Quick Answer: Timing Depends on Two Things
When you get paid depends on two factors:
First Factor: Is this your very first payout ever? First payouts have a 7-day waiting period.
Second Factor: What payout schedule did you set in Stripe? Daily, weekly, or monthly.
LaunchPass doesn't hold your money. Member payments go straight into your Stripe account. Then Stripe pays you based on your schedule.
Understanding How Payment Works
Let's follow the money from your member to your bank account.
The Payment Journey
Step 1: Member Pays
Your member signs up through your LaunchPass page. They enter their credit card. Stripe processes the payment immediately.
Step 2: Money Goes to Your Stripe Account
The payment lands in your Stripe balance right away. You can see it in your Stripe dashboard under "Balance."
Step 3: LaunchPass Takes Its Fee
LaunchPass deducts 3.5% as a transaction fee. This happens automatically. You see the net amount (what you keep) in Stripe.
Step 4: Stripe Holds Money Briefly
Stripe keeps the money in your balance for a short time. This is called the "pending period." It's usually 2-7 days depending on your account.
Step 5: Money Becomes Available
After the pending period, money moves from "pending" to "available" in your Stripe balance.
Step 6: Payout Happens
Based on your schedule, Stripe sends available funds to your bank account. This transfer takes 1-3 business days.
Step 7: Money Arrives in Your Bank
The funds appear in your bank account. You can now use the money however you want.
Your First Payout: Special Rules
The very first time you receive a payout has different timing.
7-Day Waiting Period
When you first connect Stripe to LaunchPass and receive your first member payment:
Stripe holds the money for 7 full days
This is a security measure for new accounts
The 7 days start from your first successful charge
You cannot change or skip this waiting period
Every new Stripe account has this rule
Why the Wait?
Stripe waits 7 days to:
Verify your account is legitimate
Reduce risk of fraud
Allow time for potential chargebacks
Confirm your bank account works correctly
This protects both you and Stripe.
After Your First Payout
Once you receive your first payout:
The 7-day hold disappears
Future payouts follow your normal schedule
Money flows much faster
You're considered an established account
Example Timeline
Day 1: First member pays $49 for your community
Day 1-7: Money sits in your Stripe account (pending)
Day 8: Money becomes available for payout
Day 8-10: Stripe transfers money to your bank (based on schedule)
Day 11: Money appears in your bank account
Total time: About 10-11 days for your very first payout.
Regular Payout Schedule Options
After your first payout, choose how often you want to receive money.
Daily Payouts
Receive money every single business day.
How It Works:
Stripe pays you every business day (Monday-Friday)
Minimum: Usually $1 must be available
Timing: Money from 2 days ago arrives today
Good For:
Small daily sales
Consistent cash flow
Seeing money faster
Example:
Monday: Member pays $49
Wednesday: You receive $47.28 (minus 3.5% fee) in your bank
Weekly Payouts
Receive money once per week on the day you choose.
How It Works:
Pick a specific day (Monday, Tuesday, etc.)
Stripe pays you every week on that day
Minimum: Varies by country (usually $25-50)
Timing: Money from past week arrives on your chosen day
Good For:
Predictable payment schedules
Easier bookkeeping
Medium-sized communities
Example:
You choose Friday payouts
Every Friday, you receive all earnings from the previous week
Easier to track weekly income
Monthly Payouts
Receive money once per month on the date you choose.
How It Works:
Pick a specific date (1st, 15th, etc.)
Stripe pays you once monthly
Minimum: Varies by country (usually $100+)
Timing: Money from past month arrives on your chosen date
Good For:
Very large monthly earnings
Annual budgeting
Simplest bookkeeping
Example:
You choose 1st of month payouts
Every month on the 1st, you receive all previous month's earnings
One big payment monthly
How to Check Your Payout Schedule
Here's how to see your current payout settings.
Step 1: Log Into Stripe
Go to dashboard.stripe.com
Enter your email and password
Click "Log in"
If you forgot your password, click "Forgot password" to reset it.
Step 2: Open Settings
Look at the left sidebar
Find the gear icon (⚙️) at the bottom
Click "Settings"
This opens your account settings page.
Step 3: Find Bank Accounts Section
Look for "Business settings" section
Click "Bank accounts and scheduling"
This shows your payout information
You'll see your current schedule listed.
Step 4: View Current Schedule
Your current payout schedule displays here:
Frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
Specific day (if weekly) or date (if monthly)
Linked bank account
Next estimated payout date
This tells you exactly when to expect money.
How to Change Your Payout Schedule
Want to receive money more or less often? Change your schedule anytime.
Step 1: Go to Payout Settings
Follow steps above to reach "Bank accounts and scheduling" page.
Step 2: Click Edit Schedule
Find the "Payout schedule" section
Look for "Edit" button or pencil icon
Click it to open schedule options
Step 3: Choose New Frequency
Select from the dropdown menu:
Daily: Money arrives every business day
Weekly: Pick a day of the week
Monthly: Pick a date of the month
Step 4: Set Specific Day or Date
If You Chose Weekly:
Pick Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday
Weekends are not available (not business days)
If You Chose Monthly:
Pick a date from 1-31
If you pick 31st, months with fewer days pay on the last day
Step 5: Save Changes
Click "Save" button at bottom
Stripe confirms your new schedule
Changes take effect in 1-2 business days
Your next payout follows the new schedule.
Checking Your Stripe Balance
Want to see how much money you have right now? Check your Stripe balance.
How to View Your Balance
Log into dashboard.stripe.com
Look at the top of the page
You'll see "Balance" in the top bar
Your balance shows two numbers:
Pending: Money waiting to become available (still in holding period)
Available: Money ready to be paid out to your bank
Example Balance Display
Balance: $347.28 Available: $247.28 Pending: $100.00
This means:
$247.28 will go to your bank on next payout
$100.00 is waiting (will become available in a few days)
Viewing Next Payout
Click on "Balance" to see:
Next payout date
Exact amount going to your bank
Which bank account receives it
Estimated arrival date
This helps you plan when money arrives.
Understanding LaunchPass Fees
LaunchPass charges a 3.5% transaction fee on all payments.
How the Fee Works
Member Pays: $100 for your community
LaunchPass Fee: $3.50 (3.5% of $100)
You Receive: $96.50 (the rest)
The fee deducts automatically. You never see the full $100 in your Stripe account.
What the Fee Covers
Your 3.5% pays for:
LaunchPass platform access
Automated member management
Invite link generation
Integration with Slack/Discord/Telegram
Customer support
Technical infrastructure
Additional Stripe Fees
Stripe also charges its own fees:
Usually 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
Varies by payment type and country
Currency conversion fees if applicable
These are separate from LaunchPass's 3.5%
Total Fee Example
Member Pays: $100
Stripe Fees: $3.20 (2.9% + $0.30) LaunchPass Fee: $3.50 (3.5%) Your Net: $93.30
Both fees deduct automatically.
International Payments and Currency
Receiving payments from different countries? Here's what affects timing.
Currency Conversion
If you accept payments in multiple currencies:
Stripe converts to your payout currency
Conversion happens automatically
Exchange rates are set by Stripe
Small conversion fee applies (usually 1-2%)
Conversion Timing
Currency conversion happens before payout:
Member pays in their currency (e.g., GBP)
Stripe converts to your currency (e.g., USD)
Converted amount goes to your balance
Payout follows normal schedule
Multi-Currency Accounts
Some Stripe accounts support multiple currencies:
Hold balances in different currencies
Choose which currency to pay out
Reduces conversion fees
Requires special Stripe account setup
Check your Stripe dashboard to see if this is available for your country.
Manual Payouts: Getting Money Faster
Need money immediately? Trigger a manual payout.
How Manual Payouts Work
Instead of waiting for your schedule:
Go to "Balance" in Stripe dashboard
Click "Pay out funds" button
Enter the amount you want
Select instant or standard speed
Confirm the payout
Money transfers to your bank.
Instant vs Standard
Standard Manual Payout:
Takes 1-3 business days
No extra fee
Same as scheduled payouts
Instant Manual Payout (if available):
Money arrives in minutes
Extra fee applies (usually 1% of amount)
Only available in some countries
Requires eligible bank account
When to Use Manual Payouts
Good Reasons:
Emergency expense needs immediate funds
Opportunity requires quick payment
End of month cash flow needs
Bad Reasons:
Impatience (costs fees for instant)
Testing the system repeatedly
Before verifying bank account works
Use manual payouts sparingly.
Troubleshooting Payout Issues
If money isn't arriving as expected, check these common issues.
Problem 1: No Money After 7 Days
Symptoms: First member paid but no money arrived after 7 days.
Possible Causes:
7-day period not finished yet
Bank account not properly connected
Verification documents needed
Stripe account limited
Solutions:
Count 7 full business days from first payment
Check Stripe email for verification requests
Verify bank account connected correctly
Contact Stripe support if account limited
Problem 2: Payout Delayed
Symptoms: Expected payout didn't arrive on schedule.
Possible Causes:
Weekend or bank holiday
Minimum threshold not met
Bank account issue
Insufficient balance
Solutions:
Check if today is a business day
Verify available balance meets minimum
Confirm bank account active and verified
Check Stripe dashboard for error messages
Problem 3: Wrong Amount Received
Symptoms: Bank received different amount than expected.
Possible Causes:
Didn't account for fees
Currency conversion occurred
Refund processed
Multiple payouts combined
Solutions:
Review Stripe balance history
Check all transactions and fees
Look for refunds or chargebacks
Compare available balance to payout amount
Problem 4: Can't Change Schedule
Symptoms: Payout schedule won't update.
Possible Causes:
Recently changed (must wait 1-2 days)
Country restrictions
Stripe account type limitations
Verification incomplete
Solutions:
Wait 2 business days after last change
Check country-specific payout options
Complete account verification if prompted
Contact Stripe support for assistance
Common Questions About Payouts
Does LaunchPass Hold My Money?
No. LaunchPass never holds your funds. Member payments go straight to your Stripe account. LaunchPass just takes its 3.5% fee automatically. The rest is yours in Stripe immediately.
Why Does Stripe Hold Money?
Stripe holds money briefly for:
Fraud prevention
Chargeback protection
Account verification
Risk management
The holding period is usually 2-7 days depending on your account history and risk level.
Can I Get Paid Instantly?
Not for your first payout (7-day wait required). After that:
Daily payouts are fastest (every business day)
Manual instant payouts available in some countries (extra fee)
Cannot completely eliminate the 1-3 day bank transfer time
What Happens If My Bank Account is Wrong?
If your bank account information is incorrect:
Payout will fail
Stripe notifies you via email
Money returns to your Stripe balance
Update bank account information
Trigger a new payout
Fix bank details in Stripe Settings > Bank accounts.
Do I Need a Business Bank Account?
No. You can use:
Personal checking account
Personal savings account
Business checking account
Business savings account
Any bank account that accepts ACH transfers (in US) or local transfers (internationally) works fine.
Can I Change Bank Accounts?
Yes, anytime. To change:
Go to Stripe Settings
Click "Bank accounts and scheduling"
Add new bank account
Verify the new account (microdeposits or instant verification)
Set new account as default
Remove old account if desired
Future payouts go to the new account.
What If I Have Multiple Communities?
If you run multiple LaunchPass communities:
All use the same Stripe account
One payout schedule applies to all
All earnings combine in one balance
Cannot separate payouts by community
Track individual community earnings in LaunchPass dashboard, but money combines in Stripe.
Maximizing Your Payment Speed
Want money in your bank as fast as possible? Follow these tips.
Tip 1: Choose Daily Payouts
After your first 7-day payout:
Switch to daily payout schedule
Money arrives every business day
Fastest regular option available
Tip 2: Build Account History
The longer you use Stripe:
Pending periods may shorten
Stripe trusts your account more
Money becomes available faster
Be patient. Good history helps.
Tip 3: Avoid Chargebacks
Chargebacks slow everything down:
Provide great service to members
Communicate clearly about billing
Issue refunds quickly when requested
Keep chargeback rate low
High chargebacks trigger longer holds.
Tip 4: Complete Verification
Fully verify your Stripe account:
Submit all requested documents
Verify bank account immediately
Add business details if requested
Keep information current
Verified accounts have fewer delays.
Tip 5: Monitor Your Balance
Check Stripe balance regularly:
Know when money becomes available
Track pending vs available amounts
Plan around payout schedule
No surprises this way.
Keeping Records for Taxes
You must track your LaunchPass income for taxes.
Stripe Provides Tax Documents
Stripe generates:
Monthly balance statements
Annual 1099 forms (US) or similar (other countries)
Detailed transaction history
Export options for accountants
Find these in Stripe dashboard under "Reports."
Download Regular Statements
Best practice:
Download monthly statements
Save to a dedicated folder
Share with your accountant
Keep for at least 7 years
Stay organized from the start.
Track Gross vs Net Income
Gross Income: Total member payments before fees
Net Income: What you actually receive after fees
Your accountant needs both numbers. Stripe reports provide this breakdown.
Separate Business and Personal
If running a business:
Use a dedicated bank account
Keep LaunchPass income separate
Track expenses separately
Simplifies tax filing
Makes accounting much easier.
Setting Up Bank Account Initially
New to LaunchPass? Here's how to connect your bank account.
Step 1: Create Stripe Account
When you sign up for LaunchPass:
LaunchPass prompts you to connect Stripe
Click "Connect with Stripe"
Either log in to existing Stripe account or create new one
Follow Stripe signup process
This takes about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Add Your Bank Account
In Stripe:
Click "Balance" in left sidebar
Click "Payouts"
Click "Add bank account" button
Enter your bank information:
Bank name
Account number
Routing number (US) or sort code (UK)
Account holder name
Step 3: Verify Your Account
Stripe verifies your bank account:
Option A: Microdeposits
Stripe sends two small deposits (under $1 each)
Check your bank account in 1-2 days
Enter the exact amounts in Stripe
Account is verified
Option B: Instant Verification
Log into your bank through Stripe
Stripe confirms account automatically
Verification happens immediately
Faster but requires online banking
Step 4: Test With First Payment
Once connected:
Wait for your first member payment
Check that money appears in Stripe balance
Wait 7 days for first payout
Confirm money arrives in bank
Your setup is complete.
Refunds and How They Affect Payouts
When you refund a member, it affects your balance.
How Refunds Work
Member Scenario:
Member paid $100 on Monday
You issue refund on Thursday
Money hasn't been paid out to you yet
Result: Stripe cancels the payout. Money never leaves Stripe. Member gets refund directly.
Already Paid Out Scenario:
Member paid $100 on Monday
You received payout on Wednesday
You issue refund on Friday
Result: Stripe deducts $100 from your next payout. If your balance is too low, it goes negative until your next member payment.
Refund Timing
Member receives refund in:
5-10 business days for credit cards
Faster for debit cards (sometimes same day)
Varies by bank and payment method
You see the deduction in Stripe immediately.
Negative Balance
If refunds exceed your current balance:
Balance shows negative amount
Next member payments fill the negative balance first
Then normal payouts resume
You're not charged extra
The negative balance just means you owe Stripe that amount from the refund.
Getting Help with Payout Issues
Need assistance? Here's how to get help.
For Stripe-Related Issues
Contact Stripe Support directly:
Log into dashboard.stripe.com
Click support icon (question mark) in top right
Search for your issue or start a chat
Stripe support responds quickly (usually within hours)
Stripe Handles:
Payout schedule questions
Bank account issues
Verification problems
Fee questions
Balance inquiries
For LaunchPass-Related Issues
Contact LaunchPass Support:
Email: [email protected]
What to Include:
Your LaunchPass account email
Description of the issue
Screenshots if helpful
What you've already tried
LaunchPass Handles:
Platform questions
Integration issues
Fee structure clarification
Member management
Setup assistance
When to Contact Who
Contact Stripe if issue involves:
Bank transfers
Payout timing
Stripe account verification
Payment processor questions
Contact LaunchPass if issue involves:
Platform features
Member invites
Integration with Slack/Discord/Telegram
LaunchPass dashboard questions
Best Practices for Smooth Payouts
Follow these guidelines to avoid payment problems.
Practice 1: Verify Everything Immediately
When you first set up:
Verify bank account right away
Don't wait until first payment
Complete all Stripe verification steps
Test with one member first
Prevents delays later.
Practice 2: Keep Information Current
Always maintain:
Current bank account details
Valid contact email
Updated business information
Current address
Outdated info causes payout failures.
Practice 3: Monitor Your Account
Check weekly at minimum:
Stripe balance and pending amount
Upcoming payout schedule
Any email notifications from Stripe
Failed payment attempts
Stay aware of your account status.
Practice 4: Plan for First 7 Days
New account holders:
Don't rely on money in first week
Tell members refunds take time
Have backup funds for expenses
Understand this is temporary
The wait ends after first payout.
Practice 5: Choose Right Schedule
Pick schedule based on:
Your cash flow needs
Community size and earning frequency
Bookkeeping preferences
Business vs personal account
Daily works for most people.
Real-World Payment Timeline Examples
Here are realistic scenarios showing when you get paid.
Scenario 1: Brand New Community Owner
Day 1 (Monday): Launch community, first member signs up and pays $49
Day 1-7: Money sits in Stripe pending balance (7-day first payout hold)
Day 8 (Tuesday): Money moves to available balance
Day 9 (Wednesday): Stripe initiates payout to your bank (daily schedule)
Day 11 (Friday): Money arrives in your bank account
Total Time: 10 days from payment to bank account
Scenario 2: Established Community (Daily Payouts)
Monday: Member pays $49
Monday-Tuesday: Pending period (2 days standard hold)
Wednesday: Money becomes available
Wednesday: Stripe sends daily payout
Thursday: Money arrives in your bank
Total Time: 3 days from payment to bank account
Scenario 3: Established Community (Weekly Payouts)
Monday: Member pays $49
Monday-Tuesday: Pending period
Wednesday: Money becomes available
Friday: Your weekly payout day - Stripe sends payout
Monday (next week): Money arrives in bank
Total Time: 7 days from payment to bank account
Scenario 4: Multiple Members, Daily Payouts
Monday: Five members pay $49 each ($245 total)
Monday-Tuesday: All pending
Wednesday: All become available ($245 minus fees)
Wednesday: Daily payout initiated
Thursday: $237 arrives in bank (after 3.5% LaunchPass fee)
Total: 3 days for regular daily flow
Summary
You get paid through Stripe on the schedule you choose.
First Payout: Takes 7 days minimum. Cannot be changed. Applies only to your very first payout ever.
Regular Payouts: Choose daily, weekly, or monthly. Change anytime in Stripe settings. Most owners choose daily.
Payment Flow: Member pays → Stripe holds briefly → Money becomes available → Stripe pays you → Bank receives it.
Fees: LaunchPass takes 3.5%. Stripe takes ~2.9% + 30¢. Both deduct automatically
.
Your Money: Goes straight to your Stripe account. LaunchPass never holds it. You control payout timing.
Best Timing: Daily payouts after the 7-day initial wait. Money arrives every business day.
Need Help? Contact Stripe support for payout issues. Contact [email protected] for LaunchPass platform questions.
Plan for the 7-day first payout wait. After that, you control how fast you receive money.