Payment processing
Stripe rates, no markup
Goldenhour’s card-processing fees pass through to Stripe at their posted rates: we don’t add a platform markup. Your subscription is a separate flat fee that doesn’t change based on transaction volume.
The rates
In-person (Tap-to-Pay)
2.7% + $0.05
iPhone Tap-to-Pay on any iOS app running goldenhour Terminal.
Online (deposit + checkout)
2.9% + $0.30
Any card transaction completed through the booking page or remote-charge action.
Comparison
Versus other beauty platforms
| Platform | In-person | Online | Payouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldenhour (Stripe) | 2.7% + $0.05 (Tap-to-Pay) | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2-day, next-day after 90d |
| Square | 2.6% + $0.15 | 2.9% + $0.30 | Next-day |
| Fresha | 2.29% + $0.20 | 2.79% + $0.20 | Daily |
| GlossGenius | 2.6% flat | 2.6% flat | Next-day |
| Booksy | Variable | Variable | Variable |
Verified May 2026 against each platform’s public pricing page. Rates change; we re-verify this table quarterly.
What you get
Built into every transaction
Card-on-file via Stripe Setup Intent
Save a card at booking for later no-show fees, add-on charges, or no-deposit visits. Secure tokenization: your system never touches the card PAN.
Auto-receipt by email + SMS
Every transaction triggers a branded receipt. Custom domain customers’ receipts come from their own email-from domain when verified.
Dispute defense via audit log
The audit log records every state change with a timestamp + actor. Upload to Stripe’s dispute portal to defend against chargebacks. Most beauty- business chargebacks resolve in the artist’s favor when consent + policy text is documented.
Klarna / Afterpay (optional, opt-in per tenant)
Stripe’s BNPL offers can be enabled per tenant. Useful for bridal-party packages or high-ticket recurring memberships. Same processing rate; the BNPL provider takes a separate cut on their side.
FAQ
- What does goldenhour charge for card processing?
- We don't markup processing. The card-processing fee you pay goes to Stripe at their standard rate (2.9% + $0.30 online, 2.7% + $0.05 in-person Tap-to-Pay). Goldenhour's platform fee is separate (your subscription tier) and doesn't change based on transaction volume.
- How does this compare to Square / Vagaro / Fresha?
- Square's in-person rate (2.6% + $0.15) is slightly cheaper than Stripe but their online rate (2.9% + $0.30) is identical. GlossGenius is 2.6% flat for cards but bundles processing into a higher subscription tier. Fresha is 2.29% + $0.20 in-person, 2.79% + $0.20 online. The 0.1-0.3% delta matters more than it seems for high-volume operators; for solo artists doing <$5k/mo, the difference is under $15/mo.
- When do I receive my payouts?
- Standard payouts run on a 2-day rolling schedule (Stripe default for new accounts) and accelerate to next-day after the first 90 days of clean processing. Instant payouts (15 minutes) are available for a 1% fee per payout.
- What about chargebacks?
- Stripe handles the dispute mechanics. Goldenhour gives you three documents that defend most beauty-business chargebacks: the original booking confirmation with consent timestamp, the appointment record with no-show timestamp, and the audit log of every state change. Upload these to Stripe's dispute portal and most chargebacks resolve in your favor.
- Can I save a card on file for no-show fees?
- Yes. Goldenhour uses Stripe Setup Intent to securely save the card without immediately charging it. You can later charge the card for a no-show fee per your cancellation policy. The customer consents to this at checkout; the consent is stored in the audit log.