Get paid faster with exact-amount invoice checkout

WorkRate uses Stripe Connect so each agency receives payments directly into their own Stripe account. Client money never passes through WorkRate. One link, exact amount, instant payment.

How Stripe Connect works

WorkRate uses Stripe Connect — Stripe's platform payment system designed for software that facilitates payments between businesses. Here's what that means for you:

Your agency connects its own Stripe account — not a shared WorkRate account. Payouts go directly to your bank.
WorkRate generates checkout links for the exact invoice total. Clients click the link and pay with any card.
Stripe handles PCI compliance, card security, fraud detection, and disputes. You never touch raw card data.
Each agency's Stripe account is separate. Your client payments have no visibility to other WorkRate users.

Connecting your Stripe account

1
Open Agency Settings and scroll to the Payments section.
2
Click Connect Stripe. You'll be redirected to Stripe's onboarding flow in the same browser window.
3
Log in to your Stripe account — or create one if you don't have one yet. A free Stripe account is all you need to start.
4
Complete Stripe's onboarding. Stripe will ask for: business type, business name and address, tax information (EIN or SSN), bank account for payouts, and identity verification. This is required by Stripe for compliance — WorkRate has no control over what Stripe asks for.
5
Return to WorkRate. The Stripe connection status in Agency Settings should now show Connected with your account ID.
6
You're ready to send payment-enabled invoices.

💡 Tip: Complete all of Stripe's onboarding steps before generating payment links. An incomplete Stripe account may appear connected but will fail when clients try to pay.

Generating a payment link for an invoice

1
Create an invoice from the session log as normal.
2
On the saved invoice, click Generate Payment Link. WorkRate creates a Stripe Checkout session for the exact invoice total.
3
Copy the payment link and paste it into your email to the client alongside the invoice PDF.
4
The client clicks the link, enters their card details on Stripe's secure checkout page, and pays.
5
Stripe confirms payment and the invoice status in WorkRate updates to Paid automatically.

Using manual payment links instead

If you prefer bank transfer, PayPal, or your own payment page — you don't need Stripe Connect at all.

1
Go to Client Settings for the relevant client.
2
Add a Payment Link — this can be your PayPal.me URL, a bank transfer instruction page, or any URL you want the client to use to pay.
3
This link prints automatically on every PDF invoice for this client.
4
Mark invoices paid manually once you confirm receipt of payment outside WorkRate.

Payment status on invoices

Unpaid

Invoice created but payment not yet received.

Paid

Payment confirmed via Stripe. Updated automatically when Stripe webhook fires.

Overdue

Invoice past its due date with no payment received.

Troubleshooting

Stripe says "You can only create new accounts if you've signed up for Connect"

Your Stripe account exists but Stripe Connect hasn't been activated on it yet. Log in to Stripe, go to Connect in the left sidebar, and complete the platform setup. After activating Connect in your Stripe account, return to WorkRate and click Connect Stripe again.

Stripe Connect opens but asks for a lot of business information

That's normal and expected. Stripe needs this information to verify your business and enable payouts. WorkRate has no control over Stripe's requirements. Complete all prompts — it usually takes 10–15 minutes. Common items requested: business type, EIN or SSN, bank account routing details, support phone number, and a website URL.

My Stripe status shows Connected but payment links aren't working

Open Agency Settings and refresh the Stripe status. If the status shows restrictions or pending requirements, log in to Stripe and check your connected account's requirements tab. There may be outstanding verification items Stripe needs before enabling live payments.

The invoice status didn't update to Paid after the client paid

Stripe sends a webhook notification to WorkRate when payment completes. This usually happens within seconds. If the status hasn't updated after 5 minutes, open the invoice and manually refresh or check the invoice status. Contact support if the webhook connection appears broken.

Do I need Stripe Connect if I already have a Stripe account?

Yes — a standard Stripe account and a Stripe Connect platform account are different things. Connect is a separate feature within Stripe that allows WorkRate to create checkout sessions on your behalf. You activate it inside your existing Stripe account under the Connect section.