In the modern business landscape, choosing the right payment gateway is essential for Canadian companies. A payment gateway is a service that processes credit card transactions and other types of electronic payments, ensuring secure and efficient transfers of funds between customers and businesses. In Canada, businesses must navigate a diverse payment environment that includes traditional options like Interac and credit cards, as well as newer methods like digital wallets and cryptocurrencies.
The best payment gateway in our rating is NOWPayments, because it uniquely combines robust cryptocurrency support with essential features for the Canadian market. This article will explore the most reliable and cost-effective payment gateways available for Canadian businesses in 2025, focusing on their features and advantages.
Choosing the right payment gateway is very important for Canadian businesses. As more and more people shop online, businesses need a safe, reliable, and cheap way to take payments. Businesses in Canada need gateways that work with both new payment methods like cryptocurrencies and old ones like Interac, Visa, and MasterCard. Also, following strict Canadian laws like PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) is necessary to keep data safe and private.
Here’s a quick list of the top payment gateways for Canadian businesses:
- NOWPayments
- Stripe
- PayPal
- Square
- Helcim
| Payment Gateway | Supported Payment Methods | Transaction Fees | Integration Tools |
| NOWPayments | 300+ Cryptocurrencies, Fiat | 0.5%–1.0% (plus network fees) | API, Payment Button, Payment Widget, WooCommerce Plugin, POS, Mass Payouts |
| Stripe | Credit/Debit Cards, ACH, Bank Transfers | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | Full API, E-commerce Plugins, Subscriptions, Fraud Detection |
| PayPal | Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal Balances | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | PayPal Checkout, Invoices, Subscriptions |
| Square | Credit/Debit Cards, ACH, Bank Transfers | 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction | POS, Virtual Terminal, Payment Links, E-commerce Plugins |
| Helcim | Credit/Debit Cards, ACH, EFT | Interchange-Plus, Variable | Virtual Terminal, APIs, Invoices, Subscriptions |
NOWPayments
Businesses can use NOWPayments, a non-custodial cryptocurrency payment gateway, to accept more than 300 cryptocurrencies and a number of fiat currencies. It works for both small and large businesses and makes it easy to accept crypto payments at a low cost. NOWPayments makes it easy for businesses to accept and convert cryptocurrencies thanks to its simple API and mass payout features. The platform is great for businesses that want to grow internationally while still focusing on cryptocurrency transactions.
Supported Payment Methods. NOWPayments works with more than 300 cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDT and USDC. The platform lets users accept more than just crypto payments; it also lets them accept several fiat currencies, which makes it easier for customers from all over the world to use it. This wide range of support lets businesses reach a lot of people and take advantage of the growing demand for digital currency payments. Importantly, NOWPayments makes sure that transactions are safe by offering a number of blockchain options that make payments quick.
| Payment Method | On-ramp | Off-ramp |
| Fiat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Crypto | ❌ | ❌ |
Transaction Fees. NOWPayments has low fees, starting at 0.5%, and there are also network (“gas”) fees that depend on the blockchain used. There are no hidden fees for setting up or monthly subscriptions, and the fee structure is clear and easy to understand. The platform also charges a higher fee of 1% for converting cryptocurrency to fiat, but this is still low compared to other payment gateways. Businesses that want to keep transaction costs low will find NOWPayments appealing because of this cost-effective model.
- Transaction Fee: 0.5% – 1.0%
- No Setup Fee
- No Monthly Fee
Integration Tools. NOWPayments has a number of integration tools that can be used for different business needs. Its API makes it easy to add to custom websites, and payment buttons and widgets make it easy to add payment options to any site. NOWPayments also has a WooCommerce plugin that makes it easy for businesses that use this platform to accept cryptocurrency payments. The Mass Payouts feature is very helpful for people who handle a lot of transactions because it lets businesses pay more than one person at once.
- API
- Payment button
- Payment widget
- WooCommerce plugin
- Point of Sale
- Mass Payouts
Stripe
Stripe is a payment processor that makes it easy for businesses to take payments online and in person. You can take credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments, contactless payments, and other digital payments, so you can accept payments from customers in a variety of ways. Stripe’s platform is both a payment gateway and a payment service. It processes payments online, globally, and internationally in a variety of currencies, all while keeping payment information safe with fraud prevention tools.
Supported Payment Methods. Businesses can accept a lot of different types of payments with Stripe, such as credit and debit cards, ACH, and bank transfers. It can process payments in more than 135 currencies, so businesses can serve customers all over the world. Stripe also works with a lot of popular digital wallets, like Apple Pay and Google Pay, which makes the customer experience better. Stripe is also great for international transactions because it lets businesses accept local payment methods.
| Payment Method | On-ramp | Off-ramp |
| Fiat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Crypto | ❌ | ❌ |
Transaction Fees. When you pay online with Stripe, you pay 2.9% + 30¢ for each transaction. There is an extra 1% fee for international transactions to cover the cost of changing currencies. There are no setup or monthly fees for the platform, which makes it a good choice for businesses that want a cheap, pay-as-you-go solution. There are no hidden costs or surprise fees with Stripe’s pricing structure.
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Transaction Fee | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction |
| Setup Fee | ❌ |
| Monthly Fee | ❌ |
Integration Tools. Stripe has a full set of integration tools, such as a full API and plugins for popular e-commerce sites like Shopify and WooCommerce. It also has tools for handling payments, subscriptions, and fraud on mobile apps. Stripe is a great choice for businesses that need a payment solution that is flexible and can be customized because it works well with other systems. The platform also has advanced features like making invoices and payment links.
- API
- Shopify and WooCommerce Plugins
- Subscriptions
- Invoicing
PayPal
PayPal is one of the most well-known payment gateways in the world. It makes it easy and safe for businesses to accept payments. Customers can pay with credit or debit cards, as well as directly from their PayPal balance. A lot of people use the platform, so it is a popular way for customers to pay, especially in e-commerce. PayPal also has a lot of helpful features for businesses, like invoicing, recurring billing, and buyer protection.
Supported Payment Methods. PayPal accepts a lot of different ways to pay, like credit and debit cards and payments made through PayPal accounts. It works with a lot of different currencies, which makes it great for international transactions. Businesses can also use PayPal’s One Touch feature to accept payments. This lets customers pay with just one click. PayPal is easy to use for both businesses and consumers, which is why it is a good choice.
| Payment Method | On-ramp | Off-ramp |
| Fiat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Crypto | ✅ | ✅ |
Transaction Fees. PayPal charges a standard fee of 2.9% + 30¢ for processing domestic payments. For international payments, there is an extra fee of 1.5%. PayPal is a good choice for small businesses because there are no setup or monthly fees. But businesses should keep in mind that the fees can be higher for micropayments or payments made across borders when they think about using PayPal as a payment option. Overall, its prices are competitive, especially for businesses that want a simple, well-known way to pay.
- Transaction fee: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction for domestic payments
- International Fee: +1.5% for cross-border payments
Integration Tools. PayPal has a simple checkout system that works well for online stores. It works well with well-known platforms like Magento, WooCommerce, and Shopify. PayPal also has a strong invoicing system that lets businesses send payment requests directly to customers. It also lets you set up subscriptions and recurring payments, which makes it a great choice for businesses that need to bill customers on a regular basis.
- PayPal Checkout
- Invoicing
- Recurring Payments
- API
Square
Square is a payment gateway that can be used by businesses that sell things in person and online. Square is best known for its point-of-sale (POS) solutions, which let businesses take payments in person with Square’s hardware. Square also has an online payment gateway that is easy to use and works well with e-commerce platforms. Square is a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses because of its clear pricing and wide range of tools, like payment links and invoicing.
Supported Payment Methods. Square accepts many different types of payments, such as credit and debit cards, ACH, and bank transfers. It has a strong point-of-sale system that makes it great for businesses that need to process payments in person. Square also lets customers pay with digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, which makes things easier for them. Square also lets you pay in a number of different currencies, which is great for businesses that do business around the world.
| Payment Method | On-ramp | off-ramp |
| Fiat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Crypto | ✅ | ✅ |
Transaction Fees. Square charges a standard 2.6% plus 10 cents for each online transaction. This is less than what some competitors, like PayPal and Stripe, charge. It does not have any setup or monthly fees, which makes it a good choice for small businesses that need a cheap way to accept payments. Square charges 2.6% plus 10 cents per transaction for payments made in person, which makes it a great choice for retail businesses. There are no hidden fees, and the pricing structure is easy to understand.
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Transaction Fee | 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction |
| Setup Fee | ❌ |
| Monthly Fee | ❌ |
Integration Tools. Square has a built-in point-of-sale (POS) system that works great for businesses that have physical locations. It also has virtual terminals that let people pay over the phone, as well as payment links and QR codes that make it easy to pay online. Square works perfectly with e-commerce sites like WooCommerce and Shopify. It has a full set of tools for businesses, such as invoicing, recurring payments, and integrations with accounting software.
- POS System
- Virtual Terminal
- Payment Links
- Invoicing
Helcim
Helcim is a payment gateway based in Canada that focuses on clear pricing and flexibility for small and medium-sized businesses. Helcim is different from a lot of other gateways because it offers interchange-plus pricing. This means that businesses only pay the actual interchange rate plus a set markup. Helcim’s tools are made for businesses that need to handle payments both online and in person. Helcim is a great choice for Canadian businesses that need a reliable and affordable solution because they focus on customer service and offer competitive rates.
Supported Payment Methods. Helcim accepts many different types of payments, such as ACH, EFT, credit and debit cards, and more. It has options for both online and in-person payments, which is great for businesses that need to be able to change their minds. Helcim also supports payments in many currencies, so businesses can serve customers from other countries. The gateway also works well with a number of e-commerce platforms, so businesses can accept payments from a wide range of sources.
| Payment Method | On-ramp | off-ramp |
| Fiat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Crypto | ❌ | ❌ |
Transaction Fees. Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model, which means that businesses pay the real interchange fee plus a set amount on top of that. This makes prices more clear than flat-rate pricing models. Credit card transaction fees start at 2.6%, but ACH payments have lower fees. There are no setup or monthly fees, so it is a cheap option for businesses that want clear and predictable prices.
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Transaction Fee | Interchange + markup |
| ACH Fee | 0.5% + $0.25 |
| Setup Fee | ❌ |
| Monthly Fee | ❌ |
Integration Tools. Helcim provides a variety of integration options, including a virtual terminal and API for custom integrations. It also offers plugins for popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, making it easy to integrate with online stores. Helcim’s invoicing system is ideal for businesses that need to send payment requests to customers. Additionally, its recurring billing feature is useful for subscription-based businesses.
- API
- Shopify and WooCommerce Plugins
- Recurring Billing
- Invoicing
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve analyzed the main payment gateways for crypto businesses in Canada, including NOWPayments, Stripe, PayPal, Square, and Helcim. While each gateway has its own strengths, NOWPayments emerges as the best choice for Canadian businesses looking to accept cryptocurrencies. Its wide range of supported cryptocurrencies, low transaction fees, and robust integration tools—such as seamless APIs, payment buttons, and WooCommerce plugins—make it a standout option. NOWPayments’ ability to handle both crypto-to-crypto and fiat-to-crypto transactions, combined with its cost-effectiveness, positions it as the optimal solution for forward-thinking businesses in Canada’s growing crypto market, providing the flexibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of the competition.