---
title: "Stripe Connect"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/academy/stripe-connect/"
description: "Stripe is one of the simplest and most popular gateways for selling courses with LearnDash. With Stripe Connect, you can quickly link your Stripe account and st…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "Academy"
topics: ["Billing and Payments", "Courses", "LearnDash 101", "Recurring Donations", "Stripe Gateway Settings", "Supported Payment Gateways"]
date: "2023-02-16"
last_modified: "2023-02-16"
---

# Stripe Connect

Stripe is one of the simplest and most popular gateways for selling courses with LearnDash. With **Stripe Connect**, you can quickly link your Stripe account and start accepting payments without extra plugins.

#### Connecting Stripe

1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to **LearnDash LMS > Settings > Payments**.
2. Locate the **Stripe** option and click **Manage**.
3. Click **Connect Stripe**. 
    - You’ll be redirected to the Stripe website to sign in or create a new Stripe account.
    - After connecting, you’ll return to your WordPress dashboard where you’ll see instructions for configuring the webhook in Stripe.

#### Test Mode vs. Live Mode

- **Test Mode**: Use while testing your site. No real money changes hands, but Stripe records whether transactions succeed or fail.
- **Live Mode**: Use once your site is ready to launch. All payments are processed as real transactions.

Toggle between the two modes using the **Test Mode** switch in your Stripe settings.

#### Payment Methods

Currently supported methods:

- **Credit Card**
- **iDEAL** (optional)

Ensure **Credit Card** is enabled and save your changes.

#### Return URL

- By default, users stay on the course page after purchase.
- You can set a **custom confirmation page URL** to redirect learners after successful checkout.

#### Webhook Setup

LearnDash generates a **Webhook URL** automatically. To configure it in Stripe:

1. Log in to your Stripe account.
2. Go to **Developers > Webhooks**.
3. Toggle on Test Mode.
4. Click **Add Endpoint**.
5. Paste the LearnDash-generated webhook URL, add a description, and select the latest API version.
6. Enable the required events.
7. Repeat the setup with Test Mode toggled off.
8. Save your changes.

---

### Configuring Course Payments

Once Stripe (and PayPal, if desired) is set up, you need to configure payment options for each course.

1. In WordPress, go to **LearnDash LMS > Courses**.
2. Select the course you’d like to sell and click **Edit**.
3. Go to the **Settings** tab.
4. Under **Course Access Settings**, choose: 
    - **Buy Now**: Requires a one-time payment through Stripe or PayPal. Enter your course price and set the course enrollment URL.
    - **Recurring**: Requires ongoing payments. Set your price, billing cycle (days, weeks, months, or years), number of payments, trial price, trial duration, and redirect URL.
5. Click **Update** or **Publish** to save.

---

### Learner Experience

- On the course page, users see a **Take This Course** button.
- Clicking the button prompts them to **register** (username, email, name, and password).
- After registering, learners are redirected to checkout where they can pay by **credit card (Stripe)** or **PayPal**.
- Upon successful payment, learners are redirected to either the **course page** or the **custom URL** you defined.

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### Why This Matters

Stripe Connect makes it easy to accept secure, professional payments directly on your LearnDash site. With support for one-time and recurring payments, you can build sustainable revenue streams without complicated integrations.

> **Tip:** Use a branded confirmation page as your return URL to thank learners, provide next steps, and reinforce your course value immediately after purchase.