Accepting Payments Through Stripe in SOLO Server

Accepting Payments Through Stripe in SOLO Server

SOLO Server now supports payment processing through Stripe and Stripe Partner Connect, giving authors another modern payment option for selling licenses through SOLO Server's integrated shopping cart and Customer License Portal.

The Stripe integration is a feature of SOLO Server's eCommerce capabilities and works regardless of which SoftwareKey licensing client your software uses, including Protection PLUS 5 SDK, Instant Protection PLUS 3, and AutoCrypt SL.

Overview

Stripe is one of the most widely used payment processors and payment gateways in the world, with strong global card coverage, built-in fraud tooling, and support for a broad set of alternative payment methods. With SOLO Server's Stripe integration, authors can accept credit card payments, digital wallets, and many other payment types directly through their SOLO Server-hosted shopping cart and Customer License Portal, with no separate eCommerce platform required.

Stripe Partner Connect

For authors using SOLO Server Shared URL, SOLO Server supports Stripe Partner Connect (also known as Stripe Connect), which connects your own Stripe account to SOLO Server through a secure link we send you. You can connect a Stripe account you already have or create a new one, and you do not need to create API keys or set up a webhook.

With Stripe Partner Connect, payments from your customers go directly into your own Stripe account, not through SoftwareKey. Getting your money is straightforward: Stripe pays out to your bank account on your normal Stripe payout schedule, and you manage your balance and payouts from your own Stripe Dashboard. For the setup steps, see Connecting Your Stripe Account to SOLO Server.

Key Benefits

  • Embedded checkout, no redirect. Stripe's payment controls are embedded directly within the SOLO Server shopping cart page, so customers complete payment without ever leaving your storefront. The customer's information, order summary, and your site's branding all remain visible throughout the checkout. Stripe handles the secure payment fields, and SOLO Server handles everything around them.
  • Multiple payment methods. Beyond standard credit and debit cards, Stripe presents your customers with options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App Pay, Klarna, and many more. For the complete list of supported payment methods, see Payment Methods Available Through Stripe.
  • Customizable storefront. The SOLO Server shopping cart can be customized to match your website and brand design, so the Stripe-powered checkout looks like a natural part of your site rather than a third-party form.
  • Automatic license fulfillment. When a customer completes a purchase through Stripe, SOLO Server automatically generates the license and sends the customer their license credentials and order information in a customizable email, keeping licensing and payment processing tightly integrated.
  • Customer self-service for upgrades and renewals. Existing customers can use Stripe to purchase upgrades and renewals through the Customer License Portal without contacting you directly.

What's Supported Today

The current Stripe integration in SOLO Server supports:

  • One-time payments for new license purchases through the SOLO Server shopping cart.
  • Upgrade and renewal purchases through the Customer License Portal.

Recurring billing through Stripe is planned for a future release. When it ships, it will integrate with SOLO Server's existing Payment Plan feature, which is how SOLO Server manages automatic recurring payments today. If you're currently selling subscription products that depend on automatic recurring billing, you'll want to continue using your existing payment processor for those products until Stripe recurring billing is available.

What's Not Supported

A few capabilities are outside the scope of the current Stripe integration in SOLO Server:

  • Automatic recurring billing for subscription products (planned for a future release, see above).
  • In-person or point-of-sale payments. The integration is for online sales through your SOLO Server shopping cart and Customer License Portal only. Stripe Terminal (Stripe's in-person payments product) is not part of this integration.
  • Cryptocurrency payments outside of Stripe's supported options. Stripe's stablecoin and crypto payment support is available where Stripe enables it; SOLO Server does not add separate cryptocurrency support.
  • Marketplace or multi-seller payment splitting. Stripe Connect (in the marketplace sense) is not part of this integration. Stripe Partner Connect, described above, is different: it connects your own Stripe account to SOLO Server Shared URL, and your payments go directly to you.

Pricing

Orders processed through the SOLO Server integrated shopping cart are subject to SoftwareKey's standard eCommerce fee, which is added to your monthly SOLO Server invoice. Stripe will charge their own payment processing fees separately, billed directly to your Stripe account.

For specific pricing applicable to your account, please contact us or refer to your account agreement.

Getting Started

Setting up Stripe in SOLO Server involves connecting your SOLO Server account to your Stripe account and configuring your shopping cart. Detailed setup steps are documented in the SOLO Server manual:

Configuring Stripe in SOLO Server

If you're ready to connect your SOLO Server account to your Stripe account, or if you have questions about whether Stripe is right for your business, please contact us and our team will help you get started. Let us know the currency you want to charge your customers in (such as USD, EUR, or GBP) so we can set up your shopping cart to use it.

Common Questions

Does Stripe support recurring billing or subscription payments in SOLO Server?

Not yet. The current Stripe integration in SOLO Server supports one-time payments for new licenses, upgrades, and renewals. Automatic recurring billing through Stripe is planned for a future release and will integrate with SOLO Server's Payment Plan feature when it ships. If you sell subscriptions that depend on automatic recurring billing, continue using your existing payment processor for those products until Stripe recurring billing is available.

Can my customers pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Yes. When you use the Stripe integration in SOLO Server, Apple Pay and Google Pay are part of Stripe's default set of enabled payment methods and will appear automatically for customers on supported devices and browsers. Both are available globally, with some country-level exceptions such as India. No additional setup is required in SOLO Server.

How much does the Stripe integration cost?

Orders processed through the SOLO Server integrated shopping cart are subject to SoftwareKey's standard eCommerce fee, added to your monthly SOLO Server invoice. Stripe charges their own payment processing fees separately, billed directly to your Stripe account. For specific pricing applicable to your account, please contact us or refer to your account agreement.

Can I switch from PayPal to Stripe?

Yes. Authors using SOLO Server's PayPal Standard integration can move to Stripe for a more modern, on-page checkout experience. Contact us when you're ready and we'll help you transition.

Does the Stripe integration work with the Customer License Portal?

Yes. Existing customers can use Stripe to purchase upgrades and renewals through the Customer License Portal without contacting you directly. Customers complete payment on the same page using Stripe's embedded checkout.

Does Stripe in SOLO Server work with Protection PLUS 5 SDK, Instant Protection PLUS 3, or AutoCrypt SL?

Yes. The Stripe integration is a feature of SOLO Server's eCommerce capabilities and is independent of which SoftwareKey licensing client your software uses. Whether your application is integrated with Protection PLUS 5 SDK, Instant Protection PLUS 3, or AutoCrypt SL, customers can purchase your products through Stripe.

What countries does the Stripe integration support?

Stripe operates in dozens of countries worldwide, and Stripe's Payment Element automatically shows each customer the payment methods most relevant to their location and to your shopping cart's currency. Card payments work globally. Local payment methods (such as iDEAL in the Netherlands) appear for customers in those regions when they are enabled in your Stripe Dashboard and support your cart's currency; iDEAL, for example, requires euros (EUR). For the full list of supported methods by region, see Payment Methods Available Through Stripe.

Which currency are my customers charged in?

Your SOLO Server shopping cart charges Stripe payments in the single currency set up for your account, such as US dollars (USD), euros (EUR), or British pounds (GBP). Tell us the currency you want when you request your Stripe connection. SOLO Server does not convert your prices, so set your product prices in that same currency. If your Stripe account pays out in a different currency, Stripe converts the funds and its currency conversion fees apply.

Can I use Stripe and another payment processor at the same time?

Yes. SOLO Server allows authors to configure multiple payment processors. Contact us for guidance on how to set this up for your specific use case.

Is the Stripe integration secure and PCI compliant?

Yes. Card data is handled entirely by Stripe's secure payment fields, which are PCI-compliant. SOLO Server never sees or stores raw card data; Stripe processes the payment and reports the result back to SOLO Server, which then generates the license and fulfillment email.

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