Bookify's payment system isn't built on a simple payment button. It uses Stripe Connect — a platform-level payment infrastructure that allows Bookify to process payments directly into your business account, securely and compliantly, without your clients' money ever passing through Bookify's own accounts.
What is Stripe Connect?
Stripe Connect is the version of Stripe designed for platforms and marketplaces. When a client pays for an appointment through Bookify, the money goes directly from their card to your Stripe account — not via Bookify as an intermediary. Bookify is the platform; you are the merchant.
This matters for two reasons. First, it means your money moves faster — payouts go directly to your bank account on Stripe's standard schedule, without Bookify touching the funds. Second, it means the payment relationship is between your business and your client, which keeps things clean for accounting and compliance.
Card payments directly on the phone
One of the most practical benefits of Stripe Connect is that it enables full card payment support on mobile devices. When a client books through your Bookify page on their phone, they can pay with:
- Any credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
- Apple Pay — one tap with Face ID or Touch ID
- Google Pay — one tap on Android devices
- Local payment methods supported by Stripe in Hungary
No app download required. No redirect to a third-party site. The payment happens inline on your booking page, optimized for mobile from the start. For clients booking on their phone — which is the majority — this means a smooth, fast checkout that doesn't interrupt the booking flow.
How deposits work with Stripe Connect
When you require a deposit in Bookify, Stripe Connect handles the authorization and capture separately. At booking time, Stripe authorizes the deposit amount on the client's card (the money is reserved but not yet charged). The full charge happens according to your configured rules — for example, when the appointment is confirmed or completed.
If a client cancels within your cancellation window, the deposit can be refunded automatically. If they cancel outside the window or simply don't show up, you can choose to retain it. All of this is configured once in Bookify's settings.
Setting up Stripe Connect in Bookify
Connecting your Stripe account takes about five minutes. Go to Settings → Payments in your Bookify dashboard and click Connect with Stripe. You'll be redirected to Stripe's onboarding flow, where you'll enter your business details (name, tax number, bank account). Once verified by Stripe, your account is live.
You don't need an existing Stripe account — Bookify walks you through creating one during the connection process. Stripe's verification typically takes a few minutes for straightforward cases.
What Stripe Connect costs
Stripe Connect's fees for European cards are competitive — a small percentage plus a fixed amount per transaction. There is no monthly fee from Stripe itself; you only pay when you process a payment. For most salon businesses, the reduction in no-shows alone more than covers the transaction costs within the first month.
Why this approach is better than alternatives
Some booking systems process payments through their own accounts and pay out periodically — this means your money sits with the software provider, not with you. With Bookify's Stripe Connect model, the funds move directly to your account. You have full visibility in your Stripe dashboard and your money is never held by a third party.
