TL;DR
Stripe is one of the most secure payment processors available. They handle PCI compliance, never expose raw card data to your servers (with Stripe.js/Elements), and provide robust webhook security. Your main responsibilities are protecting your API keys and verifying webhooks. Stripe itself is extremely safe; most issues come from integration mistakes.
What is Stripe?
Stripe is the leading payment processing platform for internet businesses. It handles credit cards, subscriptions, invoicing, and complex payment flows. Used by millions of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Our Verdict
What's Good
- PCI DSS Level 1 certified
- Card data never touches your server
- Restricted API keys available
- Webhook signature verification
- Excellent security documentation
What to Watch
- Secret key exposure is critical
- Webhook verification required
- Test vs live mode confusion
API Keys
Critical: Your Stripe secret key (sk_live_*) can charge cards, issue refunds, and access customer data. Never expose it in client-side code or commit it to repositories.
Key Types
| Key Type | Prefix | Safe for Client? |
|---|---|---|
| Publishable Key | pk_live_* / pk_test_* | Yes - designed for frontend |
| Secret Key | sk_live_* / sk_test_* | No - server only |
| Restricted Key | rk_live_* | No - server only, limited scope |
Best Practice: Use restricted API keys with minimal permissions for specific use cases (e.g., a key that can only create charges, not read customer data).
PCI Compliance
Stripe simplifies PCI compliance dramatically:
- Stripe Elements/Checkout: Card data goes directly to Stripe, never your server
- Tokenization: You only handle tokens, not card numbers
- SAQ A eligible: Simplest PCI compliance questionnaire
- Stripe handles: Storage, transmission, and processing of card data
Webhook Security
Always Verify: Webhooks must be verified using the webhook signing secret. Without verification, attackers can send fake events to your endpoint.
Webhook Best Practices
- Verify signatures using Stripe's library
- Use HTTPS endpoints only
- Implement idempotency (handle duplicate events)
- Return 200 quickly, process async if needed
Security Checklist
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Use Stripe Elements (not raw card input) | Required |
| Secret key in environment variables | Required |
| Verify webhook signatures | Required |
| Use restricted API keys | Recommended |
| Enable Radar for fraud detection | Recommended |
Is Stripe safe for processing payments?
Yes, Stripe is PCI DSS Level 1 certified-the highest level of payment security certification. They invest heavily in security and handle billions in payments. Using Stripe Elements means card data never touches your servers.
What happens if my secret key is exposed?
Immediately roll your API keys in the Stripe dashboard. An exposed secret key can be used to charge cards, issue refunds, and access customer data. Stripe monitors for exposed keys and may alert you, but act fast.
Do I need to be PCI compliant with Stripe?
Yes, but Stripe makes it easy. Using Stripe Elements qualifies you for SAQ A, the simplest compliance level. You're responsible for securing your own systems but not for card data storage/transmission.