A Moneris alternative built for local business — not lock-in.
If you're on Moneris and tired of the term contract, the monthly line items, and a rate you can't quite decode, there's a simpler option. Surge gives you one clear rate, no lock-in, and a real local person who picks up the phone.
Why owners look for a Moneris alternative
Moneris is Canada’s largest processor, and for big enterprises with a negotiating team it can work. But a lot of independent shops tell us the same things: they’re locked into a multi-year term, they’re paying monthly account and terminal fees before a single sale, and their “rate” is a blended number that hides what each transaction actually costs.
Surge is built the other way around: 2.5% + 15¢ on in-person cards, a one-time $10 setup, no monthly fee, and no term contract — cancel any time. You see the number, you keep more of every sale, and if we’re not saving you money, you walk.
Moneris agreements are commonly 3–5 years with an early-termination fee. Surge has no term and no cancellation fee — stay because it works, not because you're stuck.
No account fee or software fee stacked on before you've sold anything. One transparent rate, that's it.
One clear 2.5% + 15¢ in person — not a blended number with the markup buried inside.
A full point-of-sale comes with your payments — no separate monthly POS bill.
How Surge compares to Moneris
Every business’s Moneris agreement is different, so treat the right-hand column as the patterns small merchants commonly report — not a quote.
| Surge | Moneris (typical) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-person rate | 2.5% + 15¢, clearly stated | Often a blended/custom rate |
| Monthly fee | $0 | Account + terminal fees commonly apply |
| Contract | None — cancel anytime | Commonly a 3–5 year term |
| Early-termination fee | None | Often $300–$500 to leave early |
| POS software | Included free | Typically a paid add-on |
| Setup | $10 one-time | Varies |
| Support | Local, real human | Call centre |
Moneris figures reflect commonly reported patterns for small merchants; your actual Moneris terms are in your agreement — check them.
See what you'd save vs your Moneris rate
Drag the sliders to your real monthly card volume and average ticket. If you know your Moneris effective rate, compare it to Surge’s 2.5% + 15¢ — the gap, times your annual volume, is real money.
That is about 800 transactions a month.
Estimate only. Compares a common 2.9% + $0.30 per-transaction rate against Surge pricing of 2.5% + $0.15 per transaction. Your exact savings are confirmed on the call.
Not sure what you’re actually paying Moneris now? That’s the point of a blended rate. Send us your last statement and we’ll compute your real effective rate on a free 15-minute call — here’s how to read it yourself.
Switching is easier than staying
You don’t have to wait for a contract to end to get a quote. We’ll read your current Moneris statement with you, show you the exact difference, set up your terminal in person across the GTA and Durham, and get you taking tap, chip, Interac, Apple Pay and Google Pay from day one. If there’s an early-termination cost, we’ll factor it into the math honestly so you know the real break-even.
See exactly what you'd save vs Moneris
A free 15-minute call, a clear quote, and the real dollar difference — no pressure, no jargon.
This page is general information, not financial or legal advice, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Moneris. Moneris is a trademark of its owner. Competitor terms and fees change and vary by merchant — confirm your own agreement before switching.