If you’re running a Shopify store, payments are one of the first things you need to get right – because no sale is complete until the money reaches you. That’s where Stripe steps in. Known for its smooth checkout process, advanced fraud protection, and support for global currencies, Stripe is one of the top payment gateway businesses rely on.
The best part?
Connecting Stripe with your Shopify store is quick, straightforward, and designed to give your customers a frictionless buying experience.
Let’s dive into how you can enable Stripe within Shopify and start powering your checkout with a payment system trusted by millions of online businesses worldwide.
What is Stripe?
Stripe is a powerful payment gateway that allows businesses to accept online payments securely and seamlessly, supporting everything from credit and debit cards to digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
While Shopify has its built-in option called Shopify Payments, it isn’t available in every country—meaning merchants in certain regions don’t have access to it. In those cases, Stripe often becomes the go‑to solution, giving store owners the flexibility to process payments globally, manage transactions in multiple currencies, and ensure their checkout experience is smooth regardless of where their customers are shopping from.
What Are The Benefits Of Integrating Stripe With Shopify?
Integrating Stripe with Shopify gives merchants more flexibility and control over their payment processing setup, especially if Shopify Payments isn’t available in their country. Beyond simply processing transactions, Stripe provides a robust ecosystem that can scale with your business.
Some of the key benefits include:
- Global Availability: Stripe operates in more countries than Shopify Payments, making it ideal for international sellers.
- Direct Stripe Dashboard Access: Monitor payments in real time, issue refunds instantly, and handle disputes with more detailed reporting tools.
- Support for Multiple Payment Methods: Accept credit/debit cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), BNPL options, local bank transfers, and regional wallets to boost conversions across markets.
- Advanced API & Automation: Stripe’s developer-friendly API enables you to customize payment flows, automate billing, and integrate with external tools such as CRM and accounting systems.
- Consistency Across Channels: If you’re already using Stripe on other platforms, linking it to Shopify helps keep all payments under a single provider for smoother operations.
While Shopify does apply extra processing fees when you use third-party gateways like Stripe, many merchants find the trade-off worthwhile for its global reach, extended payment options, and deeper data insights.
Steps to Integrate Stripe with Shopify
Online sellers can integrate Stripe with Shopify to start receiving payments by following a few simple steps. Your store’s location, payment requirements, and fee structure will determine how you set up Stripe on Shopify.
Friendly Reminder: Before connecting Stripe to Shopify, ensure you already have active accounts on both platforms.
Step 1: Access Your Shopify Account Settings
To begin, make sure you already have active Shopify and Stripe accounts. If not, create them first (think of this as step 0 ). Next, log in to your Shopify dashboard. Keep in mind:
- Stripe must be available in your country for integration to work.
- You’ll need admin privileges and an active paid Shopify plan – it won’t work on free trials.
Step 2: Open the Payment Settings
From your Shopify dashboard, go to Settings > Payments.
All the payment gateways in Shopify are managed in the payments section. From the menu:
Go to Settings > Payments in your admin panel.
If a greyed layout, possible reasons are:
- You don’t have admin access.
- You’re still on a free trial.
- Your store plan isn’t active.
If that happens, contact the store owner or Shopify support to unlock access.
Step 3: Change Your Payment Provider
Now, it’s time to connect Stripe:
- In the Payment module, scroll to Additional Payment methods
- Click Add Payment method.
- Use the search box and type “Stripe”.
- If Stripe is available in your region, it will appear for selection.
Note: In countries where Shopify Payments operates, Stripe may be hidden or shown as unavailable since Shopify refers to its in-house system.
Step 4: Connect Your Stripe Account
Clicking Stripe will prompt you to sign in. Enter your Stripe login details, authorize the connection, and hit Activate. Once completed, your Shopify store will be linked directly to Stripe, allowing you to accept payments without redirecting your customers to another page.
Step 5: Test Your Integration
Never skip testing – this ensures the payment process runs smoothly before going live. You have two ways:
Real transaction: Place a test order with your card and cancel it (note: processing fees may apply).
Test Mode: In Manage > Manage payment methods, enable Stripe Test Mode and use test card numbers, such as:
- Card: 1212 3434 5656 7878
- Expiry: Any future date (e.g., 10/29)
- CVV: Any 3-digit code (e.g.456)
- Name: Any test name
After testing, remember to turn off Test Mode to start accepting real payments.
With that, your Shopify store is now officially connected to Stripe. Customers enjoy a seamless checkout while you gain Stripe’s flexibility and reporting power to manage payments effectively.
Struggling with Stripe Integration? Let Experts Handle It
Get your Shopify payment setup right the first time. Our eCommerce specialists can integrate Stripe, test it, and customize it to fit your store—so you don’t lose sales to failed checkouts.
Common Shopify Stripe Integration Problems and Fixes
Even though connecting Stripe with Shopify is usually straightforward, merchants do run into roadblocks from time to time.
Most of these issues are related to account setup, regional restrictions, or payment processing settings.
Problem 1: Unavailability of Stripe
Fix: This usually happens if you’re in a country where Shopify Payments is available or where Stripe isn’t supported. Double-check availability by entering your region in Stripe’s supported countries list or contacting Shopify Support.
Problem 2: Payments are not going through or frequently failing
Fix: Ensure your Stripe account is fully verified with all required business details and documents. Also, confirm that your Shopify checkout settings support the payment methods you’ve enabled in Stripe.
Problem 3: "Payments" tab in Shopify settings is grayed out
Fix: This occurs if you don’t have administrative rights, or still on a free trial, or don’t have a paid plan. Upgrade the account or ask the admin to grant you access.
Problem 4: Stripe is connected, but not showing transactions in the dashboard
Fix: Check if you’re in Test Mode. If enabled, real payments won’t be captured. Disable Test Mode in Shopify > Payments > Manage, and transactions will start showing in your Stripe dashboard.
With these quick fixes, most integration issues can be resolved without heavy technical support, ensuring your store keeps running smoothly.
Shopify Stripe Pricing: Fees and Subscriptions
When integrating Stripe with Shopify, understanding the associated pricing is essential to effectively manage your costs.
Stripe operates on a transparent, pay-as-you-go model with no monthly fees, setup charges, or hidden costs. You pay primarily per transaction, and fees vary slightly depending on the payment type, region, and additional services like subscription billing.
| Fee Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Online Transactions | 2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge | Most credit/debit card payments and digital wallets |
| In-person Payments (Stripe Terminal) | 2.7% + $0.05 per transaction | For physical card-present payments |
| International Card Fee | +1% on top of the standard rate | Applies to cross-border transactions |
| Currency Conversion Fee | +1% | Applied when currency conversion is required |
| ACH Direct Debit Payments | 0.8% (max $5 per transaction) | For bank transfer payments, cost-effective for large amounts |
| Wire Transfers | $8 per transaction | Higher cost, usually used for large transfers |
| Stripe Billing (Subscriptions) | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction | Pay-as-you-go for subscription payments |
| Stripe Billing Usage Fee | 0.5% to 0.8% on recurring payments | Depending on the plan selected (Starter or Scale) |
| Monthly Fees | None (except optional add-ons) | No setup fees or mandatory monthly charges |
Stripe enables Shopify store owners to pay only for what they use, allowing flexibility, especially for growing businesses. Keep in mind that Shopify charges additional fees when using third-party payment processors like Stripe—typically around 2% on basic plans—so factor this into your overall cost calculations.
Shopify Payments vs Stripe – Which Solution is Best for You?
Choosing between Shopify Payments and Stripe depends on your business needs, location, and the payment options you want to offer. Shopify Payments is Shopify’s native payment gateway, powered by Stripe technology for seamless integration and ease of use.
Stripe, on the other hand, supports a broader range of countries and advanced features, making it a flexible alternative for merchants needing more customization or operating outside Shopify’s Payment’s coverage.
| Feature | Shopify Payments | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Country / Region Support | Limited to 20 countries | Available in 48+ countries worldwide |
| Languages Supported | Main Shopify admin languages | Supports multiple languages via API and dashboard |
| Checkout Experience | Embedded and fully integrated | Integrated but may require setup |
| Payment Methods Accepted | Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, local wallets (varies by country) | Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfers, Buy Now Pay Later, and local payment options worldwide |
| Transaction Fees | Varies by Shopify plan; no extra fee if using Shopify Payments | Typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, plus extra Shopify third-party fees |
| Setup Complexity | Turnkey, minimal setup | Requires manual integration and configuration |
| Currency Support | Multi-currency is supported in the supported countries | Supports 135+ currencies with real-time conversion |
| Developer Customization | Limited customization | Highly customizable via rich APIs |
When to Get Professional Help for Shopify Stripe Integration
Integrating Stripe with Shopify marks a crucial milestone in building a reliable and smooth-functioning online store. Every step, from setting up your Stripe account to fine-tuning payment configurations, plays a vital role in delivering a hassle-free checkout experience for your customers.
Combining Stripe’s versatile payment capabilities with Shopify’s intuitive platform offers a powerful foundation that drives growth and success for your eCommerce business.
To make the most out of this integration, partnering with a skilled team like WebyKing can make all the difference. Our team of developers focuses on customized eCommerce strategies designed to polish your brand, optimize workflows, and boost your sales. Get in touch with us to take your online store to the next level.
Still Unsure Which Payment Gateway Fits Your Store?
Choosing between Shopify Payments and Stripe can be tricky. Our experts will review your store setup, location, and sales goals to recommend the best option—so you maximize profits without payment headaches.
FAQs on Shopify Stripe Integration
Is Stripe supported on Shopify?
Yes, Stripe can be integrated with Shopify as a third-party payment gateway in regions where Shopify Payments is not available.
How do I connect Stripe to my Shopify store?
You connect Stripe by adding it as a payment provider in Shopify’s Payments settings and then signing in to your Stripe account to activate the integration.
Does using Stripe on Shopify cost extra?
Yes, Stripe charges transaction fees (typically 2.9% + 0.30 per charge), plus Shopify applies additional fees for third-party payment gateways.
Can I use both Stripe and Shopify Payments simultaneously?
No, Shopify disables third-party gateways like Stripe in countries where Shopify Payments is active. You must choose one.
Are there any restrictions when using Stripe with Shopify?
Restrictions mainly involve country availability, Shopify’s fee structure, and limited support if you want advanced customization outside Shopify’s platform.
