How does Helcim's pricing model compare to competitors?

Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model, which passes through the actual interchange cost of each transaction plus a transparent margin. Many competitors use flat-rate pricing, which can be easier to understand but often more expensive for businesses that process higher transaction volumes.

What type of business is Helcim best for?

Helcim is a strong fit for small to mid-sized businesses with consistent or growing transaction volumes. It's especially well suited for businesses that value transparent pricing, affordable processing fees, and flexible payment tools to support growth and scaling.

Are there hidden fees with payment processors like Helcim?

Helcim does not charge hidden fees, monthly fees, or long-term contracts. As with all payment processors, standard costs such as processing fees and chargeback fees still apply. Please visit Helcim Pricing page for more details.

Pros and cons of using Helcim payment processor

Pros: Helcim offers transparent and competitive pricing, no monthly fees or long-term contracts, free payment tools, free POS software, and flexible integration options.Cons: Because Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing, monthly costs may vary as interchange rates fluctuate per transaction. Helcim may not be the best fit for micro-merchants or businesses with very low or infrequent transaction volumes.

Does Helcim require a contract or monthly fees?

No. Helcim does not require long-term contracts, monthly subscription fees, or minimum processing commitments. Businesses only pay processing fees. For in-person payments, merchants simply need to purchase a Helcim Smart Terminal or Helcim Card Reader to get started.

Which special features does Helcim offer that other payment processors don't?

Helcim offers special features like Helcim Fee Saver that lets merchants pass credit card processing fees to the customers. Besides, Helcim Payment Extension lets merchants integrate Helcim Payment to many softwares. Helcim also offers Level 2 and Level 3 credit card processing that can reduce credit card fees to as low as 1.45%.In addition, Helcim provides essential payment tools such as POS software, a virtual terminal, invoicing, payment links, customized checkout pages, and recurring payments.

Are Helcim's payment processing fees really lower than competitors?

Savings vary by industry and transaction profile. On average, Helcim merchants save 25% on credit card processing fees compared to the average rates charged by many competitors.

How to switch to Helcim from other payment processors without service interruption

We highly recommend checking out our Helcim Merchant Buyout Program, which outlines step-by-step instructions for migrating to Helcim from other payment processors. If you're currently locked into a contract or proprietary payment hardware, Helcim may waive up to $500.

Helcim vs. Others

Every credit card processor makes promises. We'll show you the honest, side-by-side breakdown — pricing, features, and the fine print.

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Helcim vs.

Payment Providers

Modern payment platforms that bundle processing with software and commerce tools.

Helcim vs.

Legacy Acquirers

Traditional banks and established acquirers with large merchant networks.

Helcim vs.

Specialty Processors

Payment processors built for specific software ecosystems and use cases.

Accepting every payment is better with Helcim

Helcim was built for businesses that are tired of hidden fees and fine print. You get wholesale Interchange Plus pricing, automatic volume discounts as you grow, and a real person on the phone when you need one.

Helcim transparent Interchange Plus pricing chart

Automatic volume discounts as your business grows

Interchange Plus pricing — the real network cost plus one clear margin. No mystery tiers.

View pricing

No subscriptions, no PCI fees, no surprises. You only pay when you process.

Process more and your rates automatically drop — no calls, no renegotiating.

Reach a knowledgeable person by phone in hours, not days. No bots gatekeeping your money.

Eligible merchants get next-business-day deposits at no extra cost. Keep your cash flow healthy.

Transparent and affordable pricing is at our core

Pricing model

Online payments

In-person payments

ACH payments

No monthly fees

Free access to all tools

POS hardware

Volume discounts

Deposit times

2.31% + 25¢ Average

1.79% + 8¢ Average

0.5% + 25¢ capped at $6

Card Reader - $199 Smart Terminal - $349

Next-business-morning

View pricing

Flat Rate

2.9% + 30¢

2.7% + 5¢

0.8% capped at $5

WisePad 3 - $59 WisePOS E - $249 Reader S700 - $349

2 business days

Compare prices

Flat Rate

2.9% + 30¢

2.6% + 10¢ Free plan

1.0% min $1

Square Reader - $59 Square Terminal - $299 Square Register - $799

1-2 business days or instant for 1.75%

Compare prices

Flat Rate

3.5% + 10¢

2.3% – 2.6% + 10¢ Varies by reseller

Not available

Clover Go Clover Flex Clover Mini Clover Station Duo Varies by reseller

1-2 business days or instant for 1.5%

Compare prices

Pricing model	Online payments	In-person payments	ACH payments	POS hardware	Deposit times
	2.31% + 25¢ Average	1.79% + 8¢ Average	0.5% + 25¢ capped at $6	Card Reader - $199 Smart Terminal - $349	Next-business-morning
Flat Rate	2.9% + 30¢	2.7% + 5¢	0.8% capped at $5	WisePad 3 - $59 WisePOS E - $249 Reader S700 - $349	2 business days
Flat Rate	2.9% + 30¢	2.6% + 10¢ Free plan	1.0% min $1	Square Reader - $59 Square Terminal - $299 Square Register - $799	1-2 business days or instant for 1.75%
Flat Rate	3.5% + 10¢	2.3% – 2.6% + 10¢ Varies by reseller	Not available	Clover Go Clover Flex Clover Mini Clover Station Duo Varies by reseller	1-2 business days or instant for 1.5%

View Helcim pricing Compare with Stripe Compare with Square Compare with Clover

View our pricing alongside 15+ other processors

Compare Helcim payment processing fees with Square, Stripe, Adyen, Shopify, Global Payments, Clover, Moneris, Jane, and Lightspeed

Name

Industry

Monthly credit card processing *

Real owners. Real math. Real savings.

A business owner accepting a card payment on a Helcim Smart Terminal

4.0/5

4.2/5

4.1/5

Laura, Laura Brows

“What we switched to Helcim we were told we’d save 35% which we are!”

Naomi, Sweet Rice

“Saving 25% has meant the world to us as a small business”

Wendy, Dr. Wendy Vet

“To save on each transaction…it really adds up!”

JP, Kingly

“The onboarding process was very fast and very simple, and we saved 26%.”

Laura, Laura Brows

“What we switched to Helcim we were told we’d save 35% which we are!”

Naomi, Sweet Rice

“Saving 25% has meant the world to us as a small business”

Wendy, Dr. Wendy Vet

“To save on each transaction…it really adds up!”

JP, Kingly

“The onboarding process was very fast and very simple, and we saved 26%.”

Frequently asked questions

: Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model, which passes through the actual interchange cost of each transaction plus a transparent margin. Many competitors use flat-rate pricing, which can be easier to understand but often more expensive for businesses that process higher transaction volumes.
: Helcim is a strong fit for small to mid-sized businesses with consistent or growing transaction volumes. It's especially well suited for businesses that value transparent pricing, affordable processing fees, and flexible payment tools to support growth and scaling.
: Helcim does not charge hidden fees, monthly fees, or long-term contracts. As with all payment processors, standard costs such as processing fees and chargeback fees still apply. Please visit Helcim Pricing page for more details.
: Pros: Helcim offers transparent and competitive pricing, no monthly fees or long-term contracts, free payment tools, free POS software, and flexible integration options.
Cons: Because Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing, monthly costs may vary as interchange rates fluctuate per transaction. Helcim may not be the best fit for micro-merchants or businesses with very low or infrequent transaction volumes.
: No. Helcim does not require long-term contracts, monthly subscription fees, or minimum processing commitments. Businesses only pay processing fees. For in-person payments, merchants simply need to purchase a Helcim Smart Terminal or Helcim Card Reader to get started.
: Helcim offers special features like Helcim Fee Saver that lets merchants pass credit card processing fees to the customers. Besides, Helcim Payment Extension lets merchants integrate Helcim Payment to many softwares. Helcim also offers Level 2 and Level 3 credit card processing that can reduce credit card fees to as low as 1.45%.
In addition, Helcim provides essential payment tools such as POS software, a virtual terminal, invoicing, payment links, customized checkout pages, and recurring payments.
: Savings vary by industry and transaction profile. On average, Helcim merchants save 25% on credit card processing fees compared to the average rates charged by many competitors.
: We highly recommend checking out our Helcim Merchant Buyout Program, which outlines step-by-step instructions for migrating to Helcim from other payment processors. If you're currently locked into a contract or proprietary payment hardware, Helcim may waive up to $500.

Let's talk. We'll listen.

Our pricing is 100% transparent and saves you money. With no complicated paperwork and easy online approval, your business can begin to accept payments in no time.

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