How to create a payment link (step-by-step for freelancers)

You finished the work. Now you need to get paid. A payment link is the fastest way to do it. No invoicing software, no accounts receivable headaches. Just a URL you send to your client. They click, they pay, done.

But not all payment links are created equal. Some just collect money. Others handle file delivery too. Here's how to create a payment link with four popular options, and which one works best depending on what you do.

Option 1: Stripe payment links

Stripe is the gold standard for online payments. If you already have a Stripe account, you can create a payment link in about two minutes.

How to set it up

1. Log into your Stripe Dashboard.
2. Go to Payment Links in the left sidebar (or search for it).
3. Click New and choose "Payment."
4. Enter a product name (like "Brand Package for Client X") and set the price.
5. Customize the checkout page if you want (add your logo, adjust colors).
6. Click Create link. Copy the URL and send it to your client.

Fees: 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction. No monthly fee.

The catch: Stripe payment links only collect money. If you're delivering files, you still need to send them manually after the payment goes through. For services or deposits, this is fine. For file-based deliveries, you'll want something more.

Option 2: PayPal.me links

PayPal.me is probably the simplest payment link you can create. You literally just get a URL like paypal.me/yourname/500 and send it to someone.

How to set it up

1. Go to paypal.me and log in.
2. Choose your PayPal.me username.
3. Your link is now paypal.me/yourname.
4. To request a specific amount, add it to the URL: paypal.me/yourname/2000.
5. Send the link to your client.

Fees: 2.99% + fixed fee domestically. International payments add 3-4% for currency conversion.

The catch: Higher fees on international payments. Buyer disputes can result in reversed payments even after delivery. And like Stripe, there's no file delivery built in.

Option 3: Square payment links

Square is mainly known for in-person card readers, but they also offer online payment links. If you already use Square for your business, this keeps everything in one place.

How to set it up

1. Log into your Square Dashboard.
2. Go to Online Checkout or Payment Links.
3. Click Create a payment link.
4. Add your item name, description, and price.
5. Copy the link and send it.

Fees: 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction. No monthly fee.

The catch: Same as the others. Payment only, no file delivery. Square's checkout page also feels more retail-oriented than freelance-friendly.

Option 4: FileCheckout (payment + file delivery)

This is the option built specifically for freelancers who deliver files. Instead of collecting payment and delivering files as two separate steps, FileCheckout combines them into one link.

How to set it up

1. Sign up at filecheckout.com.
2. Click New Delivery.
3. Upload your files (designs, photos, videos, code, whatever).
4. Set the project name and price.
5. Copy the link and send it to your client.

Your client opens the link, sees watermarked previews of every file, pays through Stripe, and instantly downloads the original unwatermarked files. The whole thing takes about 30 seconds from their side.

Fees: Free plan charges 3% platform fee on top of Stripe's 2.9% + 30 cents. Pro plan ($15/month) removes the platform fee entirely.

Why it's different: This is the only option on this list that actually delivers files. The others just collect money and leave you to figure out delivery on your own.

So which one should you use?

Here's the honest breakdown:

• Collecting a deposit or payment for a service? Stripe payment links. Clean, professional, reliable.
• Quick informal payment from someone you know? PayPal.me. Everyone has PayPal.
• Already using Square for everything? Square payment links. Keep it simple.
• Delivering files and need to get paid for them? FileCheckout. It's the only one that handles both sides.

Most freelancers eventually realize the gap. Payment links collect money, but they don't solve the "how do I actually deliver the files" problem. If you're a designer, photographer, videographer, or developer handing over deliverables, that gap costs you time on every single project.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to create a payment link?

The easiest options are PayPal.me (just set a username) or Stripe payment links (create in your Stripe dashboard). For freelancers who need to deliver files with the payment, FileCheckout is the simplest option because it handles both payment and delivery in one step.

Can I create a payment link for free?

Yes. Stripe, PayPal, and FileCheckout all let you create payment links without monthly fees. You pay processing fees per transaction (typically 2.9% + 30 cents for Stripe, 2.99% for PayPal). FileCheckout's free plan adds a 3% platform fee, while the Pro plan at $15/month has no platform fee.

Which payment link service is best for freelancers?

It depends on your workflow. For general payments and invoices, Stripe payment links are reliable and professional. For freelancers who deliver digital files (designers, photographers, videographers), FileCheckout is better because it combines payment collection with automatic file delivery.

How do I create a payment link that delivers files?

Standard payment link tools like Stripe and PayPal don't deliver files. FileCheckout is designed for this. You upload your files, set a price, and get a link. When your client pays, the files unlock for download automatically. No manual sending required.

Do clients need an account to pay through a payment link?

With Stripe payment links and FileCheckout, clients can pay with a credit card without creating an account. PayPal payment links work best when the client has a PayPal account, though guest checkout is sometimes available. Square payment links also allow guest checkout.