Commusoft connects to three payment providers, each built for a different way of getting paid. Stripe handles card and wallet payments. GoCardless collects payments straight from your customer's bank account. SumUp takes card reader payments on site. This article compares all three so you can pick the right setup before you begin.
Note: This article covers taking payments from your customers. It does not cover paying for your Commusoft subscription. Read more about how you pay for your Commusoft subscription.
The three payment integrations
Each integration solves a different job. Start by matching the integration to how your customers prefer to pay.
Stripe: cards and wallets
Stripe is the card payments engine. It covers online, office, and on-site card payments in the UK, US, and Canada.
Online payments: Customers pay invoices, statements, and proposals through the self-service portals by card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
Payment links: Links are added to invoice and statement emails and SMS automatically, so paying takes a couple of clicks
Phone payments: Office staff can take card details over the phone (MOTO) to help customers who can't pay online
On-site payments: Tap to Pay turns a compatible NFC phone into a contactless terminal, with no extra hardware
Deferred payments: Capture a card upfront and charge it within 7 days, ideal for charging on completion
Secure storage: Card details are stored by Stripe, never in Commusoft, and repeat customers' cards can be saved
Learn more in the Stripe integration article.
GoCardless: bank-to-bank payments
GoCardless collects payments directly from your customer's bank account. It is the only integration that supports Direct Debit, ACH, and pre-authorized debit (PAD). That makes it the natural choice for contracts and service plans.
Contract collections: The customer approves a mandate once, then payments collect automatically each time a contract invoice is due
Pay by Bank: One-off invoice payments through the self-service portals, confirmed instantly (UK)
Customer protections: Collections come with advance notices and each scheme's protections, like the Direct Debit Guarantee in the UK
Regional schemes: Direct Debit in the UK, ACH in the US, and PAD in Canada
High value invoices: Bank-to-bank payments keep processing costs low, a good fit for larger invoices
Processing times: Direct Debit clears in around 3 business days, ACH in 3 or more, and PAD in around 4.
Pay by Bank confirms instantly
Note: GoCardless renamed Instant Bank Pay to Pay by Bank. Older articles may use either name; the feature is the same.
Learn more in the GoCardless integration article.
SumUp: card reader payments on site
SumUp takes in-person card payments on a SumUp card reader, directly from the job in the mobile app. It is available in the UK only.
On the job: Your technician selects SumUp when taking a payment, the SumUp app opens automatically, and the customer pays on the connected reader
Recorded automatically: When the payment completes, the app returns to Commusoft and records the payment against the job
Simple requirements: The device needs the SumUp app installed and Bluetooth for the reader, so tablets and older phones work
Light setup: Add a custom payment method named SumUp in your web settings, and the two apps work together
Learn more in the SumUp integration article.
How they compare
Whichever integration your customer pays through, the payment is recorded against the invoice in Commusoft. It then flows through to your connected accounting package. The differences are where the payment can be taken and how fast it confirms.
Capability | Stripe | GoCardless | SumUp |
Regions | UK, US, Canada | UK, US, Canada | UK only |
Online portal payments | Cards and wallets | Pay by Bank (UK) | No |
Phone payments (MOTO) | Yes | No | No |
On-site payments | Tap to Pay (NFC phone) | No | Card reader |
Contract collections | Card charge only | Direct Debit, ACH, PAD | No |
Deferred payments | Yes, valid 7 days | No | No |
Time to confirm | Immediate | Pay by Bank: instant. Collections: 3–6 business days | Immediate |
Stripe can take recurring contract payments as a card charge on the same date each period. Unlike GoCardless, the customer receives no advance notices and no upcoming-charge notifications in their banking app. If your customers expect Direct Debit style visibility and protections, use GoCardless for contracts.
Note: Once an integration is connected, every payment method your provider account supports is shown to customers. For example, connecting GoCardless for Direct Debit also makes Pay by Bank available in the portals. Individual payment methods can't be disabled within Commusoft.
Which one do I need?
Match your situation below. These integrations play different roles, and many businesses use more than one.
Note: You can use Stripe and GoCardless at the same time. Each way you take payments needs its own payment method set up first. Learn more in the Payment methods article.
You collect contract or service plan payments: Use GoCardless. The mandate is approved once, collections run automatically, and customers get advance notices
Your customers pay invoices online: Use Stripe for cards and wallets. UK businesses can offer Pay by Bank alongside it for instant bank payments
You send high value invoices: Use GoCardless. Bank-to-bank payments keep processing costs low when speed matters less
Some customers can't pay online: Use Stripe MOTO. The office takes the card details over the phone to help collect payment
You take payment at the door with a modern phone: Use Stripe Tap to Pay. The phone is the terminal, with no hardware to buy
You take payment at the door on a tablet or older device: Use SumUp (UK). The Bluetooth reader works without NFC hardware
You are in the US or Canada: Use Stripe for cards and GoCardless for ACH or PAD collections. SumUp is not available outside the UK
Common questions
Can I turn off an individual payment method, like Pay by Bank or Apple Pay?
Can I turn off an individual payment method, like Pay by Bank or Apple Pay?
No, you can't turn off an individual payment method within Commusoft. Your provider account controls which methods are available. If your GoCardless account supports Pay by Bank, it appears in the portals alongside Direct Debit. If your Stripe account allows wallet payments, customers see Apple Pay or Google Pay as options, provided their device supports them.
What plan do I need to use the payment integrations?
What plan do I need to use the payment integrations?
Stripe and GoCardless are available on all plans in all regions. SumUp is available on all UK plans, and is not available on US or Canada plans.
How long until a payment is confirmed?
How long until a payment is confirmed?
Card payments and Pay by Bank confirm immediately. Mandate collections take longer: Direct Debit clears in around 3 business days, or around 6 for a brand-new customer while the mandate is set up. ACH takes 3 or more business days, and PAD around 4.