Studio Payment Processing Guide
Credit packs, drop-ins, memberships, Stripe integration, and the 0% markup option — set up your studio payments correctly from day one.
6 payment product types for studios
Drop-in payment
Single class, pay at booking. Highest per-class price. Use for: first-timers, occasional clients, and one-off workshops.
Pro tip: Set a clear expiry: "valid today only" prevents drop-in abuse.
Credit packs (5 and 10 class)
Pre-purchased class credits with a 60–90 day expiry. Best for committed non-member clients. Improves your cash flow significantly.
Pro tip: Offer 5-class and 10-class packs. More options create decision paralysis.
Monthly membership (unlimited)
Recurring monthly payment for unlimited (or capped) class access. Best retention tool. Predictable revenue for you.
Pro tip: Price at 65% of what 'average usage' would cost at drop-in. Makes members feel they're winning.
Annual membership
Full-year prepaid at a discount (typically 15–20% off monthly rate). Boosts cash flow, locks in retention.
Pro tip: Launch annual memberships in January to capture resolution-season intent.
Intro offer
Time-limited discounted pack for new clients (e.g. "Unlimited for 2 weeks — $30"). Drives trial and onboarding.
Pro tip: Limit to one per client per lifetime, not per year. Enforce via email tracking.
Workshop and event passes
One-time payment for specialist workshops, masterclasses, or seasonal events. Higher per-session price than regular classes.
Pro tip: Process separately from class credits — workshops often have different cancellation terms.
Setting up Stripe with Who's In Studio
Create your Studio account
Sign up at whos-in.app/studio. Enter your studio name, location, and class types.
Connect Stripe in Payment Settings
Click 'Connect Stripe' in your Studio dashboard. You'll be redirected to Stripe to create or connect your existing account. Takes 10 minutes.
Choose your fee model
Select whether you absorb the Stripe processing fee (cleaner checkout) or pass it to clients via the 0% markup option (protects margin).
Create your payment products
Set up your drop-in price, packs, and memberships in the Pricing tab. Set expiry windows for packs (60–90 days typical).
Test with a real booking
Book a class yourself using a test card. Confirm the payment appears in Stripe, the booking registers, and the client receives a confirmation email.
What is the 0% markup option?
Who's In Studio has no platform fees on bookings — you pay only the standard Stripe processing fee. With the 0% markup option (available on Growth plan and above), you pass the payment processing cost directly to clients as a visible surcharge at checkout.
Example: a $20 class with 0% markup shows the client a $0.54 processing fee. You receive $20. Your revenue is fully protected.
Some studios prefer absorbing the fee for a cleaner experience; others prefer 0% markup especially for high-volume months. Both are valid — the choice is yours.
Start taking payments today
Who's In Studio handles all payment types — drop-ins, packs, memberships — with Stripe integration and the 0% markup option. From $15.83/mo.
"Switching to the 0% markup option saved me about $180/month in fees on a busy month. I'd been absorbing that cost for a year without realising I had a choice."
Tomás R. — HIIT studio owner, Lisbon
Payment FAQs
What payment methods should a fitness studio accept?
At minimum: credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Adding bank transfer (SEPA/ACH) reduces fees for high-value memberships. Avoid cash-only — it creates accounting headaches and is increasingly inconvenient for clients.
What's the difference between credit packs and class memberships?
Credit packs (e.g. 10-class pack) give clients a fixed number of classes usable within an expiry window. Memberships are recurring (weekly/monthly) with unlimited or capped class access. Packs suit occasional clients; memberships suit regulars. Offer both.
What does 0% markup mean and should I offer it?
A 0% markup means you pass the payment processing cost (e.g. 2.7%) directly to the client at checkout rather than absorbing it yourself. Some studios prefer this to protect margin; others prefer to absorb it and price slightly higher for a cleaner checkout experience. Who's In Studio offers both models.
How do I set up Stripe for my yoga or pilates studio?
Who's In handles Stripe integration for you — create a Studio account, connect your Stripe account in the payment settings (takes 10 minutes), and you can take your first booking immediately. You don't need to touch Stripe's API or set up webhooks manually.
How should I price a drop-in vs a class pack?
Drop-in should be your highest per-class price — it's the 'no commitment' premium. 5-class packs typically offer 15–20% off drop-in equivalent; 10-class packs 20–25% off. Unlimited monthly should sit at roughly 65–70% of what 'average usage' would cost at drop-in rates.
What are the fees for Who's In Studio payments?
Who's In Studio has no platform fees on transactions. Studio plans include the 0% markup option where you pass the Stripe processing fee (typically 1.4–2.9% + 30¢) to clients. There are no monthly per-transaction caps or surprise fees.
Related guides
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Studio Analytics Guide
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Open a Yoga Studio
Full guide including pricing and payment setup.
Pilates Studio Management
Manage class packs and branded portal.
Who's In Studio
All payment types included — from $15.83/mo.
