Also called: VAR, Value-added reseller, Reseller, Integrator
What a Value Added Reseller is
A value-added reseller, or VAR, sells products made by other companies and adds services such as configuration, installation, integration, training, or ongoing support. In payments, a VAR might package a point-of-sale system, payment terminal, and software setup into one offering for a restaurant or retailer.
A VAR is a business role, not a card network, bank, or standard processing fee. The VAR might also connect your checkout software to a payment gateway or merchant account. The exact products, service obligations, and billing arrangement depend on the contract you sign.
Some VARs refer businesses to a payment provider; others sell an integrated solution under their own brand. A QIR, or Qualified Integrator or Reseller, is a specific PCI-related qualification for certain payment-application installation and support work. QIR is not another name for every VAR, though a VAR can hold that qualification.
A VAR can simplify your payment setup, but the contract should separate service charges from processing costs.
How a VAR works with your payment setup
A VAR can connect payment acceptance to systems your business already uses. For example, a retailer might use one setup to link its in-store point-of-sale system with ecommerce software and accounting records. A working integration can send transaction data between systems and reduce manual entry during reconciliation.
The VAR’s role does not automatically make it your payment processor or acquiring bank. Your paperwork should identify which company provides the processing account, which company supplies the gateway or software, and which company handles installation and support. Those roles affect who you contact when a terminal stops working or a payment connection breaks.
A VAR sheet is different from a VAR. It is a file with business and merchant-account details, such as your merchant ID and industry code, used to connect a separate gateway and merchant account. Businesses using a combined gateway and merchant-account service do not need that separate connection file.
What a VAR means for your costs
There is no single industry-wide VAR fee. Your quote can include one-time integration or installation charges, recurring software or support fees, equipment costs, and payment-processing charges. The contract and invoice should show which company bills each item.
A VAR does not set card-network interchange or assessments. Card costs have three layers: interchange paid to the issuing bank, network fees, and processor markup. Only the processor markup is negotiable. If a VAR bundles processing with software or support, compare the processing markup separately from those other charges.
A low advertised processing rate does not tell you the full cost of an integrated setup. Compare the recurring and one-time charges alongside processing costs, using the same transaction volume and services. That makes it easier to see whether a bundled package saves time at a price your business accepts.
What to review before signing
Ask for an itemized quote that names the products, integration work, equipment, recurring services, and payment charges. Confirm the amount and billing frequency for each item, plus the terms for cancellation, support, and replacing failed equipment. A single bundled price makes it harder to compare offers.
Confirm which company owns your merchant account and merchant ID, who can make changes to your payment setup, and who handles software updates or PCI-related installation responsibilities. For a multi-location business, confirm whether each location needs a separate account or setup file.
If a separate gateway and merchant account are being connected, check the merchant ID, business details, processor information, and industry code on the VAR sheet. Incorrect setup details can interrupt payment processing. Keep the sheet distinct from any invoice for VAR services.
What you can actually change
- Get an itemized quote. Separate one-time integration and equipment charges from recurring software, support, and processing costs.
- Name each provider. Identify who supplies your merchant account, gateway, software, and support before you sign.
- Compare the markup. Review processor markup separately from interchange and network fees, which are not negotiable.
Frequently asked questions
Is a VAR the same as a payment processor?
No. A VAR sells or integrates products and services, while a payment processor handles transaction processing. One company can have more than one role, so identify the processor and account provider in your contract.
Does working with a VAR cost more?
There is no standard VAR fee. Your total can include equipment, integration, software, support, and payment-processing charges. Compare each item separately to see what you pay for the added services.
What is the difference between a VAR and a VAR sheet?
A VAR is a reseller or integration partner. A VAR sheet is a file of business and merchant-account details used to connect a separate payment gateway and merchant account. It is setup information, not a service provider.
Is QIR another term for VAR?
No. QIR refers to a specific PCI-related qualification for certain payment-application installation and support work. A business can be both a VAR and a QIR, but the terms describe different things.