openinvoice-docs
Payments

Stripe Payments

Accept online payments with Stripe Connect

Overview

OpenInvoice integrates with Stripe Connect to enable online payment processing. Customers can pay invoices directly using credit cards, debit cards, and other payment methods.

Setting Up Stripe Connect

Prerequisites

  • Stripe account (create at stripe.com)
  • Stripe API keys configured in OpenInvoice settings

Connect Your Stripe Account

  1. Go to Settings → Payments
  2. Click Connect Stripe Account
  3. Complete Stripe onboarding:
    • Business information
    • Bank account details
    • Identity verification
  4. Complete setup

Stripe Account Status

View your Stripe account status:

  • Connected - Ready to accept payments
  • Pending - Onboarding in progress
  • Disconnected - Not connected or disconnected

Payment Methods Supported

Stripe Connect supports:

  • Credit/Debit Cards - Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.
  • ACH Direct Debit - Bank transfers (US)
  • Bank Transfers - International bank transfers
  • Saved Payment Methods - Customer saved cards

Customer Payment Flow

For Customers

  1. Customer receives invoice via email
  2. Clicks Pay Now button or link
  3. Redirected to payment page
  4. Enters payment information:
    • Card details
    • Billing address
    • Contact information
  5. Reviews payment amount
  6. Confirms payment
  7. Receives payment confirmation

Payment Page Features

  • Secure Payment Form - PCI-compliant Stripe Elements
  • Payment Amount - Shows invoice total or remaining balance
  • Partial Payments - Support for partial payment (if enabled)
  • Saved Cards - Option to save card for future use
  • Multiple Payment Methods - Cards, ACH, bank transfers

Payment Processing

Automatic Status Updates

When a payment is successful:

  • Invoice status updates automatically
  • Payment is recorded
  • Customer receives confirmation email
  • You receive notification (if configured)

Payment Amounts

  • Full Payment - Pay entire invoice amount
  • Partial Payment - Pay less than full amount (if enabled)
  • Overpayment Protection - Prevents paying more than due

Payment Validation

OpenInvoice validates payments:

  • Amount cannot exceed invoice total
  • Prevents duplicate payments
  • Validates payment method
  • Checks invoice status

Payment Plans & Installments

Creating Payment Plans

Split invoices into multiple installments:

  1. Open the invoice
  2. Go to Payments tab
  3. Click Create Payment Plan
  4. Configure:
    • Number of installments (2-60)
    • Frequency (weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly)
    • Start date
  5. Create plan

Installment Payments

  • Each installment has a due date
  • Customers can pay individual installments
  • Automatic allocation to installments
  • Track installment status

Payment History

View complete payment history:

  1. Open the invoice
  2. Go to Payments tab
  3. View:
    • Payment date and time
    • Payment amount
    • Payment method
    • Stripe payment intent ID
    • Payment status
    • Receipt download

Payment Receipts

Generate payment receipts:

  1. Open the invoice
  2. Go to Payments tab
  3. Find the payment
  4. Click Download Receipt
  5. PDF receipt is generated

Receipts include:

  • Payment details
  • Invoice information
  • Payment method
  • Transaction ID
  • Date and time

Payment Methods Management

Saved Payment Methods

Customers can save payment methods:

  • During Payment - Option to save card
  • In Customer Profile - Manage saved methods
  • Default Method - Set preferred payment method

Managing Payment Methods

  1. Go to Customers
  2. Open the customer
  3. Go to Payment Methods tab
  4. View saved methods
  5. Set default method
  6. Remove methods

Stripe Account Management

Disconnect Stripe

Temporarily disconnect:

  1. Go to Settings → Payments
  2. Click Disconnect
  3. Confirm

Reconnect Stripe

Reconnect your account:

  1. Go to Settings → Payments
  2. Click Reconnect
  3. Complete authentication

Reset Stripe Connection

If experiencing issues:

  1. Go to Settings → Payments
  2. Click Reset Connection
  3. Reconnect your account

Platform Fees

If platform fees are configured:

  • Fee Calculation - Automatic fee calculation
  • Fee Display - Shown separately on invoices
  • Fee Collection - Collected automatically

Payment Notifications

Customer Notifications

  • Payment Confirmation - Email sent immediately
  • Payment Receipt - Available for download
  • Payment Reminders - For unpaid installments

Your Notifications

  • Payment Received - Notification when payment is received
  • Payment Failed - Notification for failed payments
  • Payment Disputes - Alerts for chargebacks

Troubleshooting

Payment Not Processing

  • Check Stripe account status
  • Verify payment method
  • Check invoice status
  • Review Stripe dashboard

Payment Failed

Common reasons:

  • Insufficient funds
  • Card declined
  • Expired card
  • Invalid payment method

Refunds

Process refunds through:

  • Stripe Dashboard
  • Or contact support

Best Practices

  1. Keep Stripe Connected - Ensure account stays active
  2. Monitor Payments - Regular payment review
  3. Set Up Notifications - Stay informed of payments
  4. Use Payment Plans - For large invoices
  5. Save Payment Methods - Faster checkout for customers

Next Steps

Invoice Statuses

Understanding invoice statuses and workflow

Crypto Payments

Accept cryptocurrency payments (XRP and more)