Originally using GoCardless for Xero (GC4X), we wanted to migrate to this new GoCardless in Xero (GCIX) integration. GoCardless had to manually break the connection for us to achieve this, meaning our ability to take automatic Direct Debits would be temporarily paused. Supposedly a simple setup via the online payments feature within our Xero account, it's anything but. The setup fails at the first hurdle, so we open a support ticket. The issue gets passed to the product team for investigation. It's now been over a week and we're still without an operational integration and without any actual response or even timeframe from the product team dealing with this. The support team just keep saying "we've checked in, please be patient". We pay good money each month to Xero and rely on the service for vital business tasks. This is not good enough.

I've used GoCardless for a couple years now, and it's always worked fine. Some clients have a little trouble signing up/creating a mandate, but they were always able to sign up and the payments would start flowing predictably. Up until this month (June 2025). I've had 2 clients attempt to sign up/pay an invoice by Direct Debit. They were both unable to complete the process. The first one I knew he is a little tech challenged, so I assumed user error and told him he could send me a check. The second one is fairly well-versed online, so I went to look at the GoCardless records (what little GC shows in their dashboard). Both clients had created 2 mandates. Both clients entered their banking information. Both clients had active mandates. So why were there TWO for each client? Each client also had an INACTIVE mandate. I don't know what happened, and GC doesn't show me any information beyond that. The second client said she "tried to pay twice but it didn't go through, I never got an email." Client didn't get an email. *I* never got any email saying there was a problem, and even though their website claims support is "24/7/365", it is not. It's been almost 40 hours since I submitted a support ticket, and no answer. I understand they've moved their support staff to Latvia. Just freakin lovely. I'm looking for an alternative.

It's been a bit of a bumpy ride understanding how the integration works as I didn't have any previous experience with the system and no handover, but now I'm happy with the process: I get emails alerting me to daily pay outs and I can check the invoice reconciliations have worked. It's a shame the max collection is £5K per invoice, but that is more a GoCardless issue than the app integration.

I received an email yesterday, signed by generic Customer Service, saying some payouts were delayed (implying they didn't know which) by an issue at their Sponsor bank (no name) and they hoped it wouldn't happen again but it was beyond their control. The payments would be done "as soon as possible". Of course there's no number to ring, no commitment to keep customers updated and a general air of anonymity about the communication. Very poor really and I would say a strong signal to change provider.

I changed my address and sent documentation to prove it, and they said they are closing my account because im out of business.... !?!?!?! You can't call. Be careful, have a secondary form of payment from your customers ready to go. If i can't get this sorted, this will look real bad. There has been no changes to my business other than an address change.

If you’re a U.S.-based business considering GoCardless, run the other way. This company is the epitome of bureaucratic overreach wrapped in red tape. I onboarded with them, submitted my verification documentation, and began using the platform in good faith. Everything seemed fine—until they owed me money. That’s when the nonsense began. With no warning and zero regard for how this would impact my business, GoCardless suddenly froze my account, locked my ability to receive payouts, and even blocked me from creating or collecting payments. Their justification? A mysterious “account review” due to so-called regulatory requirements. Funny how those “requirements” only seem to kick in once they’ve taken money from your customers. To make matters worse, they requested the same identity documents I already submitted—this time with a new twist: I had to send a selfie holding my ID, like I’m applying to a sketchy dating site, not managing legitimate business transactions. And the kicker? Payments already marked as confirmed will still be withdrawn from my customers. So GoCardless keeps raking in funds while I'm stuck in limbo, unable to access a dime. Had this invasive circus act happened during onboarding, I’d have walked away immediately. But now, I’m trapped midstream—customers have paid, and I’m left chasing down my own money. This isn’t compliance—it’s corporate hostage-taking, and it’s unacceptable. Do yourself a favor: choose a payment processor that actually respects the businesses it serves. GoCardless is a masterclass in how to alienate and inconvenience customers under the guise of “regulation.” Avoid at all costs.