Unlock Hidden Revenue, Scale Smarter, and Choose the Right Partner
Introduction: Payments Are No Longer Just Transactions
If you’re building a SaaS or platform business, embedding payments isn’t just a feature—it’s a business model. Today’s most successful startups are monetizing transactions directly within their product by becoming the payment experience. Whether you’re managing appointments, subscriptions, e-commerce, donations, or invoices, embedded payments can unlock a hidden revenue stream that transforms your margins and customer experience.
But here’s the thing: not all embedded payment solutions are created equal.
This guide is your no-fluff, straight-talking resource on how to embed payments into your platform, the surprising benefits it brings, what to watch out for, and why the right partner makes all the difference.
Chapter 1: What Are Embedded Payments (and Why Should You Care)?
Embedded payments let your users accept and make payments without leaving your platform. Think of it like Stripe inside your app—but customized for you.
Examples include:
- Gym software that lets members pay for classes through the app
- Legal platforms that collect retainers and invoices in-platform
- Church management tools with one-click donation features
- CRMs, ERPs, and many other SaaS Healthcare Platforms
- Other FinTech Platforms
Embedded payments streamline the experience for your users and create a recurring revenue stream for you every time someone transacts. You’re not just building software—you’re building financial infrastructure.
Chapter 2: The Hidden Revenue Stream You’re Probably Missing
Here’s where it gets juicy. Most SaaS platforms send their users to third-party payment processors and earn zero revenue from it. That’s money walking out the door.
By embedding payments, you can:
- Earn revenue share on every transaction
- Control the user experience from start to finish
- Increase stickiness and reduce churn
Some Usio partners are earning more than $850K per year just from embedded payments revenue. That’s without building a payments team or becoming a registered payment facilitator or any implementation cost paid to Usio. None!
Chapter 3: Key Factors to Consider When Embedding Payments
Before you dive in, here are a few things to think about:
- Do You Want to Own the Experience?
A white-labeled, fully branded experience makes your product feel more premium. Some providers offer this. Others don’t.
- Revenue Share Terms
Don’t leave money on the table. Some providers (like Stripe) often don’t offer revenue share unless you’re massive. Others, like Usio, work with startups to help you grow into it.
- Support & Partner Enablement
You’ll want a partner, not just a processor. That means sales enablement, compliance guidance, onboarding help, and actual humans you can talk to.
- Ownership of Technology
Many processors are just reselling someone else’s infrastructure. Usio owns and operates its full payment stack—ACH, card processing, prepaid disbursements, invoice print & mail—which means fewer handoffs and faster fixes.
- Time to Market
Becoming a registered PayFac can take over a year and cost more than $1M. With a partner like Usio, you can launch in weeks—without the overhead, compliance nightmare, or sponsor bank requirement.
Chapter 4: Why Startups Choose Usio (And Stay)
Let’s talk about why startups and platforms across verticals—from healthcare to logistics to churches—are embedding payments with Usio:
- Usio Owns Its Own Technology: From gateway to card issuance to disbursement and ACH rails, no middlemen. That means more control, more stability, and faster innovation.
- 5-Star Support: Real humans. White-glove onboarding. Partner enablement that feels like an extension of your team.
- Built for SaaS: Usio was designed with software platforms in mind. Our flexible APIs and reporting tools let you plug in seamlessly.
- Referral-Based Growth: Usio does little to no advertising—80% of new business comes from referrals. Our partners stick with us and spread the word.
- Revenue That Grows With You: Whether you’re just starting or processing millions, Usio makes it possible to earn from every transaction.
Chapter 5: Usio vs. The Other Guys
Here’s how Usio stacks up against the other options in the embedded payments game:
Final Thoughts: Choose Smarter, Scale Faster
If you’re building a modern SaaS platform, embedded payments can be a game-changer—not just for user experience, but for revenue, retention, and valuation.
But your choice of partner is critical.
You want fast onboarding.
You want real revenue share.
You want full-stack control without complexity.
You want support that actually cares.
Usio delivers all of that—and more.
We’re the best-kept secret in payments (and we’re okay with that). We’re not chasing headlines. We’re empowering platforms like yours to grow sustainably and profitably.
Ready to Embed Payments and Unlock New Revenue?
Let’s chat. We’ll show you how embedded payments can transform your startup’s revenue model—without the headaches of going it alone.
