First ACH API vs Stripe ACH Direct Debit
First ACH API
firstach.com
Stripe ACH Direct Debit
stripe.comSide by side
| Figure | First ACH API | Stripe ACH Direct Debit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Spec score · ACH Payment Processing Software | 8.3 (#4) | 7.1 (#18) |
| Founded | First ACH’s management page says Paul Sabella founded First ACH in May 1998. | 2010 |
| Headquarters | First ACH lists its corporate headquarters at 2141 East Broadway Road, Suite 202, Tempe, Arizona 85282. | San Francisco, California, United States and Dublin, Ireland |
| Support | The API page says technical support is free, and First ACH describes support through phone and email with trained US-based professionals. | Stripe provides product support through its support site and offers separate managed support plans. |
| What it does | First ACH provides ACH and electronic-check payment processing through a hosted payment gateway. | Accepts reusable payments from customers’ US bank accounts through ACH Direct Debit. |
Plans
First ACH API
- Custom solutionsPriced on request
- First ACH APIPriced on request
- First ACH Merchant +Priced on request
Stripe ACH Direct Debit
- ACH Direct Debit — standard settlement timing$0.80, paid once
- ACH Direct Debit — faster settlement$1.20, paid once
In their own words
First ACH API
First ACH API connects a business’s own interface to the First ACH payment gateway, allowing transactions to move through an existing sales process. Businesses can manage transactions from their account database, submit them as they occur, and receive updates for monitoring inside their own system. The API supports recurring ACH payments and ACH credits. Listed applications include embedding ACH payments in another product, depositing across multiple accounts, and consolidated processing for distributed networks. First ACH describes it for businesses integrating payments with existing systems, merchants adding customer-initiated payments to software or websites, and companies needing custom features. Integration requires a live Internet connection to begin. A 30-day ACH processing trial has no cancellation penalty or termination fee, although processed-payment fees still apply. Technical support is free by phone and email from trained US-based professionals. First ACH cites managed firewalls, encrypted account data, 128-bit SSL web traffic, intrusion detection, NACHA standards, and PCI requirements. Pricing is on request.
Stripe ACH Direct Debit
Stripe ACH Direct Debit lets businesses collect reusable payments from customers’ US bank accounts through Stripe’s API and web checkout tools. It is described as suitable for large or recurring transactions. Customers must be in the US, transactions use USD, and the minimum is 0.50 USD. Standard settlement is $0.80 transaction, capped at 5.00 USD, with settlement four business days after payment creation. Faster settlement costs $1.20 for eligible US users and settles in two business days. Confirmation can take up to four business days. Bank details can be verified through Financial Connections or hosted microdeposits. Checkout, Payment Links, embedded forms, and Payment Element are supported; Express Checkout Element and in-app payments are not. Payments require a mandate, can fail or be disputed, and ACH disputes are final. Full refunds are supported within 180 days; partial refunds are not.