Payments

How payments work in Subscriptions Manager. You can accept Bitcoin (Lightning & on-chain), NWC automatic payments, Stripe payments, and PayPal — all from a single extension.

Payment Flow

Subscriber visits checkout link
    ↓
Enters contact info
    ↓
Selects payment method
    ↓
Completes payment (QR/card/PayPal)
    ↓
Payment confirmed
    ↓
Subscription active

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Bitcoin Payments

Lightning Network

Fastest option — instant settlement

• Speed: Instant (seconds)
• QR Code: BOLT11 invoice
• Wallets: Any Lightning wallet (Phoenix, Zeus, Wallet of Satoshi, etc.)
• Fees: Near-zero

Lightning is the default payment method and provides the best user experience for Bitcoin payments.

On-Chain Bitcoin

For larger amounts or cold storage users

• Speed: 0-conf (instant) or wait for confirmations
• QR Code: BIP21 unified (Lightning + on-chain in one)
• Requirements: WatchOnly + SatsPay extensions must be enabled
• Confirmations: Configurable per plan

ℹ️

When both Lightning and on-chain are enabled, subscribers see a unified BIP21 QR code. Modern wallets automatically choose the best payment method.

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Stripe Payments

Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay

Stripe integration allows you to accept traditional payment methods:

Payment Type	Support
Credit Cards	Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover
Debit Cards	All major networks
Apple Pay	iOS and macOS devices
Google Pay	Android and web
Bank Cards	Regional support varies

Setup Requirements

1. Stripe Connect must be enabled at the LNbits server level
2. Connect your Stripe account in your wallet settings
3. Enable "Card Payments" when creating a plan

How It Works

1. Subscriber selects "Pay with Card" at checkout
2. Redirected to Stripe's secure checkout page
3. Enters card details (or uses Apple/Google Pay)
4. On success, redirected back and subscription activates

💡

Stripe handles all PCI compliance. Card details never touch your server.

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PayPal Payments

Alternative fiat payment method

PayPal provides another option for subscribers who prefer not to use cards directly:

• PayPal Balance: Pay from existing PayPal funds
• Linked Bank Accounts: ACH transfers
• PayPal Credit: Buy now, pay later (where available)

Setup Requirements

1. PayPal integration must be enabled at the LNbits server level
2. Connect your PayPal business account
3. Enable "PayPal" when creating a plan

How It Works

1. Subscriber selects "Pay with PayPal" at checkout
2. Redirected to PayPal login
3. Authorizes the payment
4. On success, redirected back and subscription activates

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NWC (Nostr Wallet Connect)

True automatic recurring payments

NWC enables fully automatic subscription renewals. Subscribers connect their wallet once, and payments are charged automatically on each billing cycle — no manual action required.

Supported Wallets

Wallet	Platform	Notes
Alby	Browser, Mobile	Most popular NWC wallet
Buho	Web	Lightning & Nostr integration
LNbits	Self-hosted, Web	Full NWC support via NWCify extension
Any NIP-47 wallet	Varies	Must support pay_invoice

Setup Requirements

1. Enable Allow NWC when creating or editing a plan
2. Subscribers will see "Subscribe with Autopay" button on checkout

How It Works

Subscriber clicks "Subscribe with Autopay"
    ↓
Pastes NWC connection string from wallet
    ↓
Connection validated instantly
    ↓
First payment requested from wallet
    ↓
Wallet approves and pays automatically
    ↓
Subscription active!
    ↓
Future renewals happen automatically

💡

NWC is the only payment method that enables true automatic renewals for Bitcoin. Subscribers pay the first invoice, and their wallet handles all future payments within configured limits.

For Subscribers

To use NWC autopay:

1. Open your NWC-compatible wallet (Alby, Buho, LNbits, etc.)
2. Generate an NWC connection string
3. Set an appropriate spending limit for the subscription amount
4. Paste the connection string on the checkout page

ℹ️

Subscribers can revoke NWC access anytime from their wallet settings. If revoked, the subscription moves to manual renewal.

NWC Error Handling

If an NWC payment fails, the subscriber is notified with a clear message:

Error	Meaning
Insufficient Balance	Wallet needs more sats
Quota Exceeded	Spending limit reached
Timeout	Wallet didn't respond
Unauthorized	Connection was revoked

See API Status Codes for the full list of NWC error codes.

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Combining Payment Methods

You can enable multiple payment methods per plan:

Configuration	Use Case
Lightning only	Bitcoin maximalist audience
Lightning + On-chain	All Bitcoin users
Lightning + NWC	Bitcoin with automatic renewals
Lightning + Stripe	Crypto + fiat flexibility
All methods	Maximum reach

💡

Offering multiple payment methods increases conversion rates. Subscribers choose what's convenient for them.

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Automatic Renewals

Subscriptions renew automatically:

1. Before period ends: System creates renewal invoice
2. Invoice sent: Subscriber receives payment request
3. On payment: Period extends
4. If not paid: Enters grace period (if configured)

Renewal by Payment Type

Method	Renewal Process
Lightning	New invoice generated and sent
On-chain	New address/invoice generated
NWC	Wallet charged automatically
Stripe	Card charged automatically
PayPal	PayPal account charged

ℹ️

NWC, Stripe, and PayPal renewals are fully automatic. Standard Lightning and on-chain renewals require the subscriber to manually pay each invoice.

Failed Payments

When a payment fails:

Stage	Status	Access
Payment due	Active	Yes
Payment failed	Past Due	Yes
Grace period ends	Payment Failed	No

💡

Set a grace period of 3-7 days to give subscribers time to fix payment issues. This reduces accidental churn.

Payment History

Each subscriber's payment history is visible in their details:

• Payment date
• Amount (in original currency)
• Status (paid, pending, failed)
• Payment method used
• Transaction reference

Refunds

Bitcoin Payments

Subscriptions Manager doesn't process Bitcoin refunds directly:

• Lightning: Send a new payment to the subscriber's invoice
• On-chain: Send a transaction to their Bitcoin address

Coordinate with your subscriber for refund details.

Stripe Payments

Refunds can be processed through your Stripe Dashboard:

1. Log into Stripe Dashboard
2. Find the payment
3. Issue full or partial refund

PayPal Payments

Refunds can be processed through your PayPal account:

1. Log into PayPal Business
2. Find the transaction
3. Issue refund