Payment fees calculator — Canada
Compare what Stripe, PayPal, Square, Shopify, Etsy, Paddle, Payhip, Gumroad, Helcim and Interac take from a sale in Canadian dollars — and what to charge so you keep your price.
| Platform | Fee | You keep |
|---|
Rates checked October 2026 from each provider's Canadian pricing (or a published review where noted). Providers change fees — confirm on their site before you decide. Some “Open account” links may be referral links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
How these fees work
Most payment companies charge a percentage of the sale plus a fixed fee per transaction. On small sales the fixed fee hurts most: 30¢ is 3% of a $10 sale. Selling to a buyer outside Canada usually adds a cross-border fee, and charging in another currency adds a conversion fee on top. Marketplaces such as Etsy cost more because they also bring you buyers. Merchant-of-record platforms like Paddle and Lemon Squeezy cost more per sale but collect and send sales tax for you around the world.
Every one of these fees is a deductible business expense on your T2125. Keep the monthly statements — or let PlanTaxes.Pro read them for you.
Questions
What is the cheapest way to get paid in Canada?
For in-person sales, Interac debit (about 0.75% + 7¢ with Square) and Interac e-Transfer are usually cheapest. Online, Stripe, Square Online and Shopify Payments are close to 2.8–2.9% + 30¢; marketplaces like Etsy cost more but bring buyers.
Is Venmo available in Canada?
No. Venmo only works for people and businesses in the United States with a US phone number. In Canada, use Interac e-Transfer, PayPal, Square or Stripe instead.
What is a merchant of record?
Paddle and Lemon Squeezy sell your digital product on your behalf and handle sales tax (GST/HST, VAT, US sales tax) for you. They charge more per sale (5% + 50¢) but save you tax registrations in other countries.
Are payment fees tax deductible?
Yes. Payment processing and platform fees are business expenses on your T2125. PlanTaxes.Pro imports them from your statements and categorizes them.
Why does the fixed fee matter so much?
A 30¢ fixed fee is 3% of a $10 sale but only 0.3% of a $100 sale. For small items, bundle products or use a lower fixed-fee option like Interac.
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