Managing Payment Methods — Paythread Guides

Getting paid should be the easy part. Paythread lets you offer multiple payment options on every invoice so your clients can pay however works best for them. The more options you provide, the faster you typically get paid.

Supported Payment Methods

Paythread supports five types of payment methods:

Stripe — Accept credit and debit cards directly through your invoice. Clients click a payment link and complete the transaction without leaving the page.
Bank Transfer (ACH/Wire) — Provide your bank details so clients can send payment directly. This is common for larger invoices where card processing fees would add up.
PayPal — Add your PayPal email or payment link. Many clients prefer PayPal for its buyer protection and familiarity.
Venmo — Include your Venmo handle for clients who prefer mobile payments. This works well for smaller invoices and informal client relationships.
Custom Instructions — A free-text field for anything else. Use this for cryptocurrency wallets, international wire details, or payment platforms specific to your region.

Adding Payment Methods

Navigate to your payment methods settings to configure your options. Each method has its own setup flow:

For Stripe, you'll connect your Stripe account through a secure authorization flow. Once connected, Paythread automatically generates payment links for each invoice.

For bank transfers, PayPal, and Venmo, you'll enter your account details (routing numbers, email addresses, or usernames). Paythread stores these securely and includes them on your invoices.

Payment methods configuration screen — Add and manage all your payment methods from one screen

Custom instructions give you a text field where you can write whatever payment details your client needs. This is especially useful for international freelancers who use region-specific payment platforms.

Payment methods are managed alongside your other account settings

How Payment Methods Appear on Invoices

When you create an invoice, you choose which payment methods to include. You don't have to show every method on every invoice. For example, you might offer Stripe and bank transfer to a corporate client, but Venmo and PayPal to a smaller client.

Your selected payment methods appear in a dedicated section on the invoice. Stripe-connected invoices include a clickable payment button. Other methods display as formatted text with your account details.

Invoice builder showing payment method selection — Choose which payment methods to include when building each invoice

Invoice view showing payment section — Clients see clear payment options with instructions right on the invoice

Choosing the Right Mix

A few practical tips for setting up payment methods:

Always offer at least two options. If one method doesn't work for a client, they have a backup. This reduces back-and-forth and speeds up payment.
Lead with Stripe for speed. Card payments clear quickly, and the convenience of a one-click payment link means clients are more likely to pay immediately.
Use bank transfers for large invoices. Credit card processing fees are a percentage of the transaction. For invoices over a few thousand dollars, offering a bank transfer saves both you and your client money.
Match your client's preferences. If a client has paid via PayPal before, keep offering it. Consistency reduces friction.

Keeping Methods Updated

Review your payment methods periodically. If you close a bank account, change your PayPal email, or disconnect a Stripe account, update your settings right away. Sending an invoice with outdated payment details creates confusion and delays.

Invoices list with status badges — Monitor payment statuses across all your invoices to ensure clients are paying through your configured methods

What's Next?

With your payment methods configured, you're ready to put everything together. See Weekly Invoicing Workflow for Freelancers for a practical routine, or jump to From Timer to Paid: The Complete Payment Flow to see how payment methods fit into the full lifecycle.