The main options
- Interac e-Transfer — free and near-instant, but personal accounts are capped around $3K–$10K a day at most banks (business e-Transfers go up to $25K per transfer).
- Credit / debit card via Stripe or Square — universal. Stripe (online): 2.9% + $0.30, plus 0.8% on international cards. Square: 2.5% in person, 0.75% + 7¢ for Interac debit, 2.8% + 30¢ online and on invoices, plus an extra 1.5% on cards issued outside Canada.
- EFT — cheap, slow, best for recurring or large amounts.
- Wire transfer — for large one-off amounts or international clients.
- Invoice + e-Transfer instructions — common for service businesses. Invoicing tools like Biller put your e-Transfer details, and a pay-by-card button, on every invoice.
By business type
Service business (consulting, freelance, trades)
- Default: invoice + Interac e-Transfer payment instructions.
- Why: zero processing fees, customers already have the rail set up.
- Watch for: per-transfer limit. For invoices over $3K, ask the client if they want to split or wire.
- Tools: our free invoice generator and income tracker.
Retail or in-person services (cafes, salons, repair shops)
- Default: Square or another tap-to-pay reader.
- Why: customers expect tap. Cash and e-Transfer are nice-to-have, not the default.
- Watch for: processing fees compress small-ticket margins. Set a $5 minimum if needed.
Online (digital products, e-commerce)
- Default: Stripe.
- Why: credit cards convert better than any other method online; Stripe handles fraud, refunds, taxes, subscriptions.
- Watch for: high-fee categories and chargeback risk. For B2B SaaS over $1K MRR, consider also offering invoice + EFT.
Recurring services (rent, gyms, subscription)
- Default: pre-authorized debit (PAD) on EFT, via Plooto, Rotessa, or your accounting software.
- Why: low cost per charge, nearly invisible to the customer once set up.
- Watch for: NSFs. Have a clear NSF fee and retry policy.
Wholesale / B2B
- Default: EFT or wire on Net 30 invoices.
- Why: larger amounts, recurring relationships, processor fees would eat margin.
Cost comparison (typical, on $1,000)
| Method | Cost per $1,000 | Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| Interac e-Transfer | $0 (free chequing accounts) | Minutes |
| EFT (via Plooto/Rotessa) | ~$0.50 per payment, plus a monthly plan | 1–3 business days |
| Wire transfer (domestic) | ~$30–$80 | Same day |
| Square (in-person tap) | ~$25 (2.5%) | Next business day |
| Stripe (online) | ~$29.30 (2.9% + $0.30) | 3 business days (first payout 7) |
| Cash | $0 + handling | Instant |
GST/HST and the $30,000 threshold
Once your taxable sales go over $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over four consecutive calendar quarters, you are required to register for GST/HST. Tracking incoming payments — across whatever methods you accept — is what keeps that threshold visible. Read our GST/HST guide for Canadian small businesses.
Guides by trade
- How to invoice as a dog walker in Canada
- Do tutors charge GST/HST in Canada?
- Jobber pricing in Canada, and when a one-person business can pay less
What brings you here today?
Deciding how clients should pay you?
With Biller, every invoice shows your e-Transfer details and, once you connect Stripe, a pay-by-card button — so clients pay the way they prefer, and card payments and Autodeposit e-Transfers are recorded as they land.
Start freeFree plan — unlimited invoices, no card needed.
Setting your prices?
Our pricing guides show what Canadian service businesses charge, service by service. When you have your rate, the free invoice generator turns it into a GST/HST-ready invoice.
Thanks for telling us.
The rest of this guide is written for you. If you ever take payments for your own work, see how Biller tracks them.