Cradled uses Stripe Connect Express to handle card payments. The short version: money flows from your client's card straight to your bank account. Cradled doesn't touch it.
What that means in practice
- No platform fee. Cradled takes nothing from invoice payments. You pay standard Stripe fees (typically 2.9% + 30¢ in the US / 2.9% + 30¢ in Canada) and keep the rest.
- Your own Stripe account. You sign up with Stripe through Cradled during CP onboarding. It's a real Stripe Express account in your name, with your bank details.
- Standard Stripe payouts. Stripe pays out to your bank on whatever schedule you configure in your Stripe dashboard — typically daily or weekly.
- Stripe handles compliance. Card payments, 3DS, chargebacks, refunds, and regional tax compliance all run through Stripe.
What you set up once
During onboarding, you'll:
- Click Connect Stripe in your account settings.
- Get redirected to Stripe's hosted onboarding.
- Provide business info, personal info, and bank details.
- Return to Cradled when Stripe confirms you're ready to receive payments.
After that, every invoice you send through Cradled generates a Stripe Checkout link that points at your Stripe account.
Other payment methods
You don't have to use Stripe. If you prefer e-transfer, bank transfer, cash, or cheque, you can:
- Still send invoices through Cradled.
- Set Payment instructions in your account settings describing your preferred method.
- Mark invoices as paid manually when you receive the money.
Many CPs use both: Stripe for card payments, manual methods for clients who prefer them.
Troubleshooting Stripe onboarding
- "Stripe needs more information": log into your Stripe dashboard directly and complete the verification steps Stripe is asking for. When complete, Cradled will see the connection is active on your next page load.
- "Country not supported": Stripe Connect isn't available in every country yet. Check Stripe's supported country list. If you're in an unsupported country, use manual payment methods instead.
- Stripe disconnected: you or Stripe may have revoked the connection. Go to Account → Payments and reconnect.