Flutterexperts

Introduction

Subscription-based monetization models have gained significant traction in the mobile app industry, enabling businesses to establish a sustainable revenue stream while offering premium content, exclusive features, or ongoing services to users. Instead of relying on one-time purchases, subscriptions allow developers to maintain a steady income while providing users a seamless experience.

Stripe is one of the most powerful and developer-friendly payment gateways available. It is known for its robust security features, seamless integration capabilities, and support for various payment methods. Businesses widely use it for recurring billing and subscription management.

In this guide, we will walk through the step-by-step process of implementing Stripe subscriptions in a Flutter application. The tutorial will cover:

• Setting up a Stripe account and configuring subscription products
• Integrating Stripe’s payment gateway in a Flutter app
• Implementing a backend service for handling subscriptions
• Managing subscription cancellations, upgrades, and downgrades
• Following best practices for efficient subscription-based monetization
• Comparing Stripe with alternative payment solutions
• Identifying limitations and exploring the future scope of subscription payments

By the end of this guide, you will have a fully functional subscription model integrated into your Flutter application.

If you’re looking for the best Flutter app development company for your mobile application then feel free to contact us at — support@flutterdevs.com.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Setting Up Stripe for Subscriptions

Integrating Stripe Subscriptions in Flutter

Limitations of Stripe Subscriptions

Best Practices for Subscription Implementation

Future Scope of Subscription Payments

Conclusion

Reference

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1. Setting Up Stripe for Subscriptions

Before integrating Stripe subscriptions into Flutter, it is necessary to configure the Stripe platform, create a subscription product, and obtain essential API keys.

Step 1.1: Create a Stripe Account

To get started, create an account on Stripe’s official website. This process involves business verification and requires the submission of basic business details.

1. Visit the Stripe website and sign up for an account.
2. Complete the business verification process, including linking a bank account for payouts.
3. Navigate to the Developers section and locate the API Keys tab.
4. Note down the following keys:

• Publishable Key: Used in the Flutter frontend for initializing Stripe.
• Secret Key: Used in the backend to securely process transactions.

Step 1.2: Enable Stripe Billing and Create a Subscription Product

Stripe Billing is the service responsible for handling recurring payments. It enables businesses to set up subscriptions with flexible pricing models.

1. Log in to the Stripe Dashboard and go to the Billing section.
2. Click on Products and then select Add a Product.
3. Enter details such as:

• Product Name (e.g., “Premium Membership”)
• Description (e.g., “Unlock exclusive app features with a monthly subscription.”)
• Pricing Model: Choose Recurring
• Billing Cycle: Select Monthly or Yearly

4. Save the product and copy the generated Price ID, as it will be needed when creating subscriptions in Flutter.

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2. Integrating Stripe Subscriptions in Flutter

Now that Stripe is set up, we will integrate it into a Flutter application by installing the necessary dependencies and configuring the payment flow.

Step 2.1: Install Required Dependencies

To integrate Stripe, add the following dependencies in your pubspec.yaml file:

dependencies:
  flutter_stripe: ^10.0.0
  http: ^0.14.0
  provider: ^6.0.0

Run the following command to install the packages:

flutter pub get

Step 2.2: Initialize Stripe in Flutter

To enable Stripe’s functionality in the Flutter app, initialize it in main.dart using the publishable key obtained earlier.

import 'package:flutter_stripe/flutter_stripe.dart';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() {
  Stripe.publishableKey = "your_publishable_key_here";
  runApp(MyApp());
}

Step 2.3: Setting Up a Backend for Subscription Management

Stripe requires backend logic to handle customer creation, subscription activation, and billing. This backend can be implemented using Node.js, Firebase Functions, or Python.

Example: Backend API for Creating a Subscription (Node.js)

const express = require("express");
const stripe = require("stripe")("your_secret_key");

const app = express();
app.use(express.json());

app.post("/create-subscription", async (req, res) => {
  try {
    const customer = await stripe.customers.create({
      email: req.body.email,
    });

    const subscription = await stripe.subscriptions.create({
      customer: customer.id,
      items: [{ price: "price_id_from_stripe_dashboard" }],
      expand: ["latest_invoice.payment_intent"],
    });

    res.json({ subscriptionId: subscription.id });
  } catch (error) {
    res.status(500).send(error.message);
  }
});

app.listen(3000, () => console.log("Server running on port 3000"));

Step 2.4: Handling Subscription Payment in Flutter

Once the backend API is in place, call it from the Flutter app to initiate a subscription.

import 'package:flutter_stripe/flutter_stripe.dart';
import 'package:http/http.dart' as http;
import 'dart:convert';

Future<void> createSubscription(String email) async {
  try {
    final response = await http.post(
      Uri.parse("https://your-backend.com/create-subscription"),
      body: jsonEncode({"email": email}),
      headers: {"Content-Type": "application/json"},
    );

    final data = jsonDecode(response.body);
    print("Subscription successfully created: ${data["subscriptionId"]}");
  } catch (error) {
    print("Error creating subscription: $error");
  }
}

Step 2.5: Managing Subscriptions (Cancellation & Modifications)

To enhance the user experience, we should allow users to cancel, upgrade, or downgrade their subscriptions.

Cancel a Subscription (Backend — Node.js)

app.post("/cancel-subscription", async (req, res) => {
  try {
    await stripe.subscriptions.update(req.body.subscriptionId, {
      cancel_at_period_end: true,
    });
    res.json({ message: "Subscription cancellation scheduled" });
  } catch (error) {
    res.status(500).send(error.message);
  }
});

Flutter Function to Cancel a Subscription

Future<void> cancelSubscription(String subscriptionId) async {
  try {
    final response = await http.post(
      Uri.parse("https://your-backend.com/cancel-subscription"),
      body: jsonEncode({"subscriptionId": subscriptionId}),
      headers: {"Content-Type": "application/json"},
    );

    final data = jsonDecode(response.body);
    print(data["message"]);
  } catch (error) {
    print("Error canceling subscription: $error");
  }
}

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3. Limitations of Stripe Subscriptions

1. Backend Dependency: Stripe subscriptions require a backend for creating customers, handling payment events, and managing renewals.
2. Compliance Requirements: Applications using Stripe must adhere to PCI-DSS security standards and SCA authentication for payments.
3. Regional Restrictions: Stripe is not available in some countries, limiting its global accessibility.
4. Webhook Management: Developers must implement webhook listeners to handle real-time updates regarding subscription status.

4. Best Practices for Subscription Implementation

1. Use Test Mode Before Deployment: Stripe provides test keys to simulate transactions before going live.
2. Handle Payment Failures Gracefully: Implement retry mechanisms and notify users when payments fail.
3. Monitor Webhooks for Real-Time Updates: Webhooks help in tracking subscription renewals, cancellations, and failures.
4. Allow Easy Cancellations to Maintain Trust: Users should be able to cancel their subscription without friction.
5. Secure API Keys and Payment Data: Never expose Stripe’s secret key in the frontend. Use backend authentication for handling payments.

5. Future Scope of Subscription Payments

1. Artificial Intelligence in Pricing Models: AI-driven pricing strategies can personalize subscription plans based on user behavior.
2. Blockchain-Based Payments: Cryptocurrency transactions for subscriptions could enhance transparency and reduce processing fees.
3. Serverless Payment Handling: Payment systems may shift towards fully serverless architectures, simplifying implementation.
4. Cross-App Subscription Bundling: Users may be able to purchase a single subscription covering multiple services across different applications.

6. Conclusion

Stripe simplifies subscription-based payments in Flutter, providing a secure and efficient solution. With its global reach, automated billing management, and developer-friendly APIs, it remains a top choice for subscription-based applications. Following best practices and optimizing ad placements can ensure higher conversion rates and long-term customer retention.

7. Reference

flutter_stripe | Flutter package
Flutter library for Stripe. Supports PaymentSheets, Apple & Google Pay, SCA, PSD2 and much more.pub.dev

Flutter Stripe
Flutter library for Stripe.docs.page

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