Setting Up Payments (Stripe, PayPal)

To take payments for your digital products, connect Stripe (for cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay) and PayPal to the platform you sell on. Most store and course platforms connect both in a few clicks. If you don't have a store yet, Stripe and PayPal both offer payment links you can share anywhere.

Stripe or PayPal?

Set up both if your platform allows it. Some buyers prefer to pay by card, others only trust PayPal.

Fees depend on your country and change from time to time. Check them with our free Stripe fee calculator and PayPal fee calculator, or on each company's own pricing page.

Set up Stripe

1. Create an account at stripe.com.
2. Verify your identity and business details. Stripe asks for ID and a bank account for payouts.
3. In your store platform's payment settings, choose Connect Stripe and authorise it.
4. No store? Create a Payment Link in the Stripe dashboard and share it, or put it on your website.

Set up PayPal

1. Create a Business account at paypal.com, or upgrade a personal one.
2. Confirm your email and link a bank account.
3. In your store platform's payment settings, connect PayPal and authorise it.

Read the payment providers' rules

Stripe and PayPal decide what they'll process, and so do the platforms that use them.

• Stripe's restricted businesses list includes "get rich quick" schemes. Payhip bans "get rich quick" content too. If you sell money or business products, describe them honestly and make no income promises.
• Your store platform may have its own rules about private label products. See Where can I sell PLR products?

Before you launch

1. Test your checkout. Buy your own product with a real card, then refund yourself.
2. Check the delivery email. Make sure the download link arrives and works.
3. Show the full price before checkout, including any tax your platform adds.
4. Write a refund policy and put it on your sales page.

Getting paid

Payouts go from Stripe or PayPal to your bank. The first payout often takes longer while your account is reviewed. Each provider shows your payout schedule in its dashboard.

Selling internationally

Both can take payments from buyers in other countries and convert currencies, for an extra fee. Taxes on digital products depend on where your buyer lives. Some platforms, such as Gumroad and Payhip, collect and pay EU/UK VAT and US/Canadian sales tax for you. See International selling.

Refunding a customer

• Stripe: open the payment in your dashboard and choose Refund (full or partial).
• PayPal: open the transaction in Activity and choose Issue refund.

Processing fees aren't always returned when you refund, so check your provider's current policy.

Related articles

• Best platforms to sell
• Pricing your products
• International selling