Process credit card payments securely through your web browser without special software or card readers. Accept phone orders, mail orders, and manual payments with Authorize.Net's PCI-compliant Virtual Terminal—accessible from any device with internet access, perfect for MOTO (Mail Order/Telephone Order) businesses and customer service teams.
What is the Virtual Terminal?
The Authorize.Net Virtual Terminal is a secure, browser-based interface that allows you to manually enter credit card information and process payments without requiring the physical card to be present. Included free with every Authorize.Net merchant account, the Virtual Terminal transforms any computer, tablet, or smartphone into a complete payment processing workstation—perfect for phone orders, mail orders, and situations where customers can't complete an online checkout.
Access the Virtual Terminal through any modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) without downloading or installing software. No expensive card readers, dedicated terminals, or point-of-sale systems required. Works on Windows PCs, Macs, iPads, Android tablets, and even smartphones. Simply log into your Authorize.Net merchant interface and start processing payments immediately. Multiple users can access the Virtual Terminal simultaneously from different locations using their own secure credentials.
MOTO (Mail Order/Telephone Order) businesses rely on the Virtual Terminal to process payments when customers aren't physically present or can't use an online checkout. Customer service representatives can take payment information over the phone and enter it securely into the Virtual Terminal in real-time. Process faxed orders, mail-in order forms, or email requests by manually keying in payment details. All transactions are processed with the same security and speed as online payments—instant authorization, immediate confirmation, same-day settlement.
Because the Virtual Terminal is hosted entirely on Authorize.Net's PCI Level 1 certified servers, sensitive card data never touches your computer or network. This dramatically reduces your PCI compliance scope and security liability. Authorize.Net handles all card data encryption, secure transmission, and compliance requirements. You simply enter the payment information through the secure interface—Authorize.Net manages the rest. This hosted approach provides enterprise-grade security even for small businesses without dedicated IT security teams.
Benefits of Virtual Terminal
Flexible manual payment processing without the cost and complexity of traditional terminals.
Traditional credit card terminals cost $300-$1,000 to purchase plus $30-$50 per month in rental fees. The Virtual Terminal is included free with your Authorize.Net merchant account—no setup fees, no monthly terminal fees, no equipment to buy. This saves you $360-$600+ annually compared to physical terminals. Perfect for businesses that only process occasional manual transactions or need backup payment processing during equipment failures. Scale up processing without buying additional terminals—just log in from another device.
Access the Virtual Terminal from any location with internet connectivity—office, home, coffee shop, client site, or while traveling. Perfect for remote customer service teams working from home. Sales representatives can process deposits on-site at client locations without carrying physical equipment. Process emergency payments outside business hours from your home computer or smartphone. This flexibility allows you to accept payments whenever and wherever your business operates, maximizing revenue opportunities and customer convenience.
Enter card information and receive instant authorization approval or decline—typically within 2-3 seconds. No waiting for batch processing or delayed confirmations. Immediate response allows you to confirm payment with the customer while they're still on the phone or in your office. Failed transactions can be re-attempted immediately with corrected information or a different payment method. All approved transactions settle to your bank account on the same schedule as your online payments (typically 1-2 business days).
Generate professional invoices directly within the Virtual Terminal including itemized products/services, quantity, price, tax, shipping, and total amount. Send invoices to customers via email with a secure payment link—customers click the link and pay online without you manually entering their card information. After processing payment, generate and email professional receipts automatically. Include your business logo, return policies, and contact information on receipts. Maintain transaction history with searchable invoices and customer records for accounting and customer service purposes.
Process full or partial refunds directly from the Virtual Terminal without calling your processor or filing paperwork. Void transactions that haven't yet settled (same day) at no cost. Search transaction history to locate specific payments for refund, void, or customer inquiry. Save customer payment profiles using Customer Information Manager (CIM) for easy repeat billing without re-entering card information. Set up recurring billing schedules for subscription customers. All transaction management functions are available in one unified interface.
Grant secure access to multiple employees or team members with individual login credentials. Set granular permissions controlling what each user can do—some users might only process transactions while managers can issue refunds and view detailed reports. Track which user processed each transaction through audit logs for accountability and compliance. Revoke access instantly when employees leave your company. Multi-user capabilities allow customer service teams, sales representatives, and accounting staff to all access the Virtual Terminal simultaneously without sharing credentials or interfering with each other's work.
How to Process Payments via Virtual Terminal
Start accepting manual payments in minutes with your Authorize.Net merchant account.
Access your Authorize.Net merchant account through any web browser at account.authorize.net. Sign in using your secure merchant credentials (API Login ID and Transaction Key, or username and password). The Virtual Terminal is accessible immediately from the main dashboard—no separate login or navigation required. Available 24/7 from any device with internet access including computers, tablets, and smartphones. Bookmark the login page for quick access when processing phone orders.
Click "Charge a Credit Card" or "Create an Invoice" from the Virtual Terminal menu. Enter the customer's credit card number, expiration date, and CVV security code. Provide billing information including name, address, city, state/province, and ZIP/postal code (required for Address Verification System). Optionally add shipping information if different from billing. Enter transaction amount, invoice number for your records, and description of products/services. The intuitive form guides you through all required fields with helpful prompts and validation.
Double-check all entered information for accuracy before processing—verify the transaction amount is correct, card number is complete, and customer information is accurate. The Virtual Terminal displays a summary of the transaction before submission. Click "Submit" to process the payment. The system sends the transaction through Authorize.Net's fraud filters (AVS, CVV, velocity filters) and routes it to the payment processor for authorization. Security validation happens automatically in real-time.
Within 2-3 seconds, you'll receive an authorization response indicating approval or decline. Approved transactions display a confirmation screen with transaction ID, authorization code, and response details. If declined, the system shows the reason (insufficient funds, incorrect card number, AVS mismatch, etc.) so you can request alternative payment or correct the information. All transaction details are automatically recorded in your merchant account transaction history for reporting and reconciliation.
After successful authorization, generate a professional receipt for the customer. The Virtual Terminal allows you to email the receipt directly from the interface—enter the customer's email address and click send. Alternatively, print a receipt if the customer is present in your office. Receipts include all transaction details (amount, card type with last 4 digits, date/time, authorization code) along with your business information and contact details. The transaction automatically settles with your daily batch, depositing funds to your bank account within 1-2 business days.
Get approved for a merchant account in 1-5 business days with free Virtual Terminal included. Accept manual payments from anywhere without expensive equipment or software. Join thousands of MOTO merchants who trust START Merchant Services.
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