What you still pay
- A flat software fee (Chefzi: see pricing).
- Card processing fees on card payments.
- Your own delivery costs, if you deliver.
Commission-free does not mean free: the full cost
| Cost | Typical published rate | Who charges it |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Flat monthly fee ($35 for Chefzi) | Ordering provider |
| Card processing | 2.9% + C$0.30 (Stripe) or 2.8% + 30¢ (Square Online) | Payment processor |
| Delivery (optional) | $8.50 flat (DoorDash Drive) or distance-based (Uber Direct) | Courier |
| Marketplace commission | None on direct orders | — |
Stripe Canada pricing; Square Canada fees; DoorDash Canada merchant pricing; Uber Eats Canada merchant pricing; checked 27 October 2026.
Commission vs direct, on a $30 order
| Channel ($30 delivery order) | Fee rule (published) | Fee on $30 |
|---|---|---|
| Uber Eats Lite / Plus / Premium | 20% / 25% / 30% | $6.00 / $7.50 / $9.00 |
| DoorDash Basic / Plus / Premier | 20% / 25% / 29% | $6.00 / $7.50 / $8.70 |
| Your own ordering page, card fee only | 2.9% + C$0.30 (Stripe standard) | $1.17 |
| Your own page + DoorDash Drive delivery | card fee + $8.50 flat | $1.17 + $8.50 |
Arithmetic on published rates (Uber Eats Canada merchant pricing; DoorDash Canada merchant pricing; Stripe Canada pricing; checked 27 October 2026). App fees exclude tablet fees, promotions and refunds; your own channel excludes your monthly software fee ($35 for Chefzi) and any delivery you run yourself.
Is it right for you?
- Yes if you have repeat customers who already know your name.
- Yes if you run pickup, or can arrange delivery.
- Less so if almost every order is a first-time customer from an app; keep the apps for that.
Where the savings come from
Every direct order from a regular customer is an order that does not carry an app commission. Work it out with your own numbers in the commission calculator.
Moving regulars to direct ordering
- Put your ordering link on your Google Business Profile.
- Add a QR code and a small card to every bag.
- Offer a first-order deal on your own channel.
- Post your link on Instagram and Facebook.
Chefzi pricing
- Cash and pickup: $17 CAD per location per month.
- Card payments: $35 CAD per location per month.
- Setup is free. Plans are month-to-month, with no commission per order. See pricing.
Sources
- Stripe Canada pricing
- Square Canada fees
- DoorDash Canada merchant pricing
- Uber Eats Canada merchant pricing
About this page
Reviewed by the Chefzi team. Last updated 27 October 2026. Learn about Chefzi or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Is commission-free ordering really free?
No software is free to run. It means you pay a flat fee instead of a percentage of each order.
Who offers commission-free online ordering in Canada?
Direct ordering systems such as Chefzi charge a flat fee instead of commission. Some marketplaces also sell commission-free ordering, such as DoorDash Online Ordering and Uber Eats Webshop (2.9% processing fee). See our comparison.
Does commission-free include delivery?
No. You deliver with your own drivers or a delivery partner, or offer pickup.
Is commission-free online ordering really free?
No. You pay a software fee and card processing, and delivery if you offer it. What you avoid is a 15–30% commission on each order.
What is the best free online ordering system?
Free options exist: Square Online has a free plan with per-sale processing fees, DoorDash Online Ordering has no monthly or commission fee. For other providers, such as Relayfy (relayfy.com), see their site. Each has trade-offs, such as ties to a POS, a marketplace or customer fees (checked 27 October 2026).
How do I get customers to order direct?
Put your web address and a QR code on bags, receipts and your Google profile, and give a small reason to order direct, such as a first-order thank-you.