Accept online payments (card + ACH)

Online payments let your client pay an invoice right from its public page instead of mailing a check or wiring funds. Payments run through your own Stripe account, so money goes straight to your bank. FirstSlate never holds it.

Plan availability

Online payments are a Pro and Studio feature. On the Free plan, the setup card in Settings shows an Unlock online payments prompt with an Upgrade to Pro button instead of the connect flow. See plans and limits or pricing.

Connecting payments

Open the account menu at the bottom of the sidebar, choose Settings, open the Invoicing tab, and find Online payments. Click Get started. You're redirected to Stripe to set up a connected account, which asks for your bank details and identity information (the exact fields depend on how your business is structured). When you return, FirstSlate shows the account as connected and your invoices can start collecting payment. If Stripe asks for more information before your account is fully active, the card shows Complete setup until you finish.

Card payments and ACH (bank transfer) are enabled separately. If ACH isn't active yet on your Stripe account, click Enable ACH from the same card to finish that part of setup.

What clients experience

A client viewing a Sent invoice sees a Pay Now button for whatever's currently due. The checkout page carries your studio's name and logo, not FirstSlate's, because payments run as direct charges on your own connected Stripe account. Depending on what you've configured for that invoice, they can pay by credit card, ACH bank transfer, or both (see the Accepted Payment Methods setting in create an invoice).

Fees

Stripe's standard processing fees are deducted from your payouts. FirstSlate doesn't add a separate platform fee on top. Current Stripe rates are on Stripe's pricing page.

ACH timing

Bank transfers don't clear instantly. While an ACH payment is in flight, the invoice shows a Bank Transfer Processing status with an hourglass icon rather than treating it as unpaid or paid, and the Pay Now button is hidden so your client can't accidentally pay twice. Once the transfer clears, the invoice updates to Paid. Funds generally deposit to your bank within 2 business days of a payment settling.

Managing your connected account

From the same Settings card, Stripe dashboard opens your account in a new tab for anything Stripe-side (bank details, tax forms, refunds). A link to Dashboard → Payouts shows your balance, pending funds, and payout history inside FirstSlate. See track your payouts.

Common questions

Can I restrict an invoice to only one payment method?

Yes. Each invoice has its own Accepted Payment Methods setting: ACH + Card, ACH Only, or Card Only.

Do I need a Stripe account already?

No. The Get started button walks you through creating one if you don't have one.

What happens to online payment invoices if I downgrade to Free?

Existing invoices and payment history stay intact, but new invoices won't be able to collect online payments until you're back on Pro or Studio.

Does the client need a FirstSlate account to pay?

No. The invoice link works without a login, for both viewing and paying.