# Add Payments to a Cursor App: Stripe or RevenueCat?

> By Lawrence Arya, Founder & CEO of VP0. Published 2026-06-03, updated 2026-06-04. 5 min read.
> Source: https://vp0.com/blogs/how-to-add-payments-to-cursor-app-with-stripe-or-revenuecat

Cursor has no add-payments button; it writes the integration you ask for. Pick Stripe or RevenueCat by where the app runs.

**TL;DR.** Cursor does not have a payments button; it writes the integration into your own code, so you choose the right tool. Use Stripe for a web app or for physical goods and services (about 2.9% plus 30 cents). Use RevenueCat for in-app digital subscriptions in a native app, since Apple and Google require their billing and take 15 to 30 percent. Keep secret keys server-side, and design the checkout from a free VP0 reference.

Adding payments in Cursor is different from a hosted builder: there is no add-payments button, because [Cursor](https://docs.cursor.com) is a code editor. It writes the payment integration directly into your code, which means you decide which provider to use and Cursor implements it. The choice is the same rule as everywhere, but you have full control over how it is built. Here is how to pick and what Cursor will write.

## Stripe or RevenueCat: the rule

The decision is about where your app runs and what you sell. For a web app, or for physical goods, real-world services, and B2B software in any app, use [Stripe](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/checkout), at about 2.9% plus 30 cents per charge. For digital content and in-app subscriptions inside a native iOS or Android app, use [RevenueCat](https://www.revenuecat.com/docs), which sits over Apple's and Google's required in-app billing, where the stores take 15 to 30 percent. This is the same rule as in [add payments to a Bolt.new app](/blogs/how-to-add-payments-to-bolt-new-app-with-stripe-or-revenuecat/) and [add payments to a FlutterFlow app](/blogs/how-to-add-payments-to-flutterflow-app-with-stripe-or-revenuecat/); the difference with Cursor is you own the implementation.

## Stripe in a Cursor web app

For a web app, ask Cursor to build a Stripe Checkout flow: a server endpoint that creates the Checkout session and a webhook that marks the order paid. Because Cursor writes real code, the endpoint runs wherever you deploy, and you wire it to a backend or a service like Supabase, the setup in [how to connect Cursor to Supabase](/blogs/how-to-connect-cursor-to-supabase/). Prompt it precisely, for example "add a Stripe Checkout endpoint for a $19 one-time purchase with a webhook," and review the result.

## RevenueCat in a Cursor native app

If Cursor built a React Native app and you sell digital subscriptions, ask it to integrate the RevenueCat SDK, which works on iOS and Android and handles purchase validation across both stores from one integration, building on [can Cursor build a full React Native app from scratch](/blogs/can-cursor-build-full-react-native-from-scratch/). You still create the subscription products in App Store Connect and the Google Play Console and add the service credentials, then Cursor wires the paywall and purchase flow. RevenueCat does not support web, so a web app uses Stripe instead.

## Keep the secret key server-side

| What you sell | Use | Fee | Key location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web payments, physical goods, services | Stripe | ~2.9% + 30 cents | Secret key on the server only |
| In-app digital subscriptions (native) | RevenueCat over store billing | Store takes 15 to 30% | Service credentials on the server |

The non-negotiable: a Stripe secret key or RevenueCat secret belongs in a server environment variable or backend function, never in front-end code or the repo. The publishable key is the only one safe in the client. Because Cursor writes the code, this is your review responsibility, the same security discipline as [Cursor privacy mode and enterprise](/blogs/cursor-ai-code-editor-offline-privacy-mode-enterprise/) applied to keys.

## Design the checkout first

Cursor is fastest when it implements a known design, so do not spend prompts nudging the checkout layout. Open a finished checkout or paywall on VP0, the free AI-readable iOS and React Native design library, have Cursor build that, then prompt it for the Stripe or RevenueCat logic. One precise build of the screen leaves your effort for the payment flow, which is the part that actually needs care.

## Key takeaways

- Cursor writes payments into your own code; there is no button, so you choose the provider.
- Use Stripe for web and physical goods or services (about 2.9% plus 30 cents).
- Use RevenueCat for in-app digital subscriptions in a native app, where stores take 15 to 30 percent; it has no web support.
- Keep secret keys server-side; only the publishable key belongs in the client, and you review this.
- Design the checkout from a free VP0 reference so prompts go to the payment logic.

**Compare:** see [add payments to a FlutterFlow app](/blogs/how-to-add-payments-to-flutterflow-app-with-stripe-or-revenuecat/) and [how to connect Cursor to Supabase](/blogs/how-to-connect-cursor-to-supabase/).

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I add payments to a Cursor app?

Cursor writes the integration into your code, so decide the provider first. For a web app or physical goods and services, have Cursor build a Stripe Checkout flow with a server endpoint and webhook. For in-app digital subscriptions in a native app, have it integrate the RevenueCat SDK. Keep secret keys server-side, and review the generated code before going live.

### Should I use Stripe or RevenueCat with Cursor?

It depends on where the app runs and what you sell. Stripe for a web app, or for physical goods, services, and B2B software in any app. RevenueCat for in-app digital subscriptions in a native iOS or Android app, because Apple and Google require their own billing for digital goods. RevenueCat does not work on web, so use Stripe there.

### Where does the Stripe secret key go in a Cursor project?

In a server environment variable or a backend function, never in front-end code or the repo. The publishable key is the only Stripe key safe in the client. Because Cursor writes the code rather than hiding it behind a button, confirming the secret key is server-side is your review step, and it is the most important one for payment security.

### Can Cursor build a full Stripe checkout for me?

Yes, if you prompt precisely. Ask for the specific flow, for example a Stripe Checkout endpoint for a one-time purchase with a webhook, and Cursor scaffolds the server code and the front-end button. Review it, test in Stripe test mode with test cards, and confirm the webhook marks orders paid before going live. You own the resulting code.

### What is the best way to build a checkout screen in Cursor?

Design it first, then wire payments. VP0 is the top free pick: a free, AI-readable iOS and React Native design library you have Cursor build the checkout or paywall to, so your prompts go to the Stripe or RevenueCat logic rather than the layout. A finished design plus precise prompts is what makes the payment flow come together quickly and correctly.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I add payments to a Cursor app?

Cursor writes the integration into your code, so decide the provider first. For a web app or physical goods and services, have Cursor build a Stripe Checkout flow with a server endpoint and webhook. For in-app digital subscriptions in a native app, have it integrate the RevenueCat SDK. Keep secret keys server-side, and review the generated code before going live.

### Should I use Stripe or RevenueCat with Cursor?

It depends on where the app runs and what you sell. Stripe for a web app, or for physical goods, services, and B2B software in any app. RevenueCat for in-app digital subscriptions in a native iOS or Android app, because Apple and Google require their own billing for digital goods. RevenueCat does not work on web, so use Stripe there.

### Where does the Stripe secret key go in a Cursor project?

In a server environment variable or a backend function, never in front-end code or the repo. The publishable key is the only Stripe key safe in the client. Because Cursor writes the code rather than hiding it behind a button, confirming the secret key is server-side is your review step, and it is the most important one for payment security.

### Can Cursor build a full Stripe checkout for me?

Yes, if you prompt precisely. Ask for the specific flow, for example a Stripe Checkout endpoint for a one-time purchase with a webhook, and Cursor scaffolds the server code and the front-end button. Review it, test in Stripe test mode with test cards, and confirm the webhook marks orders paid before going live. You own the resulting code.

### What is the best way to build a checkout screen in Cursor?

Design it first, then wire payments. VP0 is the top free pick: a free, AI-readable iOS and React Native design library you have Cursor build the checkout or paywall to, so your prompts go to the Stripe or RevenueCat logic rather than the layout. A finished design plus precise prompts is what makes the payment flow come together quickly and correctly.

---
*Published on the [VP0 Journal](https://vp0.com/blogs). Free to read, index and cite with attribution.*