## Managing Products and Prices

This section details how to create, update, and manage your products and their associated prices within Stripe, offering flexibility through both the Dashboard and the API.

### Creating and Updating Products and Prices

Stripe provides two primary methods for managing your products and prices:

*   **Stripe Dashboard:** This is the recommended approach for users who prefer a visual interface or have a limited number of products and prices. You can set up your pricing model in a sandbox environment and then easily copy it to live mode once you're satisfied.
*   **Stripe API:** For more advanced use cases, such as creating variable prices, or when dealing with a large volume of products and prices, the API offers direct control. This is ideal for custom integrations.

### Using the API for Advanced Use Cases

When you need to implement complex pricing strategies or integrate with custom systems, the Stripe API is the tool of choice. The API allows for direct manipulation of product and price data, enabling dynamic pricing, bulk operations, and seamless integration with your existing infrastructure.

### Using the Stripe CLI

For developers, the Stripe Command Line Interface (CLI) offers a convenient way to manage products and prices directly from your terminal. It can be used in conjunction with the API to build, test, and manage your Stripe integration efficiently.

### Example: SaaS Platform Pricing

The documentation provides an example of how a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform can use the API to manage products and prices. This typically involves setting up a monthly subscription fee alongside a one-time setup fee, demonstrating a common pricing model for SaaS businesses.

### Key Considerations

*   **Dashboard vs. API:** Choose the method that best suits your technical expertise and the complexity of your pricing structure.
*   **Sandbox Environment:** Always test your product and price configurations in a sandbox environment before deploying to live mode to avoid unintended consequences.
*   **API for Customization:** Leverage the API for advanced features like variable pricing or when managing a large catalog of offerings.