What is a PaymentIntent?

A PaymentIntent is an API provided by Stripe that is specifically designed to manage the complexities of payment processing flows. It serves as the central component for handling payments, which includes various stages such as creating, confirming, and processing payment transactions.

The functionality of a PaymentIntent encompasses handling more complicated scenarios, such as payment confirmations, setting up for future payments, and ensuring compliance with regulations like Strong Customer Authentication (SCA). It can also manage various payment methods, allowing businesses to offer customers diverse options for completing transactions.

This approach simplifies the integration of payment processing into applications and helps developers handle potential issues related to payments more effectively. Thus, the PaymentIntent API is an essential tool for creating seamless and secure payment experiences while managing the underlying complexities efficiently.