Test Stripe Terminal

The best way to achieve a successful Terminal deployment is to test every part of your integration. We provide testing tools for each stage:

1. Before ordering a reader, test your integration with the reader simulator.
2. Test your complete hardware integration with a physical test card.

Simulated reader

Stripe Terminal SDKs and server-driven integration come with a built-in simulated card reader, so you can develop and test your app without connecting to physical hardware. Whether your integration is complete or you’re still building it, use the simulated reader to emulate all the Terminal flows in your app.

The simulated reader doesn’t provide a UI. After connecting to it in your app, you can see it working when calls to the Stripe SDK or API succeed.

Simulated readers for SDKs automatically simulate card presentment as needed. For the server-driven integration, update your integration to simulate card presentment.

Simulated test cards

The simulated reader can be configured to use a simulated test card, enabling you to test different flows within your point of sale application.

Before collecting a payment method, configure the simulated reader to use one of the following test card numbers or test payment methods to produce specific responses.

Standard test cards

Test cards for specific success cases

Test cards for specific error cases

Simulated card presentment

When using the server-driven integration, use the present_payment_method endpoint to simulate a cardholder tapping or inserting their card on the reader.

curl -X POST https://api.stripe.com/v1/test_helpers/terminal/readers/tmr_xxx/present_payment_method \
  -u "
sk_test_BQokikJOvBiI2HlWgH4olfQ2
:"

{
  "id": "tmr_xxx",
  "object": "terminal.reader",
  "action": {
    "failure_code": null,
    "failure_message": null,
    "process_payment_intent": {
      "payment_intent": "pi_xxx"
    },
    "status": "succeeded",
    "type": "process_payment_intent"
  },
  …
}

If you don’t specify parameters, the simulated payment defaults to a valid test card based on the payment method type of the PaymentIntent. Below are the default test cards for Terminal payment method types:

With the standard test cards, you can also use test amounts to simulate failure scenarios

Simulated reader updates

During connection to a simulated Bluetooth reader, you can configure a simulated reader update.

Physical test cards

Test payments with your Stripe Terminal reader using a physical test card. You can purchase readers and physical test cards from the Terminal tab of the Stripe Dashboard.

This physical test card supports both chip entry and contactless payments. It only works with Stripe’s pre-certified readers, and only against the Stripe API in a sandbox. If you attempt to use your physical test card in live mode, the Stripe API returns an error. Unless stated otherwise, use the PIN 1234 when prompted.

When creating payments using a physical test card, use amounts ending in the following values to produce specific responses:

For example, a payment processed using a physical test card for the amount 25.00 USD succeeds; a payment processed for the amount 10.05 USD is declined.

Interac test cards Canada only

To test your Interac integration, you can use the simulated interac test card or an Interac physical test card. You can order it from the Terminal hardware shop in the Dashboard. You can’t use the Stripe-branded physical test as an Interac card.

The Interac test card works for both interac_present payments and interac_present refunds. You can use the same test amounts you use for testing card_present payments. Unless stated otherwise, use the PIN 1234 when prompted. To test a declined refund, create a partial refund with an amount ending with the following decimal values: 01, 05, 55, 65, or 75.

eftpos test cards Australia only

To test your eftpos integration, you can use the simulated eftpos test card or an eftpos physical test card. You can order it from the Terminal hardware shop in the Dashboard. You can’t use the Stripe-branded physical test card as an eftpos card.

You can use the same test amounts you use for testing card_present payments. Unless stated otherwise, use the PIN 1234 when prompted.