Stripe Sandbox
Last verified 2026-07-26
Stripe moved from a single legacy "test mode" to Sandboxes: isolated copies of an account, each with independent API keys, webhooks, data and configuration (up to 5 per account). Understanding "test mode vs sandbox vs production" is a common integration question since the model changed.
Deep dive: Stripe test mode vs sandbox: what changed and how to migrate →
Key specs
| Free tier | Free (part of every Stripe account) |
| Per account | Up to 5 sandboxes |
| Cost | Free |
| Replaces | Legacy test mode |
Strengths
- Isolated per-sandbox keys & data
- Now the default testing method
- Up to 5 sandboxes
Trade-offs
- Migration confusion from test mode
- Some features differ from production
Best for: Developers integrating Stripe payments who need isolated, reproducible test environments.
What it is & how it works
A Stripe sandbox is an isolated copy of a Stripe account with its own API keys, webhooks, data, and configuration. Stripe runs it, and it is now the default way to test an integration, replacing the older single test mode. You can create up to five sandboxes per account, which lets separate developers or environments work without stepping on each other. You build and test against a sandbox, then switch to live keys for production.
Setup, limits & watch-outs
The main friction is the shift away from legacy test mode. A lot of older guides and code assume the single test-mode model, so working out how test mode, sandboxes, and production relate is a common source of confusion. Some features also behave differently from production, so a flow that passes in a sandbox still needs checking against real conditions before launch. Keep sandbox and live keys clearly separated so test traffic never lands on a production account.
Head-to-head
Alternatives to Stripe Sandbox
See the full Stripe Sandbox alternatives comparison →
Sources: Stripe Sandboxes docs ↗
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