How to Accept Online Payments in 2025: What Canadian Businesses Need to Know

If it feels like payment choices online are multiplying every year, you’re not imagining things. Canadian shoppers and merchants now expect more options than ever, and the fastest-growing businesses are adapting by making payment flexibility part of their growth plan.

Beyond credit and debit cards, Canadians can pay with everything from bank transfers (such as Interac e-Transfer®) to mobile wallets and even “buy now, pay later” programs. These alternatives used to be niche, but today they’re core parts of how Canadians expect to pay in e-commerce, mobile apps, and even in-person.

Most Popular Ways to Accept Online Payments in 2025

• Credit card: Remains widely used in Canada, providing broad acceptance and familiarity for online shoppers, but also comes with concerns about debt and fees.
• Pay by bank: Direct transfers via Interac e-Transfer® let customers use their bank account to send real-time payments, making it a safe, familiar, and instant way.
• Digital Wallets: Tools like Apple Pay and Google Pay make mobile and online payments fast and secure, meeting the needs of a mobile-first audience.
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Installment options from Klarna, Afterpay, or Affirm attract buyers who want flexibility and help drive larger orders.
• Prepaid Cards & Vouchers: Good for privacy-focused or unbanked customers.
• Cryptocurrency: Not mainstream yet, but increasingly used for specific online and cross-border transactions.
• QR Codes & Open Banking: QR code payments and open banking are growing in Canada, setting the stage for more instant, user-friendly experiences.

Why Offer More Payment Choices?

• Reach More Customers: Over half of Canadians use methods like Interac e-Transfer® or digital wallets for everyday spending.
• Reduce Costs: Bank transfers often carry lower fees than credit card processing—meaning higher profit margins for you.
• Lower Risk: Pay by bank options are typically non-reversible, which means fewer chargebacks and less risk.
• Boost Trust & Satisfaction: Aligning with trusted brands (like Interac, PayPal, Apple Pay) helps customers feel safe, which improves online conversion and customer loyalty.
• Improve Experience: Offering multiple payment options means fewer abandoned carts and a smoother shopping journey.

What to Consider Before You Start

• Integration: Some methods are simple to add; others might require a little more technical work.
• Coverage: Make sure your solutions work for both local customers and any global shoppers you serve.
• Fee Structure: Know the costs of each method; BNPL and some wallets may have higher fees or slower settlement than bank transfers.
• Customer Familiarity: Some customers prefer newer methods, others stick with what they know, meet both groups where they are.

Key Takeaways for Canadian Merchants

• Payment strategy isn’t just about accepting cards anymore; it’s about giving your customers options they trust.
• The most popular alternative payment methods in Canada are Interac e-Transfer, digital wallets, and BNPL.
• Modern solutions (such as Clik2pay) make it easy to integrate these methods and get paid in real time.
• Offering a mix of payment methods increases conversions, keeps customers happy, and secures your place in Canada’s digital-first payment future.