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Helcim raises $53 Million Series C to bring fair payments to businesses

Helcim vs. Epos Now

An honest, side-by-side comparison of pricing, software tools, hardware, and business models, so you can decide which payment processor fits your business.

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Helcim vs Epos Now business models

Epos Now requires you to purchase its complete POS hardware and subscribe to its software, while Helcim's POS software can run on your existing internet-connected devices. Additionally, Helcim's interchange-plus pricing model and volume discounts help businesses save on payment processing fees as they grow.

Helcim
Helcim payment platform overview — dashboard, terminals, and payment tools

How Helcim's model works

  • With Helcim interchange-plus pricing, you pay the actual interchange and network fees charged by the banks, plus one transparent margin on top, so you see exactly what you are paying for.
  • Helcim offers low-cost ACH/EFT bank transfers, at 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6) per transaction, while Epos Now doesn't support ACH/EFT payments.
  • Helcim's margin drops automatically as your monthly card volume grows, up to 70% off, with no renegotiations or phone calls required.
  • Helcim includes its payment software at no monthly cost. Features like point-of-sale, invoicing, a virtual terminal, recurring payments, online checkout, a customer CRM, and inventory management are all built in with no extra fees.
  • Helcim doesn't charge any monthly, PCI, statement, or setup fees. Furthermore, you can buy your hardware outright so it eventually drops off your bill entirely.
  • Helcim offers native integrations and third-party connections to more than 30 software at no extra cost.
Epos Now
Epos Now payment platform overview — POS registers, terminals, and card readers

How Epos Now's model works

  • Epos Now requires business owners to purchase hardware and subscribe to software plans, with upfront costs of up to $349 and monthly fees of up to $84. In Canada, businesses must buy a POS hardware bundle that costs $799 CAD.
  • Epos Now only offers "Pay by Link" for online payments and lacks key features like recurring payments, invoicing, and a virtual terminal. This makes it a not ideal solution for businesses taking payments online.
  • Epos Now offers a contract with a minimum term of 12 months. If a merchant cancels a contract early, Epos Now charges a termination fee equal to all remaining monthly payments on the contract.
  • Even after paying the upfront costs to own the POS hardware, business owners still face monthly subscription fees of up to $84 to use the system.
  • Epos Now charges a flat processing rate of either 2.3% + $0.10 or 2.6% + $0.10 for all transactions, depending on sales volume. This rate is often two to three times more expensive than typical in-person credit and debit card processing fees.
  • Epos Now charges both a flat setup fee and a monthly fee for each connected app in its POS system. For example, the Shopify integration costs $49 plus $49/month, and the Xero integration costs $39 plus $39/month.

Helcim vs. Epos Now pricing and fees

Compare processing fees, monthly costs, and software add-on pricing side by side. Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing with automatic volume discounts; Epos Now uses flat-rate pricing with additional percentage fees for many products.

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
Helcim
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
Epos Now
Flat-rate $69 per month Under $250K volume: 2.6% + 10¢ / $250K to $1M volume: 2.3% + 10¢ Under $250K volume: 2.6% + 10¢ / $250K to $1M volume: 2.3% + 10¢ Unavailable Under $250K volume: 2.6% + 10¢ / $250K to $1M volume: 2.3% + 10¢ Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable $69 per month Unavailable Unavailable Monthly Rolling agreement or Fixed Period agreement Fixed Period agreement cancellation cost equal to all remaining monthly payments on the contract. $64/month per terminal inactivity fee if merchants process less than $2,000 or 75% of card payments in a rolling 28-day period. $50 non-refundable $185 upfront + $54 per month subscription $39 per month
See Helcim pricing See Epos Now pricing

The bottom line

Helcim is the best option for businesses that want low payment processing fees, affordable payment hardware and free POS software. Almost every Helcim payment processing fee is lower than Epos Now's. Epos Now's flat fee of 2.6% + 10¢ 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). Epos Now doesn't offer an affordable ACH/EFT payment processing fee.

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. Epos Now software feature comparison

All Helcim software tools are available at no additional cost. Epos Now 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 on iPad with purchase

Helcim POS System

  • Helcim offers a free cloud-based POS software that can run on your smartphone, tablet, Mac, or Windows computer. You don't need to buy Helcim hardware to use Helcim POS software. 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.
  • You can use Helcim Fee Saver to pass credit card processing fees to your customers
  • Helcim offers unlimited staff seats at no per-user cost, with role-based PIN logins so you're not sharing passwords.
  • You can easily process partial refunds, split the bill for groups, and save ongoing orders directly on your device.
  • Helcim POS system is HIPAA compliant.

Epos Now POS System

  • The Epos Now POS system involves higher upfront and monthly costs and requires a minimum 12-month contract. Even after paying the upfront cost for the hardware, you must continue to pay monthly subscription fees to use the system.
  • Epos Now charges a flat payment processing fee of 2.6% + 10¢ for all credit and debit card transactions, which is 2x to 3x more expensive than Helcim's in-person processing fees.
  • Epos Now offers deep hospitality features, including visual floor plans, coursing, and direct routing to kitchen display systems.
  • In Canada, Epos Now POS software costs $55 per month (or $599 as a one-time upfront cost). In the U.S., the software costs $69 per month if you use your own payment hardware.
  • Epos Now charges a hefty penalty fee for early contract cancellation, as well as a $64/month inactivity fee per terminal if you process less than $2,000 or 75% of your card payments in a rolling 28-day period.

What both offer

Both Helcim and Epos Now give you a Point of Sale system to ring up customers, process refunds, and accept payments in-person. Both solutions sync your checkout data with your back-office reporting in real time so you always know exactly what you've sold.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim if you want to avoid monthly software fees, unnecessary hidden fees, and rigid contracts. You will also benefit from affordable POS hardware with no monthly fees and interchange-plus pricing that automatically drops as your transaction volume increases. This gives you the flexibility to grow your business without being locked into contracts or penalized for missing processing minimums. Epos Now is a better fit if you are comfortable paying higher upfront and subscription costs for specialized tools to run a complex restaurant or bar.

Helcim payment pages and payment links

Helcim Payment Pages

  • Helcim Payment Pages allows you to create custom payment pages and share them with your customers via payment links or QR codes. You can also add them to your website as a button or embedded page, all with no monthly software subscriptions or contract requirements.
  • You can collect payments for reusable, fixed, or editable amounts via debit card, credit card, or ACH/EFT bank transfers.
  • Merchants can pass credit card processing fees on to customers using Helcim Fee Saver.
  • Access unlimited payment pages and link generation with $0 monthly software costs, $0 setup fees, and no minimum processing volume required.

Epos Now Pay by Link

  • The Epos Now Pay by Link feature is included in their monthly POS hardware and software plans, which cost up to $84 per month and may require a minimum 12-month contract.
  • Like Helcim, Epos Now lets you create and send payment links via SMS or email to collect payments. However, there is no option to add a 'Pay Now' button to a landing page or share the payment link via QR code.
  • The upfront cost to access Epos Now Pay by Link is at least $69 per month (for POS software) in the U.S. In Canada, where Epos Now does not sell the software separately, you must purchase an expensive hardware bundle starting at $799 CAD to access this feature.
  • Epos Now Pay by Link does not support payments via ACH/EFT bank transfer.

What both offer

Both Helcim and Epos Now let you send payment links to your customers, allowing them to make card payments on a dedicated page without needing to be physically present at your POS station.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim Payment Pages if you want to access payment pages and links with no upfront or monthly costs, more payment methods (debit, credit, and ACH/EFT), low processing fees, volume discounts, and versatile sharing options (links, QR codes, buttons, or embedded pages). Choose Epos Now Pay by Link only if online payments serve as a secondary, backup tool for your primary in-person Epos Now POS system.

Helcim secure online checkout

Helcim Online Checkout

  • A free, no-code online store is included in every U.S. and Canada Helcim account with no monthly fees, upfront costs, or contracts required. You can host it for free at yourname.helcim.app to start selling immediately.
  • You can build a complete online store featuring product listings, custom branding, shipping and pickup options, and promotional discount codes.
  • It automatically pulls items from your existing Helcim catalog, instantly making your in-person products available online. It accepts credit cards, Google Pay, and ACH/EFT bank payments.
  • You can add a "Pay Now" button or embed HelcimPay.js into an existing website. Alternatively, you can share standalone payment links that require no website at all.

Epos Now Online

  • Epos Now provides a drag-and-drop website builder for U.S. businesses that syncs with your Epos Now POS catalog and pricing. (Note: Epos Now Online is not available in Canada).
  • It allows you to build a full storefront with your own design rather than relying on a templated checkout page.
  • The integration marketplace allows you to add features like delivery routing, curbside pickup, and local online ordering without needing custom development.
  • Because Epos Now Online is an integration for their existing POS system, you must pay upfront and monthly costs, as well as sign a contract to join the Epos Now ecosystem, before you can access the online builder.

What both offer

Both Helcim Online Checkout and Epos Now Online allow you to create an online store without hiring a developer. These online stores connect directly to your POS inventory and catalog, ensuring that any online sales automatically update your inventory and reporting.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim Online Checkout if you want a free, flexible, and contract-free way to sell online in the U.S. or Canada. It is the best choice if you want to quickly launch a hosted store or easily embed payment buttons into a website you already own, all while keeping your processing fees low. Choose Epos Now Online if you are a U.S.-based business that is already invested in (and willing to pay for) the broader Epos Now POS hardware and software ecosystem, and you specifically need a drag-and-drop website builder to design a custom storefront from scratch.

Helcim customer manager and card vault

Helcim Customer Manager

  • PCI-compliant Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool that seamlessly links customer profiles directly to their transaction history, invoices, subscriptions, and saved payment methods.
  • 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.
  • Includes a free, branded 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.
  • Supports bulk importing and exporting of customer records, and includes free card-data migration from your previous processor.

Epos Now customer profiles

  • Customer accounts and digital tabs built into the POS, capturing an email address at checkout for a paperless receipt.
  • Staff can pause, split, and keep adding items to a customer's running tab over time, which suits bar and restaurant service.
  • You can connect your POS database directly to Mailchimp to create email marketing campaigns.
  • Epos Now doesn't provide a customer portal that allows your customers to log in and manage their payment method, personal information and view transaction history.

What both offer

Both Helcim and Epos Now keep a record of returning customers tied to their purchase history.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim if you want a full CRM with saved cards, a self-service customer portal, and ACH accounts on file. Choose Epos Now if your priority is a simple running tab at the table paired with automatic email marketing sync.

Helcim inventory add and organize products

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.

Epos Now inventory

  • A retail and hospitality inventory system with ingredient-level depletion for food and drink businesses.
  • Hospitality tracking depletes stock down to individual ingredients per recipe, not just the finished item, which gives restaurants and bars a much finer read on food cost.
  • The system can auto-generate and send purchase orders to suppliers when stock runs low, a feature Epos Now says saves operators roughly ten administrative hours a month.
  • Multi-site franchises can push catalog and stock changes across many locations from one central Back Office.

What both offer

Both Helcim and Epos Now lets you track stock in real time across your register and online store, with low-stock alerts so you know when to reorder before you're sold out. Both systems replace manual stock-taking with automated real-time inventory tracking.

The bottom line

Choose Epos Now if you run a restaurant or bar and want ingredient-level cost tracking and automated purchase orders out of the box. Choose Helcim if you want strong wholesale and tiered pricing tools without a monthly software fee, and your business doesn't need recipe-level ingredient tracking.

Helcim integration ecosystem logos

Helcim

  • Helcim offers 14 native integrations and third-party connections to more than 60 SaaS platforms via the Helcim Payment Extension.
  • The Helcim Payment Extension lets you connect Helcim's processing to platforms like Jane App, Wave, or Zoho, allowing you to process payments at Helcim's low rates without leaving your preferred platforms.
  • Helcim includes out-of-the-box integrations for popular tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and WooCommerce.
  • Businesses with developers can use the Helcim API or HelcimPay.js for custom payment integration setups.

Epos Now

  • In the U.S. and Canada, Epos Now offers around 50 different integrations. However, it charges a flat setup fee and an ongoing monthly fee for each connected app in its POS system. For example, the Shopify integration costs $49 upfront plus $49 per month, and the Xero integration costs $39 upfront plus $39 per month.
  • Similar to Helcim, Epos Now offers native integrations with major accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.
  • While Epos Now builds and offers its own food delivery and online ordering platforms, it lacks integrations with popular third-party delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or SkipTheDishes.
  • Like Helcim, Epos Now offers an open API that lets merchants push transaction data into external systems.

What both offer

Both connect your payments and sales data to the other software you already run, whether that's accounting, e-commerce, or an industry-specific tool.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim if you want to freely connect your payment processing to a wide variety of existing SaaS tools, accounting software, and e-commerce platforms without paying setup or monthly integration fees. Epos Now makes sense if you prefer to use its proprietary food delivery platforms, but you should be prepared to pay steep upfront and monthly fees for every additional third-party app you want to connect to your POS system.

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.

Helcim

Invoicing tools

Helcim includes a full invoicing tool with unlimited invoices, eight document types (from estimates to credit notes), recurring invoices, HIPAA-compliant billing for healthcare providers, and a "Pay Now" button embedded right in the emailed invoice.

Recurring payments

Helcim offers a recurring-billing tool for subscriptions, memberships, and payment plans, with automatic retry on failed charges and unlimited subscribers.

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.

Helcim Payment Extension

A no-code Chrome extension that lets you process payments through Helcim inside 30+ billing tools that normally lock you into their own processor, like Jane, Wave, and Zoho. Keep the software you love, pay Helcim's lower rates.

Epos Now

Kitchen Display System

Epos Now connects your orders with your kitchen crew seamlessly.

Table management

The native floor plan mapping lets servers manage tables and split bills from the POS itself.

Helcim vs Epos Now hardware comparison

For each device matchup, compare specs side by side. A key theme: Helcim's devices run a ready-to-use POS out of the box and are yours to own outright, while Epos Now's hardware is tied to monthly subscriptions and contracts.

Device Price Display Connectivity Accepts Standalone Mode POS Software Battery Best For
Helcim Card Reader (Gen 3) — 4-inch color touchscreen card reader Helcim Card Reader (Gen 3)
$199 (one-time purchase) 4″ color touchscreen Wi-Fi + built-in 4G (optional $7/month) Tap, chip, and PIN Yes — enter amount and process without pairing to a phone or app Pairs with Helcim POS app, mobile apps, tablets, workstations, and Payment Extensions for existing software Built-in rechargeable battery, all-day use Fleets, mobile businesses, affordable countertop chip & PIN, and standalone on-the-go payments
Epos Now Air Card Reader — 4-inch touch display handheld card reader Epos Now Air Card Reader
$39/month 4" touch display 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1 Tap, chip, and PIN No — it must pair with a POS terminal or phone/tablet running the Epos Now app No POS software directly on the device; pairs with Epos Now POS software Replaceable 2598 mAh (10Wh) battery Roaming staff and hospitality businesses needing a lightweight (5.9 oz), pocket-sized payment device

Head-to-head

The Epos Now Air Card Reader costs $39/month and can not function as a standalone device, meaning it must be paired with a POS terminal, phone, or tablet running the Epos Now app. The Helcim Card Reader (Gen 3) requires a $199 one-time purchase but offers true standalone capabilities, allowing you to enter amounts and process payments without pairing to a separate device or app.

Device Price Display Connectivity Accepts POS software Receipt printer Battery / power APIs Best For
Helcim Smart Terminal — 6.7-inch HD touchscreen POS with built-in receipt printer Helcim Smart Terminal
$349 (one-time purchase) 6.7″ HD touchscreen Wi-Fi + built-in 4G/LTE (optional $9/month) Tap, chip, swipe, manual entry Full POS app pre-loaded — inventory, tipping, receipts, employee logins Built-in thermal (2.25"×50' rolls) Up to 12 hours; USB-C charging Full Smart Terminal APIs for custom integrations Businesses wanting a turnkey handheld POS with 4G connectivity, long battery life, and lower rates
Epos Now Pro+ — 5.5-inch handheld POS terminal Epos Now Pro+
Wifi: $185 upfront + $54/month subscription / Cellular: $192 upfront + $61/month subscription 5.5-inch Dual-band Wi-Fi (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz) or 4G/3G cellular data Tap, chip, swipe Full Epos Now cloud POS software pre-loaded natively on the device Built-in thermal (57mm paper rolls ) USB-C charging Integrates with the Epos Now App Store Mobile trades, food trucks, and hospitality environments

Head-to-head

In the U.S., the Epos Now Pro+ costs $185 upfront plus $54/month for the Wi-Fi version or $192 upfront plus $61/month for cellular connectivity. The Helcim Smart Terminal costs $349 with no mandatory monthly fee, offering optional 4G/LTE for $9/month. Because Epos now requires at least a 12-month contract, the true costs of Epos Now Pro+ can be at least $833, which is $484 more expensive than Helcim Smart Terminal. Besides, Helcim Smart Terminal has a larger touchscreen, and complies with HIPAA compliance requirements, while Epos Now Pro+ does not.

Where each platform shines

Helcim provides transparent, contract-free interchange-plus pricing with zero subscription fees for North American businesses, whereas Epos Now delivers a POS system that costs monthly fees and is built specifically for complex hospitality operations.

Helcim

You want a rate that keeps improving as you grow.

Helcim's margin drops automatically at each volume tier, up to 70% off, while Epos Now's flat rate stays the same percentage whether you process $25,000 or $2 million a month.

You don't want to be locked into a fixed-term contract.

Helcim runs month-to-month with no cancellation fee. Epos Now requires at least a 12-month contract with an early termination fee equal to every remaining payment on the term.

You don't want to pay monthly costs for your hardware.

Every piece of Helcim hardware is yours outright the day you buy it. In contrast, Epos Now POS hardware, costs you an upfront payment, plus a monthly cost which increases your total hardware costs to at least 2 times more expensive than Helcim POS hardware.

You want every core tool included, not gated behind a plan tier.

POS, invoicing, online checkout, recurring billing, and CRM are all included on Helcim at no added monthly cost.

You want transparent, checkable pricing.

Helcim's interchange-plus model shows you the real interchange fee and its markup separately, instead of one flat number that hides the margin.

You don't want to pay for hidden fees.

Helcim doesn't charge any hidden fees like contract cancellation fees, inactivity fees, etc.

You're based in the U.S. or Canada and want a dedicated merchant account with human support.

Helcim is built specifically for these two markets, with phone, email, and ticket support from a real person.

Epos Now

You want hospitality operations tools.

Table floor plans, live table-turnover tracking, Kitchen Display System routing, and ingredient-level stock depletion are features that restaurants and bars need, and they are offered by Epos Now.

You need food delivery integration.

Epos Now offers a built-in food delivery system for restaurants.

You don't mind paying an expensive monthly cost.

Epos Now charges high monthly fees on top of the upfront costs for its POS hardware and software. For example, in the U.S., the Epos Now Pro+ costs $185 upfront plus a $54/month subscription, and the Epos Now Air Card Reader costs $39/month.

You operate in the U.K. and Australia.

Epos Now offers services in the U.K., and Australia. In contrast, Helcim serves the U.S. and Canada only.

You don't mind paying hidden fees for Epos Now services.

Unlike Helcim, Epos Now charges various hidden fees, such as a contract cancellation fee equal to all remaining monthly payments on the contract, a $64/month per-terminal inactivity fee (if a merchant processes less than $2,000 or 75% of their card payments in a rolling 28-day period), and a non-refundable $50 chargeback fee.

You don't mind your funds being held for up to 6 months after contract termination.

Unlike Helcim, which doesn't require a contract, Epos Now may hold funds for up to six months if a contract is terminated.

When to choose Helcim or Epos Now

Helcim is built for growing businesses that want transparent pricing and every payment tool included at $0/month. Epos Now is built for hospitality businesses that are okay with contracts and monthly costs for their POS system.

Helcim

Choose Helcim if you operate in the U.S. or Canada and want transparent, interchange-plus processing rates that automatically decrease as your business grows. It is the ideal choice if you prefer to buy your hardware outright and avoid locked-in contracts, monthly recurring costs, or hidden fees. Choose Helcim if you want all payment tools such as invoicing, virtual terminal, recurring billing, inventory management, etc. included out of the box at no additional cost.

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Epos Now

Choose Epos Now if you run a restaurant, bar, or food venue that requires advanced hospitality management features like live table floor plans, Kitchen Display System (KDS) routing, ingredient tracking, and native food delivery integrations. It is also the ideal choice if your business operates in the U.K., Australia, or other international markets outside North America. Besides, you can choose Epos Now if you are willing to pay monthly hardware and software fees in exchange for a specialized POS system.

Visit Epos Now

Frequently asked questions

Helcim provides a month-to-month POS solution with transparent interchange-plus pricing that automatically drops as your business grows, saving you up to 70%. In contrast, Epos Now offers a POS system with fixed upfront costs, plus extra subscription fees for both software and hardware. Helcim's free POS software includes every essential payment tool out of the box and allows you to own your POS hardware outright without monthly software subscription fees. In addition, the Helcim POS system is HIPAA compliant, while Epos Now's POS is not.

In the U.S., Epos Now charges a flat processing fee of 2.6% + 10¢ for all transactions, including debit cards. In contrast, Helcim charges an affordable debit card fee for both U.S. and Canadian businesses, ranging from 10 cents to around 1% per transaction. Additionally, Helcim offers low-cost ACH/EFT payments at 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6), whereas Epos Now does not support ACH/EFT payments.

Furthermore, Epos Now requires at least a 12-month contract that carries hefty early termination fees, while Helcim does not require any contracts. Epos Now also charges several other hidden fees, such as a contract cancellation fee equal to all remaining monthly payments on the term, a $64/month per-terminal inactivity fee (if a merchant processes less than $2,000 or 75% of their card payments in a rolling 28-day period), and a non-refundable $50 chargeback fee.

Epos Now charges a flat processing rate (such as 2.6% + 10¢ in the U.S.) that does not improve as your transaction volume increases. In contrast, Helcim uses an interchange-plus model with automatic volume discounts, meaning a business processing $2 million a month receives a tier-5 rate averaging around 1.53% + 6¢ in the U.S. For a high-volume business, Helcim's interchange-plus pricing can help save tens of thousands of dollars every month. High-volume businesses also save significantly with Helcim's low ACH/EFT bank transfer fees (capped at $6), whereas Epos Now does not support ACH/EFT payments at all.

Helcim doesn't require any fixed-term contracts or charge cancellation fees. On the other hand, Epos Now generally requires a minimum contract term of 12 months through its Fixed Period agreements. If you decide to cancel an Epos Now contract early, you will be hit with an early termination fee equal to all remaining monthly payments on the contract. Additionally, businesses that cancel Epos Now contracts may have their funds held for up to 6 months, causing massive cash flow disruptions.

Helcim does not charge any hidden fees, meaning you pay zero monthly, PCI, setup, statement, or cancellation fees. In contrast, Epos Now charges several hidden overhead costs, including a massive cancellation fee equal to all remaining monthly payments on a Fixed Period contract. Epos Now also enforces a $64/month inactivity fee per terminal if you process less than $2,000 or 75% of your card payments in a rolling 28-day period. Furthermore, Epos Now issues a non-refundable $50 chargeback fee, whereas Helcim only charges $15, which is fully refundable if you win the dispute.

Yes, Helcim is a great alternative to Epos Now if you want to avoid fixed-term contracts and expensive monthly software subscriptions. Helcim is particularly strong for businesses that want a processing rate that gets cheaper as they grow and prefer to own their hardware outright from day one. Helcim also provides built-in tools like invoicing, recurring payments, and a virtual terminal for free, which Epos Now lacks or charges extra for. However, if your business specifically requires deep hospitality features like ingredient-level inventory and direct kitchen display routing, Epos Now remains the better choice.