ISO, Sales Partner, Referral Partner, and PayFac: What’s the Difference in Payments?

If you're stepping into the world of payments, understanding where you fit—whether as an ISO, PayFac, sales partner, or referral partner—is critical to your success. Each role comes with its own mix of compliance obligations, revenue potential, and day-to-day involvement. This guide breaks down the differences so you can choose the right model based on your goals, risk tolerance, and capacity to scale.