When a buyer reaches out, you need a way to get paid. Here's how to set up the most common options — pick the one that fits how you work.
| Platform | Fees | Best for | Payout speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash App | Free person-to-person; 2.75% for business payments | Casual buyers, quick sales | Instant to Cash App balance; 1–3 days to bank |
| Venmo | Free person-to-person; 1.9% + $0.10 for business | Buyers who already use Venmo | Instant to Venmo balance; 1–3 days to bank |
| PayPal.me | Free friends & family; 3.49% + $0.49 for goods & services | Buyers who want buyer protection | Instant to PayPal; 1–3 days to bank |
| Stripe | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction | Higher volume, professional setup | 2 business days to bank |
For most artists just starting out, Cash App or Venmo is the simplest path. PayPal is worth adding if you have buyers who prefer buyer protection. Stripe makes sense once you're doing enough volume to want a more professional setup.
Create a $cashtag (like $YourName) and share it with buyers. They send money directly to your Cash App balance, which you can transfer to your bank.
For business payments (where you're selling goods or services), Cash App charges 2.75%. For personal payments, it's free — but personal payments don't include dispute resolution, so use your judgment on which to request.
Similar to Cash App. Create a Venmo handle and share it with buyers. Venmo has a large user base, so many buyers will already have it.
Venmo's business profile option (1.9% + $0.10) gives you a more professional setup with a separate account for art sales. Worth considering if you want to keep business and personal separate.
PayPal.me gives you a simple link (paypal.me/YourName) buyers can use to send you money. It's the most internationally recognized option and includes buyer protection for goods and services payments.
For goods and services payments, PayPal charges 3.49% + $0.49. This fee comes with buyer and seller protection — which is worth it for higher-value pieces. For friends & family payments, it's free but has no dispute resolution.
Always use "Goods and Services" for art sales — not "Friends and Family." Friends and Family payments have no protection for either party.
Stripe lets you create a payment link for a specific amount — great for sending a buyer a direct link to pay for a specific piece. More setup, but the most professional experience.
Stripe is the most friction-free experience for buyers — they just click a link and enter a card, no app required. The tradeoff is setup time and a slightly higher learning curve.
Set up Cash App and PayPal.me. Cash App for buyers who want simple and fast. PayPal for buyers who want protection or don't have Cash App. Together they cover most situations without much overhead.
Add Stripe later if you find yourself doing higher-volume sales or want to accept card payments without requiring buyers to have an app.
