Embedding payments into your platform can help you provide a great experience for your users. But it can also be a chance to create a new revenue stream by monetizing the payments activity on your platform. For platforms and marketplaces using Stripe Connect, Stripe offers the ability for you to monetize payments in a couple of different ways, depending on how you integrate:

Option 1: Stripe handles pricing and collects processing fees from your connected accounts

• Stripe will collect processing fees from your connected accounts on each transaction
• Stripe will set pricing for different payment methods and countries (For example, a merchant selling plumbing services on your platform in the US would pay Stripe directly $2.9% + 30c for each credit card payment they accept).
• Your platform may qualify for a revenue share as a platform partner. Contact us to learn more details.

Example economics of a card transaction with a revenue share

Note: These numbers are illustrative and you should reach out to learn more about different payments pricing considerations such as network cost variance, payment method variance, and international transactions.

1. Your merchant gets a $100 payout.
2. Your merchant pays Stripe $3.20 (2.9% + $0.30)
3. If your platform qualifies for a revenue share, Stripe pays your platform $1.80 of the $3.20 after paying interchange fees and network costs.

Option 2: You handle pricing and collect processing fees from your connected accounts

• You are responsible for processing fees from Stripe. You can then collect fees from your users on a per transaction basis.
• You may set pricing for different payment methods and countries (For example, a merchant selling plumbing services on your platform in the US might pay you directly $2.9% + 30c for each credit card payment they accept).

Example economics of a card transaction where your platform sets payments pricing

Note: These numbers are illustrative and you should reach out to learn more about different payments pricing considerations such as network cost variance, payment method variance, and international transactions.

1. Your merchant gets a $100 payout.
2. Your merchant pays your platform $3.20* (2.9% + $0.30).
3. Your platform nets out $1.80 after paying Stripe fees, interchange fees, and network costs.

*It’s important to note that you could choose to charge your merchant more than 2.9% + $0.30 if you’d like to increase the margin you make on each payment. Or, you could choose to charge your merchant less if you’d like to make cheaper payments pricing a part of your competitive differentiation.

For platforms just starting out, we recommend Option 1 where Stripe collects processing fees. As your platform grows, expands globally, and is able to hire a full-time team dedicated to payments strategy and pricing, it may make sense to set payments pricing yourself (Option 2) as long as you understand the potential variance in your ongoing payments costs. Contact us if you’d like to talk about the best solution for your platform.

FAQs

Is there any more info or guidance about how a platform can monetize payments?

Yes, check out our guide on monetizing payments for SaaS platforms and our best practices for launching and scaling platform payments report.

Does Stripe charge fees for platforms that use Connect to monetize payments?

If your platform chooses to let Stripe handle pricing for your users, there are no fees for your platform. (This includes platforms who went live before April 2024 on “Standard Connect”).

If your platform chooses to handle pricing for your users, Connect fees include $2 per monthly active account, and 0.25% + 25¢ for your platform. (This includes platforms who went live before April 2024 on “Express Connect” or “Custom Connect”).

stripe.com/connect/pricing has a full overview of this pricing information and fee details.