| Device | Price | Display | Connectivity | Payment types | Receipt printer | Barcode scanner | Battery / power | POS software | Monthly fees | Contract | APIs | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helcim Smart Terminal
|
$349 — owned outright, no contract | 6.7″ HD touchscreen | Wi-Fi + built-in 4G/LTE (optional $7/month) | Tap, chip, swipe, manual entry | Built-in thermal (2.25"×50' rolls) | No — use an external scanner | Up to 12 hours; USB-C charging | Full POS app pre-loaded — inventory, tipping, receipts, employee logins. No monthly fee. | $0 — no per-device or software fees | No contract | Full Smart Terminal APIs for custom integrations | Businesses wanting a turnkey handheld POS with 4G connectivity, long battery life, and lower rates |
Global Payments Verifone T650P
|
$409 | 5.5″ HD touchscreen | Wi-Fi + 2G/3G/4G CAT4 LTE | Tap, chip, swipe | Integrated 40 mm thermal roll printer | Built-in barcode scanner | USB-C charging | Requires integration with Global Payments using supported SDKs/APIs | $0 | No contract | Requires integration with Global Payments using supported SDKs/APIs | Business with development team to set up payment terminal with Global Payments |
Back to Comparisons
Helcim vs. Global Payments.
An honest, side-by-side comparison of pricing, software tools, hardware, and business models — so you can decide which payment processor fits your business.
Comparison Overview
Helcim vs. Global Payments business models.
Helcim passes through true payment network costs and automatically lowers your margins as you grow. Global Payments is an institutional payment giant that relies heavily on a traditional, sales-rep-driven merchant model — meaning your processing rates, monthly contract commitments, and overhead fees are completely opaque and change depending on your direct sales rep or independent agent.
How Helcim's model works
- Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing that passes through true interchange and network fees at cost. On average, merchants pay 1.79% + 8¢ per in-person transaction, and 2.31% + 25¢ per keyed/online transaction.
- Helcim applies automatic volume discounts up to 70% as your monthly card volume rises, with no plan upgrade, no negotiation, and no phone call.
- Helcim includes the payment software at no monthly cost, such as point-of-sale, invoicing, virtual terminal, recurring payments, online checkout, a customer CRM, and inventory are all built in, with no per-user fees.
- Helcim doesn't charge any monthly, PCI, statement, or setup fees. Besides, you can buy your hardware outright so it eventually drops off your bill entirely.
How Global Payments's model works
- Global Payments does not publish processing rates or plan pricing. They set your rate based on industry, volume, risk, and integration complexity. Only the pass-through network assessment fees are publicly documented.
- Requires long-term contracts that often carry annual processing minimums, and charges early-termination fees (liquidated damages) if you leave before the term ends.
- Typically leases hardware through multi-year terminal agreements that run alongside the processing contract, so equipment stays a recurring line item.
- Can hold merchant reserves against risk, and may bill implementation (professional-services) fees for enterprise deployments.
Pricing & fees
Helcim vs. Global Payments pricing and fees.
Helcim includes every processing tool at $0/month with direct interchange-plus pricing that automatically drops as you scale. Global Payments does not list standard rates publicly, preferring offline negotiations that often include multi-year commitments, monthly terminal leases, and hidden line-item overhead charges.
| Feature | Helcim | Global Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Interchange-plus | Opaque — Varies completely by rep contract (Tiered, Flat, or Interchange-plus) |
| Monthly Software Fees | $0 — everything included | Varies by account structure and configuration |
| In-Person Processing | 1.79% + 8¢ Average | Opaque — Custom sales quote required |
| Online Processing | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | Opaque — Custom sales quote required |
| Virtual Terminal | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | Varies — Custom quote required (subject to monthly gateway fees) |
| US Common PIN Debit | 1.00% + 8¢ Average | Subject to custom margin markups — no guaranteed direct debit pass-through |
| ACH Processing | 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6) | Custom setup required via legacy banking rails |
| Tap to Pay on Phone | 10¢ | Not natively supported on entry tiers |
| Volume Discounts | Up to 70% off Helcim margin | Manual renegotiation required with corporate account team |
| POS Software | Included free | Basic included / Advanced features gated behind Genius POS tiers |
| Invoicing | Included free | Limited base links / Full workflows require custom software configurations |
| Recurring Payments | Extra 0.4% per transaction | Gateway tokens available / Comprehensive automation requires add-ons |
| Contract Terms | Month-to-month — no setup or cancellation fees | Typically 36-to-60 month auto-renewing commitments with $500+ termination fees |
| Hidden / Overhead Fees | $0 — no PCI, statement, or batch fees | PCI non-compliance fees ($75–$99/mo), batch fees, statement fees, data monitoring fees |
| Chargeback Fee | $15 | Non-refundable corporate chargeback handling fee |
| Smart Terminal | $349 — owned outright | Continuous monthly equipment rentals / Leases run over multiple years |
| See Helcim pricing | See Global Payments pricing |
| Provider | Pricing Model | Monthly Software Fees | In-Person Processing | Online Processing | Virtual Terminal | US Common PIN Debit | ACH Processing | Tap to Pay on Phone | Volume Discounts | POS Software | Invoicing | Recurring Payments | Contract Terms | Hidden / Overhead Fees | Chargeback Fee | Smart Terminal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
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 | Month-to-month — no setup or cancellation fees | $0 — no PCI, statement, or batch fees | $15 | $349 — owned outright |
|
|
Opaque — Varies completely by rep contract (Tiered, Flat, or Interchange-plus) | Varies by account structure and configuration | Opaque — Custom sales quote required | Opaque — Custom sales quote required | Varies — Custom quote required (subject to monthly gateway fees) | Subject to custom margin markups — no guaranteed direct debit pass-through | Custom setup required via legacy banking rails | Not natively supported on entry tiers | Manual renegotiation required with corporate account team | Basic included / Advanced features gated behind Genius POS tiers | Limited base links / Full workflows require custom software configurations | Gateway tokens available / Comprehensive automation requires add-ons | Typically 36-to-60 month auto-renewing commitments with $500+ termination fees | PCI non-compliance fees ($75–$99/mo), batch fees, statement fees, data monitoring fees | Non-refundable corporate chargeback handling fee | Continuous monthly equipment rentals / Leases run over multiple years |
The bottom line
Global Payments' pricing structure is an absolute black box. Because their rates depend entirely on specific sales agreements, merchants frequently find themselves locked into tiered markup packages loaded with small ancillary charges. Helcim is public, consistent, and contract-free — delivering automated wholesale volume reductions with zero hidden fees and zero equipment rental structures.
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. Global Payments pricing reflects publicly documented fee trends and third-party contract analysis, as Global Payments does not provide fixed rates or transparent online pricing tables. Actual merchant fees depend wholly on individual rep contracts.
Software comparison
Helcim vs. Global Payments software feature comparison.
All Helcim software tools are available at no additional cost. Global Payments 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 POS System
A cloud POS system that turns your phone, tablet, Mac, or Windows computer into a full register. Merchants can accept taps and chips using Helcim Smart Terminal and Helcim Card Reader.
- Helcim POS software runs on hardware you already own (laptops, tablets, or PCs), meaning you are never forced to buy or rent proprietary equipment just to access the POS.
- Process partial or full refunds, split bills for group checkouts, capture tips, and save orders for later, all directly from the device.
- Build a product catalog with variations (size, colour), perform bulk uploads, and track stock in real time to prevent overselling.
Global Payments Genius POS
A cloud POS built for complex retail and food service, with advanced capabilities.
- Access deep restaurant features such as coursing, bar tabs, split-ticket resolution, and tip-out configuration, plus native delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats) and loyalty (Como, Paytronix) integrations.
- Lets merchants create incentive programs (such as gift cards or loyalty programs) to reward loyal customers.
- Terms, prices, and rates are set through a direct sales process rather than a self-serve platform, gearing the system primarily toward mid-market and enterprise operations.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Global Payments provide the full checkout experience that takes tap, chip, and wallet payments, applies discounts, captures tips, and syncs sales to reporting, inventory, and customer records.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want a complete cloud POS included for free on hardware you already own, backed by transparent, easy-to-read pricing. Choose Global Payments Genius if you are a larger restaurant or retail store that needs enterprise features like complex coursing and deep vertical integrations, and you are comfortable with a contract- and quote-based setup.
Helcim Virtual Terminal
A web-based terminal designed for phone and mail orders with no additional monthly fees.
- Process card-on-file payments instantly, hold funds via pre-authorizations, accept partial payments, and collect outstanding or past-due invoices faster.
- Accept ACH and EFT bank payments for high-value invoices to save more than 50% on payment processing fees compared to standard cards.
- The Helcim Customer Vault uses AES-256 encryption to securely store all payment details and personal information.
Global Payments Virtual Terminal
Similar to Helcim, Global Payments also lets merchants process payments by phone and mail.
- Process sales, pre-authorizations, tip adjustments, full and partial refunds, unlinked credits, and voids on unsettled transactions.
- Merchants can use Bill Pay mode to collect against pre-uploaded accounts receivable.
- Access customer profile management tools to store payment methods securely on file like Helcim.
What both offer
Both platforms allow you to manually key in card details from any web browser for phone, mail, or remote orders, run pre-authorizations, and issue refunds. Both also store customer records and tokenized cards to enable fast, secure repeat billing.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want a virtual terminal included for free that supports ACH/EFT payments and syncs your transactions to a single, unified dashboard. Choose Global Payments if you specifically need the Payment Center's built-in "Bill Pay" accounts receivable workflow and already use the Global Payments gateway.
Helcim Invoicing
Create, send (via SMS or email), and track unlimited professional invoices from your account at no extra cost. You only pay transaction processing fees.
- Set up automated reminders, recurring invoices, and partial payments (such as deposits and installments) without needing paid add-ons.
- Transmit Level 2 and Level 3 data to automatically qualify B2B and commercial card transactions for lower rates.
- Ensure compliance with built-in HIPAA-compliant security, and choose from eight different document types (estimate, quote, order, purchase order, invoice, statement, registration, and credit) to match every stage of a sale.
Global Payments Invoicing
Access an all-in-one suite that seamlessly integrates your billing, item catalogs, and accounts receivable.
- Connect to major enterprise software with out-of-the-box integrations for Microsoft Dynamics, Acumatica, SAP, and Sage.
- Utilize a comprehensive ACH portal complete with batch lookups, funding lookups, and NSF (non-sufficient funds) or return tracking.
- Optimize rates by supporting Level 2 and Level 3 data transmission to reduce processing fees on corporate cards, similar to Helcim.
What both offer
Both let you send professional invoices with embedded payment links, and set up recurring invoices. Besides, both Helcim and Global Payments support Level 2 and 3 optimization to help merchants reduce processing fees.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want unlimited invoicing with automated reminders, recurring billing, ACH/EFT processing, and healthcare compliance included for free. Choose Global Payments if you run an AR-heavy operation that requires deep enterprise accounts receivable integrations and you are comfortable with contract- and quote-based pricing.
Helcim Online Checkout
A free, no-code online store included in every Helcim account (hosted at yourname.helcim.app), alongside a hosted payment page and shareable payment links.
- Build a fully functional online store complete with product listings, custom branding, shipping/pickup options, and promotional discount codes.
- Automatically pulls items from your existing Helcim catalog, instantly making your in-person products available online, and accepts credit cards, Google Pay, and ACH/EFT bank payments.
- Add a "Pay Now" button, embed HelcimPay.js into an existing website, or share standalone payment links that require no website at all.
Global Payments Hosted Payment
Enables merchants to create payment pages for websites and mobile applications.
- Redirects shoppers to a secure, PCI-compliant Global Payments domain to finalize their transactions safely.
- Offers an extensive library of pre-built plugins and shopping-cart connectors (such as WooCommerce, Ecwid, PrestaShop, Drupal Commerce, and X-Cart) alongside robust XML APIs and software development kits (SDKs).
- Lacks a single, unified self-service checkout or online store builder, making it highly dependent on technical development resources.
What both offer
Both platforms allow you to accept online payments securely using hosted checkout options that keep sensitive cardholder data entirely off your own servers.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want a free, all-in-one online store and easy-to-use payment pages that you can easily set up yourself without any coding. Choose Global Payments if you need to integrate secure payment processing into a highly specific enterprise system, legacy platform, or niche e-commerce site using their extensive plugin and API library.
Helcim Recurring Payments
Helcim offers a robust, built-in recurring payment tool featuring flexible schedules, automatic retries on failed payments, free trials, customizable add-ons, and detailed subscriber management.
- Set daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly cycles, add free trials, one-time setup fees, and add-ons, and let customers sign up through a payment link.
- Automatically retries failed payments on configurable logic, so you chase fewer declines.
- Accepts cards and ACH/EFT, which is cost-effective for large recurring charges. Helcim adds an extra 0.4% fee per transaction.
Global Payments Recurring Billing
Recurring/subscription billing through Payments Manager and the gateway.
- Stores tokenized cards and charges profiles on fixed, repeating schedules.
- Set up a free trial period or add additional product add-ons to a subscription plan.
- Other advanced settings may require additional add-ons.
What both offer
Both securely store a customer's payment method and charge it automatically on a schedule for subscriptions, memberships, or retainers.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want ready-to-use subscription management with trials, retries, and ACH/EFT built in.
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.
Global Payments Customer List
Features a CRM-style customer directory supported by secure, PCI-compliant tokenized card vaulting.
- Allows merchants to organize, categorize, and segment customer profiles using customizable search tags.
- Tracks customers' historical estimates, invoice statuses, and ACH payment details within each profile.
- Offers customer portal features via third-party tool PayFabric, rather than as a built-in feature of the base tool.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Global Payments provide PCI-compliant and secure vault and tokenize credit card details off your servers, allowing you to run fast, one-click repeat transactions while keeping your business highly secure.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want an all-in-one, integrated CRM and a free, branded client self-service portal included right out of the box with your base account. Choose Global Payments if you plan to utilize a third-party tool, PayFabric, for complex, AR-focused automation.
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.
Global Payments Catalogs
Inventory and product management tools are built directly into the POS system.
- Set modifiers and dynamic pricing.
- Supports CSV imports, categories, and item modifiers/bundles.
- Depth by plan tier and exact multi-location behavior are configured per account.
What both offer
Both let you build a product catalog with categories, modifiers, and pricing, bulk-import via CSV, and keep counts updated as you sell.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want advanced catalog and pricing tools (wholesale, tiered, BOGO) included free. Choose Global Payments if you need enterprise catalog depth tied into the POS system and don't mind quote-based configuration.
Helcim Integrations
Focused on keeping small-to-mid-sized operations running smoothly inside their preferred software. The unique, no-code Chrome Payment Extension embeds Helcim's lower processing rates inside 30+ billing platforms that normally try to trap you on high flat rates.
- Payment Extension runs Helcim processing inside closed billing tools
- Out-of-the-box integrations for platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, and WooCommerce
- Clean developer documentation with HelcimPay.js for custom setups
Global Payments Integrations
As a legacy acquirer with a massive acquisition portfolio (Heartland, TSYS, OpenEdge), Global Payments has a broad footprint in corporate retail, legacy register systems, and institutional ERP networks. However, their integration landscape is fractured across acquired brands, and modern cloud connections are limited.
- Large footprint in corporate retail and legacy on-premise register systems
- Integration options vary depending on which acquired brand handles your account
- Limited out-of-the-box connections for modern cloud-based business software
What both offer
Both feature open developer APIs to bridge raw payment tracking infrastructure with standard corporate accounting networks.
The bottom line
Global Payments has a large integration footprint through its acquisitions, but the landscape is fragmented across legacy brands. Helcim's unique Payment Extension and native cloud integrations make it far more practical for modern, independent businesses.
Unique Features
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.
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.
The 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.
Massive Scale via Acquisitions
Global Payments owns massive merchant networks like Heartland and TSYS, allowing massive multinational corporations to aggregate their processing networks under one parent entity.
Vertical Software Ecosystem (Xenial / Active Network)
Through targeted acquisitions, Global Payments provides deeply integrated, corporate-scale vertical software for campus dining, enterprise event booking, and massive resort hospitality setups.
Drive-thru AI Camera Vision
For enterprise QSRs, Global Payments offers patented camera vision that tracks each vehicle from lot to lane and ties it to the right order.
Hardware comparison
Helcim vs. Global Payments hardware comparison.
Helcim sells its handheld Smart Terminal outright at a publicly listed price with zero ongoing fees. Global Payments does not publicly list terminal pricing, monthly costs, or contract terms — merchants must contact a sales team to get a custom quote.
Head-to-head
Both devices are capable, standalone touchscreen terminals with built-in printers. However, the Helcim Smart Terminal offers a larger display and built-in POS software, allowing your business to get set up quickly. While the Global Payments Verifone T650P is slightly cheaper than the Helcim Smart Terminal, it features a smaller touchscreen. Additionally, your business may need a development team to set up and integrate the hardware with Global Payments' POS software.
Strengths
Where each platform shines.
Both Helcim and Global Payments 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 completely public, clear pricing
Helcim's interchange-plus framework passes wholesale card network billing straight to you with a clear, published margin. Global Payments keeps its pricing entirely offline, leading to inconsistent rates and unexpected markups.
You are a massive multinational enterprise
Global Payments is optimized to manage extreme processing volumes across global retail footprints with institutional technical compliance requirements.
You want transaction fees that drop automatically
Your processing margins drop on their own as your business expands, saving you up to 70% off Helcim's markup without requiring a single negotiation call. Global Payments has no automated tier reductions.
You need deep, legacy multi-lane cash register systems
If your infrastructure requires hardwired customer PIN pads connected to complex enterprise ERP or back-office on-premise networks, Global Payments has the field scale to handle it.
You refuse to pay hidden statement or batch fees
Helcim has $0 monthly fees, $0 PCI fees, and $0 statement charges. Global Payments statements are notorious for small, hidden additions like monthly PCI non-compliance fees ($75+), statement processing, and data monitoring entries.
You utilize their acquired niche vertical software
If your operation relies directly on a specific corporate platform they have acquired (such as Xenial for large stadium hospitality setups), their integrated processing fits naturally.
You will not sign long-term processing contracts
Helcim is 100% month-to-month with no early termination penalties. Global Payments standard agreements regularly lock merchants into 3-to-5 year terms backed by steep termination costs and liquidated damages.
You require on-site corporate technical implementation
Global Payments can deploy physical field teams to handle installation and network wiring for major commercial locations.
You want to own your equipment outright
You purchase your smart terminals once and keep them forever, dropping them from your monthly bill. Global Payments favors ongoing rental structures that make you pay for hardware indefinitely.
You want friendly, in-house human support
Helcim routes your calls directly to our live, in-house team via phone, chat, or email. Global Payments operates a massive institutional corporate structure often associated with automated phone trees and long hold times.
You want completely public, clear pricing
Helcim's interchange-plus framework passes wholesale card network billing straight to you with a clear, published margin. Global Payments keeps its pricing entirely offline, leading to inconsistent rates and unexpected markups.
You want transaction fees that drop automatically
Your processing margins drop on their own as your business expands, saving you up to 70% off Helcim's markup without requiring a single negotiation call. Global Payments has no automated tier reductions.
You refuse to pay hidden statement or batch fees
Helcim has $0 monthly fees, $0 PCI fees, and $0 statement charges. Global Payments statements are notorious for small, hidden additions like monthly PCI non-compliance fees ($75+), statement processing, and data monitoring entries.
You will not sign long-term processing contracts
Helcim is 100% month-to-month with no early termination penalties. Global Payments standard agreements regularly lock merchants into 3-to-5 year terms backed by steep termination costs and liquidated damages.
You want to own your equipment outright
You purchase your smart terminals once and keep them forever, dropping them from your monthly bill. Global Payments favors ongoing rental structures that make you pay for hardware indefinitely.
You want friendly, in-house human support
Helcim routes your calls directly to our live, in-house team via phone, chat, or email. Global Payments operates a massive institutional corporate structure often associated with automated phone trees and long hold times.
You are a massive multinational enterprise
Global Payments is optimized to manage extreme processing volumes across global retail footprints with institutional technical compliance requirements.
You need deep, legacy multi-lane cash register systems
If your infrastructure requires hardwired customer PIN pads connected to complex enterprise ERP or back-office on-premise networks, Global Payments has the field scale to handle it.
You utilize their acquired niche vertical software
If your operation relies directly on a specific corporate platform they have acquired (such as Xenial for large stadium hospitality setups), their integrated processing fits naturally.
You require on-site corporate technical implementation
Global Payments can deploy physical field teams to handle installation and network wiring for major commercial locations.
Making your decision
When to choose Helcim vs. Global Payments.
Helcim is a modern, direct payment processor focused on complete pricing transparency, zero contract lock-ins, and free operational software tools for growing businesses. Global Payments is an institutional acquiring giant optimized for large corporate networks but burdened with long-term contract structures, hidden line-item fees, and permanent hardware rentals for independent businesses.
You are an independent or scaling business that demands to know exactly what you are paying in merchant fees. You want clear interchange-plus rates that drop automatically as your sales climb, wish to own your physical hardware outright with zero terminal rental fees, and require complete access to invoices, virtual terminals, and cloud POS tools at $0/month.
You operate a major enterprise network, a national retail franchise, or an institutional corporation that requires legacy checkout pinpads wired into on-premise ERP platforms, international cross-border processing rails, and specialized on-site implementation technicians.
Frequently asked questions.
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For small and mid-sized businesses, yes—and by a wide margin. Helcim uses transparent interchange-plus pricing, passing through the exact wholesale fee of every transaction plus a public margin that drops automatically as your sales scale. Global Payments does not list standard rates online and relies on sales reps to set custom rates. This structure often introduces tiered pricing matrices and continuous hardware rentals, alongside hidden costs like PCI non-compliance penalties (~$75–$99/month) that do not exist with Helcim.
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Yes. Unlike Helcim's contract-free, month-to-month model, standard Global Payments service agreements generally require long-term commitments, typically running for 36 to 60 months. These arrangements frequently feature automatic renewal conditions and heavy early termination penalties (often $500 USD or liquidated damages) if you try to close your merchant account early.
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Because Global Payments operates on an individual, quote-based sales rep model, fine print varies significantly by contract. However, documented merchant statement complaints frequently highlight unexpected line items, including monthly PCI non-compliance penalties ($75+ per month for incomplete paperwork), monthly statement generation fees, data monitoring charges, batch closure fees, and regulatory compliance markups.
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Global Payments heavily favors a perpetual equipment rental model rather than direct hardware sales. Merchants typically pay a recurring monthly rental fee for every terminal on their counter for as long as they process. With Helcim, you buy your Smart Terminal or Card Reader one time upfront, and you own it completely with no ongoing hardware line items on your monthly bill.
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Helcim includes its entire software catalog—including full cloud POS configurations, unlimited digital invoices, virtual terminals, recurring billing management, and customer catalogs—for $0/month with zero feature gates. Global Payments offers basic portal access, but utilizing advanced retail features, deep multi-location stock tracking, or specialized restaurant workflows via their Genius platform often requires moving onto premium software plan tiers.
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Yes. Helcim runs a Merchant Buyout Program specifically built to help businesses transition away from restrictive legacy processor contracts. If you are locked into a long-term contract with Global Payments that carries early termination fees, Helcim may cover up to $500 of your cancellation expenses to help you move to our flexible, contract-free processing platform.