Virtual cards are digital equivalents of traditional bank cards but without the physical plastic. They’re easy to issue and tailored for advertising platforms, making them ideal for managing ad budgets while avoiding declines. These cards often come with BINs from trusted banks in Europe and the US, allowing for unlimited issuance and full compliance with all major advertising platforms. Media buyers worldwide use virtual cards across various services. In this article, we’ll explore the top five solutions for advertisers: PSTNET, Brocard, Spendge, Volet, and EPN.
1. PSTNET
PSTNET ranks first on our list. This financial service offers virtual cards designed specifically for media buyers, pre-set for advertising use. It includes team functionality and expense analytics tools. The ads cards from PSTNET can be issued in unlimited quantities, with options for both debit and credit cards that operate on Visa and Mastercard networks.
One of its major perks is zero fees on transactions, withdrawals, and actions with frozen or blocked cards. PSTNET also has a 3% cashback programme on ad spend, known as PST Private, available as a subscription service. In addition to cashback, members get other media buyer benefits, such as up to 100 free cards each month and low fees on balance top-ups.
Service Highlights:
- BINs: 25+ trusted BINs from US and European banks
- BIN Checker: Free BIN verification on the website
- Top-Up Methods: Supports 18 cryptocurrencies (BTC, USDT TRC20, ERC20, etc.), SWIFT/SEPA bank transfers, and Visa/Mastercard top-ups
- Quick Registration: Via Apple ID, Google, Telegram, WhatsApp, or email
- User Support: 24/7 via Telegram, WhatsApp, or live chat
2. Brocard
Brocard is another virtual card service focused on supporting advertising expenses on platforms. Its virtual cards work on the Visa and Mastercard networks, providing compatibility with most ad platforms and a wide geographic reach.
A key aspect of Brocard is unlimited card issuance, with a bonus for new users – the first 50 cards are free. The cost of additional cards depends on the BIN used. Another advantage is its cashback programme, which applies if the declined transaction rate stays under 10%. If this rate exceeds 25%, all company cards are blocked within 24 hours.
Service Highlights:
- BINs: Over 20 BINs, including US, Estonia, UK, and Colombia
- Top-Up Methods: USDT (TRC20 and ERC20) and partner services
- Registration: Standard form on the website, followed by KYC (selfie with ID and verification, which takes around 24 hours). Cards are issued immediately after a minimum $500 deposit
- User Support: 24/7 via live chat
3. Spendge
Spendge virtual cards are ideal for ad payments on popular platforms. The service allows for unlimited card issuance, which is particularly useful for handling multiple campaigns simultaneously or splitting budgets by project. Budget management tools and spending analytics are accessible via the Spendge dashboard, which displays transaction history for all cards. Detailed reports can also be requested.
Certain BINs offer 3D Secure, and role-based tools in the dashboard make task allocation straightforward.
Service Highlights:
- BINs: 10 BINs from US and European banks
- Top-Up Methods: USDT (TRC20, ERC20), BTC, SWIFT/SEPA bank transfers, Visa/Mastercard, Capitalist, and partner balances
- Registration: Processed within 24 hours with status tracking
- User Support: 24/7 via Telegram and on the website
4. Volet
Volet is an international service offering both virtual and physical cards, managed through the Volet app. While the virtual cards work on the Visa network and are suitable for ad payments, they have issuance limitations and aren’t specifically tailored for media buying. However, the app provides real-time tracking of expenses and transactions, which is convenient.
There are no transaction fees, though cards may be blocked if too many transactions are declined.
Service Highlights:
- BINs: 4 BINs from European banks
- Top-Up Methods: BTC, USDT (TRC20), fiat payment systems, and P2P transactions (Bybit, Binance)
- Registration: Standard form via email, followed by data verification
- User Support: 24/7 via website chat or email
5. EPN
EPN.net is a platform tailored for media buyers and marketers, allowing users to issue Visa/Mastercard virtual cards for ad payments and other online transactions. Experienced users recommend against directly linking EPN cards to ad accounts due to occasional restrictions. However, the platform offers card management and team collaboration tools, including roles and expense analysis panels.
The cards offer zero transaction fees, and top-up fees are low, starting at just 2.5%.
Service Highlights:
- BINs: 20 BINs from US banks
- Top-Up Methods: Cryptocurrency, SWIFT/SEPA bank transfers, and Visa/Mastercard
- Registration: Via Google account or email
- User Support: Available 24/7 via Telegram or website ticketing
Overall, virtual cards are among the best choices for ad payments, offering a host of features for budget control and online expense management. Their ease of issuance and user-friendly controls make them ideal for both small campaigns and larger budgets, striking a great balance between cost and quality.
When selecting a card for advertising, it’s essential to consider your business needs and objectives to make a well-informed choice. Testing different options can also be beneficial, as the best setup in 2024 involves combining various cards and services to adapt to the evolving business landscape.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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