The first time a small business takes money online, the question is usually "which one is cheapest?" The honest answer is that the headline rates are close, and the extra fees, the mix of customers and the way you sell matter more than the first number on the page. Disclosure: I founded UOVA , an AI website builder and creative studio in Toronto, so I have a stake in the market for small-business websites and the tools around them. I have no arrangement with any payment company below. All rates come from each company's own Canadian pricing page as I read it on October 1, 2026. They change, and some businesses negotiate custom rates, so check the live page before you decide. The published online rates Stripe Stripe's Canadian page lists, for online card payments: 2.9% + CA$0.30 per successful transaction for domestic cards. + 0.8% for international cards. + 2% if currency conversion is required. + 0.5% for manually entered cards. For in-person payments, Strip...
Notes from Sal Talash, founder of UOVA, on building useful websites, clearer product experiences and practical ways to review work before launch. Original writing and worked examples.