Key takeaways
- Domestic card rates are often around 2.9% + 30¢ on flat pricing.
- International cards and currency conversion add extra fees.
- Merchants of record charge more but handle global sales tax.
- Bank debits can cost less for recurring B2B payments.
What processors charge in Canada
| Provider | Domestic cards | International and conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + C$0.30 | +0.8% international cards; +2% if conversion needed |
| Shopify Payments (Basic) | 2.9% + C$0.30 | 3.9% + C$0.30 international; 1.5% conversion |
| Helcim | Interchange + 0.50% + 25¢ online | Interchange-based |
| Paddle (merchant of record) | Around 5% + 50¢ | Global payments and sales tax handled |
| GoCardless (bank debit) | Up to 1% + 40¢ | No cards needed |
The fees businesses miss
- International card fees: extra percentage when a customer’s card is issued abroad.
- Currency conversion: when you sell in one currency and get paid out in another.
- Payout fees: some platforms charge to pay out in a non-local currency.
How to lower them
- Price and get paid in the customer’s currency, and hold that currency, to avoid conversion fees.
- Move to interchange-plus once volume grows.
- Use bank debits for recurring invoices where customers agree.
Providers that can help
Interchange-plus with no monthly fee
Flat pricing with strong SaaS tools
Merchant of record that handles sales tax
FAQs
What is the average payment processing fee in Canada?
On flat-rate pricing, domestic card payments commonly cost around 2.9% + 30¢. International cards and currency conversion add more, so your blended rate depends on your customers.
Why are my Stripe fees higher than 2.9%?
International cards add 0.8% and currency conversion adds 2% on top of Stripe’s 2.9% + C$0.30 domestic rate in Canada, so sales to foreign customers cost more.
Is a merchant of record worth the higher fee?
For SaaS selling globally, it can be, because the merchant of record, such as Paddle, handles sales tax, VAT and compliance in each country for you.
Are bank debits cheaper than cards?
Often, for recurring business payments. GoCardless charges up to 1% + 40¢ per payment, though customers must agree to pay by bank debit.
Sources: Published Canadian pricing from Stripe, Shopify, Helcim, Paddle and GoCardless.