> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.loopit.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.loopit.co/billing/payments/electronic-vs-off-platform-payment-methods.md).

# Electronic vs Off-platform payment methods

Understand the difference between payments charged through your payment gateway and payments you record after receiving the money outside Loopit.

Understand the difference between payments charged through your payment gateway and payments you record after receiving the money outside Loopit.

### About Electronic and Off-platform Payments

When you pay an invoice in Loopit, you choose a payment method. Every payment method is either **electronic** or **off-platform**.

|                         | Electronic                                                                     | Off-platform                                                                         |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| What it is              | The customer's saved card or direct debit account.                             | Money you have already received outside Loopit, for example cash or a bank transfer. |
| How the money moves     | Loopit charges the customer through your payment gateway (for example Stripe). | Nothing is charged. Loopit records the payment against the invoice.                  |
| Surcharge               | A surcharge may apply, depending on your workspace settings.                   | Never.                                                                               |
| Where you choose it     | **Electronic · customer's saved methods** in the payment method list.          | **Manual payment · recorded off platform** in the payment method list.               |
| How it shows in reports | Labelled **Electronic**.                                                       | Labelled **Offline**.                                                                |

### Off-platform Payment Methods

Your workspace has four off-platform payment methods. They are shared by all your customers.

| Method                     | Use it for                                                                    |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Cash**                   | Cash paid in person.                                                          |
| **Card (terminal)**        | A card payment taken on your own card terminal, outside Loopit.               |
| **Bank transfer**          | A payment the customer transferred to your bank account.                      |
| **Other (Manual Payment)** | Any other payment received outside Loopit that doesn't match a listed method. |

Only **Other (Manual Payment)** is on to start with. Turn on **Cash**, **Card (terminal)** and **Bank transfer** when your business accepts them. Only the methods that are on appear when you pay an invoice.

{% hint style="info" %}
Only record an off-platform payment once the money has reached you. Recording it does not collect any money from the customer.
{% endhint %}

### In This Section

* [Recording an off-platform payment](/billing/payments/electronic-vs-off-platform-payment-methods/recording-an-off-platform-payment.md)
* [Turning off-platform payment methods on or off](/billing/payments/electronic-vs-off-platform-payment-methods/turning-off-platform-payment-methods-on-or-off.md)
* [Off-platform payments in finance reports](/billing/payments/electronic-vs-off-platform-payment-methods/off-platform-payments-in-finance-reports.md)

### Important Things to Note

* Off-platform payment methods don't appear for a deposit invoice that hasn't been paid yet. Deposits must be paid electronically.
* Payments recorded before these methods were available, previously shown as **Manual Payment**, now show as **Other (Manual Payment)**.
* Turning a method off hides it when paying an invoice. Payments already recorded with it don't change.