| 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 |
Moneris Go Terminal
|
$34.95/month (36 months contract = $1,258) | 5.99″ LCD touchscreen | Wi-Fi + 4G/LTE | Tap, chip, swipe | Built-in thermal (2.25") | Built-in camera and barcode scanner | More than 12 hours; USB-C charging | Clover POS pre-loaded — features depend on your monthly software plan ($14.95–$89.95+/mo) | $14.95–$89.95+/mo software plan per location, plus ~$14.95/mo per additional device | Set by your reseller - often 36-month contracts with early termination fees | Clover REST API for custom app development | Restaurants and retailers that need built-in barcode scanning and Clover's industry-specific app ecosystem |
Back to Comparisons
Helcim vs. Moneris.
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. Moneris business models.
Moneris is a contract and rental-based processor: you rent your terminals month after month, and your merchant account is bound to a formal Merchant Agreement. Helcim is a no-contract payment processor that passes the true payment costs on to you and automatically lowers your rates as your volume grows, giving you access to every tool at no monthly cost.
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 Moneris's model works
- Moneris operates exclusively in Canada (having exited the U.S. market) and is a joint venture of RBC and BMO, serving many of the country's largest retail chains through legacy banking infrastructure.
- Moneris generates revenue through processing fees and various recurring charges. These include payment terminal rentals (such as the Moneris Go Terminal at $34.95 CAD/month), a $5.00 CAD/month Go software fee, and smaller charges like a $2.00 paper-statement fee and a $2.50 aged-batch fee when a batch is not closed on time.
- If you return rented payment hardware, you must pay a restocking fee of $75–$215 per terminal, depending on how many units you send back.
- Moneris offers a flat-rate model that costs 2.65% + $0.10 per in-person transaction and 2.85% + $0.30 per keyed or online transaction.
Pricing & fees
Helcim vs. Moneris pricing and fees.
Helcim includes every digital and in-person payment tool at $0/month with transparent interchange-plus pricing that automatically drops as you grow. Moneris relies on a mix of entry-level flat rates, opaque rep-driven markups, continuous hardware rentals, and third-party platform fees.
| Feature | Helcim | Moneris |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Interchange-plus | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Monthly Software Fees | $0 — everything included | Not Available — Canada Only |
| In-Person Processing | 1.79% + 8¢ Average | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Online Processing | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Virtual Terminal | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | Not Available — Canada Only |
| US Common PIN Debit | 1.00% + 8¢ Average | Not Available — Canada Only |
| ACH Processing | 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6) | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Tap to Pay on Phone | 10¢ | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Volume Discounts | Up to 70% off Helcim margin | Not Available — Canada Only |
| POS Software | Included free | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Invoicing | Included free | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Recurring Payments | Extra 0.4% per transaction | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Contract Terms | Month-to-month — no setup or cancellation fees | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Hidden / Overhead Fees | $0 — no PCI, statement, or batch fees | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Chargeback Fee | $15 | Not Available — Canada Only |
| Smart Terminal | $349 — owned outright | Not Available — Canada Only |
| See Helcim pricing | See Moneris 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 |
|
|
Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only | Not Available — Canada Only |
The bottom line
Moneris pricing is an unnecessary black box for growing businesses. While their flat-rate starter packages look clean upfront, they charge ongoing monthly terminal rental fees and lock advanced software behind paid subscriptions. Their competitive interchange-plus rates require speaking to a sales rep, leading to inconsistent pricing. Helcim provides completely public, automatic volume discounts with no monthly fees, no hardware rentals, and no platform gatekeeping.
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. Moneris rates shown reflect their public flat-rate tiers and documented fee schedules. Actual interchange-plus terms with Moneris require manual negotiation and vary significantly by merchant. Moneris does not operate in the U.S. market.
Software comparison
Helcim vs. Moneris software feature comparison.
All Helcim software tools are available at no additional cost. Moneris 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-based POS that runs on any smartphone, tablet, Mac, or Windows computer, and comes pre-installed on the Helcim Smart Terminal.
- 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.
Moneris POS
Moneris comes with POS software out of the box. Like Helcim, Moneris POS software works on your device and is integrated in payment hardware.
- The Moneris POS solution carries a monthly software fee ranging from $10/month (POS Go Retail) to over $65/month (Moneris Go Restaurant Bundle), depending on your industry and hardware setup.
- Moneris offers dedicated features for restaurants to seamlessly manage orders and customize menus.
- Moneris offers a Kitchen Display System (KDS) app that lets restaurant owners manage orders more easily during busy shifts.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Moneris POS turn a countertop or handheld device into a full checkout terminal. With either system, you can ring up catalog items or custom amounts, accept tap, chip, and mobile wallet payments, apply discounts, capture tips, and send digital or printed receipts. Additionally, both platforms capture customer details at checkout and update your sales reporting in real time.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want a full-featured POS that runs on hardware you already own, with no monthly software fees and processing rates that decrease as your sales volume grows. Choose Moneris POS if you prefer a leased terminal with advanced built-in restaurant features, and you don't mind committing to ongoing rental and software fees.
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.
Moneris Gateway (Merchant Direct v2)
Merchants can access Moneris's card-not-present tools directly through the Merchant Direct portal.
- Similar to Helcim, you can key in purchases or pre-authorizations from any web browser, complete with tokenized card-on-file billing via the Moneris Vault.
- Offers Dynamic Currency Conversion (allowing international cardholders to pay in their home currency) and Installments Enabled by Visa directly at checkout.
- Does not support ACH or EFT bank payments.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Moneris allow you to manually key in credit cards from any web browser for phone, mail, or remote orders, with no physical payment terminal required. Both platforms support immediate purchases and pre-authorizations (holding funds to capture later), making them ideal for security deposits, restaurant tabs, and variable-amount contracts.
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 Moneris if you specifically require built-in Dynamic Currency Conversion or Visa installments directly at the point of keying.
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.
- Customers can pay by credit card, debit, or ACH/EFT through a secure, one-click "Pay Now" button embedded directly in the emailed invoice.
- Set up automated reminders, recurring invoices, and partial payments (such as deposits and installments) without needing paid add-ons.
- Invoicing is HIPAA-compliant and offers eight document types (estimate, quote, order, purchase order, invoice, statement, registration, credit) for different stages of a sale.
Moneris invoicing
Send basic payment links to customers directly through your online merchant dashboard.
- Generate basic invoices with payment terms and line items, then email a secure payment-request link to the customer.
- Offers limited invoicing features compared to Helcim.
- Accessing advanced invoicing features or recurring templates typically requires a paid e-commerce plan via Moneris Online (powered by Wix).
What both offer
Both platforms allow you to send professional digital invoices featuring secure payment links. This enables your customers to pay safely online while the transactions automatically reconcile back to your business records.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want advanced, unlimited invoicing features with zero monthly fees, including automated reminders, recurring billing, ACH/EFT bank payments, and HIPAA compliance. Choose Moneris if you already use or plan to build a website through Moneris Online (partnered with Wix).
Helcim Online Checkout
A free, no-code online store included with every Helcim account, hosted at yourname.helcim.app.
- Build a working store with products, branding, shipping/pick-up, and discount codes.
- Add embeddable buy buttons, payment pages, and shareable payment links to your existing website. Helcim handles the payment flow while you keep full control of your site.
- Accepts major cards and Google Pay.
Moneris Total Commerce
An omnichannel storefront built on a Wix partnership, plus a separate hosted builder called Moneris Online.
- Strong omnichannel fulfillment: local pickup, ship-from-store, send-cart, cross-channel returns, and demand forecasting that suggests purchase orders.
- Real-time sync between physical POS and the online store, with Wix's CRM and marketing behind it.
- Runs on a monthly SaaS subscription, Complete plan costs $130 CAD/month or Advanced plan costs $244 CAD/month.
What both offer
Both let you sell online and keep your storefront inventory in sync with in-person sales, so a sale in one channel updates stock in the other.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want a basic free online store that shares one catalog with your POS. Choose Moneris Total Commerce if you need advanced omnichannel fulfillment (ship-from-store, cross-channel returns, forecasting) and are willing to pay $130–$244/month for the Wix-powered platform.
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.
Moneris recurring billing
Moneris recurring billing is configured and set up using the Moneris API and their new Developer Portal.
- Similar to Helcim, Moneris securely stores a tokenized card and automatically charges it at fixed intervals for repeat billing.
- Moneris does not support bank transfer payments such as ACH or EFT.
- Merchants typically must rely on dedicated software development resources to integrate and deploy Moneris's recurring billing solutions.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Moneris securely store your customers' payment methods and automatically charge them on a set schedule, making either option ideal for managing subscriptions, memberships, or ongoing client retainers.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want an out-of-the-box subscription management tool with free trials, automated retries, and ACH/EFT payment processing. Choose Moneris if you have dedicated development resources and want to build a highly customized, tailored recurring payment flow directly into your own software using their API.
Helcim Customer Manager
Helcim built-in CRM that connects customers to their payments, invoices, subscriptions, and saved payment methods.
- Stores up to 10 tokenized cards per customer (AES-256), plus bank accounts for ACH/EFT and pre-authorized debit agreements.
- Includes a free, branded self-service customer portal where customers view history, pay invoices, and update their own cards, work you'd otherwise do by hand.
- Imports and exports customer data in bulk, and Helcim migrates card data from your previous processor at no charge.
Moneris Vault
Enterprise-grade tokenization that stores card data for card-on-file billing and one-click checkouts.
- Converts the card number into a secure token stored in the Moneris Vault, keeping the raw card number out of your systems.
- Powers recurring profiles and repeat purchases through the Gateway.
- No customer-facing self-service portal, so updating an expired card is handled by the merchant rather than the customer.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Moneris securely tokenize and store customer cards so repeat purchases are fast and your PCI scope stays low, and both tie saved payment methods to customer records.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want an integrated CRM plus a free customer self-service portal. Choose Moneris if enterprise-grade tokenization inside the Gateway is all you need.
Helcim Inventory Management
A free, built-in inventory management tool that seamlessly syncs your data across your POS, invoicing, and online store.
- Set unique pricing structures, such as wholesale rates for specific customer segments, tiered volume pricing, 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, a sale made through any channel instantly updates inventory levels everywhere, with zero per-SKU fees.
Moneris inventory
Manage inventory directly through the Go Retail app on your terminal, or upgrade to Total Commerce for complete omnichannel tracking.
- The Moneris Go Terminal supports a functional retail catalog featuring product variations and real-time stock updates directly on the device.
- Advanced multi-channel inventory tracking, sales forecasting, and cross-location synchronization are available through Total Commerce (powered by Wix) on a paid monthly plan.
- The basic on-terminal catalog is subject to a $5/month Go software fee, and more robust retail features scale up into paid monthly tiers.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Moneris let you build an item catalog with categories and pricing to speed up checkout, and keep counts updated as you sell.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want advanced catalog and pricing tools (wholesale, tiered, BOGO). Choose Moneris if your inventory needs are enterprise-omnichannel and you'll invest in Total Commerce.
Helcim Integrations
Helcim's integrations are built to help merchants use Helcim with the software they already run. The Payment Extension is a unique no-code Chrome extension that connects Helcim to 30+ billing tools with closed payment systems — like Jane, Wave, and Zoho — so you keep your software but pay Helcim's lower rates.
- Payment Extension: use Helcim inside software that locks you into its own processor
- Native integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and WooCommerce
- Helcim API and HelcimPay.js for custom development
Moneris Integrations
As a legacy acquirer, Moneris integrates deeply with corporate ERP suites and traditional Canadian point-of-sale systems (large grocery and hospitality setups). For modern cloud-based business apps, their marketplace is limited, relying mostly on custom builds or their Wix partnership.
- Deep legacy compatibility with enterprise ERPs and big-box store lanes
- Limited library of out-of-the-box cloud software connections
- Requires custom development to bridge with most modern SaaS options
What both offer
Both provide developer APIs and standard connections to bridge payment processing with external accounting or operations platforms.
The bottom line
Moneris is well-suited for enterprise retailers running legacy on-premise infrastructure. Helcim's unique Payment Extension and native cloud integrations make it far easier for modern small-to-mid-sized businesses to connect their workflows.
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 lets you pass the credit-card processing fee to customers who choose credit over cheaper options, across invoices, payment pages, and in-person checkout. Helcim is fully compliant in supported U.S. and Canada states and provinces.
The 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. Moneris has no equivalent.
Level 2/3 Optimization
Helcim helps merchants supply the transaction data for qualified business and corporate transactions, helping them lower their payment processing fees.
Direct Canadian Bank Acquiring
Built as a joint venture of RBC and BMO, Moneris provides direct, deeply entrenched settlement infrastructure into the Canadian banking network, optimized heavily for nationwide enterprise retail chains.
Installments Enabled by Visa
Moneris supports Visa's buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) installments at checkout. Helcim doesn't offer a native BNPL equivalent.
Dynamic Currency Conversion
Moneris's Gateway can detect an internationally issued card and offer the cardholder their home-currency price at checkout. With Helcim, currency conversion is handled by the customer's own bank rather than presented at the point of sale.
On-Site Enterprise Field Services
Moneris offers physical, on-site technician deployment across Canada to install and service hardware for large multi-location environments.
Hardware comparison
Helcim vs. Moneris hardware comparison.
Helcim sells its handheld all-in-one Smart Terminal outright with zero recurring fees. Moneris features the Moneris Go Plus terminal, utilizing a perpetual monthly rental framework. Here's how they stack up.
Head-to-head
Both Helcim Smart Terminal and Moneris Go Terminal are close in capability. Both are standalone handhelds with built-in printers, cellular backup, and full wallet acceptance. Moneris adds built-in cameras for barcode/QR scanning, handy for retail catalog work. But the money story diverges sharply over time: the Helcim terminal is a one-time $429 you own, while the Moneris terminal is $34.95/month forever plus a $5/month software fee, roughly $479/year. Given that merchants usually sign a 36-month contract, the true cost of Moneris Go Terminal can reach $1,258.
Strengths
Where each platform shines.
Both Helcim and Moneris 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 to avoid endless hardware rental fees
Helcim lets you buy your smart terminals and readers outright, removing them from your monthly bill forever. Moneris locks you into permanent equipment rentals, making you pay for your devices over and over again.
You are a nationwide enterprise or big-box chain
Moneris excels at processing massive volume across thousands of brick-and-mortar retail lanes utilizing institutional legacy networks.
You want transparent, automatically declining rates
Helcim's public interchange-plus model passes the true cost of processing directly to you, and the markup drops by up to 70% automatically as your volume grows. Moneris hides its competitive rates behind custom sales quotes and manual rep negotiations.
You require on-site technical deployment
If your corporate footprint requires an on-site technician to physically wire, install, and service hardware across your locations, Moneris offers dedicated field services.
You refuse to pay hidden statement or batch fees
Helcim has $0 monthly fees, $0 PCI fees, and $0 batch fees. Moneris accounts frequently accumulate small, hidden operational costs like aged close batch fees ($2.50) and paper statement fees.
You want an institutional bank-backed provider
As a direct joint venture of RBC and BMO, Moneris provides institutional security for corporations that prefer processing through Canada's primary banking backbone.
You need a complete software suite for $0/month
Invoicing, virtual terminals, online checkout links, and subscription tools are all included out of the box with Helcim. Moneris gates advanced invoicing and online storefronts behind paid upgrades or Wix software subscriptions.
You use a legacy on-premise POS network
Moneris is deeply integrated into traditional, corporate cash register ecosystems and legacy hardware infrastructure common in major supermarket and hospitality chains.
You process online Interac Debit transactions
Helcim charges a low, competitive rate for Interac debit. Moneris charges an expensive $1.00 flat fee for every card-not-present online Interac transaction on its flat-rate plans.
You want dedicated human support
Helcim connects you directly to an in-house customer service team via phone, email, or chat. Moneris is a massive banking joint venture known for long hold times and traditional bank bureaucracy.
You want to avoid endless hardware rental fees
Helcim lets you buy your smart terminals and readers outright, removing them from your monthly bill forever. Moneris locks you into permanent equipment rentals, making you pay for your devices over and over again.
You want transparent, automatically declining rates
Helcim's public interchange-plus model passes the true cost of processing directly to you, and the markup drops by up to 70% automatically as your volume grows. Moneris hides its competitive rates behind custom sales quotes and manual rep negotiations.
You refuse to pay hidden statement or batch fees
Helcim has $0 monthly fees, $0 PCI fees, and $0 batch fees. Moneris accounts frequently accumulate small, hidden operational costs like aged close batch fees ($2.50) and paper statement fees.
You need a complete software suite for $0/month
Invoicing, virtual terminals, online checkout links, and subscription tools are all included out of the box with Helcim. Moneris gates advanced invoicing and online storefronts behind paid upgrades or Wix software subscriptions.
You process online Interac Debit transactions
Helcim charges a low, competitive rate for Interac debit. Moneris charges an expensive $1.00 flat fee for every card-not-present online Interac transaction on its flat-rate plans.
You want dedicated human support
Helcim connects you directly to an in-house customer service team via phone, email, or chat. Moneris is a massive banking joint venture known for long hold times and traditional bank bureaucracy.
You are a nationwide enterprise or big-box chain
Moneris excels at processing massive volume across thousands of brick-and-mortar retail lanes utilizing institutional legacy networks.
You require on-site technical deployment
If your corporate footprint requires an on-site technician to physically wire, install, and service hardware across your locations, Moneris offers dedicated field services.
You want an institutional bank-backed provider
As a direct joint venture of RBC and BMO, Moneris provides institutional security for corporations that prefer processing through Canada's primary banking backbone.
You use a legacy on-premise POS network
Moneris is deeply integrated into traditional, corporate cash register ecosystems and legacy hardware infrastructure common in major supermarket and hospitality chains.
Making your decision
When to choose Helcim vs. Moneris.
Helcim is a modern, direct payment processor offering fully transparent interchange-plus pricing, free merchant software tools, and a month-to-month relationship with no hidden fees. Moneris is Canada's legacy institutional giant, optimized for massive nationwide retail corporations but heavily burdened with hardware rentals and outdated fee structures for growing independent businesses.
You are an independent or growing business looking to cut processing expenses through clear interchange-plus rates that drop automatically as your sales climb. You want to own your equipment outright, eliminate recurring terminal rental fees, and access advanced features like custom invoices, virtual terminals, and online checkout forms with $0 monthly platform costs.
You are a major Canadian enterprise, national franchise system, or big-box retailer requiring legacy checkout lane pinpads, corporate ERP system links, and physical on-site field technicians to configure and deploy your physical hardware network across the country.
Frequently asked questions.
-
Helcim is a payment processor with transparent interchange-plus pricing, all payment software included at $0/month, and payment hardware you own. Moneris is a bank-owned (RBC/BMO) processor that leans on rented terminals, a published flat rate (plus a quote-only interchange-plus plan), monthly software/plan fees, and a formal merchant agreement. Both operate in Canada; only Helcim also serves the U.S.
-
Helcim's margin drops automatically as volume grows, so a higher-volume merchant pays a lower effective rate over time. Moneris's published flat rate (2.65% + $0.10 in person) doesn't fall with volume.
-
Helcim doesn't require any contract. Moneris uses a formal Merchant Agreement with up to 36 months term. If you want to exit the Moneris contract, you often have to pay for the early termination fees. Returning rented Moneris payment terminals triggers a restocking fee of $75–$215 per device.
-
Helcim has no monthly, PCI, statement, or setup fees. Moneris charges a $5.00/month for Go software fee, a $2.00 paper-statement fee, a $2.50 aged-batch fee, a $5.00 minimum monthly discount fee if your processing falls below $5, a $25 chargeback fee ($80 for authorization chargebacks), and a 0.80% foreign-card fee on Flat Rate.
-
For most small and medium businesses, Helcim is a great Moneris alternative, especially if you want transparent pricing, no monthly fees, owned hardware, and the full payment tools included.
-
Neither Moneris or Helcim is built for global reach. Moneris offers Dynamic Currency Conversion at checkout for internationally issued cards. On the other hand, Helcim lets customers pay in any currency with conversion handled by the customer's bank. If you operate outside North America, you'd need a different provider.
-
Choose Moneris if you're a large Canadian enterprise or franchise that needs bank-backed infrastructure, on-site technicians, or deep legacy/restaurant integrations. Choose Helcim if you want transparent interchange-plus rates that fall as you grow, $0 monthly fees, owned hardware, and every software tool included. Helcim is the better fit for most small and mid-sized Canadian and U.S. merchants.