Use the Payments page as the operating dashboard
The Payments page is where you monitor activity, payouts, refunds, and disputes after Stripe is connected.
It is the best place to answer the practical question: has money cleared, is anything at risk, and what needs follow-up?
Use the Balance tab to separate money that is already available, money still pending settlement, and the most recent payouts Stripe has sent toward your bank.
What payout visibility tells you
- Available balance shows funds Stripe considers ready for payout.
- Pending balance shows recent payments that have not settled yet.
- Recent payouts explain timing differences between payment date, Stripe release, and bank arrival.
- Instant payout is useful when you need funds faster, but it adds both Stripe and Ratio payout fees.
Refunds and disputes
- 1Issue refunds from the supported payment workflow.
- 2Review disputes immediately when they appear.
- 3Gather documentation before responding to Stripe.
Refunds and disputes are operational events
Treat them like workflow interruptions, not bookkeeping footnotes. Make sure one person owns response time and communication.