Plutio + Stripe Integration (2026)

Plutio creates your invoices, and Stripe processes payments the moment clients click "Pay Now."

Connect Stripe to Plutio and every invoice includes a secure payment button. Clients click, enter card details on a Stripe-hosted page, and payment completes in under 30 seconds. Plutio marks the invoice as paid automatically, and funds deposit to your bank within 2-3 business days. No manual reconciliation, no chasing payments via email.

Freelancers and agencies use the Stripe integration to get paid faster. Instead of waiting for clients to schedule bank transfers or mail checks, payments happen immediately after sending invoices. Many freelancers report getting paid within hours of sending invoices rather than weeks.

Note: Plutio also integrates with PayPal for clients who prefer that payment method. Plutio adds no fees on top of Stripe's standard rates. Last updated January 2026.

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What is Stripe

Stripe is an online payment processor used by millions of businesses including Amazon, Google, and Shopify. Stripe handles credit card, debit card, ACH bank transfer, Apple Pay, and Google Pay transactions. Freelancers use Stripe to accept payments because it has no monthly fees, only per-transaction charges (2.9% + $0.30 for cards).

TLDR (summary)

Plutio manages your invoices, proposals, and client billing. Stripe extends Plutio by processing payments when clients click the "Pay Now" button on invoices. Together, you get professional invoicing with one-click payment collection.

Key facts: native integration (no Zapier needed), Plutio adds no fees on top of Stripe rates, funds deposit in 2-3 days, supports cards and ACH, connect in 5 minutes, invoices auto-mark as paid.

Connecting Stripe to Plutio takes about 5 minutes. You authorize Plutio to create payment links, and every invoice automatically includes a Stripe-powered payment button.

Integration features

What you get with Plutio + Stripe

Connecting Stripe to Plutio gives you professional payment collection on every invoice. The integration handles payment processing, automatic reconciliation, and deposit scheduling without manual work.

One-click invoice payments

Every invoice includes a "Pay Now" button powered by Stripe. Clients click, enter card details on a secure Stripe-hosted page, and payment completes in seconds. No account creation required from clients.

Automatic reconciliation

When Stripe processes a payment, Plutio marks the invoice as paid automatically. No manual status updates, no checking email for payment confirmations, no spreadsheet reconciliation.

Multiple payment methods

Accept credit cards, debit cards, ACH bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Clients choose their preferred method at checkout. ACH is cheapest for large invoices (0.8% capped at $5).

Proposal deposit collection

Collect deposits when clients sign proposals. The client reviews your proposal, signs electronically, and pays the deposit in one continuous flow without separate emails.

Recurring retainer billing

Set up recurring invoices for retainer clients. Stripe saves the client's card and charges automatically on your schedule. Predictable cash flow without manual invoicing.

Instant payment notifications

Get email notifications the moment payments arrive. Connect Slack for real-time team notifications. Celebrate wins as they happen.

How much does Stripe cost?

Plutio adds no fees on top of Stripe's published rates. You pay Stripe directly based on payment method and location.

Stripe's per-transaction pricing means you pay only when you receive payments. No monthly fees, no setup fees, no minimums. The cost scales with your revenue rather than being a fixed overhead.

For large invoices, ACH bank transfers cost significantly less than credit cards. A $5,000 invoice costs $5 via ACH versus $145.30 via card. Encourage ACH for larger payments by mentioning the option in your invoice notes.

US Stripe pricing as of January 2026: Cards 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, ACH 0.8% capped at $5, International cards +1.5%, Currency conversion 1%. Rates vary by country. Check stripe.com/pricing for your location.

Fee examples

$500 card payment: $14.80 fee (2.9% + $0.30), you receive $485.20
$1,000 card payment: $29.30 fee, you receive $970.70
$5,000 ACH payment: $5.00 fee (0.8% capped), you receive $4,995
$10,000 ACH payment: $5.00 fee (still capped), you receive $9,995

How do I connect Stripe to Plutio?

Connecting Stripe takes about 5 minutes. Create a Stripe account if needed, connect your bank, then authorize Plutio to create payment links.

Stripe requires identity verification and bank account connection before you can receive payouts. If you already have a Stripe account from another business, you can connect that same account to Plutio.

After connecting, test by sending yourself an invoice and completing a payment. The invoice should mark as paid automatically within seconds of payment completion.

New Stripe accounts may have a 7-day hold on first payouts while Stripe verifies your business. After the initial period, payouts arrive in 2-3 business days. Instant Payouts (1% fee) deliver funds within minutes.

Step by step

Step 1: Create a Stripe account at stripe.com if you do not have one (free, no monthly fees)
Step 2: Complete Stripe's identity verification and connect your bank account
Step 3: Go to Plutio Settings → Payments
Step 4: Click "Connect Stripe" and log into your Stripe account when prompted
Step 5: Authorize Plutio to create payment links. Send a test invoice to verify.

What happens when clients pay invoices?

Clients click "Pay Now" on your invoice and complete payment in under 30 seconds without creating accounts or downloading apps.

The payment experience uses Stripe's hosted checkout page. Clients recognize the secure checkout from other purchases, which builds trust and reduces payment abandonment. Card numbers go directly to Stripe and never touch Plutio's servers.

After payment, both you and the client receive email confirmations. The invoice status updates to "Paid" in Plutio automatically. Funds begin moving to your bank account (2-3 business day delivery for standard payouts).

The "Pay Now" button is the most important element of your invoice. Clients who might delay a bank transfer will often pay immediately when clicking is easier than scheduling a payment later.

Payment flow

Step 1: Client receives invoice email with "Pay Now" button
Step 2: Clicking opens Stripe's secure checkout page
Step 3: Client enters card details (or selects saved card)
Step 4: Stripe processes payment and confirms
Step 5: Plutio marks invoice as paid automatically
Step 6: Funds deposit to your bank in 2-3 business days

How do recurring payments work for retainer clients?

Create a recurring invoice in Plutio, and Stripe charges the client's saved card automatically on your defined schedule.

Recurring billing eliminates monthly invoicing overhead for retainer clients. Instead of creating and sending invoices every month, Plutio generates them automatically and Stripe charges the saved payment method. You and the client both receive notifications when charges succeed.

If a charge fails (expired card, insufficient funds), Stripe retries automatically and notifies the client to update their payment method. You see failed charges in both Stripe and Plutio dashboards.

Retainer clients appreciate automatic billing because they do not need to remember to pay invoices. You appreciate it because cash flow becomes predictable and you spend less time on billing administration.

Setting up recurring billing

Step 1: Create a recurring invoice with amount and frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly)
Step 2: Send the first invoice normally. Client pays and saves their card.
Step 3: On subsequent billing dates, Stripe charges the saved card automatically
Step 4: Both you and the client receive payment notifications

How do I collect deposits on proposals?

Include a payment section in your Plutio proposal. Clients review, sign, and pay the deposit in one continuous flow.

Collecting deposits during proposal signing has the highest conversion rate. Clients are in decision-making mode when they sign, so capturing payment at that moment prevents the delay between commitment and payment that often leads to non-payment.

The deposit amount can be a fixed fee, a percentage of the total, or a milestone payment from your project budget. After the client signs and pays, Plutio creates the project and records the payment automatically.

Recommended deposit strategy: request 25-50% upfront on proposals. Clients who pay deposits are more committed to the project and less likely to cancel. The deposit also covers your initial time investment if the project falls through.

Proposal payment options

Fixed deposit: Request a specific amount ("$2,500 deposit to begin")
Percentage deposit: Request a percentage of total ("50% to begin, 50% on completion")
Milestone payments: Break the project into phases with payment at each milestone

What if payments fail or clients dispute charges?

Stripe handles failed payments and disputes automatically with retry logic and a dispute management dashboard.

Failed payments start automatic retries and client notifications. Stripe attempts the charge again after a few days and emails the client to update their payment method if needed. You see failed attempts in your Stripe dashboard.

Disputes (chargebacks) are rare for freelancers with signed contracts and delivered work. If a client disputes, Stripe notifies you immediately. Submit evidence (signed proposals, delivered work, communication) through Stripe's dispute dashboard. Plutio's documentation helps you win disputes.

Prevent disputes by using Plutio's contract and proposal features. Signed contracts with clear scope, signed proposals with payment terms, and documented deliverables create a paper trail that wins disputes if they occur.

Common issues and fixes

Failed payment: Stripe retries automatically and notifies the client. Check your dashboard for status.
Expired card: Client receives email to update payment method. Recurring charges pause until updated.
Dispute/chargeback: Submit evidence through Stripe's dashboard. Signed contracts and delivered work win most disputes.
Payout delayed: New accounts have a 7-day hold. After verification, payouts arrive in 2-3 days.

All integrations included free

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Stripe integration questions

Does Plutio add any fees on top of Stripe?

No. Plutio adds no transaction fees. You pay Stripe directly at their published rates (2.9% + $0.30 for cards, 0.8% capped at $5 for ACH in the US).

How long until funds reach my bank account?

Standard payouts arrive in 2-3 business days. New accounts may have a 7-day hold initially. Instant Payouts (1% fee) deliver funds within minutes if your bank supports it.

Do clients need a Stripe account to pay?

No. Clients see a standard checkout form and enter card details. No account creation required. They can optionally save their card for future payments.

Can clients save their card for future payments?

Yes. During checkout, clients can save their card. Future invoices show the saved card for one-click payment. Useful for recurring retainer clients.

Can I accept international payments?

Yes. Stripe supports 135+ currencies. Invoice in your client's local currency, and Stripe handles conversion. An additional 1.5% fee applies for international cards.

Can I use Stripe with PayPal?

Yes. Connect both Stripe and PayPal to give clients payment options. Each processor's fees apply independently to payments made through that method.

What payment methods does Stripe support?

Credit cards, debit cards, ACH bank transfers (US), Apple Pay, and Google Pay. ACH costs 0.8% capped at $5, making it cheapest for large invoices.

Can I collect deposits on proposals?

Yes. Include a payment section in your Plutio proposal. Clients sign and pay the deposit in one flow. Payment is captured immediately upon signature.

How do recurring retainer payments work?

Create a recurring invoice in Plutio with your billing frequency. The client pays the first invoice and saves their card. Stripe charges automatically on subsequent billing dates.

What if a client disputes a charge?

Stripe notifies you immediately. Submit evidence (signed contracts, delivered work, communication) through Stripe's dispute dashboard. Plutio's documentation helps you win disputes.

Can I offer payment plans?

Yes. Create multiple invoices with milestone payments due on different dates. Each installment is a separate invoice that clients pay through Stripe when due.

Are there monthly fees for Stripe?

No. Stripe has no monthly fees, no setup fees, and no minimums. You pay only per transaction when payments are processed.

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