Tim Hortons vs McDonald’s (McCafé)
McDonald’s McCafé line competes directly with Tim Hortons on brewed coffee, espresso drinks and breakfast — often at even lower prices.
Last updated: January 2026
| Compared | Tim Hortons | McDonald’s McCafé |
|---|---|---|
| Medium brewed coffee | C$2.09 | C$1.99 |
| Medium latte | C$3.99 | C$3.79 |
| Breakfast sandwich | C$4.49–5.99 | C$4.29–5.49 |
| Donuts / baked goods | Full donut case | Limited muffin & pastry range |
| Frozen coffee | Iced Capp — C$3.79 | Iced Frappé — C$3.49 |
Price
McCafé undercuts Tim Hortons slightly on coffee and breakfast sandwiches, and McDonald’s app deals are aggressive. Tim Hortons wins on donut and Timbits value.
Menu breadth
Tim Hortons is a bakery-cafe; McDonald’s is a burger chain with a coffee program. For donuts, Timbits and bagels there is no contest — Tim Hortons. For all-day hot food variety, McDonald’s.
Coffee
Both use 100% Arabica beans. Tim Hortons offers more drink variety overall; McCafé espresso is surprisingly competitive for the price.
The verdict
For the cheapest decent coffee, McCafé. For a real cafe menu — donuts, Timbits, bagels and the Iced Capp — Tim Hortons.