# Set up Dashboard access

Configure how your connected accounts access their Stripe services.

For SaaS platforms, connected accounts are typically the *merchant of record* (The legal entity responsible for facilitating the sale of products to a customer that handles any applicable regulations and liabilities, including sales taxes. In a Connect integration, it can be the platform or a connected account) for payments from their customers. Stripe supports two hosted dashboard options for connected accounts. You specify which one they use by setting the [dashboard](https://docs.stripe.com/api/v2/core/accounts/create.md#v2_create_accounts-dashboard) property when creating their account.

|  | Full Dashboard (`full`) | Express Dashboard (`express`) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Access method** | Connected accounts log in with their own Stripe credentials | Platform generates single-use login links |
| **Integration effort** | None (Stripe hosts everything) | Implement the Login Link API |
| **Dashboard scope** | Full Stripe Dashboard UI | Limited to balances, payouts, disputes, refunds |
| **Branding** | Stripe-branded | Customizable with your branding |
| **Best for** | Platforms whose connected accounts need full Stripe functionality and developer tools | Platforms that want control over features and branding for their connected accounts |

## Full Dashboard 

Set `dashboard` to `full` to give connected accounts unrestricted access to the Stripe Dashboard using their own login credentials. This option is best when your connected accounts:

- Need to manage their own API keys, webhooks, or developer integrations.
- Require detailed financial reporting or data exports.
- Have teams with different access needs (for example, separate admin and analyst roles).
- Use Stripe Apps.

Connected accounts with `full` access log in to [dashboard.stripe.com](https://dashboard.stripe.com) directly. This requires no coding from you.

## Express Dashboard 

Set `dashboard` to `express` to give connected accounts a Stripe-hosted Dashboard that reflects your branding. This option is best when your connected accounts:

- Primarily need to track their payouts and payment activity.
- Don’t require developer tools or advanced reporting.
- Benefit from a consistent, platform-branded UI.

[View the demo](https://express.stripe.dev)

With the Express Dashboard, you can use [platform controls](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/customize-express-dashboard.md#customize-features) to customize which features, such as disputes, refunds, and manual payouts, your connected accounts can access.

Your connected accounts access the Express Dashboard through a login link you generate using the [Login Link](https://docs.stripe.com/api/accounts/login_link/create.md) API, rather than logging in at dashboard.stripe.com directly.

## Next steps

- When your connected account can access their Dashboard, [create an onboarding link](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/saas/tasks/onboard.md) so they can provide required information to activate their account.
- To implement login links for the Express Dashboard, see [Integrate the Express Dashboard in your platform](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/integrate-express-dashboard.md).