Guide 2026

Taking tips by debit and credit card in the UK

Debit cards are how most people in the UK pay online, and a tip should be no different. With DonoLink, viewers tip by debit or credit card straight from your page, without an account and without PayPal. Stripe secures the payment and it lands on your own connected account.

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At a glance

Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards.
No account and no PayPal needed for the viewer.
Card checks from the viewer's bank handled by Stripe when the bank asks for them.
Apple Pay and Google Pay on compatible phones.

Accept card tips in four steps

Create your DonoLink page on donolink.co.uk.
Connect Stripe and complete verification.
Keep cards switched on in your payment methods.
Send yourself a small test tip with your own debit card.

Why card tips work in the UK

Many viewers have no PayPal account, or do not want one for a few pounds. With a card they type the details once, confirm in their banking app if asked, and it is done. Fewer steps mean fewer abandoned tips, especially during a big moment on stream.

What a card tip costs

DonoLink charges 3.5% per successful tip. Stripe charges a standard UK card at 1.5% + 20p, so a £10 tip leaves you £9.30. Premium UK cards cost 2.8% + 20p, and cards issued outside the UK cost 2.5% to 3.15% + 20p.

A viewer can cover the DonoLink fee at checkout; Stripe's fee stays with you.

Security on every payment

Card data is handled by Stripe; DonoLink never sees or stores the card number. When the issuing bank asks for it, Stripe runs the extra check, usually a quick approval in the banking app. The payment is created directly on your connected Stripe account.

Disputes and refunds

A cardholder can dispute a payment with their bank. It is rare for tips, but it happens; our refunds and chargebacks guide explains what happens next. If you want a method without chargebacks for larger tips, Pay by Bank payments cannot be charged back.

Cards alongside other methods

Viewers pay by debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, plus Pay by Bank and Revolut Pay once Stripe has activated them for your account. PayPal is coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Which cards can UK viewers use?

Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards, as Stripe allows for your account. Apple Pay and Google Pay use the card saved on the phone.

Does a viewer need an account?

No. They pay directly on your page without a DonoLink or PayPal account. The minimum tip is £1.00.

Does DonoLink see card numbers?

No. Card details are handled only by Stripe.

Can a card tip be charged back?

Yes, a cardholder can open a dispute with their bank. Pay by Bank payments cannot be charged back, which is why some creators prefer it for bigger tips.