In today’s fast-paced digital economy, seamless online payments are more than a convenience—they’re a necessity. For businesses using Dolibarr ERP & CRM, integrating with reliable payment platforms like Stripe and PayPal can significantly improve cash flow, customer satisfaction, and administrative efficiency. As online transactions continue to dominate the landscape in 2025, choosing the right payment gateway is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to streamline billing and collections.

This comprehensive article explores how to connect Stripe and PayPal to Dolibarr, compares their features, costs, and usability, and provides detailed installation and configuration steps for both platforms. Whether you’re a new Dolibarr user or a seasoned admin looking to automate payments, this guide is designed to help you make an informed decision and implement it effectively.

Why Integrate Online Payments into Dolibarr?

Dolibarr’s modular design offers a wide range of features including invoicing, proposals, orders, stock, and customer management. However, out-of-the-box payment collection features are limited. Without a payment gateway integration, businesses must manually match payments to invoices, track due dates, and handle late payments—a time-consuming and error-prone process.

By integrating Stripe or PayPal:

• Customers can pay invoices instantly online

• Payments are recorded and reconciled automatically

• Late payments are reduced through real-time payment links

• Refunds and partial payments can be handled more easily

• Businesses can offer multiple payment methods (card, wallet, bank, etc.)

Overview of Stripe and PayPal

Stripe: Developer-Friendly and Feature-Rich

Stripe is a global online payment processor known for its clean APIs, developer support, and comprehensive feature set. It supports a wide array of payment methods including credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfers, and more.

Strengths:

• Excellent developer tools and documentation

• Transparent and competitive fees

• Wide range of supported currencies and countries

• Support for subscriptions and recurring billing

• Easy refund management and reporting tools

Limitations:

• Requires more setup than PayPal for non-technical users

• Account approval may take longer

PayPal: Widely Recognized and Easy to Use

PayPal is a well-established payment provider trusted by millions of users. It’s easy to set up, even for non-developers, and offers both business and personal accounts. Customers can pay using their PayPal balance, credit cards, or linked bank accounts.

Strengths:

• High customer trust and recognition

• Easy setup and integration

• No monthly fees for standard use

• Built-in fraud protection

Limitations:

• Higher transaction fees compared to Stripe (in most cases)

• Interface and customization are less flexible

• Slower fund withdrawal in some regions

Choosing Between Stripe and PayPal

If you need extensive customization, recurring billing, and lower fees—Stripe may be the better option. If ease of use and brand trust are priorities—PayPal might be your choice.

Some businesses even integrate both to give customers payment flexibility.

Pre-Requisites for Integration with Dolibarr

Before starting the integration, ensure you have:

• A working Dolibarr installation (v14 or higher recommended)

• Admin access to Dolibarr and hosting/server

• A registered Stripe or PayPal business account

• Modules installed: TakePOS, Stripe or PayPal, and optionally Web Payment

How to Connect Stripe to Dolibarr

Step 1: Activate the Stripe Module

1. Go to Home > Setup > Modules/Applications

2. Locate Stripe under the “Financial” section

3. Click Activate

If the module is not available by default, download it from Dolistore and install it via FTP or the module loader.

Step 2: Configure Stripe Account

1. Visit https://dashboard.stripe.com

2. Complete verification steps and obtain API keys:

   • Publishable Key

   • Secret Key

3. In the Stripe dashboard, configure payment methods, currency, and webhook endpoints (if required)

Step 3: Enter Stripe Keys in Dolibarr

1. In Dolibarr, go to Setup > Modules > Stripe > Setup

2. Enter your API keys and select your default currency

3. Optionally set the redirect URL after payment

Step 4: Enable Payment on Invoices

1. Go to Billing > Invoices

2. Edit an invoice

3. Under “Payment URL”, you’ll now see a Stripe link

4. Share this link with the customer or add it to email templates

Stripe payments are now enabled. Payments will appear automatically in Dolibarr’s accounting if properly linked.

How to Connect PayPal to Dolibarr

Step 1: Activate the PayPal Module

1. Navigate to Setup > Modules/Applications

2. Locate PayPal in the Finance category

3. Click Activate

Step 2: Create or Configure PayPal Business Account

1. Visit https://www.paypal.com/business

2. Complete verification and access Developer Dashboard

3. Create an app to generate:

   • Client ID

   • Secret Key

4. Set your IPN and webhook settings for notifications

Step 3: Configure PayPal in Dolibarr

1. Go to Setup > Modules > PayPal > Setup

2. Input your credentials and select environment (Sandbox or Live)

3. Define payment conditions and currencies

4. Save and test the connection

Step 4: Use PayPal for Invoice Payments

1. Create an invoice under Billing > Invoices

2. A PayPal payment link will be automatically available

3. Add this link to email templates or client portals

PayPal will notify Dolibarr upon payment, allowing auto-reconciliation.

Enhancing Payment Integration with Add-ons

Several third-party modules can improve your payment workflow:

• Web Payment Module: Generates customer-friendly payment pages

• Payment Reminder Scheduler: Sends automated email reminders for overdue payments

• POS Terminal Integration: For in-person payments with Stripe terminals or PayPal Zettle

• QR Code Generator: Embed QR links to invoices for mobile payment

These modules are available via Dolistore or GitHub and help bridge the gap between Dolibarr and customer expectations.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Issue: Payments not registering in Dolibarr

• Check if API keys are correct

• Ensure invoice reference and amount match exactly

• Confirm webhook URLs are active and reachable

Issue: Currency mismatch errors

• Ensure Dolibarr and Stripe/PayPal are using the same default currency

• Avoid dynamic currency switching unless fully configured

Issue: Link not visible on invoice

• Ensure module is activated

• Check user permissions and invoice status

Best Practices for Managing Online Payments

• Always test in Sandbox before going live

• Use secure connections (HTTPS) for payment links

• Keep API credentials confidential and rotate them periodically

• Regularly update Dolibarr and modules to avoid security gaps

• Monitor payment failures and reconcile them manually when necessary

• Enable 2FA on Stripe and PayPal accounts for additional security

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

Both Stripe and PayPal are mature, trusted payment solutions that integrate well with Dolibarr. The choice depends on your business model, customer base, and operational preferences.

Choose Stripe if:

• You want flexible, customizable billing

• You handle subscriptions or SaaS models

• You prioritize lower fees and full control over payment UI

Choose PayPal if:

• You want a quick setup with minimal configuration

• Your customers are used to PayPal

• You need a trusted brand to improve payment conversion

For many SMEs, using both is the optimal route. Offer your clients the choice—they’ll appreciate the flexibility, and you’ll benefit from smoother cash flow and reduced administrative overhead.

In the evolving world of digital commerce, integrating payment gateways into your ERP isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Dolibarr, with its open design and community-driven enhancements, gives you the freedom to build the payment experience that works best for your business.

Now is the time to make your ERP not only efficient but profitable.