Stripe API Keys — Complete Guide to Authentication

In this tutorial, you will learn about Stripe API Keys. We cover key concepts, practical examples, and best practices to help you master this topic.

Stripe API keys authenticate requests to the Stripe API, with secret keys for server-side, publishable keys for clients, and restricted keys for granular access control per integration.

What You'll Learn

• Secret vs publishable key differences
• Restricted keys for limited permissions
• Key rotation and security best practices

Why It Matters

Exposed API keys can lead to unauthorized charges and data breaches. Understanding key types and security practices prevents costly mistakes.

Real-World Use

Durga Antivirus Pro uses separate restricted keys per service: billing service (full access), reporting service (read-only), and frontend (publishable key only). Secret keys are stored in vault and rotated quarterly.

What's Next

Learn about Stripe webhook security for verifying Webhook signatures, or explore Stripe testing for test key usage.