category and owners |
The practical choice: Start with Whop for an OnlyFans management agency and specialist underwriting for adult entertainment. Software founders should compare Stripe's processing model with Paddle's bundled merchant-of-record service. Eligible B2B sellers should also price Helcim against their card mix.
Before applying, send the provider a clear description of what you sell, where the owners live, and where the LLC banks. Resolve eligibility first, then compare fees.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a US payment processor if I don't live in the US?
Potentially, but a Delaware LLC and an EIN do not establish eligibility by themselves. The provider must support your business category, owners' countries of residence, verification documents, and payout account.
What is a Merchant of Record?
A merchant of record takes on specified responsibilities for customer transactions. Paddle handles global sales tax and VAT, fraud, and chargebacks. Whop is merchant of record for card network rules and settlement, but its tax role applies only when Whop Collects and Remits is enabled. Your LLC still has its own accounting and tax obligations.
What documents do I need to apply?
Prepare your LLC formation documents, EIN confirmation, owner identification, address information, bank details, and a clear description of your products and billing model. Ask the provider for its exact requirements for non-US owners before applying.
Can I get a payment processor without an LLC?
You may be able to use a provider that supports individuals or another business structure in your country. A US LLC is not a universal requirement, and forming one does not override country or category restrictions.
Which option fits an OnlyFans management agency?
Whop is the named option here for OnlyFans management agencies, not individual adult creators. Confirm support for the agency's actual services, owners, and payout account. Adult-content businesses should pursue a dedicated high-risk merchant account approved for that activity.