Helcim vs. Authorize.net
An honest, side-by-side comparison of pricing, software tools, hardware, and business models, so you can decide which payment processor fits your business.
Helcim vs Authorize.net business models
Helcim uses the interchange-plus pricing to offer the most affordable payment processing fees to merchants. Helcim also automatically lowers their margin up to 70% as the merchants grow. In contrast, Authorize.net offers a flat fee of 2.9% + $0.30 for all transactions, causing merchants to over pay for in-person and debit card transactions
How Helcim's model works
- Helcim offers affordable credit card processing fees using interchange-plus pricing. Merchants pay exactly what banks and card networks charge, plus a transparent margin on top.
- Helcim credit card processing fees drop automatically by up to 70% as the merchant's monthly volume grows, with no renegotiation, contract, phone call, or plan upgrade required.
- Helcim offers free POS software and all online payment tools (payment gateway, hardware, POS, invoicing, online checkout, recurring billing, etc.) for $0 monthly fees, while Authorize.net requires a $25/month plan for POS software and payment tools.
- Helcim is HIPAA compliant for healthcare businesses and supports split account funding for law firms.
How Authorize.net's model works
- Authorize.net charges $25/month for POS software and online payment tools.
- Authorize.net is not HIPAA compliant and does not support split billing or trust accounting for lawyers or law firms.
- Authorize.net does not build or sell its own point-of-sale hardware. In-person and mobile card reading runs through a third-party device, such as the BBPOS Chipper 3X, which requires merchants to set up a complicated connection.
- Authorize.net charges a flat 2.9% + $0.30 fee for all transactions. This fee is expensive for in-person transactions, which typically range from 1.7% to less than 2.5%. Authorize.net fee is also extremely expensive for debit card transactions, which range from $0.10 to only around 1% per transaction.
Helcim vs. Authorize.net pricing and fees
Authorize.net requires an "All-in-one" plan that is a flat $25/month + 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction for all transactions, with no published volume discount. Helcim offers low interchange-plus pricing with up to a 70% discount for high-volume businesses. Besides, Helcim also offers lower ACH/EFT fees compared to Authorize.net, as well as capping the fee at $6.
Pricing Model
Monthly Software Fees
In-Person Processing
Online Processing
Virtual Terminal
US Common PIN Debit
EFT-PAD Processing
Tap to Pay on Phone
Volume Discounts
POS Software
Invoicing
Recurring Payments
Contract Terms
Hidden / Overhead Fees
Chargeback Fee
Smart Terminal
Card Reader
Helcim
Authorize.net
| Provider | Pricing Model | Monthly Software Fees | In-Person Processing | Online Processing | Virtual Terminal | US Common PIN Debit | EFT-PAD Processing | Tap to Pay on Phone | Volume Discounts | POS Software | Invoicing | Recurring Payments | Contract Terms | Hidden / Overhead Fees | Chargeback Fee | Smart Terminal | Card Reader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Interchange-plus | $0 – everything included | 1.79% + 8¢ Average | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | 1.00% + 8¢ Average | 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6) | 10¢ | Up to 70% off Helcim margin | Included free | Included free | Extra 0.4% per transaction | No contract | $0 – no PCI, statement, or batch fees | $15 (refundable if merchants win the dispute) | $349 | $199 |
|
|
Flat-rate | $25 | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ | 0.75% | Available | Unavailable | Included in $25/month plan | Included in $25/month plan | Included in $25/month plan | No contract | $20 late-payment fee, $10 abandoned-account fee, $0.25 authorization fee, $0.25 batch fee, $1.20 verbal authorization fee | $25 (non-refundable) | Third-party device with prices vary by reseller | Third-party device with prices vary by reseller |
The bottom line
Helcim is the best option for businesses that want transparent and low payment processing fees. Almost every Helcim payment processing fee is lower than Authorize.net's. Authorize.net's flat fee of 2.9% + 30¢ may look simple, but it is around two to three times more expensive for in-person and debit card transactions. High-volume businesses will also benefit from Helcim's pricing because Helcim offers automatic discounts and low ACH fees of 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6). Authorize.net is suitable for businesses that are fine with overpaying for payment processing fees in exchange for predictable costs.
Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model that passes the true transaction fees charged by banks and payment networks to merchants. These true fees vary every transaction. Average fees are based on common credit cards, excluding American Express, and an average transaction amount of $300. Square rates shown are from their publicly posted U.S. and Canadian pricing pages and may vary.
Helcim vs. Authorize.net software feature comparison
All Helcim software tools are available at no additional cost. Authorize.net offers powerful building blocks, but many of them are separate products with their own percentage fees that stack on top of processing. Pick a tool to see the full comparison.
Helcim Point-of-Sale
- Helcim's POS is cloud-based software that is free to use on any smartphone, tablet, Mac, or Windows computer at zero monthly fees. You can also use Helcim Smart Terminal as a standalone POS system because it has the POS app built inside.
- You pay around 1.78% + 8¢ per transaction in the US (1.72% + 8¢ in Canada) on standard credit cards, and those rates automatically drop as your monthly volume grows.
- The Helcim Fee Saver feature lets you automatically pass credit card processing fees to your customers via a compliant surcharge, letting you accept credit cards for 0%.
- You can create specific roles and PINs for every employee without paying a single per user fee.
- You can easily process partial refunds, split the bill for groups, and save ongoing orders directly on your device.
- The Helcim Smart Terminal comes with the POS app already installed, letting you process payments portably without tethering to a separate device.
Authorize.net mPOS / VPOS
- Authorize.net offers the mPOS app for mobile devices and the VPOS application exclusively for Windows desktops. Their system is primarily a gateway, meaning you connect it to a third party merchant account to handle the actual processing.
- You can plug the gateway into almost any major payment processor using their Gateway Only plan for $25 per month.
- You have to pay an extra 10¢ per transaction and a 10¢ daily batch fee on top of your payment processor's own fees.
- The system has limited support for HSA and FSA cards because the POS system is not HIPAA compliant.
- Authorize.net does not manufacture their own terminals, meaning you have to pair external devices like the BBPOS Chipper 3X rather than buying an all in one smart terminal.
- The VPOS app requires a strict USB connection on Windows 11 and does not support Bluetooth pairing.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Authorize.net let you use your computer, phone, or tablet as a POS checkout station. You can accept tap, chip, swipe, and mobile wallet payments using the mobile POS app or connected credit card readers and payment terminals. Both Helcim and Authorize.net provide the necessary feature for you to ring up customers and send receipts via email, SMS or prints.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want a free POS software with transparent and low in-person payment processing fees. Choose Authorize.net if you already have a heavily negotiated payment processing contract and specifically need a gateway to connect your Windows desktop.
Helcim Virtual Terminal
- Helcim includes a virtual terminal for free with every account. The Helcim Virtual Terminal lets you process card on file payments instantly, hold funds via pre authorizations, accept partial payments, and collect outstanding or past due invoices faster.
- You pay around 2.29% + 25¢ in the US (2.38% + 25¢ in Canada) for keyed transactions, which scales down automatically as you sell more.
- You can link customers' past due invoices directly to the Helcim Virtual Terminal to seamlessly collect the payments.
- Helcim Virtual Terminal supports ACH/EFT payments for just 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6), saving you hundreds of dollars on large invoices.
Authorize.net Virtual Terminal
- Authorize.net offers basic features for their virtual terminal. It is built strictly to manually authorize and capture remote payments without connecting to a broader billing ecosystem.
- You pay a flat 2.9% + 30¢ for keyed transactions on their all in one plan, with no discount pricing included as you grow.
- You cannot directly link a past due invoice to the Authorize.net Virtual Terminal to collect payments and automatically mark that specific invoice as paid.
- Authorize.net Virtual Terminal charges higher ACH/EFT fees compared to Helcim at 0.75%, and the fee is not capped for large transactions.
What both offer
Both systems give you a secure web page to manually type in credit card details when the customer is not standing in front of you. You can take payments over the phone or process mail orders from any internet connected browser. They both allow you to manage daily settlement batches securely.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want to handle cheap ACH transfers and link the customers' past due invoices to process payments. It saves you serious money on manual billing without charging a monthly fee.
Helcim Invoicing
- Helcim offers a complete invoicing system equipped with eight distinct document types, including estimates, quotes, and purchase orders. You get full access to these tools without paying a single monthly software fee. When it is time to collect, your customers can easily pay using a debit card, credit card, or an ACH/EFT bank transfer.
- You can set up recurring invoices for subscriptions or request partial upfront deposits depending on where your customer is in the sales cycle.
- Every emailed invoice includes a secure "Pay Now" button and supports automated reminders so you never have to make awkward collection calls.
- Healthcare providers can safely use the system because it includes fully HIPAA compliant billing features.
- The Helcim Fee Saver feature lets you automatically pass credit card processing fees to your customer at the exact moment they pay their bill.
- You can completely customize your invoice design by selecting specific colors, fonts, and logos to match your brand identity perfectly.
Authorize.net Digital Invoicing
- Authorize.net includes a native digital invoicing tool bundled into their base $25 per month gateway plan.
- Customers can pay by PayPal, which is a payment method that Helcim doesn't support.
- Similar to Helcim, Authorize.net lets you schedule payment reminders and customize your invoice appearance by selecting different colors or uploading your logo.
- Authorize.net invoicing doesn't support an automated surcharging feature that passes credit card processing fees to customers.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Authorize.net let you send digital invoices that your customers can pay online with a simple click. You can customize the look of your bills, schedule payment reminders, and accept major credit cards safely.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want a HIPAA-compliant invoicing system that handles different types of invoices and lets you pass on credit card fees automatically at no monthly fee. You also save money by using Helcim's low-cost ACH/EFT transfers for your large invoices. Helcim is not the right fit if your customers want to pay their invoices using PayPal.
Helcim Hosted Payment Pages
- Helcim's no-code Payment Pages allow you to collect payments for reusable, fixed, or editable amounts, no website required. Merchants can easily accept credit cards and ACH bank transfers.
- You can send these payment pages to customers as a direct link, share them via a QR code, or embed them directly onto a webpage.
- Merchants can pass the credit card processing fees to the customers using Helcim Fee Saver.
- You can add a "Pay Now" button, embed HelcimPay.js into an existing website, or share standalone payment links that require no web hosting at all.
Authorize.net Simple Checkout
- Authorize.net offers Simple Checkout as a quick way to generate standard "Buy Now" or "Donate" buttons for an existing website.
- Similar to Helcim, Authorize.net Simple Checkout lets users set up payment QR code, button and link.
- Authorize Simple Checkout charges 2.9% + 30¢, which is higher than Helcim credit card processing fees.
- Customers can pay using Paypal.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Authorize.net let you create secure checkout pages, links and buttons that you can send to customers to embed it onto your website to collect payments.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want cheap ACH bank transfers, and zero cost credit card processing. Helcim is not the right fit if you are locked into a contract with a different payment processor and strictly need a gateway to generate basic HTML buttons.
Helcim Recurring Payments
- Helcim provides a recurring payment platform that lets you design complex recurring logic while keeping all your customer data in one centralized hub.
- You can set daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly cycles, as well as add free trials, one-time setup fees, and add-ons. You can also let customers sign up for recurring payment plans through a payment link.
- Helcim Recurring Payments automatically retries failed payments based on configurable logic, so you chase fewer declines.
- Helcim offers a self-serve customer portal that lets your customers log in to pause or cancel their subscriptions, update expired credit cards, and swap between paying via card or ACH bank transfer, all without needing to contact you.
Authorize.net Automated Recurring Billing (ARB)
- Authorize.net Automated Recurring Billing is locked behind a monthly plan of $25/month.
- Authorize.net offers a Customer Information Manager feature that allows you to programmatically charge your customers for variable amounts on varying dates. This feature is useful for metered usage, fluctuating utility bills, or usage-based billing.
- Authorize.net doesn't offer a customer portal for customers to update their payment methods or manage their subscription plans independently.
- Authorize.net merchants cannot add itemized products to subscription plans for cross-selling.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Authorize.net allow you to automate subscription, membership, and installment billing so you don't have to manually charge the same customer every billing cycle.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want a subscription platform that minimizes your administrative workload. With a customer portal and the ability to bundle add-ons, merchants can cross-sell effectively and let users manage their own billing. Choose Authorize.net if you have a developer to set up usage-based billing or variable-amount billing.
Helcim Customer Manager
- This PCI-compliant Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool seamlessly links customer profiles directly to their transaction history, invoices, subscriptions, and saved payment methods.
- It securely stores up to 10 tokenized credit cards per profile using AES-256 encryption, alongside bank account details for ACH/EFT and pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreements.
- The platform includes a free customer portal where clients can view their payment history, settle invoices, and update their own cards on file, eliminating manual administrative work for your staff.
- It stores not only credit card tokens but also a customer's full transaction history (whether they bought in-person via a POS terminal, online, or over the phone). You can also leave custom notes for your team, track multiple shipping addresses, and manage communication logs.
Authorize.net Customer Information Manager (CIM)
- Authorize.net Customer Information Manager in included in the monthly plan of $25/month
- Authorize.net's CIM is strictly a backend developer API. It tokenizes and vaults cards securely, but it provides no front-end interface for your customers to log in and manage their information.
- Authorize.net's CIM is purely a payment tokenization system designed to securely store billing addresses and tokenized card numbers for billing purposes. It doesn't have other information like most purchased products, or other useful information for marketing purposes.
- Authorize.net's CIM doesn't store ACH/EFT authorization agreements, making it difficult to track when those agreements expire.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Authorize.net let you store customer information and tokenized payment details so you can process repeating payments faster.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want a ready-to-use CRM that offers a self-serve customer portal, stores transaction history, and tracks ACH agreements without needing to hire a developer. Choose Authorize.net if you have developers who can use Authorize.net's Customer Information Manager through an API. It is the better choice for merchants who need to store up to 100 shipping addresses per client or programmatically set up variable recurring billing.
Helcim Inventory Management
- Seamlessly syncs your data across your POS, invoicing, and online store at no extra cost.
- Set unique rates, such as wholesale pricing for specific customer segments, tiered volume discounts, and buy-one-get-one (BOGO) promotions.
- Create products and services with variations and add-ons, perform bulk imports via CSV files, and set automatic low-stock alerts.
- Because the system operates on a single master catalog, any sale made through any channel instantly updates inventory levels everywhere with zero per-SKU fees.
Authorize.net Catalog
- The Catalog feature inside the mPOS app lets you pre-build a list of items so staff aren't typing prices manually.
- No stock counts, low-stock alerts, variants, or wholesale/tiered pricing are available
- Authorize.net Catalog is only available inside the mobile app.
- There's no equivalent inventory management for VPOS, invoicing, or a storefront, since Authorize.net doesn't have one.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Authorize.net offer inventory management features that you can use to add specific items, set pricing, and organize your catalog to make the checkout process faster and more accurate.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if inventory is core to how you run the business. Authorize.net's Catalog is fine for a short, static list of services, but it isn't built to run a retail operation.
Helcim
- Helcim offers three ways to connect: the Developer API and HelcimPay.js for custom-built integrations, and the Payment Extension: a no-code Chrome browser extension that lets you connect Helcim to 30+ platforms with closed payment systems that normally try to trap you on high flat rates.
- The Helcim Payment Extension is a no-code Chrome browser extension that lets you connect Helcim to over 30 platforms with closed payment systems that normally trap you into high flat rates. This allows merchants to accept payments at Helcim's low rates without leaving their existing SaaS platforms.
- It provides out-of-the-box integrations for platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, and WooCommerce.
- It offers clean developer documentation and HelcimPay.js for custom setups.
Authorize.net
- Authorize.net also offers different integration options for developers.
- It partners with eCommerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce), enterprise ERPs (Acumatica, Kenandy), and billing engines (Recurly, Zuora), providing a deep integration bench built over more than 25 years.
- It lacks an equivalent solution to the Helcim Payment Extension. Integrating with a closed payment system generally requires that software's own certified Authorize.net integration or custom developer work.
- Its webhooks retry failed deliveries for up to five consecutive days, offering a meaningfully resilient design for high-reliability integrations.
What both offer
Both let you plug payments into software you already run instead of forcing you onto a single dashboard, though the two companies get there very differently.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want to connect to existing software without writing code or waiting on a certified integration. Choose Authorize.net if you have developer resources and need one of its many existing certified enterprise integrations specifically.
Payment tools only one side has
Beyond the shared essentials, each platform has exclusive tools the other doesn't offer. These differences can be deciding factors depending on how your business operates.
The Helcim Payment Extension
Helcim's no-code Chrome extension connects Helcim payments to software with closed payment systems (like Jane, Wave, or Zoho), so you process at lower rates without leaving that software.
Compliant Surcharging & Convenience Fees
Helcim's Fee Saver dynamically calculates and passes credit card processing fees to customers across invoices, online payment pages, and in-person transactions — fully compliant in supported states and provinces.
No-code online store builder
Helcim Online Checkout lets users build an online storefront to sell online without requiring code.
Helcim Customer Portal
The Helcim Customer Portal lets your customers log in to update their information, payment methods, and keep track of their transaction history.
Auto update expired or reissued card numbers
Authorize.net Account Updater automatically scans stored cards against the Visa and Mastercard networks once a month and refreshes expired or reissued card numbers in the background, at $0.25 per successful update.
Authorize.net Gateway Only Plan
This plan lets users plug the payment gateway into a merchant account you already have elsewhere for $25/month + 10¢/transaction + a 10¢ batch fee, without requiring you to move your merchant account.
Hardware only Helcim offers
Helcim sells its handheld all-in-one Smart Terminal and Card Reader outright with zero recurring fees. Authorize.net doesn't sell its own payment hardware. Authorize.net merchants can buy a third-party device, the BBPOS Chipper 3X, for in-person payments.
Helcim Smart Terminal
A standalone payment terminal with a 12-hour battery, a built-in thermal receipt printer, and dual Wi-Fi + 4G/LTE connectivity, so it keeps working through a Wi-Fi outage. Merchants can accept Tap/NFC, Chip & PIN, chip-only, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Interac (Canada) payment methods. An ideal device for accepting payments both on the go and at the counter.
Helcim Card Reader
A 4″ color touchscreen card reader that lets you accept all types of payments in-person. Similar to the Helcim Smart Terminal, the Helcim Card Reader includes dual Wi-Fi + 4G/LTE connectivity. It can connect to any of your devices with POS software and is ideal for businesses that prefer a simple payment device.
Where each platform shines
Both Helcim and Authorize.net are strong payment platforms — but they're built for different types of businesses. Here's an honest look at where each one excels.
You want low, transparent pricing.
Helcim's interchange-plus model passes the exact wholesale cost charged by the banks directly to you, plus a transparent markup on top.
You take a lot of debit.
Helcim charges a low flat fee for Canadian Interac debit and U.S. debit rates, from $0.10 to around 1% per transaction. In contrast, Authorize.net charges a high fee of 2.9% + 30¢ for debit card transactions.
Your volume is growing.
Authorize.net's all-in-one rate stays flat at 2.9% + 30¢ whether you process $2,000 or $2,000,000 a month. Helcim's rate drops automatically up to 70% off as you process more volume.
You want a real point-of-sale system.
Helcim's POS includes inventory, discounting, and reporting out of the box. In contrast, Authorize.net's mPOS/VPOS apps are lighter with limited inventory features.
You want ready-to-use payment hardware.
Helcim Smart Terminal and Helcim Card Reader are sold directly by Helcim, so you can log in and use them immediately. In contrast, Authorize.net doesn't have its own card reader, so you have to set up a connection after buying a compatible one.
You want a no-code integration with your existing software.
The Helcim Payment Extension connects Helcim to software with closed payment systems (like Jane, Wave, or Zoho), so you can process at lower rates without leaving that software.
You need integration with some ERP platforms.
Authorize.net has certified integrations with enterprise ERPs such as Acumatica or Kenandy.
You want automatic card refreshing.
Authorize.net Account Updater refreshes your customers' expired or reissued cards on file against the Visa/Mastercard networks for a small per-update fee of $0.25 per successful update.
Your customers have multiple shipping locations.
Authorize.net Customer Information Manager (CIM) lets you store up to 100 shipping locations per customer profile, which is useful for corporate clients, wholesale buyers, or franchisors.
When to choose Helcim vs Authorize.net
Helcim and Authorize.net are built for different types of businesses. Here's how to decide between them.
Choose Helcim if you want a single provider for your merchant account, a payment processing fee that drops as your volume grows, free POS software and payment tools for your different needs or if you want to have your payment hardware from the same payment processors.
Choose Authorize.net if you prefer the predictable rate that can be expensive for in-person or debit card transactions, or if your business depends on a specific enterprise integration Authorize.net already has built like Acumatica, Recurly, or Zuora.
Frequently asked questions
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Helcim offers POS software and all payment tools with no monthly fees, while Authorize.net requires a $25/month plan. Additionally, Helcim offers interchange-plus pricing (the most affordable pricing model) that automatically becomes cheaper as your volume grows. Authorize.net charges a flat 2.9% + 30¢ rate for all transactions, which can be expensive for in-person and debit card transactions. Furthermore, Authorize.net does not offer volume discounts or a surcharging feature for merchants to pass on credit card processing fees.
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Neither requires one. Helcim is month-to-month with no cancellation fee. Authorize.net's gateway also waives early termination fees and requires 30 days' written notice to close a standard account without cause, though its terms allow immediate termination in specific cases, such as non-payment or bankruptcy.
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Helcim charges $0 for monthly, PCI, setup, cancellation, and statement fees; you pay only your processing rate. Authorize.net charges $25/month for its services, a $20 late-payment fee, and a $10 abandoned-account fee if an account goes dormant with an unclaimed balance.
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For a business that wants all payment tools, affordable interchange-plus pricing, and volume discounts with $0 monthly fees, no contracts, and no hidden fees, Helcim is the best alternative.
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Authorize.net serves businesses in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, while Helcim only serves U.S. and Canadian businesses. However, Helcim merchants can still process international cards and settle in USD or CAD.
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Authorize.net does not sell its own payment hardware, so you must buy it separately from third-party sellers. The Helcim Card Reader and Helcim Smart Terminal are sold directly by Helcim and include everything needed to accept payments out of the box.