Stripe testing in LIVE mode

Question

We would like to know how we can test stripe in LIVE for an e-commerce website? The site basically is an e-commerce website and courses are purchased online, how do we test LIVE transactions without using real-time credit cards in stripe?

How do others test on LIVE? What are the best practices to test in LIVE?

Answer 1

The purpose of Stripe test mode is to ensure that you get your code into a perfectly working state, and that each type of transaction you are dealing with is fully covered. You can even validate that WebHooks are working by pointing them at your application's test API endpoints.

There's not really a way of 'testing' inside of the live environment as such - typical practice would be to make a real transaction using a company credit card, or one that you are in control of. You can then logon to Stripe Admin and refund the payment once it succeeds.

This is the same with most payment gateways, although there are some that have test mode built into the live API, and used via a specific header, parameter or tracking identifier. Although, this is really just the same end result - you are still testing in test mode.

Answer 2

Use a 100% off coupon and no monies will be transacted. This should allow you to test the flow of things in livemode and make sure everything is in sync without posing a threat to Stripe as a company or your Stripe account.

Note: If you're testing a stripe subscription, you should immediately end the subscription, and delete the "customer" before you forget and it's ACTUALLY processed the next billing cycle.

Here's an example of creating and using 100% off coupons.

Disclaimer: I have NOT tested this method. But I believe my theory is correct.

Answer 3

You can use Customer Credit Balance (https://stripe.com/docs/billing/customer/balance) and use real credit cards to do some final testing of your live implementation. I just did it, it works perfectly and no charge is being done.

Good luck!