Choosing the best payment gateway is one of the most important decisions any business owner or manager will make. Payments from consumers are the lifeblood of any business, which is why you need to make use of a reliable and safe payment gateway in Canada for your business. However, with so many options on the market, it can be a difficult decision to make.
Taking your needs and customer volume into account is an important part of this decision-making process. If you are looking into payment gateways in Canada it is important to understand their differences. Some might be better off used by smaller businesses, while others are ideal for larger businesses with a high volume of customers. Not sure where to start? Below we look at some of the best Canadian payment gateways.
Future Pay
Future Pay is one of the more popular payment gateways in Canada. It does not charge exorbitant fees for payment processing and has a robust and easy-to-use interface. It offers a buy-now-pay-later model, making it popular with retailers who are interested in offering credit to their customers.
Customers can settle their debt directly with Future Pay, which will then make the payment to your business, no matter how long it takes the customer to repay their debts. Being paid upfront from this Canadian payment gateway ensures that you are always paid on time and without any problems. There are minimal setup costs and you can personalise the program to suit your own software and invoicing systems.
Helcim
Helcim is arguably the best all-rounder when it comes to Canadian payment gateways. They offer a diverse array of programs for merchants and businesses, including features such as month-to-month billing, exclusive interchange-plus pricing, as well as a free mobile app for those who might need to edit invoices on-the-go.
The costs are very affordable and their features are easy-to-use even for those who might battle with technology. You are also provided with a card reader, which can come in handy for those who might be using the app to pay for their purchases. The support team for Helcim is also highly trained and willing to provide advice on anything you might need. You will also not pay exorbitant monthly fees or cancellation costs.
Chase Merchant Services
Chase Merchant Services is an ideal choice for merchants running larger businesses or who might have a higher volume of consumers and payments to deal with. One of the major advantages of using Chase Merchant Services is that they are a direct processor and has a robust service and product offering. Their rates are extremely competitive and affordable.
They offer month-to-month billing for those who use their own credit card terminals. If you would like a free terminal with your account, you will need to sign up for a long-term contract which does hold an early cancellation fee. You will also have access to next-business-day funding, which can help if you are in need of extra funds, and their customer service is helpful and efficient. If you cannot afford a long-term contract, be sure to use your own terminals.
Moneris Solutions
Moneris Solutions is a popular payment gateway in Canada. It is also the largest payment processor in Canada and is used by large and small businesses alike. You will need to negotiate terms, however, as some of their offerings can work out to be quite expensive if you do not read through the terms and conditions properly.
They also offer both hardware (terminals) and software at affordable prices and also has an extensive online knowledgebase. The termination fee is $300, which is on the more expensive side, but the service overall is sound and efficient. Consumers have not experienced many issued with businesses that make use of Moneris Solutions as their payment gateway. This company used to operate in both Canada and the US but is now a Canada-only platform.
Square
Square is a leading payment gateway in Canada and is popular because of its numerous features and offerings. Some of these features include contactless payments, a free card reader, as well as a free mobile app for merchants. While it is not an exclusively Canadian gateway, it does serve many small businesses in the country.
There are no expensive monthly fees or long-term contracts that you will need to pay for. The pricing is set at a predictable flat rate, which is ideal for smaller businesses and for those who would like to maintain their costs each month. However, because you will receive an aggregated merchant account, there might not be as much stability as there would be having your own. You will need to seriously consider what your business needs are when choosing Square.
Final Verdict
There are so many options on the market for payment gateways in Canada, so it is important to weigh up the pros and cons before you make a final decision. Some are better suited for larger businesses with more customers, while others are ideal for startups. Some might even offer higher fees if you decide not to use their hardware when accepting payments.
If you are interested in making use of a payment gateway in Canada, look through our list of businesses that offer these services or contact us directly for more information.