diff --git a/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/config/configSections/AdminPlanSection.tsx b/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/config/configSections/AdminPlanSection.tsx
index 52e20a6d09..c5d1ff6588 100644
--- a/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/config/configSections/AdminPlanSection.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/config/configSections/AdminPlanSection.tsx
@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ const AdminPlanSection: React.FC = () => {
 
   // Check if we should use static version
   useEffect(() => {
-    // Check if Stripe is configured
-    const stripeKey = import.meta.env.VITE_STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY;
-    if (!stripeKey || !isSupabaseConfigured || error) {
+    // Only use static version if Supabase is not configured or there's an error
+    // Stripe key is not required - hosted checkout works without it
+    if (!isSupabaseConfigured || error) {
       setUseStaticVersion(true);
     }
   }, [error]);
diff --git a/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/stripeCheckout/StripeCheckout.tsx b/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/stripeCheckout/StripeCheckout.tsx
index e2aa7f540d..2743a49061 100644
--- a/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/stripeCheckout/StripeCheckout.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/stripeCheckout/StripeCheckout.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 import React, { useEffect } from 'react';
-import { Modal, Text, Alert, Stack, Button, Group, ActionIcon } from '@mantine/core';
+import { Modal, Text, Group, ActionIcon } from '@mantine/core';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import LocalIcon from '@app/components/shared/LocalIcon';
-import { loadStripe } from '@stripe/stripe-js';
 import licenseService from '@app/services/licenseService';
 import { useIsMobile } from '@app/hooks/useIsMobile';
 import { Z_INDEX_OVER_CONFIG_MODAL } from '@app/styles/zIndex';
@@ -37,8 +36,6 @@ if (STRIPE_KEY && !STRIPE_KEY.startsWith('pk_')) {
   );
 }
 
-const stripePromise = STRIPE_KEY ? loadStripe(STRIPE_KEY) : null;
-
 const StripeCheckout: React.FC<StripeCheckoutProps> = ({
   opened,
   onClose,
@@ -192,25 +189,8 @@ const StripeCheckout: React.FC<StripeCheckoutProps> = ({
 
   // Render stage content
   const renderContent = () => {
-    // Check if Stripe is configured
-    if (!stripePromise) {
-      return (
-        <Alert color="red" title={t('payment.stripeNotConfigured', 'Stripe Not Configured')}>
-          <Stack gap="md">
-            <Text size="sm">
-              {t(
-                'payment.stripeNotConfiguredMessage',
-                'Stripe payment integration is not configured. Please contact your administrator.'
-              )}
-            </Text>
-            <Button variant="outline" onClick={handleClose}>
-              {t('common.close', 'Close')}
-            </Button>
-          </Stack>
-        </Alert>
-      );
-    }
-
+    // Don't block checkout - hosted mode works without publishable key
+    // The checkout will automatically redirect to Stripe hosted page if key is missing
     switch (checkoutState.state.currentStage) {
       case 'email':
         return (
diff --git a/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/stripeCheckout/stages/PaymentStage.tsx b/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/stripeCheckout/stages/PaymentStage.tsx
index 9cee1983cd..84664f873f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/stripeCheckout/stages/PaymentStage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/proprietary/components/shared/stripeCheckout/stages/PaymentStage.tsx
@@ -35,10 +35,15 @@ export const PaymentStage: React.FC<PaymentStageProps> = ({
   }
 
   if (!stripePromise) {
+    // This should only happen if embedded mode was attempted without key
+    // Hosted checkout should have redirected before reaching this component
     return (
-      <Text size="sm" c="red">
-        Stripe is not configured properly.
-      </Text>
+      <Stack align="center" gap="md" style={{ padding: '2rem 0' }}>
+        <Loader size="lg" />
+        <Text size="sm" c="dimmed" mt="md">
+          {t('payment.redirecting', 'Redirecting to secure checkout...')}
+        </Text>
+      </Stack>
     );
   }
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/proprietary/utils/protocolDetection.ts b/frontend/src/proprietary/utils/protocolDetection.ts
index eb5d0a29a6..4f7e328c55 100644
--- a/frontend/src/proprietary/utils/protocolDetection.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/proprietary/utils/protocolDetection.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,16 @@
  * Used to decide between Embedded Checkout (HTTPS) and Hosted Checkout (HTTP)
  */
 
+/**
+ * Check if Stripe publishable key is configured
+ * Similar to isSupabaseConfigured pattern - checks availability at decision points
+ * @returns true if key exists and has valid format
+ */
+export function isStripeConfigured(): boolean {
+  const stripeKey = import.meta.env.VITE_STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY;
+  return !!stripeKey && stripeKey.startsWith('pk_');
+}
+
 /**
  * Check if the current context is secure (HTTPS or localhost)
  * @returns true if HTTPS or localhost, false if HTTP
@@ -28,16 +38,24 @@ export function isSecureContext(): boolean {
 
 /**
  * Get the appropriate Stripe checkout UI mode based on current context
- * @returns 'embedded' for HTTPS/localhost, 'hosted' for HTTP
+ * @returns 'embedded' for HTTPS with key, 'hosted' for HTTP or missing key
  */
 export function getCheckoutMode(): 'embedded' | 'hosted' {
+  // Force hosted checkout if no publishable key (regardless of protocol)
+  // Hosted checkout works without the key - it just redirects to Stripe
+  if (!isStripeConfigured()) {
+    return 'hosted';
+  }
+
+  // Normal protocol-based detection if key is available
   return isSecureContext() ? 'embedded' : 'hosted';
 }
 
 /**
  * Check if Embedded Checkout can be used in current context
- * @returns true if secure context (HTTPS/localhost)
+ * Requires both HTTPS and Stripe publishable key
+ * @returns true if secure context AND key is configured
  */
 export function canUseEmbeddedCheckout(): boolean {
-  return isSecureContext();
+  return isSecureContext() && isStripeConfigured();
 }