Before You Rely on Stripe Payments — Watch This

Using Stripe — or thinking about it? Here’s what most business owners don’t realize about how Stripe really works compared to a merchant account.

If you process payments online, you’ve probably come across Stripe payments — one of the most popular tools for eCommerce stores, SaaS companies, and digital entrepreneurs. But is Stripe really the same as having a merchant account, or do they work differently behind the scenes?

In this video, Maria breaks down everything you need to know about how Stripe works, what a merchant account actually is, and the key differences that affect your business when it comes to payment processing, fees, account control, and scalability. Whether you’re building an eCommerce store, managing recurring payments, or running a high-risk business, understanding how these systems operate will help you choose the setup that best fits your growth goals. 📍

What You'll Learn

1:09 What is Stripe and how Stripe payments work

3:23 What is a merchant account (and how it differs from Stripe)

4:50 Why choose a merchant account over Stripe for ecommerce

7:09 The key differences between Stripe and your own Merchant Account

12:16 Which payment setup is right for your business

17:07 How to transition from Stripe to a dedicated merchant account

Once you understand how Stripe and merchant accounts really work, you’ll see why picking the right setup matters so much for growth, stability, and getting paid on time—especially as your business scales.

👉 If you’re outgrowing Stripe or need a payment setup built for your business, DirectPayNet helps you get approved with the right merchant account for long-term growth.