PlanGroundsFees
Free until you pay here.
Post a project, browse studios, and compare proposals at no charge. The 5% platform fee and card processing only show up at checkout when money moves through PlanGrounds.
Platform fee on paid checkout
5%
Shown as its own line on top of the studio or plan price. Card processing (about Stripe’s 2.9% + $0.30) is a second line so it does not come out of the 5%. The studio still receives the full service amount shown before you confirm.
No charge for these steps
- Create an account and browse studios
- Post an open project with scope and budget
- Send and compare proposals
- Message about fit before anyone pays
How payment works
Agree on a price
You and a studio settle the service amount through a proposal, a contract milestone, or a listed plan package.
Pay at checkout
You fund a milestone or buy a plan. Before you confirm, checkout lists the service amount, the 5% platform fee, and card processing.
Studio receives the service amount
PlanGrounds keeps the 5%. Stripe takes card processing. The studio’s transfer matches the service amount, not a reduced net.
Example checkouts
Rounded for readability. Live checkout shows the exact lines before you pay.
Plan package at $2,500
- Service to studio: $2,500
- Platform fee (5%): $125
- Card processing: about $79
- You pay: about $2,704
Milestone funded at $10,000
- Service to studio: $10,000
- Platform fee (5%): $500
- Card processing: about $314
- You pay: about $10,814
Why fees work this way
One brief, comparable offers
Everyone answers the same project form, so you hire on fit and scope, not the loudest pitch.
Studio keeps the service amount
The 5% and card processing are separate checkout lines. They are not taken out of what the studio is owed for the work.
One project record
Messages, milestones, and receipts stay attached to the same job so both sides can see what was paid and when.
Questions
More in FAQ →Who pays the 5% and card processing?
The client. Both lines sit on top of the service amount at checkout. The studio does not have those amounts deducted from their payout for that payment.
Is the fee taken from the studio?
No. The studio receives the service amount shown before confirm. PlanGrounds keeps the 5%. Card processing goes to cover Stripe.
When is money released?
Milestone timing follows the contract you agreed to. Plan purchases follow delivery terms for that listing. Payments are facilitated by Stripe. This is not licensed escrow.
What about disputes and refunds?
Scope and delivery issues are primarily between client and studio. Chargebacks and purchase refunds follow the purchase terms, Stripe’s process, and our Terms.
Why is card processing listed on top of 5%?
Stripe’s fee is roughly 2.9% + $0.30 of the total charge. We pass that through as its own line so it does not eat into the 5% platform fee.
Do I pay anything while comparing studios?
No. Browsing, posting, messaging, and receiving proposals stay free. Fees appear only when you check out on a payment that runs through PlanGrounds.
Legal detail in Terms.