Payments and Secure Deposits
Understanding how money flows on Collabkick is essential for both brands and creators. Our secure deposit flow ensures everyone is protected. Brands don’t pay until work is delivered, and creators are protected from delayed or withheld payments once they deliver.
How Secure Deposits Work
A secure deposit is a protected holding step for funds until the contract outcome is known.
The Flow
Brand funds → Secure deposit holds → Creator delivers → Brand approves → Creator gets paid
- Brand places funds into a secure deposit
- Funds are locked: neither party can access them
- Creator completes the work and submits
- Brand approves the deliverables
- Funds are released to the creator
Why Secure Deposits?
| Protection For | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Creators | Brands can’t withhold payment after delivery without going through the dispute process |
| Brands | Funds only release when work is approved (or auto-approved under the contract rules) |
| Both | Clear process, documented transactions, dispute resolution |
Types of Deposits
Brand Budget
The main payment for the creator's work.
- Set when creating the contract
- Placed into secure deposit when the brand funds
- Released to creator when work is approved
Brand Deposit
A refundable commitment deposit from the brand.
- Shows the brand is serious
- Typically a percentage of the budget
- Refunded when contract completes successfully
- May be forfeited if brand cancels unfairly
Creator Deposit
A refundable commitment deposit from the creator.
- Shows the creator is committed
- Usually a smaller amount
- Refunded when contract completes successfully
- May be forfeited if creator doesn't deliver
Note: Deposit requirements vary by contract type and are set by the platform to ensure fair commitment from both sides.
For Brands: Funding Contracts
When to Fund
After the creator accepts your contract, you'll need to fund it:
- Go to the contract page
- You'll see the funding amounts required
- Click Fund Contract
What You'll Pay
| Item | Description | When Returned |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Payment for the work | Released to creator on approval |
| Deposit | Your commitment | Refunded on successful completion |
| Platform Fee | Service fee | Non-refundable |
Payment Methods
We accept:
- Credit/Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
- Bank transfers (for larger amounts)
All payments are processed securely through Stripe.
After Funding
Once you've funded:
- Creator receives notification to begin work
- The commitment deposit is paid through Stripe Connect. Collabkick never holds the funds
- You can track contract progress from your dashboard
For Creators: Getting Paid
Setting Up Payouts
Before you can receive payments, set up your payout method:
- Go to Profile → Payout Settings
- Connect your bank account or payment method
- Verify your identity (required for payouts)
- Confirm your details
Important: Set this up before accepting contracts to avoid delays when you're ready to get paid.
Payout Methods
| Method | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | 2-5 business days | Most common, works worldwide |
| Stripe Express | 1-2 business days | Faster, requires Stripe account |
Your Deposit
As a creator, you'll also need to make a deposit:
- When you accept a contract, you'll see your deposit amount
- Pay using card or bank transfer
- This deposit is refunded when you complete the work
Why do creators deposit? It shows brands you're committed. Don’t worry, you get it back when you deliver!
When You Get Paid
Payment is released when:
- You submit your deliverables
- The brand approves your work
- OR 48 hours pass without brand response (auto-approval)
Payout Timeline
After approval:
- Immediate: Payout is initiated
- 1-5 days: Funds arrive in your account (depends on method)
- Deposit refund: Returned with your payment
Platform Fees
Collabkick charges a small fee to keep the platform running.
Fee Structure
| Party | Fee | When charged |
|---|---|---|
| Brands, paid collaboration | 4% of the creator's remuneration plus 17 in the contract currency (17 USD, 17 EUR, or 17 CHF) | Authorized with the remuneration. Captured when the creator accepts. Not deducted from the creator |
| Brands, product-only or mixed | Shown on the contract before authorization. This is not the 4% + 17 paid-collaboration fee | Authorized when the brand sends the contract |
| Creators, paid or mixed | Deposit assurance: 5% of the remuneration, capped at 75 in the contract currency | Separate payment. Not deducted from the remuneration |
| Creators, product gifting | Refundable product deposit equal to the product value | Returned when the collaboration succeeds |
Creators keep the agreed remuneration. On a paid collaboration the brand fee is added on top. The deposit assurance fee is separate.
What Fees Cover
- Secure payment processing
- Secure deposit operations
- Dispute resolution
- Platform maintenance
- Customer support
Currency and International Payments
Supported Currencies
Primary currencies:
- CHF (Swiss Franc): Default
- EUR (Euro)
- USD (US Dollar)
- GBP (British Pound)
Currency Conversion
- Contracts are created in a specific currency
- Payments are processed in that currency
- Bank may apply conversion fees if your account is in a different currency
Tip: Try to work in your local currency to avoid conversion fees.
International Creators
We support creators worldwide! As long as you can:
- Verify your identity
- Connect a valid bank account
- Meet local tax requirements
Refunds and Cancellations
Before Funding
If a contract is cancelled before funding:
- No money has changed hands
- No refunds needed
- Contract simply closes
After Funding, Before Delivery
| Scenario | Brand Gets | Creator Gets |
|---|---|---|
| Brand cancels | Budget refunded, may lose deposit | Creator deposit refunded |
| Creator cancels | Full refund | May lose deposit |
| Mutual cancellation | Full refund | Full refund |
After Delivery (Disputes)
If there's a disagreement after delivery, see our Handling Disputes guide.
Security
Payment Security
- All payments processed through Stripe (bank-level encryption)
- PCI-DSS compliant
- No card details stored on our servers
Secure Deposit Protections
- Payments are processed by Stripe Connect. Collabkick never holds the funds
- Regular audits
- Legally protected
Fraud Protection
- Identity verification required
- Transaction monitoring
- Dispute resolution process
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly is payment released to creators? Immediately after the brand approves deliverables, or after 48 hours if the brand doesn't respond (auto-approval).
Can brands get their money back after paying? Only through the dispute process if there's a legitimate issue. Once work is approved, payment is final.
What if my bank rejects the payout? We'll notify you and retry. Make sure your payout details are correct. Contact support if issues persist.
Are there minimum/maximum amounts? Minimum contract value is typically CHF 50. Maximum depends on your account verification level.
Do I need to pay taxes on my earnings? Yes, you're responsible for reporting income and paying applicable taxes. We provide transaction records, but consult a tax professional for specific advice.
What currencies can I receive payments in? You receive payments in the contract currency. Your bank handles any conversion to your local currency.
How do deposits work if the contract is cancelled? It depends on who cancels and why. Fair cancellations return deposits; unfair cancellations may result in deposit forfeiture.
Need Help?
- Payment not arriving? Check your payout settings and contact support
- Question about fees? Review your contract details or contact us
- Dispute about payment? See our Handling Disputes guide
Visit our Contact page for direct support.