What Payment Methods Do Canadian Shoppers Trust Most?

Canadian shoppers in 2025 continue to trust familiar and secure payment methods, according to the Payments Canada Canadian Payment Methods and Trends Report. Credit and debit cards remain the most popular options, representing 63% of all payment volume nationally. Credit card transactions saw strong growth, matched by widespread use of tap-to-pay and contactless technology for in-store purchases.​

Interac e-Transfer® is also among the most trusted and fastest-growing payment methods, with 1.4 billion transactions sent in 2024, a 17% increase year-over-year. Canadians rely on Interac e-Transfer not only for peer payments but also to pay bills, reflecting its high adoption for everyday and business transactions.​

Digital wallets and mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay continue to gain trust and traction, particularly among younger shoppers. The report notes that mobile contactless payment volume rose by 28% last year, with a majority of Canadians having used their smartphone to make a payment at least once in the previous six months. PayPal also remains highly trusted, especially for online and cross-border transactions.​

While cash and cheques are still in use, their popularity keeps declining as Canadians embrace digital-first alternatives for convenience and security. As real-time rails and open banking approach wider rollout, consumer confidence in modern payment solutions is expected to grow even stronger.​

For merchants, offering these trusted payment methods: credit/debit cards, Interac e-Transfer, digital wallets, and PayPal, is essential for reaching more Canadians and building lasting trust at checkout.