How is Helcim compared to Lightspeed?

Helcim is a payment processor that offers in-person and online payment tools for different industries, along with POS software at no extra monthly cost. In contrast, Lightspeed provides specialized POS solutions for retail, restaurants, and golf businesses, with monthly fees for its POS system and additional charges for extra registers and kitchen display systems. In addition, Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model, while Lightspeed uses flat-rate pricing, which is generally more expensive. Finally, Helcim supports more payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and ACH/EFT payments.

Helcim includes essential payment features such as POS system tools, inventory management, customer management, invoicing, payment links, recurring billing, hosted payment pages, a virtual terminal, integration options, and POS software at no extra monthly cost. In contrast, Lightspeed focuses mainly on POS features for retail, restaurant, and golf businesses, such as core POS functionality, inventory management, showroom features, staff management, and payroll. Lightspeed lacks other online payment features such as a virtual terminal, recurring payments, and hosted payment pages. Additionally, Lightspeed’s integrations are more tailored to retail and restaurants, while Helcim’s integrations work across multiple industries.

If your business wants lower credit card processing costs as volume grows, Helcim is the better option. Helcim offers automatic volume discounts that reduce processing fees as businesses process more sales. In contrast, Lightspeed does not offer volume discounts.

Helcim does not require contracts or long-term commitments, so merchants do not need to worry about cancellation penalties. Lightspeed’s Service Agreement typically includes an initial contract term, auto-renewal clauses, and required written notice to terminate merchant services.

Helcim offers native integrations with accounting systems such as QuickBooks and Xero, as well as eCommerce platforms like WooCommerce. It also provides the Helcim API and HelcimPay.js, which allow merchants to integrate Helcim payments into websites, platforms, and software. In addition, the Helcim Payment Extension allows merchants to process payments within browser-based business management, project management, booking, and shop management software without requiring code or API work. Lightspeed also offers integrations for accounting, appointment scheduling, delivery, and eCommerce, but its ecosystem is primarily tailored to retail and restaurant businesses.

Yes. Helcim is a strong Lightspeed alternative for businesses that want lower payment processing fees, want to avoid expensive monthly POS subscriptions, and need diverse payment tools to accept payments online, in person, over the phone, or on the go.

Helcim is suitable for a wide range of B2C and B2B businesses, including service-based businesses, professional services, invoicing-heavy merchants, healthcare providers, contractors, and automotive businesses, because of the variety of payment tools and payment methods it offers. In contrast, Lightspeed is best suited for multi-location retailers, restaurants, and golf businesses that want a specialized POS system with industry-specific features.