PIX, boleto and card
The three payment methods, how each one works for the buyer and for renewals, how long the money takes to become available, the chargeback reserve, saved cards and what the platform fee has to do with it.
The community gets paid by PIX, boleto and credit card in up to 12 installments, processed by Memberfy itself. You don't open a gateway account, integrate an API or keep a contract with an acquirer: you register who receives the money and a bank account, and the platform does the rest.
Comparison
| PIX | Boleto | Credit card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For the buyer | QR code or copy-and-paste, in the bank app | Pays at any bank or in the app | Number, expiry date and CVV; upfront or in installments |
| How long the charge is valid | 30 minutes at checkout | Due in 3 days | — |
| When access is unlocked | On payment | When it clears, within 3 business days | On approval, usually right away |
| Installments | Upfront | Upfront | Up to 12× |
| Subscription renewal | A new charge each period | A new charge each period | Automatic, on the saved card |
| Money available for payout | On the day of payment | 1 day after clearing | 30 days after the sale |
| Platform fee | 6.99% + R$ 2.49 | 6.99% + R$ 2.49 | 6.99% + R$ 2.49 |
The platform fee doesn't depend on the payment method. Getting paid by PIX, boleto or card doesn't change what the community pays Memberfy. See Platform fee.
How it works
Choosing the methods for each product
On each product and billing option, in the Payment & Pricing tab, check Credit Card, PIX and/or Boleto. At least one is required.
| Case | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Low monthly fee (R$ 29, R$ 49) | All three. PIX converts very well in Brazil |
| Expensive mentoring or course (R$ 1,500) | Card (for installments) and PIX |
| A subscription you want to renew on its own | Card up front; PIX and boleto require paying every period |
| An audience without cards | PIX and boleto |
PIX
The checkout shows the QR code and the copy-and-paste code, and the same code arrives by email ("Your PIX for … is ready"). Once paid, the screen updates on its own and access is unlocked. If the code expires unpaid, the buyer gets "Your PIX for … expired" and generates another one.
Boleto
The checkout shows Open boleto and the Barcode, and the boleto arrives by email. Access starts when the boleto clears: "Access starts once it clears." Clearing takes up to 3 business days after payment.
Card
Card details never go through the community's servers: the card becomes a secure token the moment it is typed, and that token is what gets stored. The answer usually comes right away; sometimes the payment processor holds it for review ("Payment under review"), and the result arrives later.
For subscriptions, the card used for the purchase is saved and becomes the renewal card.
Saved cards
Each member keeps cards under Billing › Credit card: Add Payment adds one (Card Number, Card Holder Name, Expiry Date, CVV) and Set as default payment method chooses the one that renews subscriptions. Removing the default card without setting another one first isn't recommended. See Member billing.
When the money becomes available
Every sale enters the statement as soon as it is confirmed, first as Pending (Settlement). After the method's waiting period, it becomes Available for Payout:
| Method | Becomes available |
|---|---|
| PIX | On the day of payment |
| Boleto | 1 day after clearing |
| Card | 30 days after the sale, even in installments |
Chargeback reserve
Part of each card sale, 4%, is held for 30 days: the period in which the cardholder can still dispute the purchase with the bank (the chargeback). After that, it goes back to the balance on its own. It shows up as Retained (Reserve) on the dashboard and as Chargeback Reserve and Reserve Released in the statement.
Examples with numbers
A R$ 100 monthly fee, PIX. Fee R$ 6.99 + R$ 2.49 = R$ 9.48. R$ 90.52 is left, available the same day.
A R$ 300 course, card, upfront. Fee R$ 20.97 + R$ 2.49 = R$ 23.46. R$ 276.54 is left, available in 30 days, with R$ 12.00 (4%) held for 30 days as the reserve.
The same course in 12 installments, with the buyer paying the interest (the default). The same fee and the same amount for the community; the buyer pays R$ 318.00, with Memberfy's installment interest (6.00%). The waiting period is also the same: 30 days. If the organization pays the interest, the community receives R$ 18.00 less. See Annual in installments.
These two cases appear as Practical Examples in the Monetization › Fees tab.
Common errors and how to fix them
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| This product has no payment method enabled. Contact the community. | Check at least one method on the option |
| Card payments are not available for this community right now. Choose another method. | Use PIX or boleto and contact the Memberfy team |
| The member says they paid the boleto and didn't get in | Clearing takes up to 3 business days |
| The PIX expired | Generate another one: the checkout code is valid for 30 minutes |
| The card was declined | The bank declined it; another card or another method |
Frequently asked questions
Does PIX have a lower fee? No. The platform fee is the same for every method.
Can I accept PIX only? Yes: check only PIX on the option.
Do installments bring the money in earlier? No: on the card, upfront or in installments, the amount becomes available in 30 days.
Does the community see the member's card number? No. Only the brand and the last four digits, and only to the member themselves.