Dubsado Payments: Is It Actually Worth Switching (or Should You Wait)?
Whenever a new feature launches, there’s pressure to decide right now
A new feature drops.
Everyone’s talking about it.
And suddenly it feels like you’re behind if you don’t switch immediately.
That’s exactly what happened when Dubsado announced Dubsado Payments.
So instead of jumping straight into the tech weeds, I want to talk through this the way I actually think about changes like this — from a business owner perspective, not a hype perspective.
No panic.
No rushing.
Just clear decision-making that supports how your business actually runs.
What Dubsado Payments is (and what it isn’t)
Dubsado Payments is Dubsado’s native payment processing option, meaning payments are handled directly inside Dubsado instead of relying entirely on outside processors like Stripe or Square.
At launch, Dubsado partnered with Chase for payment processing (and has since transitioned to working with Stripe — which is honestly a great move).
From the client’s side?
Nothing feels different.
Payments still look seamless and professional. The real changes happen on the backend — where you manage fees, refunds, reporting, and support.
The fee conversation (let’s actually do the math)
One of the biggest selling points was lower credit card processing fees.
At the time of launch:
- Traditional processors: ~2.9% + $0.30
- Dubsado Payments: ~2.75% + $0.30
So yes — technically cheaper.
But let’s zoom out.
If you process $10,000/month in credit card payments:
- Traditional fees ≈ $290/month
- Dubsado Payments ≈ $275/month
That’s a $15/month savings.
Or $180/year.
Helpful? Sure.
Life-changing? Probably not.
This is where I always encourage clients to slow down and ask:
Is the savings worth the switch cost and disruption?
ACH payments (where things get more interesting)
ACH fees are the same — typically a flat $5 — but Dubsado Payments supports very high ACH limits.
That’s a big deal if:
- you collect large payments
- you work with high-ticket clients
- or you want to encourage ACH over credit cards
If you’re collecting five- or six-figure payments, this alone could make Dubsado Payments worth it.
Faster payouts sound great… but context matters
Same-day payouts can be available if you bank with the same institution.
Otherwise, payouts typically land in 2–3 business days — which is pretty standard.
Personally?
My Stripe payouts already hit my account within two business days.
So for me, faster deposits weren’t a strong enough reason to switch — especially since I’d still need to move money between banks.
Your setup may be totally different, though — and that’s the point.
Where Dubsado Payments actually shines ✔️
This is where I got genuinely excited.
Everything lives inside Dubsado.
That means:
- refunds processed directly in Dubsado
- processing fees visible in reports
- cleaner bookkeeping
- fewer workarounds and automations
If you’ve ever read my post on
👉 Dubsado Profit & Loss Reports
you already know how valuable centralized reporting can be.
And on top of that?
You get Dubsado’s support team helping with payment-related questions.
If you’ve ever tried contacting a payment processor directly… you know how big of a win that is.
The biggest reason I’m personally waiting ❌
Switching payment processors isn’t just a toggle.
If you have:
- active payment plans
- recurring invoices
- subscriptions
Those payments stop and need to be reauthorized.
And right now?
I don’t want to manage that level of client-side change.
It’s not that Dubsado Payments isn’t solid — it is.
It’s about timing and capacity.
I’d rather switch when:
- I’m already revisiting workflows
- client payments naturally reset
- I have mental space for change management
That’s a valid reason to wait.
So… should you switch?
Here’s my honest take:
Switch now if:
- you don’t have many recurring payments
- ACH limits matter to you
- you want everything under one roof
- you value in-app support for payments
Wait if:
- your current system works fine
- you’re mid-client projects
- you don’t want to touch active payment plans yet
There’s no wrong answer here — only aligned ones.
If you want help thinking through:
- Dubsado setup
- payment workflows
- package pricing or invoicing structure
I’ve got deep dives on:
And if you’re totally overwhelmed inside Dubsado?
That’s literally what I’m here for.
Final thoughts
New features are exciting — but they don’t require instant action.
You’re allowed to:
- wait
- watch
- decide later
The goal isn’t having the newest tools.
It’s having systems that support your business and your nervous system.
With systems and a touch of magic on your side,
Lauren ✨
