Key Takeaways
- PaySimply simplifies paying for a variety of bills like personal, property, and business taxes, tuition or student fees, rent, or electricity, water, and gas bills, using a credit card.
- For credit card, PayPal, and Alipay payments, you pay a 2.50% fee, while the fee for cash and debit card payments vary depending on the amount, but can be up to $7.95.
- PaySimply is cheaper and more convenient than Plastiq, another third-party payment service.
PaySimply makes it possible to pay all sorts of bills using a credit card, including your unavoidable taxes and utility bills.
If paying cash is a hassle and a biller does not accept direct credit card payments, an intermediary bill payment service company like PaySimply can help.
That said, this service is available at a cost, and you may have to assess whether the benefits (e.g. convenience and credit card rewards) outweigh the fees you pay.
This PaySimply review covers its fees, pros, cons, competitors, how it works, and whether it is legit.
What is PaySimply?
PaySimply is an online bill payment service that makes it easy for you to pay your bills and taxes using a preferred payment method.
It is operated by Payment Source, a leading provider of alternative payment solutions based in Toronto.
Using the PaySimply online portal, you can pay individual and business taxes to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and municipal taxes, tuition, and everyday utility bills.
Payment Source was founded in 2014 and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for three consecutive years.
How Does PaySimply Work?
PaySimply is available through a web interface and mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.
To make a payment, visit the site to select a payee or search for a biller.
For example, you can pay your income tax to the feds by selecting “Canada Revenue Agency” and then:
- Provide a tax identification number, such as your SIN or business number.
- Select the type of payment, e.g. T1 tax return, CERB.
- Complete the payment form by adding your email address, name, and payment amount.
- Choose a payment method, review your information, and complete the payment.
The time it takes for payments to go through varies depending on the payment method you have selected and the biller.
CRA payments arrive at the CRA on the same day or up to 3 days, depending on the payment method used.
The payment options supported by PaySimply include the following:
- Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and UnionPay)
- Interac e-Transfer
- PayPal
- Cash or debit card in-person at Canada Post outlets
- Alipay
- PayBright
What Bills Can You Pay with PaySimply?
You can use PaySimply to pay thousands of billers, including the CRA, Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration, municipalities, colleges, universities, utility providers, and more.
Bill types include:
- Taxes: Personal and business taxes
- Tuition, student, and resident fees
- Electricity and gas
- Property tax
- Rent
- Water and sewer bills
- Childcare
- Others available to search from
You can easily search for a biller and make a payment without creating an account. You can also set up repeat payments using a credit card through the mobile app.
PaySimply Fees
The following fees apply when you make a payment:
- Credit card: 2.50%
- PayPal: 2.50%
- Interac e-Transfer: 1.0%
- Alipay: 2.50%
The fees on cash or debit card payments made in-person at a Canada Post location vary depending on the amount as follows:
- $1 – $1,000: $3.95
- $1,000.01 – $2,000: $5.95
- $2,000.01 – $3,000: $7.95
Installment payments made through PayBright qualify as a loan, and the fees you pay depend on the loan term, your credit rating, and other factors.
Is PaySimply Legit?
PaySimply is operated by Payment Source, a company that has been operating in Canada since 2014.
It has an A rating on the Better Business Bureau and a 4.3/5 rating from 72 reviewers on G2.
Also, the company has been voted as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and is accepted by the CRA as a payment provider.
As per its website, PaySimply does not store your payment information and uses encryption to protect your data.
Pros and Cons of PaySimply
This service simplifies the ability to pay bills using a payment method that meets your needs.
This means that you can pay by using your credit card to pay billers that would normally only accept cheques or pre-authorized debits.
If you are paying with a rewards credit card, this also means you can earn cash back or points you can redeem for free travel or merchandise.
While the convenience fee you pay to PaySimply is clear upfront, it adds up to 2.50% extra on what you owe. This fee exceeds the earn rate on most credit cards.
As per PaySimply, it does not store your payment information, which lowers the risk of your personal information becoming compromised.
PaySimply vs. Plastiq
Plastiq is another third-party payment service that allows you to pay all kinds of expenses using your credit card. It is available in Canada and the U.S.
The table below compares Plastiq to PaySimply.
| Features | PaySimply | Plastiq |
| Payment methods supported | Credit Cards, Interac e-Transfer, PayPal, Canada Post, Alipay, PayBright | Credit cards |
| Types of bills | Taxes, tuition, utilities, rent, childcare, golf club fees, others | Tuition, utilities, taxes, rent, mortgage |
| Standard fees | Credit card: 2.50%; Paypal: 2.50%; Interac e-Transfer: 1.0%; Alipay: 2.50% | Credit card: 2.85% |
| Mobile app | Yes | No |
| Learn more | – | Read review |
PaySimply FAQs
It varies depending on your means of payment. Credit Card and PayPal payments have a 2.50% fee, Interac e-Transfers cost 1%, and you pay $3.95 to $7.95 for in-person payments at a Canada Post location.
The CRA allows Canadians to pay their taxes online using a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or UnionPay) through PaySimply. PayPal payments are also an option using the Payment Source platform.
If you don’t have the cash in your bank account, paying your taxes and bills with a credit card can help you avoid late payment fees and penalties. There is a fee for this service, and you should aim to pay off your credit card balance quickly to avoid interest fees from accumulating after the 21-day grace period.
Related Reading:
- Best Prepaid Cards in Canada
- Best Budgeting Apps in Canada
- Best Credit Cards for Groceries
- Best No Fee Cash Back Credit Cards
PaySimply Review
Overall
Summary
PaySimply is a bill payment service that allows you to pay taxes and bills using a credit card. This PaySimply review covers its fees, safety, competition, pros, and cons.
Thanks this is useful information. I never used PaySimply or Plastic before. You wonder if these are legit or if they have hidden charges.