Canada’s online payment landscape is dominated by credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), the domestic debit system Interac, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and PayPal. Interac e-Transfers are extremely popular for person-to-person payments, while Google Pay, KOHO, and buy-now-pay-later services (e.g., Afterpay) are also widely used.
In Canada, Interac Debit and Interac e‑Transfer dominate account‑to‑account payments, together accounting for billions of annual transactions. Credit and debit cards, mobile wallets (like Apple Pay, Google Pay), PayPal, and BNPL services remain strong contenders.
Canadians cannot download, register, or use Venmo, even for transactions with U.S. users. Instead, Canadians can use alternatives like Interac e-Transfer, PayPal, Wealthsimple Cash, or Wise for local and international money transfers.
You can't use Zelle in Canada - it's for payments between US based banks only. Use this handy guide as a way to find alternative providers to make convenient, low cost, online and mobile payments to Canada.
Yes, PayPal works extensively in Canada for online shopping, sending/receiving money domestically and internationally, and managing finances, supporting CAD and other currencies, allowing users to link bank accounts or cards for transactions, though fees apply for certain international or card-funded payments. It's a widely used platform, even accepted by major Canadian retailers, and serves as a common alternative to other services like Venmo in Canada, note this Wise article.
Cash App doesn't work in Canada because the money-transferring service industry is dominated by Interac e-Transfer. For this reason, the Canadian market isn't as profitable, and the company instead chooses to operate exclusively within (and between) the US and UK.
Unlike Cash App, which primarily operates in the United States, PESA is tailored to the Canadian market and 20+ other countries. This localization extends to customer support, ensuring that users can access assistance tailored to their specific needs and concerns.
Just like Venmo, Cashapp and Zelle aren't currently available in Canada. Using Apple Pay to send funds isn't available either.
Apple Pay participating banks in Canada, Latin America, and the United States. Apple Pay works with many of the major credit and debit cards from the top banks. Just add your supported cards and continue to get all the rewards, benefits, and security of your cards. We're working with more banks to support Apple Pay.
When you travel to Canada, it is best to pay in local currency (CAD) instead of USD. We show you the top three benefits of paying with CAD. Find out how you can save money on your overseas trip and avoid unnecessary currency exchange fees.
Sending money to Canada with PayPal
Send quickly to almost anyone abroad on PayPal. To get started all you need is their name and email, phone or QR code. PayPal's security features work around the clock on every transaction protecting your full financial information.
A: No, Cash App is not available in Canada. The platform only operates in the United States and the United Kingdom. Canadian businesses must use alternatives like Venn, Wise, or other Canadian-built payment platforms.
Bank Transfer
Bank transfers are usually the cheapest option when it comes to funding your international money transfer with Wise. Bank transfers can be slower than debit or credit cards, but they usually give you the best value for your money.
Venmo is an electronic money transfer service that's only available in the United States. PayPal is the top Venmo alternative for Canadians, which makes sense since it owns Venmo. Other Venmo alternatives include Interac e-Transfers, Wealthsimple Cash, and Wise.
Google Wallet and Google Pay – Google Wallet stores payment cards, IDs, transit passes, and more, while Google Pay allows contactless transactions. PayPal – A widely accepted digital wallet for online shopping, often used in Canada for business and peer-to-peer transactions.
You can use your Cash App account to send money from the US to the UK or vice versa. Other destination countries and currencies are not supported by Cash App. To make cross border payments with Cash App, both the sender and the recipient need their own Cash App accounts.
Remitly. Remitly is a popular PayPal alternative for consumers across Canada, and this digital payment processing platform offers several different methods to receive your money. You can send and receive money via a mobile app, or use home delivery.
Apple Pay Canada
Owing to the popularity of iOS, Apple Pay has become a top payment gateway in Canada and globally. The app facilitates easy and secure purchases, in stores, apps and on the web. Not to forget how easy the app makes sending money to friends and family via iMessages.
Send USD to Interac e-Transfer in Canada securely with Remitly. Enjoy great rates, no hidden fees, and fast delivery through your preferred method. Popular currencies are supported, with access to thousands of trusted providers worldwide.
For credit card purchases you can use Google Pay outside of Canada. For debit card purchases Google Pay is available for use in Canada only.
Yes, PayPal works extensively in Canada for online shopping, sending/receiving money domestically and internationally, and managing finances, supporting CAD and other currencies, allowing users to link bank accounts or cards for transactions, though fees apply for certain international or card-funded payments. It's a widely used platform, even accepted by major Canadian retailers, and serves as a common alternative to other services like Venmo in Canada, note this Wise article.
While Zelle is a popular way to send money within the US, Canada has its own go-to peer-to-peer (P2P) payment system—Interac e-Transfer4. Used by millions of Canadians, Interac e-Transfer allows fast and secure money transfers between bank accounts, making it one of the closest equivalents to Zelle.