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What is Stripe Connect?

Stripe Connect is the part of Stripe that lets a platform, such as a marketplace or website builder, process payments on behalf of the businesses using it. Each seller has their own connected Stripe account, payments flow to that account, and the platform can take an agreed fee from each charge. Stripe handles identity checks and payouts.

When a builder asks you to connect Stripe, it is setting up a connected account so that buyers pay you, not the builder, while the builder runs the checkout on your behalf.

· Co-founder

3 min read · Published

How Connect works

The platform has its own Stripe account; each seller completes Stripe onboarding to create or link a connected account. When a buyer pays, the platform creates the charge using its integration, and Stripe routes the money to the seller account, minus Stripe fees and any application fee the platform sets.

Account types and charge types

Stripe offers Standard, Express and Custom connected accounts, which differ in how much the seller sees of Stripe and how much the platform manages. Charges can be direct, destination or separate charges and transfers. A destination charge is made on the platform and sends the funds to the connected account in one step.

Who handles what

Stripe verifies the seller identity and bank details, pays out to the seller bank account on its schedule, and handles card security. The platform builds the checkout experience and decides its fee. The seller sees payments and payouts in a Stripe dashboard, and issues refunds there if the platform does not offer them.

Common mistakes

Starting to sell before onboarding is complete, so the account cannot take charges. Assuming the platform fee replaces Stripe fees, when it is added on top. And forgetting that the currency usually comes from the connected account country, which affects which buyers see which prices.

Where it shows up in OneCraft

Store payments use Stripe Checkout through your connected Stripe account as a destination charge, set up from account settings under Payments. The platform fee per payment is 2 percent on Starter, 1 percent on Pro and 0.5 percent on Pro+, with Stripe fees on top. Refunds are made in your Stripe Express dashboard, which opens from an order with one click.

Questions people ask

Does the platform hold my money with Stripe Connect?

With destination charges, the payment is created by the platform and the funds are transferred to your connected account in the same step, minus fees, then paid out to your bank on your Stripe payout schedule. The platform does not keep your sales in its own balance.

Do I need my own Stripe account for Connect?

You need a connected account, which you create or link during the platform onboarding flow. Stripe asks for business and identity details and a bank account. Depending on the account type, you may log in to a full Stripe dashboard or a simplified Express dashboard.

What fees apply with Stripe Connect?

Stripe processing fees for each payment, set by Stripe for your country and card type, plus any application fee the platform charges. The platform fee is usually a percentage of each payment, stated in the platform pricing. Both are deducted before the money reaches your bank.

Can I use the same Stripe account on several platforms?

Often yes, depending on the account type each platform uses. Standard accounts can connect to several platforms; Express accounts are usually tied to the platform that created them. The onboarding screen shows what you are creating, so read it before continuing.

How do refunds work with Stripe Connect?

Refunds come from the connected account balance. Depending on the platform, you issue them in the platform screens or in your Stripe dashboard. Stripe processing fees on the original charge are usually not returned, and some platforms refund their application fee while others do not.

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