Payments 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (US) / 2% + ₹2 per transaction (India)

Stripe

The developer-first payment platform. Handles one-time payments, subscriptions, invoicing, and marketplace payouts with an exceptional API.

5/5
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Pros

  • Best-in-class API and developer documentation
  • Supports 135+ currencies and local payment methods
  • Built-in subscription billing and invoicing
  • Stripe Checkout for hosted payment pages
  • Excellent webhook system for automation

Cons

  • Higher transaction fees than some local alternatives
  • Account approval can take time in some countries
  • Dispute/chargeback process favors the buyer
  • India payouts require additional KYC

Overview

Stripe is the gold standard for online payments. Its API is so well-designed that it’s become the benchmark other payment platforms aspire to. We use it for Cal.com payment integration and recommend it for any business accepting international payments.

Why Stripe Wins

The API. Everything about Stripe is built for developers and automation:

  • Webhooks fire for every event (payment succeeded, subscription cancelled, dispute opened) - perfect for n8n workflows
  • Stripe Checkout gives you a hosted, optimized payment page in minutes
  • Billing Portal lets customers manage their own subscriptions
  • Connect handles marketplace payouts if you’re building a platform

The documentation is genuinely excellent - detailed, with code examples in every major language, and a test mode that lets you simulate any scenario.

Automation Use Cases

Stripe’s webhook system makes it a dream to automate:

  • Payment received → create/update CRM record → send WhatsApp confirmation
  • Subscription cancelled → trigger win-back email sequence
  • Invoice overdue → automated reminder escalation
  • Dispute opened → alert team in Slack → pause service

Best For

  • SaaS businesses and subscription services
  • Service businesses collecting payments online (consultants, agencies)
  • Marketplaces and platforms needing split payments
  • Any business selling internationally

Verdict

If you accept payments online, use Stripe. The transaction fees are slightly higher than some alternatives, but the API quality, reliability, and automation capabilities make it worth every basis point. For India-only businesses where cost matters more than features, consider Razorpay as an alternative.