What is Stripe?
Stripe is a technology company that builds economic infrastructure for the internet. Founded in 2010 by brothers Patrick and John Collison, Stripe has grown to become one of the most popular payment processing platforms globally, used by companies such as Amazon, Facebook, and Uber.
Core Features and Capabilities
Payment Processing
Stripe supports various payment methods:
- Credit and debit cards
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- ACH transfers
- International payment methods
- Bitcoin and Alipay
Security and Compliance
- PCI DSS Level 1 certified (highest level available)
- Radar system for fraud prevention using machine learning
- 3D Secure authentication
- Compliance with GDPR and other regulations
Advanced Features
- Subscription Management: Tools for handling recurring billing, trial periods, usage-based billing, and proration
- Customizable Checkout: Create responsive payment pages that work across devices
- Global Reach: Support for over 135 currencies and multiple payment methods
- Comprehensive Dashboard: Detailed overview of transactions, customer data, and financial reports
Integration and Development
API Keys
Stripe provides two types of API keys:
- Publishable key - Used for client-side operations
- Secret key - Used for server-side operations
Security Note: Never expose your secret key in client-side code or public repositories.
Development Frameworks
Official libraries are available for multiple platforms:
| Framework | Library |
|---|---|
| Node.js | stripe-node |
| Python | stripe-python |
| PHP | stripe-php |
| Ruby | stripe-ruby |
Payment Elements Implementation
javascript
const stripe = Stripe('pk_test_your_key');
const elements = stripe.elements();
const paymentElement = elements.create('payment');
paymentElement.mount('#payment-element');How Stripe Works
- Customer Initiates Payment: Customer selects a product and proceeds to checkout
- Payment Information Collection: Customer enters payment details securely
- Processing: Stripe communicates with the customer's bank
- Fund Transfer: Money moves from customer's bank to Stripe account
- Payout: Funds are transferred to your designated bank account
Pricing and Benefits
Pricing Structure
- 2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge (US rates)
- Volume discounts available
- No monthly fees
- Custom packages for enterprise clients
Key Benefits
- Scalability: Handles high transaction volumes efficiently
- Developer-Friendly: Extensive documentation and developer community
- Transparent Pricing: Straightforward pricing model without hidden fees
- Global Support: Ideal for businesses operating internationally
Getting Started
- Create an account at Stripe Dashboard
- Complete account verification
- Integrate Stripe using API or pre-built solutions
- Configure settings (currency, payouts, fraud prevention)
- Test all payment flows
- Set up webhook endpoints
- Review security measures
- Launch your integration
For more information, visit the official Stripe website and explore their comprehensive documentation.