How to Connect Your Stripe Account to Receive Tips

Every person who receives tips through Aplauso - and every venue that facilitates them - needs a connected Stripe account. This guide covers the connection process for both employees and managers.

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Why Stripe Connect?

Aplauso uses Stripe Connect to handle tip routing. Stripe Connect is a platform product that allows marketplaces and platforms to move money to third parties (in this case, your employees). By using Stripe Connect:

• Stripe handles all payment compliance and reporting requirements
• Each employee maintains independent control over their payout account
• Aplauso never holds funds - money routes directly between guests and employees
• Employees and managers can see Stripe-level details in their Stripe dashboard

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For Employees - Connecting to Receive Tips

When you accept an invite to join Aplauso and create your account, the onboarding flow prompts you to connect Stripe.

In the Mobile App

1. During initial setup, tap Connect Payout Account.
2. You'll be redirected to the Stripe Connect onboarding flow.
3. Enter your personal details:
   • Legal full name
   • Date of birth
   • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (or equivalent government ID for non-US)
   • Home address
4. Add your bank account:
   • Routing number and account number (US)
   • Or select your bank and log in via Plaid (if available)
5. Review and accept Stripe's terms of service.
6. Return to Aplauso - your account shows Payouts: Active.

In the Dashboard

1. Log in to my.aplauso.io.
2. Go to Settings → Payment Methods → Connect Stripe.
3. Follow the same Stripe onboarding flow as above.

Important: Your Stripe account is your own - Aplauso does not have access to your bank account details. Stripe holds this information securely and processes your payouts directly.

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For Managers / Venue Owners - Platform Stripe Connection

The venue also needs a Stripe account for platform-level payment processing (collecting guest payments before routing to employees).

Setup

1. Log in to my.aplauso.io/manage.
2. Go to Settings → Payments → Connect Stripe.
3. Click Connect with Stripe.
4. You'll be taken to Stripe's business onboarding:
   • Business type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietor, etc.)
   • Business name, address, and EIN (or SSN for sole proprietors)
   • Bank account for platform-level fees (if applicable)
   • Representative information and identity verification
5. Complete Stripe's verification (instant for most businesses).
6. Return to Aplauso - Stripe status shows Connected.

Note: The venue Stripe account is separate from each employee's Stripe account. The venue connection enables payment processing; individual employee connections enable payouts.

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Checking Your Stripe Status

Employee

Go to Settings → Payment Methods - you'll see either:

• Active - connected and verified; tips will route to your bank
• Pending - Stripe is reviewing your information (usually resolves in minutes)
• Restricted - Stripe requires additional verification; click to complete

Manager/Venue

Go to Settings → Payments - status shows Connected, Pending, or Restricted.

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Stripe Verification Requirements

Stripe may request additional identity verification at any time (especially for accounts that have processed high tip volumes). Common requests:

When Stripe requests verification, you'll receive an email from Stripe and see an alert in your Aplauso settings.

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Stripe in Test Mode vs. Live Mode

During testing (Sandbox environment), Aplauso uses Stripe test mode. You don't need to complete full Stripe verification for test mode - Stripe automatically provides test credentials.

When switching to Live mode, your Stripe account must be fully verified and in live mode.

See Understanding Environments for details.

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Troubleshooting Stripe Connection Issues

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Next Steps

• How payouts work
• Setting up your bank account for payouts
• Payout timing