How to Verify Stripe Markup Removal in GoHighLevel

If you've recently heard that GoHighLevel removed the 5% Stripe markup from phone system charges, you're probably wondering: how do I verify this is actually happening on my account? This is a legitimate question. Payment processing fees are a real cost center for agencies, and you deserve to see proof that you're getting the benefit of this update.

In this guide, I'll walk you through exactly how to verify the Stripe markup removal in GoHighLevel, check your transaction history, and confirm you're paying what you should be. Plus, I'll show you how to optimize your Stripe integration to maximize savings. If you haven't already connected Stripe to GoHighLevel, I'll cover that too—and if you want to master the full platform, consider our GoHighLevel Bootcamp for comprehensive training.

Understanding the 5% Stripe Markup Removal

GoHighLevel announced the removal of a 5% markup that was previously applied to phone system charges processed through Stripe. This means if you're using the phone system feature in GoHighLevel and accepting payments via Stripe, you should no longer see this additional fee layer on top of Stripe's standard processing rates.

What does this mean practically? Let's say a client pays $500 via Stripe through your GoHighLevel phone system. Previously, you might have seen a 5% markup applied. Now, you'll only pay Stripe's standard transaction fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30 for card transactions), with no additional GoHighLevel markup on top.

This change applies specifically to phone system payments. Other payment methods and products in GoHighLevel may have different fee structures, so it's important to verify exactly where the savings apply to your account.

How to Connect Stripe to GoHighLevel

If you haven't yet integrated Stripe with GoHighLevel, you'll need to do this first before you can verify anything. Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Log into GoHighLevel and navigate to Settings → Integrations → Payments.
2. Click on Stripe from the available payment gateway options.
3. Click Connect (you'll be directed to Stripe's authorization page).
4. Log into your Stripe account (or create one if you don't have it). Stripe is free to set up and takes just a few minutes.
5. Authorize GoHighLevel to access your Stripe account. Stripe will ask for permission to manage charges and view your transaction history.
6. Once authorized, you'll be redirected back to GoHighLevel. Your Stripe account is now integrated.
7. Verify the connection by checking that your Stripe account name appears in the Payments section.

Once connected, any phone system charges or payments you process through GoHighLevel funnels will run through Stripe using your connected account.

Where to Check Your Transaction History

To verify the markup removal, you need to see where the charges are happening. There are two places to check:

1. GoHighLevel Transaction Log
Navigate to Settings → Integrations → Payments → Transaction History. Here you'll see every payment processed through your GoHighLevel phone system and funnels. This log shows the gross amount charged to the customer and any fees deducted.

2. Stripe Dashboard
Log directly into your Stripe account at dashboard.stripe.com. Go to Payments to see all charges. In Stripe's dashboard, you can see the exact fee breakdown: the base transaction fee (2.9% + $0.30) and importantly, you should not see an additional 5% GoHighLevel markup line item.

Comparing these two sources will give you complete visibility into what you're being charged and what's actually hitting Stripe.

This is built into GoHighLevel. Try it free for 30 days →

Verifying the Markup Removal on Phone System Charges

Now let's get specific about verification. Follow these steps to confirm the 5% markup is gone:

Step 1: Identify a Phone System Charge
Look through your recent transaction history in GoHighLevel. Find a charge that came through your phone system (not from a funnel or other source). Make note of the transaction amount and date.

Step 2: Pull Up the Same Charge in Stripe
Go to your Stripe dashboard and find the corresponding charge. It will have the same amount and timestamp (allowing for timezone differences).

Step 3: Examine the Fee Breakdown
In Stripe, click on the transaction to see detailed fee information. You should see:

• Gross amount (what the customer paid)
• Stripe fee (2.9% + $0.30 or your negotiated rate)
• Net amount (what lands in your account)

If the only fee deducted is Stripe's standard processing fee, the 5% markup removal is working. If you see a line item labeled "GoHighLevel markup," "platform fee," or anything similar that represents an additional 5%, contact GoHighLevel support immediately.

Step 4: Calculate to Confirm
If a charge was $500:

• Stripe fee = $500 × 2.9% + $0.30 = $14.50 + $0.30 = $14.80
• With old 5% markup = $500 × 5% = $25.00 (additional fee)
• You should see only the $14.80 deducted now, not $39.80.

How to Compare Before and After Charges

If you want solid proof, comparing your charges from before and after the update is powerful. Here's how:

Pull a Month of Data
Export your transaction history from GoHighLevel covering at least one week before the update and one week after. You can usually export this as a CSV from the transaction history page.

Calculate Average Fees
For your phone system charges, calculate the average fee percentage for each period:

• Total fees charged ÷ Total gross revenue = Average fee %

Look for the Reduction
You should see the average fee percentage drop by approximately 5 percentage points. For example, if your average was 7.9% before, it should now be around 2.9% (Stripe's base rate).

Account for Seasonality
Make sure you're comparing similar time periods (not a busy week vs. a slow week) since transaction volume shouldn't affect the markup removal.

Troubleshooting: What If You Don't See the Savings

Scenario 1: Your Stripe Integration Just Broke
If you recently connected Stripe, the markup removal applies going forward. Old charges processed through a different gateway won't show the change.

Scenario 2: You're Looking at Non-Phone-System Charges
The 5% markup removal only applies to phone system charges. If you're examining funnel payments or other transaction types, they may have different fee structures. Verify you're actually looking at phone system revenue.

Scenario 3: Charges Are Processing Through a Different Gateway
If you have multiple payment methods enabled, some transactions might be going through PayPal, Square, or another processor instead of Stripe. These won't reflect the Stripe markup removal. Check the payment method for each transaction.

What to Do:
If you've verified you're looking at phone system charges processed through Stripe and you still see a 5% markup, reach out to GoHighLevel support directly with:

• A specific transaction ID
• The date of the charge
• A screenshot from your Stripe dashboard showing the fee breakdown
• Your GoHighLevel account email

Support can quickly audit your account and confirm the status of the update.