Stripe Gateway Integration
Introduction
UltraCart integrates seamlessly with Stripe Connect, enabling merchants to securely accept online credit and debit card payments. Stripe’s powerful payment infrastructure ensures a streamlined checkout experience and includes built-in tools for fraud prevention, card updates, and compliance with global payment standards.
Note: Certain businesses are restricted or prohibited from using Stripe. Always verify your business type before integrating.
For a full list of restricted businesses, visit Stripe’s Restricted Businesses.
Prerequisites
Before connecting UltraCart to Stripe, you’ll need:
A live ‘Stripe’ account (Sign up here)
Integrating Stripe into your UltraCart will only take a few minutesAdministrative access to your UltraCart account
Access to Main Menu > Configuration > Checkout > Payments
Connecting UltraCart to Stripe
Navigate to
Main Menu > Configuration > Checkout > Payments.In the Credit and Debit Cards section, click Connect Single.
Scroll down and check the box for Stripe Connect (integrates with your “Stripe” account.)
Select the card types you wish to process through Stripe.
Click the hyperlink above the Credit Card Methods section titled:
“Click here to authorize the connection.”Log in to your Stripe account when prompted and authorize the connection.
After successful authorization, you’ll see:
“Stripe Connect successfully connected to UltraCart. Disconnect.”Save your changes.
Tip: Integration typically completes within a few minutes.
Credit Card Vault Updates for Auto Orders
Stripe includes card updater functionality at no additional cost under their standard pricing. No additional configuration is required.
UltraCart automatically dual vaults all auto-order subscription card information. When card updates occur, Stripe sends a webhook notification, and UltraCart logs the update in the Auto Order Logs.
If you have negotiated discounted pricing with Stripe, the card update fee is typically $0.25 per update.
Additional Payment Methods via Stripe
Stripe supports additional payment methods beyond traditional credit cards. UltraCart now provides direct integration for these methods through the Express Checkout element.
Supported Additional Payment Methods
Klarna – Enables customers to buy now and pay later.
Link – Stripe’s accelerated checkout experience for returning customers.
Amazon Pay – Lets customers check out using their Amazon account credentials.
NOTE:
These APM options are not available for auto order purchases or upsell offers, and will be suppressed during the checkout in these scenarios.
Implementation
These payment methods are implemented through the Visual Builder element:
checkoutexpresscheckoutstripe
This element provides an express checkout flow and will be included in the latest versions of UltraCart Visual Builder–enabled themes.
Tip: Merchants using a custom theme can manually add the
checkoutexpresscheckoutstripeelement to the checkout page through the Visual Builder or theme source editor.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to create a “Stripe Connect” platform in my Stripe account before integrating with UltraCart?
A: No. You do not need to create a Stripe Connect platform in your Stripe account. UltraCart already operates the Stripe Connect platform. When you connect your Stripe account in UltraCart, your account becomes a connected account within UltraCart’s Stripe platform.
Q: Why does UltraCart refer to the gateway as “Stripe Connect” instead of just “Stripe”?
A: UltraCart uses Stripe Connect behind the scenes to manage payment processing. While the label may be confusing, this is expected behavior—your Stripe account is connected to UltraCart’s platform rather than acting as a standalone gateway configuration.
Q: I ran test transactions, but I don’t see them in my Stripe dashboard. Where should they appear?
A: Test transactions will appear in your Stripe account’s Test Mode dashboard, not in a separate “Sandbox” account. Make sure you toggle Stripe to Test Mode when reviewing test transactions.
Q: What is the difference between “Sandbox” in UltraCart and “Test Mode” in Stripe?
A: In UltraCart, setting the Stripe gateway to Sandbox actually maps to Stripe’s Test Mode. It does not use a separate sandbox account within Stripe. This means all test transactions will appear under Test Mode in your Stripe dashboard.
Q: Why are my payments not showing in Stripe after switching environments?
A: Ensure the environment settings match your expectations:
Sandbox (UltraCart) → Stripe Test Mode
Production (UltraCart) → Stripe Live Mode
If transactions are not visible, verify you are viewing the correct mode in your Stripe dashboard.
Q: What are “connected accounts” in Stripe, and how do they relate to UltraCart?
A: In this integration:
UltraCart acts as the Stripe Connect platform
Your Stripe account is a connected account
This allows UltraCart to securely process payments on your behalf while funds are still deposited into your Stripe account.
Q: When should I switch my Stripe gateway from Sandbox to Production?
A: Switch to Production only after:
Successfully completing test transactions using Stripe test card numbers
Verifying those transactions appear in Stripe Test Mode
Confirming your checkout flow works as expected
Once switched, real transactions will begin appearing in your live Stripe dashboard.
Q: My test orders processed successfully in UltraCart, but I still don’t see them in Stripe. What should I check?
A: Verify the following:
You are viewing Test Mode in Stripe
The UltraCart gateway is set to Sandbox
You are using valid Stripe test card numbers
If all are correct, the transactions should appear in Stripe Test Mode.
Q: Can I use Stripe as a secondary or rotating gateway in UltraCart?
A: Yes. Stripe can be configured as part of a rotating gateway setup, allowing you to:
Phase out older gateways
Distribute transactions across multiple processors
Improve redundancy and reliability
This is a common setup when migrating from legacy gateways.
Q: I want to add Klarna to my payment configuration, but want it to be available to selected items only. How do I do that?
A: You can configure the Klarna payment as “valid for” or “invalid for” in the Item Editor, under the Other tab by selecting Payment Methods Settings.
Note: Payment methods are configured as “valid for” by default for all items. Therefore, you will need to configure all items that should not display Klarna and mark the Klarna method as “invalid for” to prevent it from appearing.
Important: Auto order items are excluded from Klarna payments by default.
Conclusion
Integrating Stripe with UltraCart enables you to offer customers secure and flexible payment options — including credit cards, digital wallets, and alternative financing solutions like Klarna and Amazon Pay — all within a unified checkout experience.