Stripe
Accept online payments through Stripe Connect
Accept online payments from customers through payment links powered by Stripe.
Overview
SettleWise integrates with Stripe Connect to enable online payment collection. Customers can pay invoices directly through secure payment links — no manual payment recording needed.
What You Get
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Payment Links | Send customers a link to pay invoices online |
| Card Payments | Accept credit and debit card payments |
| Automatic Recording | Payments are recorded automatically in SettleWise |
| Receipt Generation | Customers receive payment receipts from Stripe |
Setup
Navigate to Integrations
Go to Settings → Integrations and find the Stripe section.
Connect with Stripe
Click Connect with Stripe. You'll be redirected to Stripe's onboarding flow.
Complete Stripe Onboarding
Follow Stripe's steps to set up your account: business information, bank account for payouts, and identity verification. If you already have a Stripe account, you can connect it directly.
Confirm Connection
Once connected, you'll be redirected back to SettleWise. Payment links are enabled automatically for all new invoices.
Stripe Connect requires a Stripe account. If you don't have one, the setup process guides you through creating one.
How It Works
- Create and send an invoice as usual
- The customer receives an email with a Pay Now link
- The customer clicks the link and pays with their card on a Stripe-hosted page
- Stripe processes the payment and notifies SettleWise via webhook
- SettleWise records the payment automatically and updates the invoice status to Paid
Payment Links
Payment links are secure, time-limited URLs that let customers pay invoices online. When Stripe is connected, every invoice can include a Pay Now link.
How Payment Links Work
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Generate | From an invoice, click Send Payment Link — a secure JWT-based link is created |
| 2. Deliver | Customer receives the link via email (included in the invoice email) |
| 3. Pay | Customer clicks the link → sees invoice details → enters card information |
| 4. Confirm | Stripe processes the payment → SettleWise records it automatically → invoice status updates |
Link Properties
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Expiration | Links expire after 72 hours by default |
| One-time use | A link can only be used for one successful payment |
| Two-phase support | For two-phase invoices, separate links are generated for Phase 1 (deposit) and Phase 2 (final payment) |
| Security | JWT-signed tokens with issuer and audience validation |
| Plan requirement | Payment links require the Standard plan or higher |
What the Customer Sees
The payment portal is a secure, SettleWise-branded page showing:
- Invoice details and line items
- Amount due
- Stripe card payment form
- Success confirmation after payment
Link Statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Valid | Link is active and ready to be used |
| Expired | 72-hour window has passed — generate a new link |
| Used | Payment was completed — link can no longer be used |
| Invalid | Link token is corrupted or tampered with |
Fees
Stripe charges standard processing fees for each transaction:
- Domestic cards: Typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
- International cards: Additional 1% fee
- Refunds: The original processing fee is not returned
Fees are deducted from the payment before it reaches your bank account. SettleWise does not charge additional transaction fees.
Exact Stripe fees depend on your Stripe account plan and location. Check your Stripe dashboard for your specific rates.
Refund Handling
When you issue a refund through SettleWise for a Stripe payment:
- The refund is processed through Stripe automatically
- Funds are returned to the customer's original payment method
- The refund typically takes 5–10 business days to appear on the customer's statement
- Stripe's original processing fee is not refunded
Webhook Behavior
SettleWise listens to Stripe webhooks to keep payment data synchronized:
- payment_intent.succeeded — records the payment in SettleWise
- charge.refunded — updates refund status
- account.updated — updates connection status
Webhooks are configured automatically when you connect Stripe. No manual webhook setup is required.
Managing Your Connection
From Settings → Integrations, you can:
- View your Stripe account status and details
- See recent payment activity
- Disconnect Stripe if needed (existing payment records are preserved)