While Stripe is a widely known and trusted payment processor, practices integrating it with Practice by Numbers (PbN) experience a different workflow than those using PbN Payments. Below is a side-by-side breakdown of the core limitations and functional differences to help practices choose the best solution for their needs.
Integration and Workflow Alignment
Stripe: Payments are tracked in PbN, and practices can still trigger automated follow-up sequences using standard PbN workflows. However, refunds must be processed externally via Stripe, and are not initiated or tracked directly within PbN.
PbN Payments: Offers a fully embedded experience, including refunds managed within the PbN platform and synced directly to patient records for a complete audit trail.
Patient Payment Access
Stripe: Patients can make payments using a hosted widget link, which practices can share via SMS, email, or campaigns. This allows access to balances and supports automated reminders.
PbN Payments: Provides the same portal access and widget functionality—but with deeper integration. Payment interactions are more tightly tied to other patient communication and reporting tools.
Surcharge and Fee Handling
Stripe: Practices can choose to pass the card processing fee to the patient, but cannot customize surcharges based on card type, state law, or country. Additionally, a 1% platform fee from PbN is always applied to transactions made via Stripe.
PbN Payments: Offers a customizable surcharge engine (ZeroPay).
In-Office Payments (Point of Sale)
Stripe: Does not support physical terminals or in-office card readers through the PbN interface. All payments must be processed online.
PbN Payments: Includes seamless point-of-sale support, including P400 Plus or S1F2 terminals for front-desk and chairside transactions.
Reporting
Stripe: Payment data appears in PbN with the same reporting visibility as PbN Payments. Practices can use standard filters and dashboards to analyze payment performance.
PbN Payments: Offers the same reporting tools, with no difference in visibility or filtering, but additional context such as refunds initiated in-platform.
Payment Plans
Stripe: Does not support structured payment plans within PbN. Practices cannot set up automated installment schedules or track plan progress.
PbN Payments: Includes robust payment plan functionality, with scheduled installments, automated charges, notifications, and plan management directly from the patient account.
Summary Table
Feature | Stripe Integration | PbN Payments |
Payment Tracking | ✅ (within PbN) | ✅ |
Refunds in PbN | ❌ (handled in Stripe) | ✅ |
Follow-Up Automation | ✅ | ✅ |
Patient Portal Access | ✅ | ✅ |
Customizable Surcharges | ❌ | ✅ |
Point of Sale (POS) | ❌ | ✅ |
PbN Platform Fee | 1% | 0% |
Payment Plan Support | ❌ | ✅ |
Reporting | ✅ | ✅ |