ApideckTape
← Embedded Finance Index 2026

theCut

“Can a barbershop scheduling app become the full financial and operational OS for independent barbers and shop owners?”

Founded2016
HQUnited States
IndustryVertical SaaS / Barbershop
The story

Founded in 2016 as a booking and discovery marketplace for barbershops, theCut has progressively layered financial services on top of its scheduling core. By integrating Stripe Connect for payment processing, and subsequently launching theCut Capital via Stripe Capital, the company is evolving from a scheduling app into a full business-operating platform for independent barbers and shop owners. The platform now bundles payments, lending, analytics, and client management into a single app targeted at a traditionally cash-heavy, underserved vertical.

Last 12 months
2025-03
2025-07
Product timeline
2016
theCut launched as a two-sided marketplace app connecting barbers and clients, replacing cash and paper-based booking in barbershops.· pivot
2022
Integrated Stripe Connect for in-app Mobile Pay payment processing, enabling barbers to accept digital payments directly through the platform.· banking
2023
Added Cash App Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay / Tap to Pay as new payment methods for clients.· banking
2024
Launched theCut Capital, a working capital lending program for barbers powered by Stripe Capital.· lending
2025
Reached nearly 10 million users, 18,000 active barbers, and 100 million haircuts booked; added PRO subscription tier and booth rent tracking features.· pivot
The stack
3 layers disclosed in theCut’s embedded-finance stack
Payments / PSP
Stripe ConnectSquarePayPalCash App Pay
Lending
in the full report
Insurance
in the full report
Accounting gap: significant
3 more providers across 2 layers, with confidence-scored evidence and source URLs, are in the Embedded Finance Index report.

theCut — frequently asked

Who is theCut's payment processor?

theCut processes payments through Stripe Connect, Square, PayPal and Cash App Pay.

Who provides theCut's lending?

theCut's lending and capital products are provided by Stripe Capital.

Which insurance provider does theCut partner with?

theCut's embedded insurance is provided by Authentic Insurance.

What is theCut's embedded finance stack?

The Embedded Finance Index 2026 maps 3 layers in theCut's stack: Payments / PSP (Stripe Connect, Square, PayPal and Cash App Pay); Lending (Stripe Capital and theCut Capital (working capital financing powered by Stripe Capital)); Insurance (Authentic Insurance).

Where is theCut headquartered?

theCut is founded in 2016 and headquartered in United States.

Benchmark your own stack

Request an embedded finance strategy assessment

Get a read on where your own stack stands against theCut and the rest of its category — what they built versus bought, which providers they use, and where the gaps in your own strategy and competitive set actually are.

  • Your category, mappedHow your stack compares to theCut and the other companies in its category.
  • Build vs. buyWhere a provider relationship would close a gap faster than building it.
  • A named analyst, not a form replyA short call to scope what's actually worth assessing for you.

No newsletter, no sharing your address. We use this to reach out about the assessment and nothing else.