Overview
RCA Stripe for J2Commerce is a free payment plugin that sends shoppers through Stripe Checkout for J2Commerce orders on Joomla 4, 5, and 6. You paste live and test API keys, optional webhook signing secret, and choose test mode while sandboxing. Payment methods are controlled in your Stripe Dashboard, not by a dozen per-method toggles inside Joomla. No external Stripe PHP SDK ships in the ZIP; the plugin talks to Stripe with server-side session creation appropriate to J2Commerce v6.
What is included in the package?
The downloadable ZIP is plg_j2commerce_payment_stripe_rca. Joomla lists it under J2Commerce payment plugins as Stripe for J2Commerce with install element payment_stripe_rca. Current retail version is 2.0.0. PHP 8.2 or newer is required. You get admin fields for keys, webhook guidance, test mode, order status after payment, capture method, optional surcharges and geozone restrictions through standard J2Commerce plugin fields, shopper-facing redirect messages, and a media image for checkout display.
What this is not
This is not J2Commerce itself and not a Stripe merchant account. You create keys, products, and webhooks in Stripe Dashboard separately. This is not the legacy J2Store Stripe plugin; that on-hold line used a different architecture and package name.
Who should use it?
Use it when you run J2Commerce on modern Joomla and want Stripe Checkout without loading a heavy third-party SDK inside the plugin. Use it when you prefer managing cards, wallets, and BNPL availability in Stripe Dashboard rather than chasing per-method plugins in Joomla.
When should I skip it?
Skip it if you do not use J2Commerce. Skip it if you need on-site Stripe Elements card fields instead of Stripe hosted Checkout. Skip it if your host blocks outbound HTTPS to Stripe API endpoints, because session creation will fail no matter how pretty your keys look in admin.
Where do I read next?
Quick start walks test mode checkout end to end. Configuration explains keys, webhooks, capture method, and debug logging. Troubleshooting covers pending orders and redirect failures when keys and webhooks disagree with reality.