Topic
Payments
Card processing in Canada, compared on published rates: credit, Interac debit, online payments, hardware, and contract terms.
6 articles
How to choose
Processors differ most on Interac debit and on contract terms. On a $500 debit sale, Square's fee is $3.82, against a flat 12¢ at Moneris Flat Rate and 12.5¢ for a tap at Helcim.
Helcim has the lowest published cost for steady card volume, with interchange-plus pricing and no monthly fee. Square's flat 2.5% in-person rate and free POS plan suit markets, pop-ups, and new businesses that value simple pricing. Shopify POS makes most sense if you also sell online with Shopify. Before signing with Moneris, read its standard agreement: a three-year initial term and a $300 deactivation fee per location when it ends. Contractors taking large invoice payments should compare bank payment (EFT) fees too, which are covered in the trades section.
Start here
- Square vs Moneris vs Helcim
Published rates and a worked example at $20,000 a month.
- Best POS systems in Canada
Square, Shopify POS, Lightspeed, TouchBistro, and Moneris Go.
- Helcim review
Volume tiers, hardware, and fees beyond the headline rate.
- Best way for contractors to take payments
EFT, pre-authorized debit, and card costs on large invoices.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Our top picks
Prices checked September 2026
- 1
Markets, pop-ups, and new businesses
Square
4.5/5$0/mo Free plan, 2.5% in person
- 2Visit site: Shopify POS (opens NorthVetted redirect)
Selling online and in store
Shopify POS
4.5/5From CAD $49/mo (Basic)
- 3
Established retail and restaurants
Lightspeed
4.0/5Retail from CAD $139/mo
- 4
Full-service restaurants
TouchBistro
3.5/5From $89/mo plus hardware
- 5
Merchants banking with RBC or BMO
Moneris Go
3.5/5CAD $44.95/mo with terminal
From
Best POS Systems in Canada (2026)
The full review explains who each pick is for, what it costs in the currency the vendor bills in, and the tradeoffs.
Read the full reviewAll payments articles
PaymentsReview
Moneris Review for Canadian Businesses (2026)
Moneris review for Canada: Flat Rate fees, 12¢ Interac, Moneris Go terminal rental, the three-year agreement, the $300 deactivation fee, and how to exit.
Updated September 30, 202613 min read
PaymentsComparison
Square vs Moneris vs Helcim: Card Processing Fees in Canada (2026)
Square vs Moneris vs Helcim compared on Canadian card processing fees: in-person, online and Interac rates, hardware in CAD, contracts, plus a worked example.
Updated September 30, 202616 min read
PaymentsReview
Shopify POS Review for Canadian Retailers (2026)
Shopify POS review for Canada: POS Pro at $119/month per location, 2.4% to 2.6% in person, 15¢ Interac, hardware in CAD, offline payments, and sales tax.
Updated September 28, 202617 min read
PaymentsReview
Best POS Systems in Canada (2026)
The best POS systems in Canada for retail, restaurants, markets, and online stores, compared on CAD software pricing, Interac rates, hardware, and offline mode.
Updated September 27, 202615 min read
PaymentsReview
Helcim Review for Canadian Businesses (2026)
Our Helcim review for Canada: interchange-plus volume tiers, Interac fees, hardware in CAD, deposits, EFT bank payments, surcharging, and a worked cost example.
Updated September 27, 202612 min read
PaymentsReview
Square Review for Canadian Small Businesses (2026)
Our Square review for Canada: 2.5% card rate, Interac at 0.75% + 7¢, hardware and plan prices in CAD, invoices, online store, payouts, and payroll options.
Updated September 27, 202614 min read