How to handle payments in Bubble

To handle payments in Bubble, the simplest and most reliable approach is to use the official Stripe plugin for standard payments, or the Stripe API Connector when you need advanced control like subscriptions, metered billing, or webhooks. You send the user to a Stripe Checkout page or collect card details with Stripe Elements, then store the successful payment result in your Bubble database using a backend workflow triggered by Stripe’s webhook.

How Payment Handling Works in Bubble

Bubble itself does not process payments. Instead, you integrate a real payment provider like Stripe. In Bubble, this always follows the same flow: create a payment session → send the user to complete it → receive confirmation → update your database. Stripe handles all sensitive card information so you never store card data in Bubble.

• Use Bubble’s Stripe plugin when you want a fast setup (one‑time charges, subscriptions, saving cards).
• Use the API Connector when you need features the plugin doesn’t expose (Stripe Checkout Sessions, Customer Portal, advanced subscription options).
• Use backend workflows to process confirmations safely, because only backend workflows can receive Stripe webhooks.

Basic Setup Steps

First, install the Stripe plugin or configure Stripe manually in the API Connector. Add your Stripe API keys in Bubble’s Settings → API. In Stripe’s dashboard, add a webhook pointing to your Bubble backend workflow URL. Then create a workflow on your button (for example “Pay Now”) that triggers a Stripe Checkout Session or a plugin action.

• When Stripe finishes the payment, it sends a webhook to Bubble.
• Your backend workflow parses the event and updates your internal Thing (for example Order → “Paid = yes”).

// Example Stripe webhook payload snippet (Bubble receives this)
// Bubble reads "type" and "data.object"
{
  "type": "checkout.session.completed",
  "data": {
    "object": {
      "id": "cs_test_123",
      "payment_status": "paid",
      "client_reference_id": "ORDER_987"
    }
  }
}

Practical Tips

• Never rely on the page workflow to confirm payments; users can close the tab. Always use the webhook.
• Store Stripe IDs (Customer ID, PaymentIntent ID, Session ID) on your Things so you can verify events later.
• Test in Stripe Test Mode with test cards before switching Bubble and Stripe to Live Mode.