Short answer: A Stripe payment link has lower fees (2.9% + 30 cents in the US) and lets you set up your own pay-what-you-want page if you run a business. You have to open and run a Stripe business account yourself, and splitting tips between people needs a custom integration. TipIns, which also uses Stripe, gives you a tip page, signs, payouts and team splits ready to go.
Side by side
| TipIns | Stripe Payment Links | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A tipping app for workers and performers: a personal QR code and tip page, with tips paid to your bank. | Stripe Payment Links are no-code hosted checkout links from Stripe that a business can share as a URL or QR code. |
| Cost of taking a tip | No monthly fee. A 10% platform fee plus card processing (2.9% + $0.30 in the US) per tip, added on top for the person tipping by default, so you receive the full tip. | US: 2.9% + 30 cents per payment with a domestic card, plus 1.5% for international cards and 1% if currency conversion is needed. UK: from 1.5% + 20p. Australia: from 1.65% + A$0.30. No extra charge for the links themselves. |
| What the person tipping needs | No app or account. They scan with the phone camera and pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay in the browser. | No account needed. The tipper opens a Stripe-hosted page in the browser; Stripe dynamically shows 40+ payment methods depending on eligibility, including cards and wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. |
| QR code | Yes: a personal QR code and link, plus printable signs. | Yes, Stripe can show a QR code for any payment link. Payment Links support 'customers can choose what to pay', which Stripe documents for tips and donations. |
| Where it works | 41 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and most of Europe. | Businesses in the countries listed on stripe.com/global, which include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. |
| Getting the money to your bank | Weekly payout every Friday, free; it usually arrives 24 to 48 hours later. Instant payout: 2% plus a small fixed fee, from 14 days after joining. | US: standard payouts free; Stripe docs say the first payout is typically scheduled 7 to 14 days after the first live payment, then follows the account schedule (US standard settlement T+2). Instant Payouts: 1.5% of volume, minimum 50 cents (US); UK 1%, minimum 40p; Australia 1.5%, minimum A$0.50. |
| Sharing tips with a team | Yes. A group has one QR code and splits each tip equally or by set percentages, with optional active shifts. | None in Payment Links. Splitting funds between people needs a separate Stripe Connect integration. |
| Rules that matter for tips | Built for tips. Stripe checks your identity before you can receive tips. | Stripe accounts are for businesses, including individuals selling a service. Stripe's support page says a tip must be given for a good or service that has been provided, you may not accept donations on behalf of someone other than yourself, and Stripe does not support personal or peer to peer money transmission. Pay what you want links allow only one line item, no promotion codes and no recurring payments. |
Stripe Payment Links figures are from Stripe Payment Links's own pages, checked on 20 October 2026; they are US figures unless the row says otherwise. Fees change, so check before you decide.
When Stripe Payment Links is the better choice
A Stripe payment link has lower fees (2.9% + 30 cents in the US) and lets you set up your own pay-what-you-want page if you run a business.
When TipIns fits better
You have to open and run a Stripe business account yourself, and splitting tips between people needs a custom integration. TipIns, which also uses Stripe, gives you a tip page, signs, payouts and team splits ready to go.
Using both
Nothing stops you showing two codes. Many workers keep a payment app for regulars and a TipIns code for everyone else. The QR tip jar maker turns any payment link into a printable code.
Sources
- Stripe pricing (US)
- Stripe pricing (UK)
- Stripe pricing (Australia)
- Stripe docs: Payment Links
- Stripe docs: Let customers decide what to pay
- Stripe support: Requirements for accepting tips or donations
- Stripe docs: Payouts
- Stripe global availability
Common questions
Is TipIns cheaper than Stripe Payment Links?
It depends on how you take tips. No monthly fee. A 10% platform fee plus card processing (2.9% + $0.30 in the US) per tip, added on top for the person tipping by default, so you receive the full tip.
Does the customer need Stripe Payment Links to tip me?
No account needed. The tipper opens a Stripe-hosted page in the browser; Stripe dynamically shows 40+ payment methods depending on eligibility, including cards and wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Does the customer need an app to tip with TipIns?
No app or account. They scan with the phone camera and pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay in the browser.
App Store
Google Play