MerchantGuard™PSP Approval vs Fraud Detection
MerchantGuard prevents PSP rejections before they happen with 7 PSP-specific ML models. Sift detects fraud after transactions occur with enterprise-scale rules.
MerchantGuard
PSP Approval + Compliance Prevention
Sift
Enterprise Fraud Detection
Feature Comparison
Primary Purpose
ML Training Data
PSP-Specific Models
Compliance Tools
Risk Approach
Pricing
Best For
Free Tier
What Sift Does Well
To be fair, Sift excels at enterprise-scale fraud detection for established merchants
Enterprise-Scale Fraud Detection
Sift processes millions of transactions daily and has strong fraud detection capabilities for high-volume merchants.
Global Fraud Network
Access to a large network of fraud signals across thousands of merchants helps identify patterns at scale.
Enterprise Support
Dedicated account management and custom rule configurations for large enterprises with specific needs.
Where MerchantGuard Goes Further
MerchantGuard focuses on problems Sift doesn't address: PSP approval and compliance prevention
PSP Selection & Approval
7 PSP-specific ML models predict approval odds before you apply. Sift can't help if you're rejected by Stripe or PayPal.
Compliance Prevention
VAMP, RDR, and 3DS tools built-in. Prevent Visa violations and chargeback compliance issues before they happen.
Accessible Pricing
Free tier + $0-$299/month plans for startups and high-risk merchants. Sift's $500+/month is too expensive for most early-stage businesses.
Proactive Prevention
Stop PSP rejections before they happen. Sift detects fraud after transactions - MerchantGuard prevents failures before you apply.
70,000+ Training Scenarios
ML models trained on merchant approval patterns across all major PSPs. Sift's generic fraud rules don't understand PSP-specific behavior.
High-Risk Focused
Built specifically for high-risk merchants who need payment approval help. Sift assumes you already have a PSP account.
When to Use Which Tool
Use MerchantGuard When:
- You've been rejected by Stripe, PayPal, or other PSPs
- You're a high-risk merchant (CBD, nutra, gambling, etc.)
- You need to choose which PSP to apply to first
- You need compliance help (VAMP, RDR, 3DS)
- You're a startup with limited budget ($0-299/mo)
- You want to prevent PSP account termination
Use Sift When:
- You already have a PSP account
- You're an enterprise merchant with high volume
- You need real-time fraud detection on transactions
- You want access to a global fraud network
- You have budget for $500+/month enterprise tools
- You need chargeback protection after transactions
Use Both Together
Many merchants use MerchantGuard to get PSP approval and compliance help, then use Sift for ongoing fraud detection. The tools are complementary, not competitive.
Pricing Breakdown
Try MerchantGuard Free
Get your free GuardScore in 60 seconds. See which PSPs are most likely to approve you—before you apply.
100% free • No card required • 60 seconds
Transparency Note
This comparison is based on publicly available information about Sift as of October 2024. MerchantGuard and Sift serve different purposes—PSP approval vs fraud detection. We respect Sift's work in enterprise fraud detection. Pricing and features are approximate and subject to change. For educational purposes.