XE
Xero
Finance and tax · Software
Top pick
UK cloud accounting software for invoicing, bank reconciliation, VAT and payroll.
Best forUK small businesses that want tidy books their accountant can work with.
ST
Used by me
Software · Usage-basedStripe review: is it worth it?
Payment processing for online payments, subscriptions, invoices and payment links.
Category: Payments and finance
My verdict
The default way to take payments online. Excellent tooling, fair pricing, no drama.
What it does
Stripe processes card and wallet payments, handles subscriptions, invoices, payment links and payouts.
What I use it for
Deposits, subscription billing and one-off payment links sent straight from a quote.
Why I use it
Payment links let a trade business take a deposit in a text message. That alone reduces no-shows.
Key features
- Payment links
- Subscriptions and billing
- Invoicing
- Checkout
- Fraud tools
- Reporting and payouts
Pros and cons
Pros
- Superb developer and no-code tooling
- Transparent pricing
- Fast payouts
Cons
- Account reviews can freeze funds
- Support is mostly async
- Not ideal for high-risk sectors
Who it's best for
Any business taking payment online or wanting deposits before work starts.
Who should avoid it
You are in a high-risk category Stripe restricts, or you need card-present retail as your main channel.
Pricing
No monthly fee. Roughly 1.5% + 20p for UK cards, higher for international.
There is a usable free plan, so you can test it before committing.
Stripe FAQs
I use Stripe in my own businesses. Relationship: Used by me. Some links on this page may be affiliate or referral links. Full disclosure.
Tools I pair with Stripe
QU
QuickBooks
Finance and tax · Software
Used by me
Cloud accounting software with strong self assessment and small business features in the UK.
Best forSole traders and small limited companies watching software cost.