Virtual Terminal

Accept Payments Manually from Any Computer

Process card-not-present transactions through a secure browser-based terminal.

What is virtual terminal payment processing for business?

Virtual terminal payment processing is a browser-based software tool that lets businesses manually enter card information to process credit and debit transactions without physical card readers. The merchant logs into a secure web portal, types in the customer's card number, expiration date, and CVV, then submits the transaction for authorization. Virtual terminals are designed for card-not-present scenarios where the customer is not physically at the point of sale: phone orders, mail orders, invoice payments, recurring billing, and remote service calls. The system tokenizes sensitive card data and routes the transaction through the same processor networks that handle in-person swipes, maintaining PCI compliance without storing plain-text card numbers on the merchant's computer. Businesses use virtual terminals alongside physical POS systems or as standalone solutions when hardware is impractical. Virtual terminal payment processing gives merchants flexibility to accept cards from any internet-connected device, turning laptops, tablets, and desktops into secure payment acceptance points.

How virtual terminal payment processing for business works at MSC

Merchant Solutions Corp offers virtual terminal functionality through its processor partnerships with Fiserv, TSYS, Worldpay, Elavon, and Electronic Payment Exchange (EPX). The merchant receives login credentials to a secure web-based gateway where they manually key in transaction details: card number, billing address, transaction amount, and customer contact information. The terminal submits the entry to the processor for real-time authorization, returning approval or decline codes within seconds. Approved transactions settle into the merchant account on the same batch schedule as card-present sales. MSC configures virtual terminals to work alongside Clover, Square, Skytab, Talech, Union POS, Dejavoo, PAX, Ingenico, and Payanywhere systems, or as standalone portals for businesses that do not need countertop hardware. Pricing depends on business type, processing volume, equipment needs, risk review, and program eligibility. Virtual terminal transactions typically carry card-not-present interchange rates, which differ from swiped or chip-read transactions. Contact MSC for current rates and program options.

Who virtual terminal payment processing for business is for

Virtual terminal processing suits businesses that regularly take orders when the customer and card are not physically present: MOTO merchants, service contractors who invoice after job completion, subscription box companies, membership organizations, B2B wholesalers, event ticketing services, and charities accepting donations by phone. It is ideal for home-based businesses, sole proprietors, and small offices that do not justify dedicated countertop terminals but still need to accept cards securely. Virtual terminals are not the best fit for retail storefronts or restaurants where the customer is present at checkout, because manually keying every transaction is slower and more error-prone than swiping or tapping, and card-not-present rates are higher than card-present interchange. MSC underwrites every account through its processing partners, who set final approval criteria. Merchants in higher-risk industries or with unusual billing models may face additional scrutiny or reserve requirements during underwriting, and some industries may not qualify for standard virtual terminal programs.

What you get with MSC

Merchants who enroll in virtual terminal processing through MSC receive login credentials to a PCI-compliant browser portal, access to tokenization and recurring billing features where supported by the chosen processor, and integration support when connecting the virtual terminal to existing POS hardware or accounting software. Eligible merchants may qualify for complementary hardware placement when enrolled in dual-pricing or qualifying processing programs, subject to underwriting review. MSC provides 24/7 US-based phone and chat support for transaction troubleshooting, gateway configuration questions, and dispute assistance. Training is included during account setup, covering how to manually enter transactions, void or refund payments, run batch settlements, and interpret authorization response codes. Virtual terminal access is subject to underwriting approval, PCI compliance requirements, and the merchant service agreement terms set by the underlying processor. Contact MSC for program eligibility, pricing structure, and hardware options that match your card-not-present acceptance needs.

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Talk with MSC about current rates, hardware options, and program eligibility for your business.

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