What it is
Stripe is a payments platform built to be integrated through its API. From one account it processes cards and local methods, runs subscriptions, sends invoices and calculates tax. Its documentation and test mode make it the default for digital products and SaaS. In Latin America you can open a local account in Mexico and Brazil, where it supports OXXO, interest-free installments, Pix and boleto.
How to use it
- Add checkout to your app or site with Checkout, Elements or the API.
- Run subscriptions with Billing: trials, proration and automatic payment retries.
- Create payment links to sell over WhatsApp or social media without code.
- Offer OXXO, bank transfers and installments to customers in Mexico.
- Connect your accounting to reconcile payouts, refunds and fees.
What it's good for
- A Buenos Aires-founded SaaS with a U.S. entity billing subscriptions in dollars to customers across the region.
- An online store in Mexico City accepting cards, OXXO and interest-free installments at checkout.
- A marketplace splitting each payment among its sellers with Stripe Connect.
Pros
- Thorough API and docs, with a full test mode and a CLI for development
- Payments, subscriptions, invoices and tax in a single account
- Supports OXXO, bank transfers and interest-free installments in Mexico
- Payment Links and Checkout let you get paid without writing code
Cons
- In Latin America, local accounts are only available in Mexico and Brazil
- Standard rates get expensive at high volume unless you negotiate
- Risk reviews can hold funds or pause an account with little warning
