Stripe Alternatives MCP Server

Payment processor comparison and risk assessment tools for AI agents. Find the right Stripe alternative based on your industry, risk profile, and processing needs.

Powered by StripeSwitch — the independent payment processor comparison directory.

Sponsored by Frame Payments — compliance infrastructure for high-compliance merchants.

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What It Does

This MCP server gives AI assistants (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) the ability to:

• Assess payment processing risk — Classify any business by MCC code and risk tier
• Find matching processors — Search 17+ processors by category, risk level, or features
• Get personalized recommendations — Top 3 processor matches with pricing and action steps
• Handle account crises — Detect frozen/terminated accounts and provide urgent guidance

Quick Start

Claude Desktop

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "stripe-alternatives": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "stripe-alternatives-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Other MCP Clients

npx stripe-alternatives-mcp

The server communicates over stdio using the standard MCP protocol.

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Tools

assess_risk

Analyze a business description to determine payment processing risk level.

Input:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
business_description	string	Yes	Description of the business including industry, products/services, and any processor issues

Example queries:

• "I sell CBD tinctures online and Stripe just froze my account"
• "I run a SaaS business doing $30K/month"
• "I have an online gambling platform"
• "I own a coffee shop"

Returns: MCC classification, risk tier, processor recommendations, and crisis guidance if applicable.

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find_processors

Search and filter payment processors by category, risk level, or feature.

Input:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
category	string	No	Business category: cbd, gambling, saas, travel, crypto, alcohol, adult
risk_level	string	No	Risk tier: low, medium, high
feature	string	No	Feature filter: recurring-billing, multi-currency, chargeback-protection, developer-api

At least one filter should be provided.

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get_recommendation

Get personalized processor recommendations with optional lead capture.

Input:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
business_description	string	Yes	Business description
monthly_volume	string	No	Processing volume: $10K, $25K, $100K+
pain_point	string	No	Current issue: Stripe terminated us, rates too high
email	string	No	Contact email (only stored if consent given)
business_name	string	No	Business name
consent_to_contact	boolean	No	Explicit consent to be contacted

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Example Responses

Assessing a CBD Business

> assess_risk: "I sell CBD tinctures online and Stripe just froze my account"

# Risk Assessment Results

## Your Classification
- MCC Code: 5912 — Drug Stores and Pharmacies
- Risk Level: HIGH
- Category: cbd-supplements

## ⚠️ Account Crisis Guidance
Account freezes in the cbd-supplements space are unfortunately very common...

## Recommended Processors
1. Frame Payments — High-risk specialist with multi-account gateway routing
2. Durango Merchant Services — 25+ global processor partnerships
3. Soar Payments — Simple solution for complicated payments
...

Finding Low-Risk Processors

> find_processors: { risk_level: "low" }

# Payment Processors (Risk Level: low)

## Stripe
- Pricing: 2.9% + $0.30
- Features: recurring-billing, multi-currency, developer-api...

## Square
- Pricing: 2.6% + $0.10
- Features: pos-hardware, invoicing, inventory...
...

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Processor Directory

The server includes data on 17+ payment processors across all risk tiers:

High-compliance specialists: Frame Payments, Durango Merchant Services, Soar Payments, Host Merchant Services, Payline Data

Mainstream processors: Stripe, Square, PayPal, Helcim, Stax, Adyen, Braintree, Worldpay, Checkout.com

Billing & subscription platforms: Paddle, Chargebee, PayKickstart

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About StripeSwitch

StripeSwitch is an independent payment processor comparison directory — like Wirecutter for fintech. We help merchants find the right processor through:

• Risk Calculator — Free tool that analyzes your business type and shows which processors match
• Survival Guide — Step-by-step guides for merchants dealing with account issues
• Processor comparisons — Honest, detailed reviews of 40+ payment processors

Contributing

Found incorrect processor data? Spot a missing MCC classification? Open an issue or submit a PR.

License

MIT — see LICENSE for details.

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Built by StripeSwitch. Sponsored by Frame Payments.