Three ways to take card payments
Payment links and online checkout
You create a link for an amount, send it by message or email, and the client pays on a secure page. This suits packages, online clients and anyone who pays before they arrive. Payment providers such as Stripe offer no-code payment links.
A card reader for in-person payments
A small reader lets a client tap or insert a card at the gym or in the park. It suits trainers whose clients prefer to pay face to face. Check the cost of the reader, the fee for in-person payments and how the reader connects to your phone. FitDesk does not connect to card readers, so this option means a separate provider.
Personal trainer software connected to a payment provider
Your payments sit next to your bookings and client records, so you can see who has paid at a glance, without a separate spreadsheet. Most PT software connects to a payment provider rather than processing cards itself, so check both the software fee and the provider fee.
What to check before you choose
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is the fee per payment? | Most providers charge a percentage plus a fixed amount. Software may add its own fee on top |
| Is there a monthly fee? | A monthly fee is paid even in a quiet month |
| When is money paid out? | Payout timing affects your cash flow. Stripe lists rolling, weekly or monthly payout options |
| Who holds the money? | Check whether payments go into your own account or a pooled account you cannot see |
| How do refunds work? | Stripe says the processing fees from the original payment are not returned when you refund |
| What happens with disputes? | Stripe lists a £20.00 fee for each dispute received, and £20.00 for each dispute you respond to manually, returned if you win |
| Can you keep records? | GOV.UK says self-employed people must keep records of business income and expenses for Self Assessment |
What is the fee per payment?
- Why it matters
- Most providers charge a percentage plus a fixed amount. Software may add its own fee on top
Is there a monthly fee?
- Why it matters
- A monthly fee is paid even in a quiet month
When is money paid out?
- Why it matters
- Payout timing affects your cash flow. Stripe lists rolling, weekly or monthly payout options
Who holds the money?
- Why it matters
- Check whether payments go into your own account or a pooled account you cannot see
How do refunds work?
- Why it matters
- Stripe says the processing fees from the original payment are not returned when you refund
What happens with disputes?
- Why it matters
- Stripe lists a £20.00 fee for each dispute received, and £20.00 for each dispute you respond to manually, returned if you win
Can you keep records?
- Why it matters
- GOV.UK says self-employed people must keep records of business income and expenses for Self Assessment
Stripe figures from stripe.com/gb/pricing, checked 7 October 2026. GOV.UK guidance from gov.uk/self-employed-records.
What card payments cost
Stripe's UK pricing page lists 1.5% + 20p for standard UK cards and 2.8% + 20p for premium UK cards (checked 7 October 2026). Stripe does not charge setup or monthly fees on standard pricing.
If you take card payments through FitDesk, the FitDesk fee is taken from your proceeds through Stripe, so the client pays the same amount. No monthly fee. 0.7% on Stripe card payments through FitDesk, minimum 1p per card payment. Stripe's own fees still apply. Cash has no FitDesk fee.
Worked examples (illustration only, these are not suggested prices). Standard UK card, Stripe's 1.5% + 20p.
| Card payment | Stripe fee | FitDesk fee (0.7%) | Total fees | You receive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £10 | 35p | 7p | 42p | £9.58 |
| £50 | 95p | 35p | £1.30 | £48.70 |
| £100 | £1.70 | 70p | £2.40 | £97.60 |
£10
- Stripe fee
- 35p
- FitDesk fee (0.7%)
- 7p
- Total fees
- 42p
- You receive
- £9.58
£50
- Stripe fee
- 95p
- FitDesk fee (0.7%)
- 35p
- Total fees
- £1.30
- You receive
- £48.70
£100
- Stripe fee
- £1.70
- FitDesk fee (0.7%)
- 70p
- Total fees
- £2.40
- You receive
- £97.60
The FitDesk fee is rounded to the nearest penny, with a minimum of 1p per card payment. Stripe's rate for your own account depends on the card type and can change.
How to set up card payments, step by step
- Choose your method. Payment links, a card reader, PT software, or a mix.
- Create your account. Providers usually ask for identity and business details before they pay out.
- Add your bank account so payouts go to you.
- Set your prices and write a short payment and cancellation policy. The PT pricing calculator and our guide to how much a personal trainer should charge can help.
- Tell clients how to pay, and when payment is due.
- Record every payment, card and cash, so your income records are ready for your tax return. Our self-employed personal trainer guide covers registering with HMRC and the records to keep.
How card payments work in FitDesk
- Your own Stripe account. FitDesk uses Stripe Connect. You create your own Stripe account and connect it to FitDesk. FitDesk does not hold your funds. Read more about Stripe for UK personal trainers.
- Clients pay by card. Card payments go through your connected Stripe account, and Stripe pays the money out to your bank on Stripe's payout schedule.
- Invoices and packages. Send an invoice by email with a payment link, or sell session packages.
- Cash. Record cash payments in FitDesk. Cash has no FitDesk fee.
- Next to your diary and clients. Payments sit alongside scheduling and client management in one place.
- The fee. No monthly fee. 0.7% on Stripe card payments through FitDesk, minimum 1p per card payment. Stripe's own fees still apply. Cash has no FitDesk fee.
FitDesk takes Stripe card payments and records cash. It does not offer automatic recurring billing.
Clients who pay monthly
FitDesk does not charge a client's card automatically each month. If you want monthly income, you send an invoice with a payment link each month, or the client pays by cash. If you need automatic collection, you will need a separate provider outside FitDesk. The personal trainer payment system page covers what FitDesk does and does not do.
Sources
- Stripe, UK pricing (card rates, disputes, refunds, payouts, payment links): stripe.com/gb/pricing (checked 7 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, Business records if you're self-employed: gov.uk/self-employed-records (checked 7 October 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How can a personal trainer take card payments?
How much does it cost a personal trainer to take card payments?
Do I need my own Stripe account to take card payments in FitDesk?
Can FitDesk take monthly payments from clients automatically?
What happens if a client asks for a card refund?
Does FitDesk charge a fee on cash payments?
Take card payments alongside your diary
Create an account, connect Stripe and send your first payment link. No monthly fee. 0.7% on Stripe card payments through FitDesk, minimum 1p per card payment. Stripe's own fees still apply. Cash has no FitDesk fee.
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