UserOnboarding.ai

How platforms onboard sellers to get paid

Marketplaces, gig apps and creator platforms all have to verify the people they pay. This page compares how each one does it: what it asks for, when it asks, and what runs underneath.

12platforms
6run on Stripe Connect
8check identity in stages
120linked sources
PlatformPaysRailsIdentity checkAsks for
Stripe ConnectReference merchantsMixedStagedBusiness type, Country, Legal name, Date of birth, Address, +5 more
AirbnbMarketplace hostsUnconfirmedStagedLegal name and date of birth, Residential address, Government ID photo, Selfie, Payout method, +3 more
eBayMarketplace sellersNot StripeStagedFull legal name, Date of birth, Residential address, SSN or EIN, Checking account or Visa/Mastercard debit card, +3 more
EtsyMarketplace sellersNot StripeStagedSeller type, Legal name, Date of birth, Home address, SSN, full or partial, +6 more
WhatnotMarketplace sellersStripe-hostedStagedPhone number, Legal name as on ID, Return address, Government-issued photo ID, Payment method, +3 more
ShopifyCommerce platform merchantsMixedStagedBusiness type, Legal name, Date of birth, SSN or ITIN, Home address, +7 more
DoorDashGig work couriersStripe, type unconfirmedStagedDriver's license number, SSN, Background check consent, Government ID photo, Selfie, +3 more
InstacartGig work couriersStripe, type unconfirmedBefore listingDriver's license photo, SSN, Bank account, Background check consent, Profile photo, +2 more
UberGig work driversUnconfirmedStagedDriver's license, SSN, Proof of insurance, Vehicle registration, Profile photo, +3 more
PatreonCreator creatorsMixedStagedPayout country, US or non-US status, Individual or business, Bank account or PayPal or Payoneer, W-9 or W-8BEN / W-8BEN-E, +3 more
SubstackCreator creatorsStripe-hostedBefore first saleRegistered business or home address, Personal details, Bank account, Customer support phone, email and address, Statement descriptor, +2 more
ElevenLabsAI-native creatorsStripe, type unconfirmedBefore first payoutStripe Connect account details, Bank account, W-9 with SSN, W-8 with citizenship, residence address, tax IDs and treaty claim, Agreement to payout terms
MercorAI-native expertsStripe-hostedBefore first saleGovernment ID, Selfie video, Bank account in own legal name, SSN or TIN on W-9, or W-8BEN, Phone number for SMS two-factor, +2 more

Stripe Connect lets a platform onboard its sellers three ways: a Stripe-hosted page, Stripe components embedded in the platform's own app, or the API behind the platform's own screens. "Unconfirmed" means no public source says.

Stripe Connect

ReferencePays merchantsMixedStaged

Stripe Connect lets a platform onboard its sellers through a Stripe-hosted form, an embedded component, or its own UI on the API. The hosted and embedded options read each account's requirements and update automatically as rules and countries change.

Stripe-hosted onboarding form shown in Stripe's Furever sample platform.
Stripe-hosted onboarding form shown in Stripe's Furever sample platform. · Stripe Docs · 2026-11
Rails
Stripe offers three onboarding options for connected accounts: a Stripe-hosted web form, an embeddable Account onboarding component, and API onboarding the platform builds itself, and it recommends the first two.
Identity check
The platform chooses: up-front onboarding collects eventually_due requirements at sign-up, incremental onboarding collects only currently_due, and unmet currently_due fields at current_deadline become past_due and disable the matching charges or payouts.

Notes

  • Stripe's comparison table says hosted and embedded onboarding pick up new compliance requirements immediately and support new countries without integration changes, while API onboarding needs integration changes and should be reviewed at least every 6 months.
  • Hosted onboarding is reached through a single-use Account Link that expires within minutes, and link previews in messaging apps can burn it, so the platform must regenerate links from a refresh URL.
  • The return URL fires when a user finishes or clicks Save for later, so it does not mean onboarding is complete; the platform must re-check the requirements hash or listen for account.updated.
  • The embedded component always collects currently_due requirements by default, and platforms can add eventually_due, future requirements, or only/exclude filters; exclude hides a field but does not remove the KYC requirement.
  • Networked onboarding is on by default for hosted and user-authenticated embedded onboarding: owners with an existing Stripe account can reuse a verified legal entity, and the embedded flow also has a step to reuse identity and payout details from a Link account. It is unavailable for API onboarding.
  • Stripe released the Accounts v2 API in 2025 as one Account object that can act as both connected account and customer, and the hosted onboarding docs now say the hosted form reads requirements through Accounts v2.

Where people get stuck

  • A platform developer reported that the embedded onboarding component skipped a required ID document upload during the main flow and only surfaced it from the summary screen, so users thought they were done. GitHub stripe/react-connect-js (Apr 2025)
  • Developers asked for a way to disable the Skip button and force or lock fields in embedded onboarding, because users skip identity and bank steps, believe onboarding is complete, and then fail KYC without clear feedback. GitHub stripe/react-connect-js (Apr 2025)

Sources

Confidence. Solid: the three options, currently_due vs eventually_due, Account Link behavior, networked onboarding rules, all from current Stripe docs (read 2026-11). Weaker: pain is two developer GitHub issues only; no Reddit or HN threads could be read, and the exact Accounts v2 launch date is unconfirmed beyond Sessions 2025.

Airbnb

MarketplacePays hostsUnconfirmedStaged

Airbnb makes new hosts verify their identity before a first listing goes live, then collects a payout method and tax information before releasing earnings. Its KYC rules ask for name, birth date and address, and Airbnb may hold payouts until verification is done.

Rails
Airbnb pays hosts through its own payment subsidiaries and offers bank transfer, ACH, PayPal, Payoneer, Fast Pay, international wire and Western Union; no public source found names the processor underneath.
Identity check
Hosts verify identity before their first listing publishes, add a payout method and tax information before they get paid, and face KYC checks on name, birth date and address (plus business records for business hosts) that can hold payouts until complete.

Notes

  • Primary hosts and new co-hosts must complete identity verification, and a first listing won't publish until it is done. Airbnb checks details against third-party sources or a government ID photo, sometimes with a live selfie.
  • Re-verification follows a legal name change, other account edits or detected risk. Until it is done, existing reservations continue but listing calendars are blocked.
  • KYC asks individuals for legal name and date of birth matching their ID and a residential address. EEA hosts also give place of birth and citizenship. Business hosts give registration numbers, beneficial owners with 25% or more, and a decision maker, and business verification can take up to 3 days.
  • Business hosts in the EU, Brazil and South Korea must pass business verification before they can publish a listing.
  • Payout methods vary by country. Bank accounts verify with a small deposit in some countries, PayPal must already be active, Payoneer needs its own approval, and the payout name must match the account name. Hosts may need to provide taxpayer information before adding a payout method.
  • Airbnb can review any transaction, which can delay funds up to 45 days after guest check-in, and may ask for more identity information during a review. The help center lists a separate payout timing for new hosts, but its text did not load publicly, so the new-host rule is unconfirmed.

Where people get stuck

  • Hosts in the Philippines, Botswana, Pakistan, Singapore and Indonesia reported payouts paused for weeks or months over identity verification, some holding $20,000 to $30,000, with little explanation from support (March 2023). Skift
  • A host in Prague said a large payout needed for staff payroll sat in pending verification for weeks after they had completed verification (November 2023). Airbnb Community Center
  • A host's bank payout method stayed Pending for over two weeks, and support gave advice meant for a card instead of a bank account (June, year not shown). Airbnb Community Center

Sources

Confidence. Solid: identity verification before first listing, KYC fields, payout method types and processing times, W-9 collection, 45-day review window (Airbnb help center, fetched Nov 2026). Unconfirmed: the payment processor behind host payouts, the new-host payout release rule (third-party blogs claim about 30 days), and whether tax info is mandatory before every payout method or only some.

eBay

MarketplacePays sellersNot StripeStaged

eBay registers sellers for payouts itself, asking individuals for name, address, date of birth and SSN, and businesses for an EIN and owner details. New sellers then face transaction holds that release funds only after delivery is confirmed or up to 31 days pass.

Rails
eBay runs payments itself (managed payments, operated by eBay Commerce Inc. for eBay.com) and named Adyen its primary payments processing partner in 2018; current help pages refer only to unnamed 'integrated payment partners'.
Identity check
eBay collects identity, SSN or EIN and a checking account when someone registers as a seller, withholds payouts until those details verify, and asks again before using eBay balance, at sales milestones, after unusual activity or after account changes, sometimes with a photo ID and selfie.

Notes

  • eBay lists the verification triggers as registering as a seller, using eBay balance, reaching a certain number of sales, unusual selling activity and updating account details. Payouts may be unavailable until details verify.
  • The bank account name and type must match the eBay account, so a business eBay account needs a business checking account. Bank login is the recommended fast path, microdeposits take up to 4 business days, and a recent PDF bank statement is the fallback. eBay rejects screenshots and voided checks.
  • New private sellers get funds 2 days after delivery confirmation with an eBay label, 7 days with a third-party label, or 31 days after payment without tracking. New business sellers wait 24 hours after delivery or 15 days after payment.
  • Holds lift for new private sellers after at least 10 sales totaling $150 or more, with no more than 2 open requests, cases or defects in the last 12 months. Funds then typically arrive within 48 hours of payment.
  • Payouts are on demand by default. Sellers can switch to automatic daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly payouts.
  • eBay sends a 1099-K when a seller crosses US reporting thresholds, and LLCs can set their tax filing designation in account settings.

Where people get stuck

  • A new seller was told payouts were held temporarily and saw no money for two months; mentors pointed to mismatched name, address, SSN or bank details as the likely cause. eBay Community
  • A seller with delivered orders was asked to upload ID and could not withdraw an available balance, with no reason given by eBay. eBay Community
  • A UK seller without a passport or driving licence got stuck in ID verification after an address change, with a banner saying payouts were on hold (2026). eBay UK Community

Sources

Confidence. Solid: registration fields, verification triggers, bank verification methods and hold schedule from eBay US help pages. Unconfirmed: whether Adyen still processes all US payouts in 2026 (only the 2018 announcement names it), and whether eBay lets sellers list before payout registration completes. Community pain posts mostly lack dates.

Etsy

MarketplacePays sellersNot StripeStaged

Etsy enrolls every new seller in Etsy Payments as part of opening a shop, collecting bank, card, and ID details before the shop goes live. Etsy then holds new sellers' funds for about 14 days and asks for more information as sales cross legal thresholds.

Rails
Etsy's Payments Policy says it partners with Worldpay, PayPal, Adyen, Payoneer, and other licensed providers to process payments and pay sellers in different countries, with Persona for ID checks and Plaid for US bank verification; no source names Stripe.
Identity check
Bank details, a billing card, and a government ID plus selfie are collected while opening the shop, non-US sellers can verify bank details after the first sale, and sellers who cross INFORM, DSA, or DAC7 thresholds must confirm more seller info by a legal deadline or lose access to funds.

Notes

  • Shop setup runs desktop-only in this order: shop preferences, shop name, bank account and seller type, billing card, Persona ID and selfie, two-factor authentication, then a one-time non-refundable setup fee.
  • Persona compares the ID photo to the selfie, the ID must match the name on the bank account, and sellers can keep setting up while the review runs.
  • Bank verification depends on country: Plaid for US accounts during shop opening, Payoneer setup in countries such as Brazil, India, and Japan, and test deposits elsewhere, where sellers can verify after their first sale.
  • New sellers' funds are generally eligible for deposit 14 days after a sale, a first sale is a listed trigger for a rolling payment account reserve that most sellers lose within 90 days, and a bank change adds a 5-day hold.
  • Sellers over INFORM Act thresholds (200+ US sales and over $5,000 in 12 months) or EU DAC7 thresholds must confirm seller info by a legal deadline; missing it blocks funds, triggers Etsy-initiated vacation mode support cannot lift, and closes the shop after 90 days.
  • Payoneer-country sellers had to enroll by January 31, 2024 or face suspension, and Payoneer verification requests must be finished within 30 days.

Where people get stuck

  • Sellers report Etsy forcing shops into vacation mode during identity verification, sometimes right after re-verifying an ID that was already approved. Etsy Community
  • Sellers describe shops stuck in forced vacation mode for days over a verification issue with no reply from support. Etsy Community
  • Sellers complain the new-seller 14-day hold on funds continues long after it should end, past 180 days from the first sale. Etsy Community

Sources

Confidence. Solid: shop-opening order, Persona ID and selfie, Plaid/Payoneer/test-deposit bank checks, 14-day new-seller hold, reserves, and threshold-based reconfirmation, all from Etsy Help Center (read 2026-11). The processor list comes from a search excerpt of the Etsy Payments Policy (effective 9 Oct 2025) because etsy.com returned 403. Pain items rest on Etsy Community thread titles only, since post bodies and dates sit behind a login.

Whatnot

MarketplacePays sellersStripe-hostedStaged

Whatnot gates selling behind a quick in-app application, then asks every seller to verify phone, payment method and government ID before going live. Payout setup hands the seller off to Stripe Connect in the browser, where they create a Stripe account, confirm personal details and pick a bank account.

Rails
Whatnot says it pays sellers through Stripe Connect: tapping Add a Payout Method opens Stripe Connect in the browser, and its 1099-K article routes failed tax-identity checks to Stripe Express support, which points to Express accounts on Stripe-hosted onboarding.
Identity check
Sellers first pass a short in-app application, then complete seller verification (phone, payment method, government ID via Stripe or Persona) before going live, then create or connect a Stripe account with personal details and a bank account before the first payout; gated categories and country migrations add more steps.

Notes

  • The seller application asks about selling experience, a primary category, agreement to Community Guidelines, and a legal name and return address that match the seller's government ID. Many sellers get access within minutes, and Whatnot emails next steps if an application needs more review.
  • Some categories, such as Luxury Bags & Accessories and Wholesale, need a separate approval after seller access is granted, through Seller Hub > Seller Status > Gated Categories.
  • Whatnot requires all sellers to verify a phone number, a payment method and a government-issued photo ID. The ID upload runs through Stripe or Persona.
  • Payouts are on demand. Sellers tap Start Payout once they have an available balance, and earnings usually become available after the carrier confirms delivery. Some countries add a 96-hour wait after the sale, and Early Payout sellers unlock earnings at label creation.
  • PayPal is no longer offered for new payout methods. Sellers who added PayPal earlier can keep using it.
  • Starting October 5 (2026, per the article's holiday tables), Canadian sellers must complete a one-time setup to create a new Canadian Stripe account. Whatnot pauses their payouts until it is done, and Stripe emails the seller directly if manual review is needed, usually resolved within 24 hours.

Where people get stuck

  • A UK seller said Whatnot withheld funds from legitimate sales and never sent a promised final payout email, and follow-ups went unanswered (June 2026). Trustpilot
  • Sellers complain that the instant payout option is locked behind a sales threshold that part-time sellers cannot reach (June 2025). Trustpilot
  • Sellers say no weekend payout processing and slow handling through Stripe make it hard to fund inventory purchases between shows (June 2025). Trustpilot

Sources

Confidence. Solid: Stripe Connect payouts, browser handoff to Stripe, verification checklist, application steps, Canada migration (Whatnot help articles updated Nov 2026). Inferred: Express account type, from the 'Stripe Express support' mention. Unconfirmed: exact fields Stripe collects for US individuals (SSN, DOB), and typical manual-review times for the seller application. Pain comes from Trustpilot only; Reddit was not reachable.

Shopify

Commerce platformPays merchantsMixedStaged

Shopify merchants turn on Shopify Payments from Settings > Payments, fill in personal and business details, and submit them for verification. Shopify then asks for a payout bank account and only requests documents when automated checks fail.

Shopify's guidance graphic for photographing verification documents.
Shopify's guidance graphic for photographing verification documents. · Shopify Help Center · 2026-11
Rails
Stripe's Shopify customer story says Stripe has partnered with Shopify for years to power Shopify Payments, while Shopify's own help center says payments and payouts run through multiple payment processing partners; the onboarding forms are Shopify's own, and the Stripe integration type is unconfirmed.
Identity check
The owner enters personal, business, and ID numbers when activating Shopify Payments, connects a bank account after verification, uploads documents only if automated checks fail, and can be asked for more at any point in the account's life, with payouts held until it is resolved.

Notes

  • Activation runs in this order: personal, address, and ID details, then business details, then a statement phone number, a review of business type and store details, and Submit for verification. Only the store owner can activate it.
  • In the US, business type drives the asks: merchants with only an SSN or ITIN pick Individual; EIN holders pick a business type and add the EIN, registered name, and anyone owning 25% or more.
  • If the SSN or EIN cannot be verified, Shopify asks for a photo ID or an IRS SS-4 or 147C letter, and uploads take up to 24 hours to review. Documents must be color photos of originals, not scans or screenshots.
  • Every account must name one real person as account representative, even for public companies and non-profits, because Shopify's banking partners require it.
  • US payouts go to a full USD checking account that accepts ACH, connected through Plaid or entered by hand; savings and wire-only accounts are not supported. Payouts can also be held until two-step authentication is on.
  • New US merchants start with a longer settlement time that shrinks toward the 3 business day minimum as they fulfill orders on time; there is no minimum payout amount in the US.

Where people get stuck

  • A merchant had payouts paused for about three months because the Verify identity button never opened a verification session, despite seven support contacts; another merchant reported the same broken button with large payouts held. Shopify Community (Jul 2026)
  • A UK merchant with over 10,000 pounds held was stuck in a bank verification loop: changing the bank account required confirming the old, mistyped details, and support could not unlock it or give a timeline. Shopify Community (May 2026)
  • A merchant's payouts stayed paused after identity verification was approved, with failed payouts and no root cause from support, forcing them to stop ad campaigns. Shopify Community (Feb 2026)

Sources

Confidence. Solid: US activation steps, asks by business type, document rules, bank and payout rules, all from Shopify Help Center (read 2026-11). Stripe powering Shopify Payments is confirmed by Stripe's customer story (undated), but Shopify names multiple processors and whether it uses Connect, and which integration type, is unconfirmed. Non-US asks not covered.

DoorDash

Gig workPays couriersStripe, type unconfirmedStaged

DoorDash screens Dashers with a Checkr background check and a Persona ID-and-selfie check before they can dash. Bank details go in through the Dasher app, Stripe sits underneath for payouts and 1099s, and Dashers can wait for weekly direct deposit or pay $1.99 to cash out daily with Fast Pay.

Dasher app screen placed at the residential address verification step of the payments identity check (Australia).
Dasher app screen placed at the residential address verification step of the payments identity check (Australia). · DoorDash Help Center · undated, accessed 2026-11
Dasher app screen placed at the government ID upload step, used when Stripe cannot verify identity automatically (Australia).
Dasher app screen placed at the government ID upload step, used when Stripe cannot verify identity automatically (Australia). · DoorDash Help Center · undated, accessed 2026-11
Rails
Visa's 2022 release says DoorDash uses Instant Payouts with Stripe Connect for U.S. and Canada payments, and Stripe's Express support pages say DoorDash uses Stripe to file Dasher 1099s; the Dasher-facing integration type (hosted, embedded or API) is unconfirmed, since bank details are entered in the Dasher app.
Identity check
Signup collects age, driver's license number, SSN (U.S.) and background-check consent before a Dasher can dash; adding a bank account triggers an ID photo, and Stripe can request a government ID upload later when it cannot verify identity programmatically (documented for Australia).

Notes

  • DoorDash lists the top signup requirements as 18 or older, a driver's license number, an SSN (U.S. only) and, as the final step, consent to a background check.
  • Checkr runs the background check: a criminal history report plus a motor vehicle report for motorized Dashers. Most finish within a day, but one to two weeks is common, and a Clear status can still lead to a waitlist in some locations.
  • Every prospective Dasher verifies identity with a valid government ID, and DoorDash says over 100,000 Dashers must re-verify with a real-time selfie each week (April 2024). Persona runs the ID and selfie check, and repeated failures can lead to deactivation.
  • Adding a bank account in the Dasher app prompts an ID photo and a 2-step verification code. DoorDash deposits only to checking accounts, pays weekly, and blocks Fast Pay for 7 days after a debit card change.
  • Fast Pay costs $1.99 per cash-out, once per day, to a non-prepaid debit card. DasherDirect (Payfare and Stride Bank) ended April 1, 2025, and DoorDash points users to DoorDash Crimson, a personal banking account with instant deposits.
  • Payout errors such as 'There's an issue with your transfer' can mean bank details do not match personal information, and the fix is to re-verify by uploading an ID photo. Dasher tax forms for 2024 onward live in the Dasher app, while 2023 and earlier sit in Stripe Express.

Where people get stuck

  • A Dasher lost his earnings after phishers took over his account and redirected pay to an unknown bank account; DoorDash then deactivated him over that account, and his appeal sat unanswered for weeks until a TV consumer desk stepped in (January 2022). ABC7 News
  • New York delivery workers reported losing account access and having pay withheld, including a $1,200 paycheck, even after they said they had submitted documents and confirmed their bank accounts (August 2023). THE CITY

Sources

Confidence. Solid: Stripe Connect + Instant Payouts (Visa 2022 release, Stripe 1099 page), Checkr/Persona checks, bank and Fast Pay rules from DoorDash help pages. Unconfirmed: Stripe integration type for Dashers; whether bank details are required at signup or only before first payout in the U.S. (the Stripe ID-upload fallback is documented for Australia only); image contents inferred from placement. THE CITY article could not be fetched directly (429), so its claim rests on a search excerpt.

Instacart

Gig workPays couriersStripe, type unconfirmedBefore listing

Instacart collects a license photo, SSN and bank details in the Shopper app and runs Checkr background checks before a shopper sees any orders. Stripe Connect sits under shopper pay, with free weekly direct deposit, a paid Instant Cashout to a debit card, and a free auto-payout option on the Branch-powered Shopper Rewards Card.

Shopper app bank-linking flow that scans a debit card instead of asking for routing and account numbers (placed in the 'Bank Linking Made Easy' section).
Shopper app bank-linking flow that scans a debit card instead of asking for routing and account numbers (placed in the 'Bank Linking Made Easy' section). · Instacart Design Team · 2021-08
One-tap Instant Cashout screen with a short statement of earnings and fees before cashing out.
One-tap Instant Cashout screen with a short statement of earnings and fees before cashing out. · Instacart Design Team · 2021-08
Payout error-state designs that tell shoppers what went wrong and how to fix it (placed beside the edge-cases paragraph).
Payout error-state designs that tell shoppers what went wrong and how to fix it (placed beside the edge-cases paragraph). · Instacart Design Team · 2021-08
Transaction History page showing when deposits will arrive.
Transaction History page showing when deposits will arrive. · Instacart Design Team · 2021-08
Rails
Stripe's Instacart customer story quotes Instacart saying Connect lets it onboard merchants, pay shoppers and provide KYC, and TechCrunch reported Instant Cashout was built with Stripe (2019); the integration type is unconfirmed, and the newer Shopper Rewards Card pays out to a Branch account issued by Lead Bank.
Identity check
Shoppers photograph their driver's license, give an SSN and enter bank details during in-app setup, then must pass Checkr criminal and motor vehicle checks before approval shows them orders; selfie re-verification and background-check refreshes follow over time.

Notes

  • Signup runs in three steps: create an account (18+, eligible to work in the U.S., vehicle access), set up the account in the app by photographing a driver's license and entering bank info, then start seeing orders once approved.
  • Instacart verifies age, license and SSN with its own technology and third parties, checks profile photos with biometric screening plus human review, and frequently prompts shoppers for a real-time selfie matched to their license (February 2025).
  • Prospective shoppers must pass criminal and motor vehicle record checks run by partners including Checkr, and Instacart refreshes those checks to confirm ongoing eligibility.
  • Weekly direct deposit arrives Wednesday to Friday for the prior Monday to Sunday. Instant Cashout pays batch earnings within minutes for a fee, with the full tip available 2 hours after delivery.
  • Instacart's design team rebuilt Instant Cashout so shoppers link a bank account by scanning a debit card instead of typing routing and account numbers, and see earnings and fees before a one-tap cashout (2021).
  • The Shopper Rewards Card (announced June 2025, phased rollout from October 2025) gives free auto-payouts after every batch; Instant Cashout to another bank costs $1.50, and Instacart says that fee will change once the card reaches a shopper.

Where people get stuck

  • Shoppers were deactivated after Instacart flagged their accounts as linked to others, often after phishing callers tricked them into sharing a verification code; appeals were denied without explanation, and one shopper said about $1,200 in earnings stayed locked in her account (April 2021). CNN Business via KTVZ

Sources

Confidence. Solid: Stripe Connect for shopper pay and KYC (Stripe customer story quote), signup asks and order, Checkr checks, payout schedule and Rewards Card from Instacart pages. Unconfirmed: Stripe integration type; current Instant Cashout fee after the Rewards Card rollout; Stripe's role in Rewards Card payouts. Image subjects inferred from surrounding text (alt text is filenames). Only one pain source found, from 2021.

Uber

Gig workPays driversUnconfirmedStaged

Uber screens drivers with a motor vehicle record check, then a third-party criminal check, and validates their SSN with the IRS before they can drive. Drivers then add a bank account for free weekly deposits and a debit card for paid Instant Pay, and set their W-9 details in Tax Settings.

Rails
No public source names a Stripe or other processor for U.S. driver payouts; Uber's engineering blog describes an in-house payments platform split into collections and disbursements that integrates multiple payment providers and banks (2018), and the Uber Pro Card is powered by Branch and issued by Evolve Bank & Trust.
Identity check
Drivers submit an SSN (validated with the IRS), license and city-specific documents such as insurance and pass an MVR check then a criminal check before driving; bank details, tax settings (W-9/TIN) and an Instant Pay debit card are added in the app or web portal, and Instant Pay opens after the first trip.

Notes

  • Uber says applicants submit their Social Security number, validated directly with the IRS, and pass a Motor Vehicle Record check first, followed by a criminal background check from a third-party provider. Uber reruns screenings at least yearly and has run continuous monitoring since 2018.
  • Requirements vary by city. NYC drivers need a TLC license, a TLC-plated vehicle, commercial insurance and registration, and an in-person activation appointment at a Greenlight Hub.
  • Weekly earnings transfer on Monday and land Tuesday to Friday; ACH can take 1 to 5 business days, and a newly added bank account may push the first deposit to the next pay cycle.
  • Instant Pay goes to a personal Visa, Mastercard or Discover debit card for $1.75 per cash-out, up to 6 times a day, after the first trip. Uber's 'How payments work' page says once per day, so the limit differs across Uber's own pages.
  • Instant Pay can switch off after periodic security checks, after account info changes (a wait of up to 7 days), or for new delivery people who have not uploaded a profile photo and license or state ID.
  • Tax details live in Tax Settings on drivers.uber.com or under Account > Tax Info in the app. The TIN is an SSN or EIN, the profile name must match the legal name, and 1099-K arrives at $20,000 and 200 transactions for 2025, with an opt-in below that.

Where people get stuck

  • UK drivers said Uber's Real-Time ID Check selfie match misidentified them, which led to lost jobs and Transport for London licence revocation action; the drivers' union asked Microsoft to suspend the Face API Uber uses (March 2021). National Herald (wire report)
  • Bay Area drivers went unpaid for over a week when an Instant Pay glitch recorded completed trips as zero-dollar payments, with one driver waiting on nearly $1,300 despite repeated 24-hour fix promises (September 2018). KTVU

Sources

Confidence. Solid: screening order, SSN-IRS validation, payout timing, Instant Pay fee and holds, tax settings, all from Uber pages. Unconfirmed: the payout processor (no source names one, so rails stay unconfirmed); the Instant Pay daily limit (Uber pages say 6 and 1); the exact order of bank entry versus approval at signup. Pain sources are older (2018, 2021) and the facial-recognition one is UK.

Patreon

CreatorPays creatorsMixedStaged

Patreon lets creators collect money first and asks for payout and tax details when they want to withdraw. The payout partner depends on the creator's country, and identity checks arrive later as separate prompts that freeze payouts until done.

The Update button in the Payout method section of Billing and payouts.
The Update button in the Payout method section of Billing and payouts. · Patreon Help Center · 2025-02
The Update Stripe Connection option that opens Stripe's portal for ID upload.
The Update Stripe Connection option that opens Stripe's portal for ID upload. · Patreon Help Center · 2025-02
Rails
Patreon's help center routes US bank payouts through Stripe, non-US bank payouts through Payoneer, and offers PayPal everywhere it is supported; Adyen's case study says Patreon processes fan payments through Adyen, and no public source names Stripe Connect or its integration type.
Identity check
Creators can earn before setting anything up; a payout method is required before the first withdrawal, non-US creators must file a W-8BEN before paying out, US creators owe a W-9 once they reach $600 in a year, and Patreon enrolls earning creators in a separate Persona identity check that locks payouts until it clears.

Notes

  • Setup lives under Settings, then Billing and payouts, then Add payout method. The form asks for payout country, US or non-US status, and individual or business before it shows the payout options for that country.
  • Adding or editing a payout method, changing citizenship, or submitting a W-9 triggers an automatic 5-day payout lock. Brand-new creators also get a 5-day hold from their first payout method or first payment.
  • US creators get bank transfers processed by Stripe. Stripe may email a request for government photo ID, and the creator uploads it through an "Update Stripe Connection" link that opens a Stripe portal; Stripe takes 3 to 5 business days to verify.
  • Non-US creators get bank transfers through Payoneer, which may ask for more details and must approve the account. A Payoneer Wallet is optional. Payoneer has excluded Russia since December 2022 and Belarus from September 1, 2026.
  • Non-US creators must submit a W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E before they can pay out. US creators must submit a W-9 after $600 in calendar-year earnings, and the IRS caps them at three submissions in 24 hours.
  • Patreon is rolling out its own identity verification with Persona to creators who earn money. Enrollment locks payouts at once, and creators have 60 days to finish before suspension and 118 days before deletion and refunds.

Where people get stuck

  • Creators report balances held "under verification" for weeks or months, with support tickets going unanswered while they cannot withdraw earnings. Trustpilot (reviews from 2024 and 2025)
  • In August 2023 Patreon disabled Payoneer payouts after finding a problem in that system, so international creators could not withdraw for a period. CoinDesk via Yahoo News
  • A creator said Patreon kept about $3,000 earned before an ID verification deadline. Trustpilot (October 2024)

Sources

Confidence. Solid: payout options by country, Stripe for US bank payouts, Payoneer outside the US, 5-day locks, tax form rules, Persona verification timeline. Unconfirmed: whether the Stripe piece is Connect and which integration type; whether Adyen also handles creator payouts; image dates are from file headers (Feb 2025). Help center gives two paths to tax settings (Billing and payouts vs Payouts and Taxes).

Substack

CreatorPays creatorsStripe-hostedBefore first sale

Substack sends writers to Stripe to set up an account before they can charge readers. Writers fill in Stripe's form, return to Substack to set prices, and then manage payouts in their own Stripe dashboard.

The Connect with Stripe button in Substack's Payments settings.
The Connect with Stripe button in Substack's Payments settings. · Substack Help Center · 2024-08
Stripe's onboarding form asking for business address and personal details.
Stripe's onboarding form asking for business address and personal details. · Substack Help Center · 2021-08
Stripe's bank linking step for payouts.
Stripe's bank linking step for payouts. · Substack Help Center · 2021-08
Stripe's customer support details step, including the statement descriptor.
Stripe's customer support details step, including the statement descriptor. · Substack Help Center · 2021-08
Rails
Stripe's Substack customer story says publishers onboard through Stripe-hosted Connect flows, and Substack's help center calls Stripe its sole payment provider; a 2024 third-party post says most writer accounts are Standard accounts linked by OAuth, with some Express accounts.
Identity check
Writers complete Stripe's identity, address and bank steps before they can toggle on paid subscriptions, and Stripe asks for more later (for example the full SSN once total volume reaches $500k).

Notes

  • The path is Settings, then Payments, then a "Connect with Stripe" button that leaves Substack for Stripe's site. Writers then return to Substack to price monthly, annual and founding plans and flip "Enable payments" on.
  • Stripe tailors identity questions by country. Substack warns that the support phone, email and address may show on reader receipts and card statements, and suggests a virtual mailbox or Google Voice number.
  • Each publication needs its own Stripe account. Substack recommends a new Stripe account kept separate from other businesses.
  • The first payout on a new Stripe account takes 7 to 14 days. Later web payouts usually land within 48 hours, on a daily or weekly schedule.
  • Since January 2024 Stripe requires business addresses from sole proprietors and single-member LLCs, guardian details from minors, and the full nine-digit tax ID once a creator passes $500k in volume. Payments and payouts pause if the deadline passes.
  • Paid subscriptions follow Stripe's country list, with exceptions. Since May 2024 creators in India cannot open a new Stripe account through Substack and must request an invite from Stripe directly. From December 1, 2026 Substack calculates and remits sales tax and VAT for publishers through Stripe Tax.

Where people get stuck

  • A writer reported in June 2025 that Stripe kept blocking her subscription payments after she resubmitted identity documents at least three times, and that neither Stripe nor Substack offered direct support. Substack writer post
  • A writer reported in May 2024 that Stripe put her account under review and suspended all payments, leaving her to pause subscriber billing with no alternative processor on Substack. Substack writer post

Sources

Confidence. Solid: Stripe Connect with Stripe-hosted onboarding (Stripe customer story plus Substack help center), steps, payout timing, 2024 KYC additions, India exception. Third-party only: Standard vs Express account mix.

ElevenLabs

AI-nativePays creatorsStripe, type unconfirmedBefore first payout

ElevenLabs pays voice actors through Stripe Connect when paid users generate audio with their shared voices. Actors start the setup from a Payouts page, finish Stripe's prompts, and complete a US tax form before money moves.

The Payouts page where voice actors start Stripe Connect setup.
The Payouts page where voice actors start Stripe Connect setup. · ElevenLabs Docs · unconfirmed
The Complete Account Setup prompt shown while payout onboarding is unfinished.
The Complete Account Setup prompt shown while payout onboarding is unfinished. · ElevenLabs Help Center · unconfirmed
The W-8/W-9 certification row marked incomplete, with an Update button.
The W-8/W-9 certification row marked incomplete, with an Update button. · ElevenLabs Help Center · unconfirmed
Rails
ElevenLabs' docs say it uses Stripe Connect to pay voice actors who share voices in its Voice Library, and Stripe's ElevenLabs customer story confirms Connect; neither names the account type or says whether onboarding is hosted or embedded.
Identity check
Voice actors can share a voice and earn before setting up payouts; Stripe Connect setup and terms must be complete before payouts turn on, and the W-8 or W-9 is requested when the first payout is processed.

Notes

  • Setup starts from the profile menu, then Payouts, then Stripe Connect's prompts. Payouts stay off until the actor completes every step and agrees to the terms; a lingering "Complete Account Setup" button means something is missing.
  • The W-8 or W-9 is requested when the first payout is processed. The form runs through Stripe, and the first question ("Are you considered a U.S. person?") picks the form. Payouts are disabled for anyone without a valid tax form.
  • Non-US actors face 30% default US withholding on earnings from US customer usage unless they claim a treaty rate on the W-8, and they receive a Form 1042-S each March.
  • Payouts run automatically every 6 to 8 days once earnings pass a minimum, usually $10, with higher minimums in some countries. A paid ElevenLabs subscription is not required to receive payouts.
  • Eligibility follows Stripe Connect's country list, about 60 countries as listed in late 2026. ElevenLabs offers no PayPal or other alternative.
  • Before a voice can earn, the actor makes a Professional Voice Clone (Creator plan and above) and passes a Voice Captcha by reading a prompt aloud. This check is separate from Stripe's KYC.

Sources

Confidence. Solid: Stripe Connect for voice actor payouts (ElevenLabs docs plus Stripe customer story), setup gates, W-8/W-9 timing, withholding, threshold, country list. Unconfirmed: Connect account type and hosted vs embedded onboarding (rails set to stripe-unconfirmed for that reason); image dates. Docs disagree on payout cadence (weekly vs every 6 to 8 days) and on whether the tax form applies to all payees or only non-US. Pain is empty: no public complaints about payout onboarding turned up.

Mercor

AI-nativePays expertsStripe-hostedBefore first sale

Mercor puts payout setup inside the offer acceptance checklist, so an expert cannot start a contract without a working Stripe Express account. Mercor picks the payout provider by country, and Stripe handles identity, bank and tax collection for most experts.

The offer page checklist with the Setup Payments step that launches Stripe Express.
The offer page checklist with the Setup Payments step that launches Stripe Express. · Mercor Talent Docs · 2025-09
The W-8BEN form with its two free-text country fields highlighted.
The W-8BEN form with its two free-text country fields highlighted. · Mercor Talent Docs · 2026-08
Rails
Mercor's talent docs say a Setup Payments step launches Stripe's Express onboarding flow, and Stripe's April 2026 newsroom post says Mercor uses Stripe Connect for onboarding, verification, payouts and compliance; countries Stripe Connect does not cover are paid through Wise.
Identity check
Experts finish Persona ID verification, a W-9 or W-8BEN, and Stripe Express setup (identity, bank, tax) inside the offer acceptance checklist, before they start paid work, and Persona usually repeats on each new offer.

Notes

  • Signing the offer letter unlocks the rest of onboarding: worker agreement, CIIAA, tax form and Setup Payments, tracked with a step counter such as "3 of 12 steps done."
  • Setup Payments opens Stripe Express, which asks for identity verification, bank details and tax information. Stripe then returns the expert to the Mercor offer flow to finish accepting.
  • Mercor runs its own Persona check (government ID plus a selfie video) separately from Stripe's verification. Experts usually repeat it on each new offer, and VPNs or iCloud Private Relay break Persona's address form.
  • Experts cannot link an existing Stripe account. The bank account must be in the expert's own legal name; joint, business or family accounts fail KYC. Mercor accepts only individual tax forms, no W-8BEN-E.
  • Stripe holds the first payout for 7 days. After that Mercor pays weekly on Wednesdays, with free standard payouts (up to 5 business days) or Instant Payouts for a 1% fee.
  • Mercor assigns the provider by country. Brazil, Nepal, Turkey and the UAE go to Wise, where the expert must accept an emailed transfer each week. A US person must pick United States in Stripe even when living abroad, or Stripe suppresses the 1099-NEC.

Sources

Confidence. Solid: Stripe Connect with Express accounts and Stripe-hosted onboarding (Mercor docs plus Stripe newsroom), checklist order, Wise fallback countries, tax rules. Pain is empty: no public complaints specific to Mercor payout onboarding turned up on Reddit or Trustpilot; reviews focus on hours removed before payout instead. Image dates come from file headers.