ACH vs EFT Canada: The Ultimate Guide to Payment Systems

Posted by Checkbook on Jan 31, 2025

ACH vs EFT Canada: The Ultimate Guide to Payment Systems

When it comes to moving money around, the world of electronic payments can feel like alphabet soup. ACH, EFT, what do they mean, and more importantly, how do they impact the USA and Canadian businesses? Let's break it down and uncover everything you need to know about these two financial powerhouses.

What Is ACH (Automated Clearing House)?

ACH is a U.S.-based payment network that facilitates the electronic transfer of funds between banks. It’s the workhorse behind payroll deposits, bill payments, and even some B2B transactions.

Key Insights about ACH:

• Cost-Effective: ACH is cheaper than wire transfers, making it a go-to for businesses in the U.S.
• Processing Time: Typically takes 3 business days—perfect if you're not in a rush.
• Common Uses: Think direct deposits for salaries, recurring payments, and vendor transactions.

The ACH network processed over $80 trillion in 2022 alone! That’s nearly four times Canada’s GDP.

What Is EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) in Canada?

In Canada, EFT is the go-to system for transferring money between banks. It’s versatile, fast, and an integral part of the Canadian financial system.

Key Insights about Canadian EFT:

• Localized Efficiency: EFT is designed for Canadian businesses and individuals, making it ultra-reliable.
• Speed: Transactions typically settle within 1-2 business days—faster than ACH.
• Versatility: Handles payroll, direct debits, and even B2C payments with ease.

ACH vs EFT Canada: Key Differences

While ACH and EFT both involve electronic fund transfers, the differences are as clear as maple syrup and molasses:

Feature	ACH (U.S.)	EFT (Canada)
Where It Works	U.S. only	Canada only
Processing Time	3 business days	~1-2 business days
Regulation	Overseen by NACHA	Managed by Payments Canada

How Checkbook Simplifies EFT for Canadian Businesses

Gone are the days of clunky payment processes. With checkbook, businesses can handle EFTs in Canada like pros:

• Digital Checks: Send payments directly to email addresses—no bank info needed.
• Real-Time Payments: Cut out the waiting game with instant transfers.
• Virtual Cards: Add flexibility to your payment arsenal.

Pro Tip: Want to ditch paper checks for good? Checkbook offers a green, hassle-free alternative that saves time and trees.

Tips for Managing Electronic Payments

• Match the Method to Your Needs: If you're handling payments in Canada, EFT is usually the winner. For U.S. transactions, go with ACH.
• Stay Compliant: Large EFT transactions in Canada are monitored by FINTRAC—know the rules.
• Embrace Tech: Platforms like checkbook make it easy to manage payments, track transactions, and ensure security.

Main Takeaways

1. ACH is for U.S. transactions, while EFT is Canada’s answer to electronic payments.
2. EFTs are faster and optimized for Canadian banking systems.
3. Platforms like checkbook make handling EFTs simple, efficient, and eco-friendly with its effective ACH and Canadian EFT integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Checkbook simplify ACH and Canadian EFT integration?

Read about in detail here.

Can I use ACH for Canadian transactions?

Nope. ACH is strictly for U.S. transactions. For Canada, EFT.

Are EFTs faster than ACH?

Yes! EFTs typically process in 1-2 business days, compared to ACH's 3-day average.

What features do Checkbook's ACH solutions offer?

Discover Checkbook’s ACH solutions here.

How does Checkbook's API help automate ACH payments?

Click here to read how Checkbook’s API helps automate ACH payments.

How secure are transactions through Checkbook?

Extremely secure. Checkbook uses tokenization and other security measures to protect your data and funds. Read about Checkbook’s tokenization here.