Guide
Do coaching platforms take a cut?
When you collect payments through a coaching platform, there can be two fees stacked on top of each other: the payment processor's cut and the platform's own percentage. Knowing which is which tells you whether the platform is earning its keep.
Two layers, not one
A payment routed through some coaching platforms pays the processor (e.g. Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30) and a platform fee on top — often a few percent of the transaction. The platform fee is the one that varies most and is easiest to overlook, because it's bundled into a single deduction on your payout.
Where it adds up
A 5% platform fee on top of Stripe means a payment effectively loses roughly 8% before tax. At $5,000/month gross that's around $250/month just for routing money you could have collected yourself. For high-volume coaches the platform's percentage can quietly become one of the largest line items in the business.
Is the platform worth its cut?
Sometimes — a platform that handles programming, client comms, and scheduling earns its fee if it replaces tools you'd otherwise pay for. The question is whether the per-transaction percentage (separate from a flat monthly subscription) is buying you anything. If it's only moving money, a direct checkout link in your own account avoids it entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Do coaching platforms charge on top of Stripe?
Some do. A payment can pay both the processor's fee (e.g. Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30) and a separate platform percentage, so your effective cost is the two combined — which is easy to miss when it shows up as a single deduction.
How do I find out my platform's cut?
Check the platform's pricing page for a per-transaction percentage, separate from any flat monthly subscription. Comparing your gross sale to what actually landed in your bank reveals the combined fee in practice.