This article explains how to start accepting debit and credit card payments for your FreeAgent invoices using Stripe via the FreeAgent mobile app.
Please note that:
- you won't be able to use the FreeAgent mobile app if you have an unincorporated landlord account
- you’ll need to have enabled the Stripe integration using the desktop version of FreeAgent before following the steps below
- any changes you make using the FreeAgent mobile app will be reflected in the desktop version of FreeAgent
The benefits of using Stripe include:
- allowing your customers to easily pay invoices online by sending them a payment link
- allowing your customers pay for invoices by debit or credit card
- optimised checkout options for your customers including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Stripe 1-click checkout
- ability to customise the Stripe checkout portal with your own branding
Find out about Stripe charges. You can also collect invoice payments online using PayPal or Tyl by NatWest.
Taking invoice payments using Stripe
Open the FreeAgent mobile app on your iOS or Android device and log in using your FreeAgent login details if prompted. If you’ve accessed the app recently, you may be logged in automatically.
Tap the three-lined 'hamburger' icon at the top-left of the FreeAgent mobile app and select 'Invoices'.
Tap the ‘+’ at the top-right of the screen and follow the steps for creating an invoice using the FreeAgent mobile app.
In the ‘Payment options’ section, toggle the ‘Stripe’ option.
Select ‘Create invoice & add line items’ and enter the necessary details for the invoice.
When you’re sending the invoice to your customer, toggle ‘Include online payment button’ if you’d like to add a payment button to your invoice email.
How this works for your customers
This will add a button to your invoice that allows your customer to pay the invoice using a debit or credit card.
This will show them your invoice, along with the option to pay by credit card via Stripe. Any other payment options you enabled while creating your invoice, such as PayPal, will also be available to them.
Your customer will then be taken to Stripe's checkout portal which will provide them with options to pay the invoice using Apple Pay, Google Pay, Stripe 1-click checkout or enter their card details.
You can brand the checkout portal with your own branding via your Stripe Dashboard. Find out more about how to customise the Stripe checkout portal.
Receiving payments
Please note that your customer may need to go through 3D Secure 2 Strong Customer Authentication before they can make a payment for your invoice. As soon as a payment is made by your customer you should receive a confirmation email. This confirmation email will be sent to the email address of the registered account owner. Payments made with Stripe take seven days to appear in your bank account.
If a payment made with Stripe doesn't go through from your customer's account, it can be up to five days before Stripe is notified by the bank. While payments are pending or being processed, FreeAgent will stop sending automatic email reminders.
How to account for Stripe fees in FreeAgent
For more information on how to account for automatically deducted Stripe fees in FreeAgent, find out how to split a transaction for commission or charges deducted.