Stripe Link Overview and Benefits | Generated by AI

Home 2026.05

Question: What is Stripe Link and how does it work?

Answer:

Link is Stripe’s digital wallet. It lets customers securely save and reuse payment methods for fast checkout. Where available, customers can pay with cards, bank accounts, buy-now-pay-later options, and other methods.

Core Features

One-Click / Fast Checkout

Link autofills customers’ saved information in a few simple steps across any device and browser and in supported AI agents. Customer data is encrypted to keep it secure, and as a certified PCI Service Provider Level 1, Link meets the highest level of certification available in the payments industry.

How Authentication Works

When customers use Link on a new site or new device, they receive a one-time code via SMS to verify their identity and keep their payment information secure. Link instantly populates customers’ saved payment details when they enter their email address, allowing them to check out quickly on any Link-supported site.

Payment Methods Supported

Users can connect payment methods including cards, banks, crypto wallets, and buy now/pay later services, as well as store important details for online checkout like billing and shipping information.

Transaction Confirmation & Settlement

All Link transactions confirm immediately, and successful payments settle to your Stripe balance on the same timeline as card payments, regardless of the payment method that funds the payment.

Benefits for Businesses

Businesses with a large repeat customer base have seen an average returning user conversion increase of 14%. Customers can check out 3x faster than non-Link customers. Link also helps businesses reach over 200 million consumers worldwide, built into hundreds of thousands of Stripe-powered sites.

When customers pay with lower-cost alternatives to cards, like Instant Bank Payments (available exclusively through Link), businesses can also reduce processing costs.

Where It Works

Link works with Checkout, Payment Links, Web Elements, Mobile Elements, and Invoicing. It is available for Express Checkout Element and Card Element integrations. Link is also available for native iOS, Android, and React Native apps.

For businesses and platforms in 40+ countries, Link can be seamlessly integrated into checkout with the Payment Element. Link is built into existing Stripe payments integrations with no additional charges or fees.

AI Agent Support (New in 2026)

Stripe has upgraded Link to support autonomous AI agents, allowing them to perform tasks such as shopping, paying for reservations, buying tickets, and more. Users can connect their AI agents and give them permission to pay, without exposing their payment credentials.

To work, users first grant their agent access to the Link wallet via an OAuth authentication flow. The agent can then create a spend request, provide context, and wait for user approval. On mobile and web, users receive a notification to approve the spend request before the payment credential is shared with the AI agent.

Refunds and Disputes

Link supports full and partial refunds, which can be initiated through the Stripe Dashboard or API. The refund process is typically completed within 5–10 business days, depending on the bank. Disputes for Link payments follow a similar process to card disputes and can be responded to through the Stripe Dashboard or API.

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