Help Center — RateCards guides for payments, payouts, rate cards & account setup

Creating a Starter account takes a few minutes, and you don't need a credit card to start. Starter is free for your first 6 months.

Sign up

1. Go to app.myratecards.com/auth/signup.
2. Sign up with your email address or your Google account.
3. Add your name, profession, skills, and the area where you work.
4. Connect your bank for payouts.
5. List the services you provide (your rate cards).

Tap Share My Profile in the upper-right corner to get your profile link and QR code.

Let AI help with your profile

• Skills. Tap Suggest skills with AI for recommended skills. (Tip: skills help people find you for the right jobs.)
• Bio. Tap Improve with AI to help write a professional bio. (Tip: your bio also helps match you to the right jobs.)
• Rate cards. Tap AI Rate Card Generator to help write up the services you provide. (Tip: clear rate cards are key to getting matched to the right jobs.)

AI helps with the writing, but always fine-tune the result to fit exactly what you offer.

What you get on Starter

• A public profile at myratecards.com/a/yourname
• Up to 15 services to sell, each with its own price
• AI tools: the AI Rate Advisor, Profile Enhancement, and the Rate Card Generator
• Stripe-powered checkout for your clients
• A shareable link and QR code for your profile and for each rate card

RateCards works in any browser on a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop, and there's nothing you have to install.

Next steps

• Set up your first rate card: add your services and prices
• Set up your Stripe account to get paid: so payouts reach your bank

RateCards is a portable AI storefront for service providers. It makes it easy to sell your services through a link-in-bio or QR code: on your social media profiles, email signature, business card, text messages, printed materials, the side of your truck, or anywhere you share a link.

It's a simple tap-and-buy tool built for freelancers, gig workers, independent contractors, side-hustlers, tradespeople, solopreneurs and small businesses. Your customers pay in their own browser, with no app or account required on their end.

4 ways to get paid:

1. Rate Cards. Add a rate card for each service you offer, set your price, and choose one-time or recurring billing. Share your link(s) and QR code(s).
2. Payment Links. Create a link for any amount and send it by text, email or DM.
3. Invoices. Create custom invoices for complex jobs: add services, hours, rate and any materials.
4. Pay Button. A general-purpose "Pay" button on your profile that lets anyone (clients, friends, family) pay you in seconds.

All four are included on every plan.

Anyone who wants to get paid for their labor or professional services: independent contractors, freelancers, tradespeople, home services, personal services, mobile businesses, advisors, mentors, creatives, gig workers, side-hustlers, solopreneurs, self-employed individuals, remote workers, content creators and more. RateCards covers more than 200 professions.

RateCards is currently available to sellers based in the U.S. with a U.S. bank account, because payouts run through Stripe. Services must follow our Acceptable Use Policy.

💡 Example: A gardener posts plant photos on Instagram and links to their RateCards services with a link-in-bio. Followers become paying clients in two taps.

Use RateCards to sell any service — independent contracting, freelance, gig work, side hustles, remote work, or professional consulting.

Your profile is your storefront-in-a-link: a shareable link and QR code (myratecards.com/a/yourname) where clients browse your services, book, and pay — no back-and-forth. Each rate card also gets its own link and QR code if you want to share one specific service.

Ways to earn

1. Sell services directly — List your offerings with set prices. Clients browse your profile, pick a service, and pay on the spot. Works great for fitness trainers, trades, home services, wellness, and creative pros.
2. Accept bookings — Clients book from the availability you set on each rate card. You confirm, do the work, and get paid — no chasing invoices.
3. Payment links — Send clients a payment link for quick one-off jobs
4. Invoices — Complex jobs may require detailed invoicing (hours, expenses, different rates for different services, etc. Send your clients an invoice via email or print. They get a QR code to pay.

The money side

• Payments run through Stripe, and payouts land in your bank automatically — typically about 2 business days after a job is complete. Your first payout can take 7–14 days while Stripe verifies your account.
• Your service fee is 5.5% on Starter, 4.4% on Solo, and 3.85% on Business, deducted from your payout. See What are the fees?
• Every plan includes the AI Rate Advisor, which benchmarks your prices against real market data.

Payment options

• Subscriptions & Recurring — weekly, or monthly auto-billing for repeat services
• One-time — for fixed-price jobs, hourly or daily projects

Share your link anywhere

Instagram bio, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube descriptions, Yelp, X (Twitter), Facebook, Pinterest, email signatures, SMS, or your own website.

To get started: create your account — Starter is free for your first 6 months — add your services and prices, and share your link.

Setting up your first rate card takes a few minutes. Here's how:

1. Open your Profile and tap the Rate Cards tab.
2. Tap + Add Rate Card and enter a clear Service Title (e.g. "Lawn maintenance — monthly"), a short Description, and your Price.
3. Choose a Billing Frequency (see below).
4. Set your Availability. Clients choose from the days and times you're available.
5. Set your Service Location: how far you're willing to travel.
6. Save. Your rate card is live instantly on your shareable profile link.

One-time vs. subscriptions and recurring

• One-time. The client pays once per booking. Good for repairs, installs and single sessions. Fixed-price, hourly and daily rates are typically one-time.
• Subscriptions and recurring (weekly or monthly). The client's card is billed automatically on the schedule you set. Good for maintenance plans, retainers and memberships.

Not sure what to charge?

The AI Rate Advisor, included on every plan, suggests a price based on your trade and local market data. You can accept, adjust or ignore it. You always have the final say.

Tips for a card that converts

• Be specific with your title. "Experienced housekeeper — weekly 2BR clean" books faster than "Cleaning."
• Lead with your most-booked service.
• Keep descriptions to two or three lines, because clients scan rather than read. Improve with AI can tighten them up.
• Use recurring billing to turn one-time jobs into predictable income.

How many rate cards you can add depends on your plan:

• Starter — up to 15 rate cards
• Solo — unlimited
• Business — unlimited

Add a separate rate card for each service you provide. Each one has its own:

• Service Title
• Description
• Price/Rate
• Billing Frequency
• Sales Tax (%)
• Expenses
• Availability
• Call to Action
• Service Location
• Additional Details (e.g. status, insurance, license)

Your profile becomes a full menu of everything you do, and you can edit or remove a card anytime. If you're running out of room on Starter, upgrading to Solo removes the cap and lowers your service fee at the same time.

You can update your services anytime. Nothing is locked in.

Edit a rate card

1. Open the Rate Cards tab on your profile and tap the card you want to change.
2. Edit the Service Title, Description, Price, Billing Frequency, Sales Tax (%), Expenses, Availability, Service Location or Additional Details, then save. Your shareable link updates instantly.

Other actions

• Share this card (its own link and QR code)
• Make Private Only available via private link
• Take Offline to hide it without deleting it
• Duplicate it
• Delete it

What happens to existing bookings

Changing a price affects new bookings only. Clients already on a recurring subscription keep their original rate until it's cancelled. Deleting a card doesn't automatically cancel active projects tied to it; manage those from your dashboard.

Your RateCards profile has a unique link that works as a link-in-bio storefront for your services. Anyone who taps it can view all your services and pay you in seconds, with no app needed on their end. Each rate card also has its own link if you want to share one specific service.

To set up your link-in-bio:

1. Sign up and add your profile details.
2. Add your services (rate cards).
3. Tap Share My Profile (top right of the screen) and copy your link.
4. Paste it into your Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, Facebook, Pinterest or Yelp profile, and also your email signature.

On Solo and Business you can also change your profile design and accent color so the page your followers land on matches your brand.

You'll get a notification by email and in your notifications tab every time someone books or pays you. See Managing bookings and your schedule. See Sharing your link and QR code for more places to share it.

Yes. RateCards can act as your own mini-website: share, sell and get hired without the cost, technical expertise, complexity and effort of building a regular website.

Want it to look more like a personal website? On Solo and Business you can switch to a Modern landing-page design, set your own accent color, and on Business put your own logo at the top of the page. See Can I change how my profile looks?

Clients see your services and prices, book, and pay on one page, and your earnings pay out to your bank automatically through Stripe.

If you already have a website, use RateCards alongside it. Add your RateCards link or a "Book now" button that points to it, and take bookings and payments from anywhere.

Yes. RateCards helps you earn by selling your own services, and it also lets you hire other providers when you need help. Browse independent service providers across the platform, then message and pay them inside RateCards.

When you book another provider, the booking fee you pay is set by your own plan: 5.5% on Starter, 4.4% on Solo and 3.85% on Business. Paid plans lower what you pay as a client as well as what you pay as a seller. See What are the fees?

Providers are independent third parties, so it's up to you to review and choose who you hire. 5

You control what's public.

Public rate cards

Public rate cards appear on your profile page for anyone who visits your link. If your profile is public, RateCards may also feature it, for example in the Discover marketplace, to help new clients find you. You can turn that off at any time.

Private rate cards

A private rate card doesn't show on your public profile. It opens only for people you send its link to. Private rate cards are available on every plan.

Use them for:

• Custom pricing for a specific client

• Discreet or high-end work you don't want to advertise

• Trade or repeat-customer rates you don't publish

To make a rate card private: open the rate card, scroll to the bottom of the page, check Private, and save. Then use the share icon to send its link to your client.

⚠️ A link works like a key. Anyone who has a private rate card's link can open it, so only share it with the people you mean to.

What's never public

Your messages, client information, and transaction details are never shown on your profile.

See our Terms of Service for how featured profiles work.

To sell on RateCards you need to:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Be based in the U.S. RateCards is currently available to U.S.-based users only.

• Have a U.S. bank account for payouts.

• Verify your identity with Stripe, our payments partner. Individuals give the last 4 digits of their SSN. Registered businesses give their EIN.

Your clients can be anywhere. See Can international clients pay me?

One account per person

Each person can have one personal account. If you run a business with staff, use Business with team seats instead of separate accounts. Accounts can't be shared, transferred, or used on someone else's behalf.

Signing up as a business

If you're signing up for a company, choose Business as your account type during Stripe setup and use your EIN. By signing up, you confirm you're authorized to act for that business.

_See the Terms of Service for the full requirements. _

RateCards is for selling legal services. Some goods and services aren't allowed on the platform. Listing them can get a rate card removed or an account closed. Our payments partner, Stripe, has its own restrictions too.

Not allowed (common examples)

• Weapons, ammunition, explosives, and fireworks

• Drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco, and alcohol

• Gambling services

• Adult or sexual services, escort services, and prostitution

• Multi-level marketing, work-at-home schemes, and "make money online" offers

• Credit repair and debt-relief offers

• Currency exchange

• Counterfeit, stolen, or recalled goods

• Government IDs and documents, or selling personal information

• Hazardous or toxic materials, and protected or regulated species

• Pharmaceuticals and other products that put consumer safety at risk

This is a summary. The full list is in our Community Standards and Acceptable Use Policy.

Licensed trades

If your work needs a license, permit, or insurance where you operate (for example electrical, plumbing, or cosmetology), it's your responsibility to hold it. RateCards doesn't check licenses.

Not sure whether your service is allowed? Email legal@ratecards.app before you list it.

RateCards includes three AI tools that help you price your work and present it well.

AI Rate Advisor — what should I charge?

Rate Advisor suggests a price range for your service in your area. It starts with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the closest matching occupation. It then adjusts for the real costs of running an independent business, such as tools, travel, and unbilled hours. Finally, it cross-checks the result against Census data on what self-employed people in your field earn.

Where local data is thin, Rate Advisor falls back to state-level and then national figures, and it tells you when it does. Treat the range as a starting point, not a rule. You always set your own price.

Profile Enhancement

Profile Enhancement suggests a clearer headline, bio, and skills for your profile, so clients understand what you do at a glance. Review and edit every suggestion before you save it.

Rate Card Generator

The Rate Card Generator appears when you add a new rate card. Describe your service in plain words and it drafts the card for you: label, description, and price. Edit anything you like, then save.

Which plans include them

After your Starter free period ends, the AI tools are locked (Starter paid plan keeps the AI tools). Likewise, Upgrade to Solo or Business to keep using them. Prices and rate cards you've already created aren't affected.

AI suggestions can be inaccurate or incomplete, so check them before you publish. RateCards doesn't provide financial advice.

New clients find you in two ways: through your own link, and through RateCards.

1. Your link, everywhere (every plan)

Your profile link and QR code are your storefront. Put them on Instagram, TikTok, Google Business Profile, Yelp, Nextdoor, your email signature, your truck, flyers, and business cards. See How does the link-in-bio feature work?

2. The Discover marketplace (every plan)

Public profiles can appear in Discover, where people on RateCards browse and hire providers.

3. Extra reach on Solo and Business

What helps most, on every plan

• Specific rate card labels. "Weekly 2BR clean" books faster than "Cleaning."

• A complete profile: a photo, bio, skills, and availability.

• Fast replies to pending offers.

• Reviews. Ask happy clients to leave one when you mark a job complete.

Every booking moves through three stages:

1. Pending Offer. A client requests your rate card. Nothing is charged yet. You review it and accept or decline.
2. Active Project. When you accept, the client's card is charged and the job is on. The money is held securely while you work.
3. Completed Project. Mark the job complete and the payment is released to your wallet. Stripe then pays it out to your bank, typically about 2 business days later. Your first payout can take 7–14 days while Stripe verifies your account.

You can message the client before, during and after the job to make sure everything gets done right.

See When and how often do I get paid? and Managing bookings and your schedule.

No. Your clients don't need to download an app, create an account, or buy a subscription plan. They click your link, choose a service, and pay with a credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, right in their web browser.

A free client account adds a few extras: tracking projects across providers and messaging providers directly. A client on a paid Solo or Business plan also pays a lower booking fee. Guests and Starter members pay the standard 5.5%.

See What are the fees?

When you add a service, choose its Billing Frequency: one-time, or recurring (a subscription) which can be billed weekly or monthly. The client authorizes the recurring charge at checkout, and their card is then charged automatically on that schedule. You don't need to do anything after setup; payments come to you automatically.

Both sides stay in control. You can manage or cancel any client's recurring payment from your Projects tab or dashboard, and clients can cancel anytime. Clients are notified of upcoming or processed charges by in-app notification and/or email.

If you change a rate card's price, clients already on a recurring plan keep their original price until it's cancelled.

If a charge doesn't go through, see What happens if a recurring payment fails?

Some clients might prefer to receive a traditional invoice documenting the work you provide. For these types of jobs, create a custom invoice.

Create an Invoice

Wallet → 'Get Paid button then tap 'Create an Invoice' from the dropdown menu:

• Add client information in the 'Bill to' section
• Then, add a description of your work or product (or, choose to prefill from one of your rate cards)
• Add quantity of items (or hours)
• Rate per item (or hours)
• You can absorb the buyer's service fee (optional)
• Add a Note to your customer (optional)
• Add Terms and conditions (optional)
• Provide Due date

Then tap the 'Create & Send' button.

Invoices are a classic method to bill for your services, hours worked, rate, and any physical goods or materials for reimbursement. Send it directly to your client — they pay the total securely in their browser, no back-and-forth needed.

Invoices are included on every plan, alongside rate cards, payment links, and the Pay button.

The general-purpose Pay button on your RateCards profile lets anyone pay you any amount. It's great for bonuses, tips, thank-yous, expenses, or informal payments where a formal rate card isn't needed.

Payments through the Pay button pay out to your bank like any other payment, and the standard service fee applies. The Pay button is included on every plan.

Links are single-use and expire after 90 days.

A Payment Link is a checkout link for a set amount. Create one, send it however you talk to your client, and they pay in their browser with a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. They don't need the platform or a RateCards account.

Payment Links are included on every plan.

When to use a Payment Link

Use one when the amount is already agreed and you just need to collect it:

• A deposit before you start a job
• A one-off job you quoted by phone or text
• Extra work that came up on site
• A balance due after the job is done
• Materials or expenses you paid for up front

If the service is something you sell regularly, a rate card is a better fit. Clients can book it again without you sending anything. For a job with several line items, hours or materials, send an invoice. For informal payments like tips or thank-yous, clients can use the Pay button on your profile.

Create a Payment Link

Wallet → 'Get Paid button then tap 'Create a Payment Link' from the dropdown menu:

• Enter What's it for? (or, choose to prefill from one of your rate cards)
• Add the amount
• Rate per item (or hours)
• You can absorb the buyer's service fee (optional)
• Add a Note (optional)
• Provide the recipients name & email address

Then tap the 'Create Link' button.

Card entry happens securely on Stripe.

After your client pays

You get a notification as soon as the payment goes through, and it shows in your Wallet. Payouts go to your linked bank automatically, typically about 2 business days later. Your very first payout takes 7–14 days while Stripe verifies your account. See When and how often do I get paid?

You need a verified Stripe account before you can receive money. If you haven't set one up yet, see How do I set up my Stripe account to get paid?

Tips

• Write the description the way your client would recognize the charge on their statement. "Oak St fence repair, deposit" beats "Payment".
• Send the link in the same thread where you agreed the price, so the agreement and the payment sit together if there's ever a question.
• For a deposit, send a second link for the balance when the job is done.

Yes. Every rate card and your profile come with a custom QR code. Show it on your phone, truck, business card, poster, or flyer — customers scan it, and they can pay straight from their web browser. They don't even need to install an app.

In many cases, yes. As long as you're a U.S.-based seller, clients can pay from a supported card wherever they are. They open your link and check out in their browser. Their bank handles currency conversion on their end, and you're paid out in U.S. dollars to your linked U.S. bank account.

Some international cards may be declined by the issuing bank or for fraud prevention. If that happens, the client can try a different card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

If you work for clients abroad, you're responsible for any tax, licensing or legal requirements that apply to that work.

If a client's card is declined on a recurring charge — expired card, insufficient funds, or a bank block — Stripe automatically retries the payment over the following days, and your client is prompted to update their card.

What you'll see

You can check the subscription's status in your dashboard. Most failed payments clear on a retry without you having to do anything.

If the retries fail

If the payment keeps failing, the subscription may pause until your client adds a working payment method. You're only paid for charges that go through, so it's worth a quick message asking your client to update their card. You can also cancel the subscription from your dashboard anytime.

Preventing failed payments

The most common cause is an expired or replaced card. Ask recurring clients to keep their card details current.

Still stuck? Contact support@ratecards.app.

Your clients can pay right in their browser — no app or RateCards account needed (but it will help your clients manage the workflow in many instances).

Credit & debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, plus Diners Club, JCB, and UnionPay where supported. Prepaid cards work too.

Digital wallets: Apple Pay and Google Pay, where available on the customer's device.

• Some cards may require a ZIP or postal code to authorize

• Some credit cards charge cash-advance fees — customers should check with their provider

• Cards may be declined for fraud prevention or insufficient funds

When a card is added, the customer may see a temporary $0–$1 authorization — it's a verification check, not a real charge, and is released automatically within a few days.

When a client books one of your rate cards, it arrives as a pending offer. Their card isn't charged yet. You decide whether to take the job.

Reviewing an offer

Open your Pending offers from your Dashboard. Each offer shows who booked, which rate card they chose, the price, and any message they sent. If you need more detail before deciding, message the client.

• Accept — the client's card is charged and the payment is held securely while you do the job. The booking moves to Active.

• Decline — the offer is closed and the client isn't charged.

💡 Pro tip: Answer offers quickly. Clients often book whoever replies first.

While the job is active

The money is already held, so you never do the work first and hope to get paid. Use chat to share updates with your client, and track tasks and milestones as you go.

Finishing up

Mark the job Complete and the payment is released to your wallet. Stripe then pays it out to your bank automatically. See When and how often do I get paid?

Once the job is complete, your client can leave a review and add a tip.

If you can't do a job you've accepted

Message your client first. Then cancel the booking and refund them. The refund goes back to their original payment method. See Can I issue a refund or cancel a charge?

Tips let clients reward great work. They're available on every plan.

How clients tip

When a job is marked Complete, your client can add a tip on top of the agreed price with one tap. Anyone can also send you money at any time with the Pay button on your profile.

Where tips go

Tips land in your wallet and are paid out to your bank with the rest of your earnings.

Tips are paid to the business that owns the rate card, not to the individual team member who did the job. On Business plans, the account owner decides how to share tips with the team. RateCards doesn't split tips between seats.

Taxes

Tips count as income. See Will I get a 1099-K or other tax forms?

A payment link charges any amount you choose, with no rate card needed. Use it for one-off jobs, deposits, custom quotes, or anything that doesn't fit your regular menu. Payment links are included on every plan.

Create a link

• From your Wallet, tap Create a Payment Link.

• Enter the amount and a short description your client will see (e.g. "Deposit — kitchen backsplash install").

• Create the link, then share or copy it.

Send it however you like: text, email, DM, or in person. Your client opens it and pays in their browser, with no app or account needed.

Payment link, invoice, or rate card?

The usual fees apply to payment links.

A decline is decided by your client's bank, not by RateCards or by you. Here's what your client can try, in this order:

• Check the details. Card number, expiry date, CVC, and ZIP or postal code. A wrong ZIP is the most common cause.

• Try Apple Pay or Google Pay, if their device supports it.

• Try a different card.

• Call the bank. Banks often block the first payment to a new business, especially on international cards. A quick call usually clears it, then they can try again.

• Check funds and limits. Debit and prepaid cards can decline for insufficient funds or a daily limit.

💡 If your client says they were charged but the payment failed, they're most likely seeing a temporary $0–$1 verification hold. It isn't a charge, and their bank releases it within a few days.

For recurring clients, see What happens if a recurring payment fails?. For the cards we accept, see What payment methods are accepted?

RateCards is a payment and booking platform used by independent service providers, such as trainers, cleaners, contractors, and stylists. If you paid one of them through their link or QR code, the charge appears on your statement like this:

RATECARDS * PROVIDERNAME * SERVICETITLE

Some banks shorten long descriptions, so you may only see the first part.

Check these first

• The provider and service name in the description. Do you recognize either one?

• A recurring service. Did you sign up for a daily, weekly, or monthly service? Recurring charges repeat automatically until you cancel.

• Your email. Look for a booking confirmation or receipt from RateCards.

• A $0–$1 charge. This is a temporary card verification hold, not a real charge. It disappears within a few days.

• Someone else in your household. They may have used your card.

Still don't recognize it?

Email support@ratecards.app with the date, the amount, and the last 4 digits of the card. Never send your full card number. We'll tell you which provider the charge was for and help you get in touch with them.

If you think the charge is fraudulent, contact your card issuer as well.

Cancel a recurring payment

You can cancel a recurring service at any time.

• With a RateCards account: open the service in your account and cancel it.

• Checked out as a guest: ask the provider to cancel it. Providers can cancel any client's subscription from their dashboard. If you can't reach them, email support@ratecards.app with the date, the amount, and the last 4 digits of your card, and we'll help.

Cancelling stops future charges. It doesn't refund charges that have already been made.

Get a refund

RateCards processes the payment, but refunds are decided by the provider you paid. Each provider sets their own refund policy.

• Message the provider in the app, or use the contact details on their profile. Most issues are sorted out this way.

• If they agree, they issue the refund. It goes back to your original card, usually within a few business days.

• If you can't reach them, email support@ratecards.app. We may be able to help, but we can't guarantee a refund. 8

Disputing the charge with your bank (a chargeback) should be a last resort. Contacting the provider is usually faster for everyone.

Problems with the work itself

Providers on RateCards are independent businesses. RateCards doesn't employ, vet, or guarantee them. 5 If something went seriously wrong, or a provider is breaking our rules, report it.

There's no setup fee, no charge to create your profile or your rate cards, no inactivity fee, and Starter is free for your first 6 months. From there, two separate fees apply to each transaction — and your subscription plan reduces the one you pay.

The two transaction fees

Most clients check out as guests without a RateCards account, so they pay the flat 5.5% — as does a client on the Starter plan. Only a client on a paid Solo or Business plan pays a reduced rate, and that's set by their plan, not yours. The same works in reverse: when you book another provider, your plan sets what you pay.

The booking fee is calculated on your listed price and itemised before your client confirms payment, so the price you list stays the price you quote. If you'd rather your client saw no added fee, you can choose to absorb it yourself.

Both rates are all-inclusive — Stripe's processing costs are covered within them and are never billed to you separately.

Minimum fee on small transactions

On transactions under $20, a minimum fee of $1 per side applies in place of the percentage rate — $1 deducted from your payout and $1 added to your client's total, $2 in all.

What the plans cost

Higher plans lower your service fee and unlock more tools — see What do the RateCards plans cost? for what's included, or the pricing page for the full comparison.

Fees at a glance

All fees are shown before a transaction is completed. Payments and payouts are processed by Stripe. The complete fee schedule is in our Payments Terms.

RateCards processes all payments and payouts through Stripe Connect (currently available to U.S.-based users). Before you can receive money, you'll set up a connected Stripe Connect account, right inside RateCards, in just a few minutes:

• Go to the Wallet tab and tap Manage Payout Account. RateCards walks you into Stripe's secure onboarding.
• Confirm your country and currency, then choose your account type. Most users select Individual; pick Business if you operate under a registered company.
• Enter your personal details: legal name, date of birth, home address, phone and email.
• Provide the last 4 of your SSN (or your EIN for a business). Stripe uses this only to verify your identity and meet U.S. payout regulations.
• Link your bank account for payouts. Use instant verification (sign in with your online banking; fastest) or manual entry (type your account and routing number, then confirm the small test deposit Stripe sends).
• Submit. Stripe verifies your information, usually instantly, occasionally within a day if extra documents are requested.

⚠️ Adding a bank manually? Don't enter the check number that appears after your account number. It causes transfers to fail.

🔒 Where your information goes: RateCards uses Stripe's secure onboarding. Your SSN and bank details go directly to Stripe and aren't collected or stored by RateCards.

Once your Stripe account is verified, your earnings are paid out automatically to your linked bank. Your very first payout typically takes 7–14 days while Stripe completes a separate risk review. After that, payouts usually arrive about 2 business days after a job is complete. You can go back to Wallet → Manage Payout Account anytime to update your details or bank account.

Once a job is marked Complete, the payment is released to your RateCards wallet. From there, Stripe sends it on to your linked bank account automatically — you don't have to request anything.

Payouts follow Stripe's standard rolling payout schedule. For most U.S. accounts, funds typically arrive about 2 business days after a job is complete, though timing varies with your account type and verification status. Weekends and bank holidays can add a day.

Your first payout is the exception — expect 7 to 14 days while Stripe completes account verification and its risk review. Every payout after that follows the standard schedule.

You can track every payment and payout in the Wallet tab — reach it from the bottom navigation under Account, by tapping the Earnings card on your Dashboard, or from the main menu. If a payout seems stuck for more than a few business days past those windows, contact support@ratecards.app.

You're responsible for any income taxes on your earnings.

When logged into the platform, go to the Wallet tab in the left blue navigation. Then on the Wallet page in the upper right corner tap Manage Payout Account (or Manage Wallet) button to update your linked bank account via Stripe. Changes run through Stripe's secure onboarding and account management process, the same way you first set up payouts.

If a payout fails because your details changed or an account was closed, update them from the Manage Payout Account (or Manage Wallet) button and Stripe will retry. Need a hand? Contact support@ratecards.app.

Refunds are at the seller's discretion: you decide whether to offer one and within what time frame, based on your own policy. We recommend making your refund and cancellation terms clear to clients up front, for example in each rate card's description.

How to issue a refund

1. Go to Projects and open the project.
2. Choose Refund and confirm.
3. Stripe returns the funds to the client's original payment method, typically within 5–10 business days depending on their bank.

Refunding promptly for cancelled work helps keep chargebacks off your account. Disputes cost time and a $15 Stripe fee, and can affect your standing with Stripe.

⚠️ Service fees aren't returned. When you refund a client, the RateCards service fee already deducted from that transaction is not refunded to you, and RateCards may recover it if a payout has already been made. Factor that in when you set your refund policy.

Cancelling a recurring plan

• You: open the client's recurring booking from your dashboard and cancel it. Billing stops at the end of the current period.
• Your client: can cancel anytime.

In some situations RateCards may be able to help, but refunds are not guaranteed. Full details are in our Payments Terms and Refund & Cancellation Policy.

If a customer formally disputes a charge with their bank (a "chargeback"), it's handled through Stripe, which manages the bank's dispute process.

What happens to the money

When a chargeback is opened, Stripe deducts the disputed amount plus a chargeback fee (currently $15 per dispute, set by Stripe) from your Stripe balance or your next payout while the bank reviews it. If the bank rules in your favour, the disputed amount is returned to you.

How to respond

You may be asked for evidence of the work or the agreement: your rate card, messages with the client in RateCards, photos of the finished job, and the booking details. Respond quickly and keep it factual.

Preventing disputes

• Describe each service clearly in your rate card, including what's not included.
• Keep client conversations in RateCards messages so there's a record.
• If a client is unhappy, a prompt refund is usually cheaper than a dispute. See Can I issue a refund or cancel a charge?

For everyday disagreements, message each other in the platform first. Most issues are resolved that way.

RateCards isn't a party to your transactions and doesn't mediate disputes, though in some situations we may try to help. The final outcome of a chargeback is decided by the customer's bank. Full details are in our Payments Terms. 8

This usually happens when the same card or bank account is already connected to a different RateCards or Stripe account — Stripe links each payment method to one account at a time for security.

A couple of things to try first:

• Make sure you're signed in to the correct RateCards account.

• If the card is genuinely yours, remove it from the other account, or add a different card or bank account instead.

If it still won't link, contact our support team — we work directly with Stripe, our payments partner, to unlink the method and get it resolved for you. In some cases Stripe may ask you to verify ownership of the card or account before it's released.

Yes. By default, a client booking fee (5.5% for most clients) is added to your client's total at checkout. If you'd rather your client paid exactly your listed price, you can cover that fee yourself.

How to turn it on

You set this per rate card, not for your whole account. When you create or edit a rate card, choose to cover the booking fee and save. It applies to new bookings of that card. Your other rate cards aren't affected.

That means you can cover the fee on some services (a recurring client's weekly session, say) and leave it on others.

What it costs you

When you cover the booking fee, both fees come out of your payout: your own service fee and your client's booking fee.

On jobs under $20, the $1 minimum fee applies on each side, so covering your client's side costs you $2 in all.

💡 When it's worth it: It helps with price-sensitive or repeat clients, and with jobs you quote as a round number ("$100 flat"). Some providers prefer to raise their listed price slightly instead.

_See What are the fees? _

Payouts usually arrive automatically. If one is late, it's almost always for one of these reasons.

1. It's your first payout

Your first payout typically takes 7–14 days while Stripe completes its risk review. After that, payouts follow Stripe's standard schedule, usually about 2 business days after a payment settles.

2. The job isn't marked Complete

A payment is released to your wallet only when the job is marked Complete. Check that the booking isn't still Active.

3. Stripe needs more information

Stripe sometimes asks for extra details, such as an ID document or a corrected address. Payouts can pause until you provide them. Open Wallet → Setup Wallet and look for any alert.

You need to finish verification within 30 days of your first transaction, or payouts may be suspended until you do. 3

4. A problem with your bank details

A payout fails if your bank account is closed or the details are wrong. A common mistake is entering the check number after your account number. Update your details in Wallet → Setup Wallet and Stripe will retry. See How do I update my bank or payout details?

5. A refund or chargeback

Refunds you issue are deducted from your balance or your next payout. So is any disputed amount, plus Stripe's dispute fee. That can make a payout smaller than expected or hold it back. See What if there's a dispute or chargeback?

6. Weekends and bank holidays

Banks don't move money on weekends or federal holidays. Allow an extra business day.

Still stuck? Email support@ratecards.app from your account email with the payout date and amount. Payout timings are typical, not guaranteed.

Payments through RateCards are processed by Stripe. Where the law requires it, Stripe issues you an IRS Form 1099-K.

When you'll get a 1099-K

At the federal level, a 1099-K is issued if, in a calendar year, you receive more than $20,000 in gross payments and more than 200 transactions.

Some states have much lower thresholds, so you may get a form even if you're under the federal one.

Where to find it

Tax forms are delivered through your Stripe Express dashboard. You choose how to receive them: electronically, or by mail. Check that your delivery preference and mailing address are up to date before the end of the year.

Forms for the previous year are usually available by the end of January.

Your income is taxable either way

Not getting a 1099-K doesn't make your income tax-free. You're responsible for reporting all of your earnings, tips included, and for paying any income and self-employment tax. 7

Keep your tax details accurate

Your 1099-K uses the legal name and taxpayer ID (SSN or EIN) on your Stripe account. If either is wrong, update it in Wallet → Setup Wallet.

The 1099-K shows gross, not what you received

A 1099-K reports the gross amount your clients paid, before RateCards fees, refunds, and chargebacks. Keep your own records so you can account for those. Your Wallet shows every payment and payout. On Business, Wallet CSV export puts everything in one spreadsheet for your bookkeeper.

RateCards doesn't provide tax advice. Talk to a tax professional about your situation.

There are three plans. Every plan includes rate cards, payment links, invoices, the Pay button, your profile link and QR code, automatic Stripe payouts, and the AI Rate Advisor. Moving up adds tools and lowers the service fee taken from your payout.

Prices

Annual billing saves you $24/yr on Starter, $60/yr on Solo, and $360/yr on Business.

What each plan adds

Starter — up to 15 rate cards, private rate cards, profile link and QR code, fixed or recurring payments, tips, wallet, payment links and invoices, dashboard, calendar, chat, notifications, pending offers, project management and tasks, the Discover marketplace, basic analytics, and the AI Rate Advisor, Profile Enhancement, and Rate Card Generator.

Solo — everything in Starter, plus unlimited rate cards, showcase images, SEO boost, 7 more profile designs with any accent color you choose, meeting bookings from your calendar, advanced analytics, Campaign Studio and email marketing up to 5,000 emails a month, a Client CRM for up to 1,000 contacts, integrations, and the AI Voice Receptionist as a $50/mo add-on.

Business — everything in Solo, plus the Voice Receptionist included, team seats with owner-controlled permissions, your own logo in place of the RateCards logo at the top of your public page, contracts and e-signatures, priority support, a CRM for up to 10,000 contacts, and email marketing up to 50,000 emails a month.

Which one fits

If you're starting out or testing the water, Starter is free for six months and costs nothing to try. If you're hitting the 15-card cap, sending regular client emails, or you bill more than about $1,700 a month on annual billing (the point where Solo's lower service fee covers its higher subscription), Solo pays for itself. Business is built for high-volume earners and small teams who need seats, contracts, and an assistant answering calls.

See the full comparison, what the fees are, or how profile designs work.

Yes — Starter is free for your first 6 months, with no credit card required to sign up. It's a limited-time offer, not a stripped-back trial: you get up to 15 rate cards, your shareable profile link and QR code, automatic bank payouts via Stripe, fixed or recurring payments, tips, the wallet, payment links and invoices, basic analytics, and the AI Rate Advisor, Profile Enhancement, and Rate Card Generator.

You can earn and get paid the whole time. The standard 5.5% service fee still applies to transactions during the free period — the free months cover your subscription, not the per-transaction fee.

After the 6 months

Starter continues at $5/mo billed annually ($60/yr) or $7/mo billed monthly. Nothing is deleted and your link keeps working — you just move onto the paid Starter rate, or upgrade to Solo or Business if you've outgrown the 15-card cap.

If RateCards ever changes subscription pricing, monthly subscribers get at least 30 days' written notice and annual subscribers at least 45 days before renewal, and you can cancel before the change takes effect at no extra charge. See our Terms of Service.

You can change or cancel your plan at any time — there's no lock-in and no cancellation fee.

Upgrading

Upgrades take effect immediately. When you upgrade mid-cycle, the prorated amount for the days remaining in your current billing period is calculated and charged straight away by our payment processor, and your next billing date stays the same. There's no manual credit calculation on your part — your new features, higher limits, and lower service fee are live right away.

Downgrading

Downgrades take effect at the end of your current billing period, so you keep everything you've paid for until then. A few things to sort out before the change lands:

• Rate cards. Starter caps you at 15. If you're above that, trim your list before the downgrade takes effect.

• Contacts and emails. Your CRM contacts and monthly email allowance drop to the new plan's limits.

• Your service fee returns to the new plan's rate on your next transaction.

• Custom profile templates returns to the default design template.

Cancelling

Cancel any time. You won't be charged for the next billing period, and you keep access through the end of the period you've already paid for.

• Monthly plans — no prorated refund for the remainder of the current month.

• Annual plans — your subscription stops renewing and you keep paid features for the full 12 months you've paid for. After that your account reverts to Starter. Annual subscribers who cancel after the 7-day window below aren't entitled to a prorated refund for unused months.

Cancelling your subscription doesn't close your account or touch money you've already earned — see How do I close my account? if that's what you're after.

The 7-day new subscriber guarantee

If you upgrade to a paid plan for the first time and, within 7 calendar days, tell us how the service didn't meet your reasonable expectations, you're eligible for a full refund. Email support@ratecards.app from your account email describing the issue.

It applies once per account, and it doesn't cover renewals, moves between paid tiers, or later subscription periods. You may also be entitled to a refund for a billing error, or a prorated account credit for a verified outage over 24 hours. Full details are in our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

If prices change

Monthly subscribers get at least 30 days' written notice before a price increase; annual subscribers get at least 45 days' notice before renewal. You can cancel before the change takes effect at no extra charge. See our Terms of Service.

The AI Voice Receptionist answers client calls when you can't, so a missed call doesn't become a missed job.

What it costs

It isn't available on Starter.

Your spend cap

You set a monthly voice spend cap. The default is $100. When extra minutes reach your cap, the receptionist pauses for the rest of the billing month and calls go to voicemail. You can raise or lower the cap anytime.

_Included minutes reset each billing month and don't roll over. 1

Yes. Every RateCards profile starts on the Default design. On Solo and Business you can switch to any of 7 more designs and set your own accent color. On Business you can also put your own logo at the top of your public page.

The designs

Classic — your details on a card.

Modern — landing-page style, like a personal website.

Cover photos

Centered card, Cover photo and Split screen can show an optional cover photo. The other designs show your profile photo instead.

For the best result, upload a landscape JPG or PNG, ideally 1920 × 1080 px (minimum 1200 × 630), up to 5 MB.

Accent color

Pick any accent color from the color wheel, or enter your brand's exact hex code.

Your logo (Business)

On Business, you can replace the RateCards logo at the top of your public page with your own logo. It shows on every design.

Which plan do I need?

See what the plans cost or the full plan comparison.

Team seats let you bring staff or subcontractors into your RateCards account. They're a Business plan feature.

Business includes 1 owner seat. Additional seats are $35/mo each.

Permissions

As the account owner you control what each seat can reach, specifically whether a seat can edit pricing and whether it can see business-wide revenue data. That means you can give a crew member the access they need to manage jobs and messages without exposing what the business earns.

Where the money goes

Payments and tips settle to the business that owns the rate card, not to the team member who did the job. As the account holder, you decide how to share tips with your team. 3

Campaign Studio, Newsletter, Email Marketing, and the Client CRM are included on Solo and Business, each with a monthly allowance.

Limits apply per billing month, and unused contacts and emails don't roll over.

Need more before your renewal

A $19.99/mo top-up pack is available on both Solo and Business. One pack adds up to 50,000 additional emails and 5,000 additional contacts for the month, across Campaign Studio, Newsletter, Email Marketing, and the Client CRM. You can add it anytime.

Email sending is subject to our Acceptable Use Policy and applicable anti-spam laws. 1

Everything about your public profile and your rate cards is editable from tabs in your dashboard.

Your public profile

Profile → Profile lets you update:

• Display name and professional title
• Company name (optional)
• Bio
• Short Description (optional)
• Service area and location
• Profile photo
• Languages
• Years of Experience

Changes go live immediately at your existing link, so there's no need to re-share anything.

Services and prices

Edit any service from Profile → Rate Cards by tapping the card: rename it, change the price, switch between fixed (one-time, hourly, daily) and recurring billing subscriptions (weekly or monthly), change locations, set it to private, absorb the buyer's service fee, require minimum hours, add expenses, set a down payment, manage your availability, require a lead time, declare insurance (or license), or even delete it.

Price changes apply to new bookings. Clients already on a recurring plan keep their current price until that plan is cancelled. See How do I edit, reprice, or delete a rate card?

Availability

Edit your general/default availability from Profile → Availability. Set your Default Available Hours, days you're not available, and save.

Links

Edit the links your customers can view from Profile → Links. Add your website and social profiles. These show on your public profile so clients can see your work and follow you.

Skills

Edit the skills your customers can view from Profile → Skills. Skills are valuable because customers can learn more about your expertise and they can be used to match you for future work.

Payouts and banking

Wallet → Manage Payout Account is where you manage the bank account connected through Stripe. To change banks, update your details there. Payouts switch to the new account once Stripe verifies it.

Email and password

Update your login email or password under Settings → Security. If you signed up with Google, your login follows your Google account.

Quick fixes for the most common issues, and how to reach support.

My link isn't loading for a client

• Double-check the spelling: your profile lives at myratecards.com/a/yourname.
• If they opened it inside Instagram, TikTok or another app, ask them to open it in their regular browser (Safari or Chrome) instead.

A payment failed

Most failures are on the card side: insufficient funds, an expired card, or the bank blocking an unfamiliar charge. Ask the client to retry or use another card. Failed recurring payments are retried automatically before the subscription is paused. See What happens if a recurring payment fails?

I haven't received a payout

Your first payout can take 7–14 days while Stripe verifies your account. After that, payouts typically arrive about 2 business days after a job is marked complete. See When and how often do I get paid? If it's been longer than that, contact support.

I can't sign in

• Signed up with Google? Use Continue with Google rather than email and password.
• Use Forgot password on the sign-in page to reset.
• Still locked out? Email us from the address on the account.

Contact support

Support Assistant. Tap the headset icon in the lower-right corner of the platform to chat with the RateCards Automated Support Assistant. It answers from our help guides and resolves most questions.

Priority Support (Business plan). Tap the headset icon in the lower-right corner of the platform to chat directly with our Support Team. We aim to reply promptly.

Email support@ratecards.app with your account email and, if relevant, the client name, amount and date. We aim to reply within 1–2 business days.

On the sign-in screen, tap Forgot password and enter the email you signed up with. We'll send a reset link; follow it to choose a new password.

Signed up with Google? You don't have a RateCards password. Use Continue with Google instead.

If the reset email doesn't arrive, check your spam folder and confirm you're using the right address. Still stuck? Email support@ratecards.app from your account email and we'll help you recover access.

Payments are processed by Stripe, a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified provider, the highest level in the payments industry. Card numbers and bank details are handled by Stripe and aren't stored on RateCards' servers.

We also recommend protecting your own account: use a strong, unique password and keep your email secure. No system can promise absolute security, but your card data never sits with RateCards. 2

You can request account closure and deletion of your personal data at any time. First, make sure any pending payouts have cleared and cancel any active subscriptions — both your RateCards plan and any recurring client subscriptions you're billing.

Then request deletion from your account settings, or email support@ratecards.app from your account email. We'll process it in line with our Privacy Policy and the GDPR & Data Processing Addendum in our Terms of Service. California residents can also use our privacy request form.

A note on pending money. Any payouts still outstanding when your account closes are held for 60 days so outstanding chargebacks and disputes can resolve, then released. Some records are also retained where required by law or by Stripe for financial-compliance reasons.

All of our policies live in the Legal Hub:

• Terms of Service — includes our GDPR & Data Processing Addendum
• Privacy Policy
• Payments Terms
• Refund & Cancellation Policy
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Community Standards
• Cookie Policy

There are two ways to get help.

Support Assistant (fastest)

The RateCards Support Assistant answers from our help guides and resolves most questions straight away. It's included on every plan.

• Tap the headset icon in the lower-right corner of the platform, or
• Tap your name in the lower-left corner and choose Support from the menu. The same menu has Provide Feedback and Request Feature.

Email

Email support@ratecards.app from your account email and a real person will get back to you. We aim to reply within 1–2 business days. Include the client name, amount and date if your question is about a payment.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) asks for a one-time code as well as your password when you sign in. Even if someone gets your password, they can't get into your account, your clients, or your payouts. 2FA is available on every plan.

How you set it up depends on how you sign in.

If you sign in with Google

Your sign-in, including 2FA, is handled by Google. Turn on 2-Step Verification in your Google Account security settings. It then protects your RateCards sign-in too.

If you signed up with email

Turn on two-factor authentication in your RateCards account's security settings, then enter the code you receive to confirm. From then on, you'll enter a code each time you sign in on a new device.

Lost access to your second factor?

RateCards doesn't offer backup codes, so keep your phone number and devices up to date.

• Signed in with Google: recover access through Google's account recovery.

• Signed up with email: email support@ratecards.app from your account email. We'll verify your identity before restoring access.

Other ways to stay safe

• Use a strong password you don't use anywhere else.

• Protect the email account you signed up with. It can be used to reset your RateCards password.

• RateCards will never ask for your password or a 2FA code by email, text, or phone.

If you think someone else has accessed your account, email security@ratecards.app right away.

If you see something on RateCards that breaks our Community Standards, such as a scam, harassment, hate speech, a prohibited service, or impersonation, please report it.

Report a profile or listing

Use the Report a Violation form. It's linked at the bottom of every page and on our Community Standards page. Choose a category, add the link to the profile, and describe what you saw. Reports go straight to our Trust & Safety team.

You can also email abuse@ratecards.app.

Copyright or trademark

If someone is using your photos, writing, logo, or other work without permission, email copyright@ratecards.app with:

• The link to the content

• A description of your original work

• Your contact information

We review every report and remove infringing content.

Security problems

To report a security vulnerability, or if you think your account has been compromised, email security@ratecards.app.

In danger?

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 first. RateCards can't send emergency help.

Your profile lives at a link like myratecards.com/a/yourname, and every rate card has its own link too. Anywhere you can share a link, you can get booked.

Where to share it

• Link-in-bio — Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Email — add it to your email signature
• Text messages — send it to clients who ask "how much do you charge?"
• WhatsApp / DMs — reply to inquiries with your link instead of typing out prices
• Yelp, Google Business Profile — add it as your booking link

Your QR code

Your profile and every rate card come with a QR code. Download it from your profile and put it on:

• Business cards and flyers
• Your truck, van, or storefront window
• Invoices and estimates
• Job-site signs

A client scans it with their phone camera and lands straight on your page — no app, no account.

One link instead of a website

Your RateCards link can replace a website, a booking tool, and a payment page. When your services or prices change, update them once — the link stays the same everywhere you've shared it.

What your clients see: open your link, pick a service, and pay in about 30 seconds.

Clients never need to download an app, create an account, or log in. (A free client account adds a few extras — see below.)

The client experience

1. They open your link — it loads instantly in their browser on any device.
2. They pick a service — your menu shows each service's name, description, and price.
3. They pay — Stripe-powered checkout accepts credit and debit cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay where available. It takes about 30 seconds.

You get a notification the moment a service is requested.

What clients pay

Clients pay your listed price plus a client booking fee — 5.5% for guests and Starter members, lower if they're on a paid plan themselves. The fee is itemised before they confirm, and you can choose to absorb it yourself if you'd rather they saw no added fee. See What are the fees?

Recurring services

If a client books a recurring service (e.g. a monthly maintenance plan), their card is billed automatically on the schedule you set. They can cancel anytime — you keep what's been earned to date.

Frequently asked

Do clients need the app? No — checkout runs in the browser and is secured by Stripe.

What cards are accepted? Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and more — see What payment methods are accepted?

Can clients tip? Yes — enable tips on your rate card and clients can add one at checkout.

What does a client account add? Clients with an account can track projects across multiple providers and message providers directly — and on a paid plan, they pay a lower booking fee.

Every new booking lands in your Dashboard and Offers tab, with a notification the moment it happens.

When a new booking comes in

1. You get an instant notification (check your email and your notifications tab).
2. The booking appears in Offers as a pending offer, with the service, amount and the client's details. Nothing has been charged yet.
3. Accept or decline it. When you accept, the client's card is charged and the job moves to Projects. The money is held securely until the work is done.
4. Confirm the time with the client by message, text or call.

Staying organized

• Use your Offers and Projects tabs as your single source of truth for upcoming and active work.
• Mark jobs complete as you finish them. That's what releases your payment, and it keeps your history clean.
• Recurring clients are billed automatically. You'll see each renewal in your payment history.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel or reschedule, contact the client first, then handle any refund from the project. See Can I issue a refund or cancel a charge? for the steps.