Before you enable payment methods
Complete these quick tasks to offer the right mix of speed, convenience, and cost.
Connect Stripe
Payments → Setup walks you through linking your Stripe account. Toolfy relies on Stripe to process every method.
Decide which methods to offer
Cards and wallets suit almost every invoice; add bank debit for larger, ongoing, or corporate customers.
Explain options in your emails
Let customers know the fastest way to pay and what happens if they choose bank transfer.
Instant methods (cards & wallets)
- Visa, Mastercard, Maestro: Fast payouts (1–2 working days) and broad acceptance.
- American Express & Discover: Great for business cards; fees slightly higher in some regions.
- Apple Pay & Google Pay: One-tap checkout on mobile/desktop using saved cards.
- Other wallets (Samsung Pay, etc.): Device-dependent but excellent conversion when available.
Bank debit & transfer options
ACH debit (US)
Customers authorise a direct pull from their bank. Low fees (0.8%, capped at $5).
BACS direct debit (UK)
Collect one-off or repeat payments. Settlement usually within three working days.
SEPA debit (EU)
Customers sign once; future invoices pull automatically in euros.
Manual bank transfer
Share offline bank details in invoice footers for customers who refuse cards.
Compare methods
| Method | Payout speed | Best for | Typical fee* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cards & wallets | 1–2 business days | Everyday jobs, deposits | ~1.5–3.25% + 20p |
| ACH/BACS/SEPA debit | 3–5 working days | High-value or repeat invoices | ~0.8% (capped) |
| Bank transfer | Depends on customer | Customers who insist on manual payment | Bank fees only |
*Fees vary by country. Check Stripe pricing for your region.
Enable or disable methods
- Cards and wallets switch on automatically once Stripe is connected.
- Enable ACH/BACS/SEPA in Stripe Dashboard → Settings → Payment methods (availability depends on your region).
- Stripe may request additional verification—complete tasks to enable the method.
- Disable payment methods you don’t support to keep checkout simple.
Customer experience
Card or wallet checkout
- Customer opens the invoice portal and taps Pay now.
- Enters card details or chooses Apple/Google Pay.
- Once approved, Toolfy marks the invoice paid and emails a receipt.
Direct debit
- Customer completes Stripe’s secure bank authorisation flow.
- Stripe schedules the debit—funds settle after 3–5 working days (longer for first payments).
- Toolfy marks the invoice paid automatically once Stripe confirms settlement.
Best practices
- Offer cards + wallets by default; add bank debit for high-value or repeat invoices.
- Explain processing times in invoice emails so customers know what to expect.
- Use Stripe Radar (built-in) to reduce fraud on card payments.
- Include bank details in the invoice footer as a fallback for manual payers.
Related guides
Need help choosing methods?
Email support@toolfy.io or follow the contact support guide. Include your average invoice value and we’ll recommend the best mix.