What Is a Payment Gateway?
A payment gateway is the service that handles the actual processing of payments when someone places an order for your event. Think of it as the connection between your attendee's credit card and your bank account.
Brushfire works with two payment gateways: Square and Stripe. If you're not sure what a payment gateway is or which one is right for you, this article is a good starting point.
If you already have an account with Square or Stripe, you just need to connect it to Brushfire and you're good to go.
Square — The Recommended Gateway
Square is the preferred payment gateway for Brushfire events. Here's why a lot of organizers choose it:
- Simple pricing and quick setup — all you need is a bank account
- Online processing rate of 2.9% + $0.30 per charge
- No setup fees, no monthly fees, no hidden costs
- Earnings are transferred to your bank account 2 days after payment is received
- Supports mobile payments
Square is available for transactions in the following currencies: USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, and GBP.
📌 Credit Card Processing Fees: Want to understand how credit card processing fees work? Square has a helpful breakdown here.
Download our comprehensive guide on processing payments with Square.
Stripe — Also Supported
Brushfire also works with Stripe for payment processing. Stripe supports a wider range of currencies, making it a good option for international organizations.
Stripe is available for transactions in the following currencies: USD, AUD, CAD, DKK, EUR, GBP, ILS, SEK, SGD, and NZD.
Why Only These Two Gateways?
Both Square and Stripe were selected because they offer a consistent, secure experience throughout Brushfire. Specifically, both gateways:
- Allow refunds and credits without Brushfire needing to store sensitive payment information
- Support digital wallet payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)
- Include intelligent fraud prevention tools
- Are compatible with in-person payment hardware
Connecting Your Payment Gateway
Brushfire needs 2–3 pieces of identifying information from your gateway account to route payments correctly when a customer places an order. The exact details vary slightly depending on which gateway you use.
See the step-by-step guides below to get connected:
Limitations to Know
- Only Square and Stripe are supported. Brushfire does not currently integrate with other payment gateways.
- Currency availability differs by gateway. If you need to transact in DKK, ILS, SEK, SGD, or NZD, Stripe is your only option — those currencies are not available through Square.
- Fee pass-along is only available in USD. Regardless of which gateway you use, passing processing fees along to attendees is only supported for USD transactions.
- In-person hardware compatibility varies. Both gateways support in-person hardware, but setup and compatibility details are specific to each. Check with your gateway for hardware options.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to create a Square or Stripe account before connecting to Brushfire?
Yes. You'll need an existing account with Square or Stripe before you can connect it to Brushfire. Both are free to set up — you only pay when you process a transaction.
- Can I use both Square and Stripe on the same Brushfire account?
Brushfire connects to one payment gateway per organization. If you need to switch gateways, reach out to our support team for guidance.
- Which gateway should I choose?
Square is the recommended option for most organizations — it's simple, has no monthly fees, and settles quickly. If you need to process in currencies not supported by Square, or if you already have a Stripe account you prefer to use, Stripe is a fully supported alternative.
- How long does it take to receive funds after an order is placed?
With Square, funds are typically transferred to your bank account 2 days after payment is received. Transfer timelines for Stripe vary — check with Stripe directly for their current payout schedule.
- What happens if a customer requests a refund?
Refunds can be processed directly through Brushfire without any need to access sensitive payment information. Both Square and Stripe support this natively.