Helcim vs. Paysafe
Paysafe offers different pricing models, reserving interchange-plus only for merchants who meet certain criteria. On the other hand, Helcim offers an interchange-plus pricing model to any business regardless of size, letting everyone access wholesale payment processing rates from banks and card networks.
Helcim vs. Paysafe business models
Unlike Paysafe, which burdens merchants with multi-year contracts and hidden monthly fees, Helcim provides U.S. and Canadian businesses with flexible, transparent processing, offering built-in tools like POS, invoicing, and online checkout with zero subscription costs.
How Helcim's model works
- Helcim offers Interchange-Plus pricing to businesses of all sizes, with markups starting at 0.40% + $0.08 per in-person transaction and 0.50% + $0.25 per online transaction. Helcim's markup automatically decreases by up to 70% as your processing volume increases.
- Unlike Paysafe, Helcim doesn't charge any customer service, monthly, or PCI compliance fees. Merchants only pay processing fees.
- Helcim doesn't require a contract for hardware purchases. Merchants can buy payment hardware outright, so there is no exclusivity clause or termination fee tied to their equipment.
- Helcim charges a $15 chargeback fee. However, unlike Paysafe, Helcim refunds the fee if the merchant successfully disputes the chargeback.
How Paysafe's model works
- Paysafe offers Interchange-Plus pricing with a standard markup (0.50% + $0.10 per transaction) for merchants who meet its eligibility criteria. However, your actual rates will depend on factors like your risk score, processing volume, and business category.
- On top of the $7.95 monthly customer service fee, Paysafe may also charge additional unpublished fees, such as a Security Fee, a Monthly Service Fee, a Mastercard Location Fee, and a PCI Non-Compliance Fee.
- Paysafe partners with Clover or Valor PayTech for payment terminals, which may require a mandatory three-year contract extension, an exclusivity clause, and an Early Termination Fee ranging from $195 to $595.
- Under Paysafe's agreement, merchants are charged a $25 chargeback fee. If a merchant's chargeback rate gets too high, Paysafe can increase their fees with 30 days' notice or withhold a portion of their funds without warning.
Helcim vs. Paysafe pricing and fees
Helcim includes every tool at $0/month with transparent interchange-plus pricing and automatic volume discounts. Paysafe reserves interchange-plus for eligible merchants, sets your final rate through underwriting, and lists several fees only as 'not published.'
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
Paysafe
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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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) | Extra 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 |
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|
Flat-rate pricing or Interchange-Plus pricing with a markup of 0.50% + $0.10 per transaction | $7.95/month for Customer Service Fee. Other monthly fees like Enhanced Security Fee, Monthly Service Fee, Mastercard Location Fee, or PCI Non-Compliance Fee are not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Unavailable | Unavailable | Available, but tied to Clover or SwipeSimple hardware | Available | Available via Payment Scheduler API | Require a mandatory 36-month agreement when getting Clover or Valor Paytech hardware | $7.95/month Customer Service Fee, Monthly Minimum Fee | $25.00 per chargeback | Clover, SwipeSimple and Valor PayTech hardware | Clover, SwipeSimple and Valor PayTech hardware |
The bottom line
Helcim publishes an exact rate for every volume tier and charges $0 in monthly fees, while Paysafe publishes only its markup: interchange + 0.50% + $0.10 per transaction. Besides, Paysafe charges higher chargeback fees compared to Helcim. Besides, merchants may need to sign a multi-year contract when getting Clover or Valor Paytech hardware.
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. Paysafe rates shown reflect Paysafe's publicly documented markup and third-party contract analysis; Paysafe does not publish full processing rate tables, and actual fees depend on underwriting.
Helcim vs. Paysafe software feature comparison
Helcim offers a suite of free built-in tools like invoicing and a virtual terminal, and the flexibility to run its point-of-sale software on the devices you already own. Paysafe, on the other hand, is the better choice for enterprise-level operations, global merchants, or businesses in the high-risk industries.
Helcim Point-of-Sale
A cloud POS system that turns your phone, tablet, Mac, or Windows computer into a full register. Merchants can accept tap and chip payments using the 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, color), perform bulk uploads, and track stock in real time to prevent overselling.
Paysafe Point-of-Sale (Clover / SwipeSimple)
Paysafe POS software runs on Paysafe-deployed Clover or SwipeSimple hardware and is deeply customized for restaurants and retail.
- Paysafe offers interactive floor plans, automatic bar/kitchen order routing, and split checks with individual receipts for large parties.
- SwipeSimple retail builds offer preset discount structures, item modifiers, and a customer database that tracks purchase history for remarketing.
- The software only runs on Paysafe-deployed hardware; you cannot bring your own device or pair it with your phone, tablet, or laptop the way Helcim's app works on hardware you already own.
What both offer
Both platforms turn a counter into a full checkout system. You can ring up items or a custom amount, take chip/tap/wallet payments, split checks, and capture tips. Both platforms sync sales back into the same account for reporting and reconciliation.
The bottom line
Choose Paysafe's Clover POS if you run a complex, high-volume restaurant that needs table-management and course-firing depth. Choose Helcim if you want the same core checkout capability without being tied to a specific hardware vendor's ecosystem to get it.
Helcim Virtual Terminal
The Helcim Virtual Terminal lets merchants key in card details and process ACH bank payments from any web browser. It is designed specifically for phone and mail orders, service businesses, remote billing, and collecting outstanding or overdue payments.
- You can choose between an immediate charge and a pre-authorization that holds funds for up to seven days, which is highly useful for variable-amount services like hotel stays or restaurant tabs.
- Collect partial payments by attaching existing invoices and charging either a specific dollar amount or a percentage as a deposit or installment.
- Charge a saved card on file or collect payment on an overdue invoice directly from a single screen.
Paysafe Virtual Terminal (Optic Portal / NETBANX)
This is a web-based terminal accessed through Paysafe's Merchant Back Office, built primarily for mail and phone orders.
- Like Helcim, Paysafe lets you accept payments over the phone or process keyed-in payments.
- You can repeat transactions without needing the customer's card number again.
- Unlike Helcim, merchants cannot link invoices to the Paysafe Virtual Terminal to process overdue invoices.
What both offer
Both let a business key in a card manually from a web browser, no hardware needed, for phone orders, mail orders, or remote billing. Both support AVS-based fraud screening and let you charge, refund, or view transaction history from the same dashboard as your other sales.
The bottom line
Both Helcim and Paysafe Virtual Terminals cover core keyed-in payment processing very well. Helcim's is the more transparent choice if you also want published ACH pricing and no separate hardware ecosystem to manage.
Helcim Invoicing
Create, send (via SMS or email), and track unlimited professional invoices from your account at no extra cost. Your customers can pay the invoices using ACH/EFT payments, credit cards, or debit cards.
- 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.
Paysafe Invoicing
Paysafe offers native digital invoicing aimed at B2B services, healthcare clinics, auto repair shops, and property managers looking to reduce accounts-receivable aging.
- Send an invoice to your customers so that they can pay by card, digital wallet, or instant bank transfer.
- The merchant never handles the raw card data directly, which reduces the PCI compliance burden.
- Paysafe invoices cannot be linked to the Paysafe Virtual Terminal to process overdue payments.
What both offer
Both let you send a digital invoice or payment link by email or text so a customer can pay with ACH payments, credit cards, and debit cards.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want an invoicing tool bundled with automated reminders and partial payments included by default. Additionally, merchants can link Helcim Invoices to the Helcim Virtual Terminal to collect overdue payments. Paysafe's Pay-by-Link has fewer features compared to Helcim.
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 (include free trials, one-time setup fees, and add-ons), and let customers sign up through a payment link.
- It automatically retries failed payments based on configurable logic, so you chase fewer declines.
- It accepts cards and ACH/EFT, which is cost-effective for large recurring charges. Helcim adds an extra 0.4% fee per transaction.
Paysafe Payment Scheduler API
Paysafe doesn't have an out-of-the-box solution for recurring payments. Merchants need developers to set up API connections for recurring payments.
- It supports Apple Pay Merchant Tokens (MPANs) for recurring billing, so a subscription doesn't break if the customer gets a new iPhone or replacement card.
- Paysafe does not state whether merchants can offer free trials or include add-ons in their subscription plans.
- It requires development work to configure billing cycles, plan states, and error-handling logic.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Paysafe automate repeat billing for subscriptions, memberships, or installment plans. Both use tokenization so a saved card can be charged again without the customer needing to re-enter it.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want to set up recurring billing yourself, offer a free trial, or include an add-on in the subscription plan without writing code. Choose Paysafe's API if you have development resources and need custom subscription logic.
Helcim Customer Manager
Helcim offers a PCI-compliant Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool that seamlessly links customer profiles directly to their transaction history, invoices, subscriptions, and saved payment methods.
- It securely stores up to 10 tokenized credit cards per profile using AES-256 encryption, alongside bank account details for ACH/EFT and pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreements.
- It includes a free, branded Customer Portal where clients can view their payment history, manage their payment information, and settle invoices, eliminating manual administrative work for your staff.
- It supports the bulk importing and exporting of customer records and includes free card-data migration from your previous processor.
Paysafe Customer Profiles
Paysafe provides tokenized customer and card storage accessed through the Merchant Back Office, built primarily to support repeat manual billing and subscriptions.
- It safely vaults payment details so a merchant can bill a returning customer without re-collecting card data.
- It works alongside the Payment Scheduler API for subscription and recurring-billing use cases.
What both offer
Both let a business save a customer's card on file so returning customers don't have to re-enter their card details for future purchases, invoices, or subscriptions.
The bottom line
Helcim's Customer Manager goes further out of the box, offering a customer-facing self-service portal that Paysafe doesn't provide.
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 over 30 billing tools with closed payment systems (like Jane, Wave, and Zoho), allowing you to keep your preferred software while paying Helcim's lower processing rates.
- Use Helcim inside software platforms that would otherwise lock you into their own built-in processors.
- Offers seamless connections with QuickBooks, Xero, and WooCommerce.
- Provides the Helcim API and HelcimPay.js for custom software development and unique checkout experiences.
Paysafe Integrations
Paysafe offers unique integration features tailored for global and specialized markets.
- The Paysafe payment API lets businesses manage local payment methods outside of the U.S. and Canada, supporting transactions in over 40 different currencies.
- This plugin lets underbanked customers pay for online purchases using a cash barcode at a physical retail location.
- Offers a dedicated API suite designed specifically for high-risk industries, such as iGaming and sports-betting platforms.
What both offer
Both Helcim and Paysafe provide developer-friendly payment APIs that allow businesses to build custom payment and checkout solutions. Whether you are using out-of-the-box plugins or building a custom application, both Helcim and Paysafe give you the tools to securely embed payment processing directly into your existing business workflows and websites.
The bottom line
Choose Helcim if you want to connect your payment processing to existing business management and billing software (like Zoho, Jane, or Wave) to save on processing fees without switching platforms. Choose Paysafe if your business operates heavily outside of the U.S. and Canada, needs to accept payments in dozens of foreign currencies, or operates within high-risk industries like online gaming.
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 Online Checkout
A free, no-code online store that comes with every account, hosted at yourname.helcim.app with a setup wizard, product catalog sync, discount codes, and Google Pay at checkout, no website or developer required.
Helcim Inventory Management
Helcim offers a free inventory tool that ensures your stock levels instantly sync across your POS, online store, and invoices. Additionally, it allows you to easily manage complex product variations, bulk imports, and low-stock alerts while setting up customized pricing rules like wholesale rates and BOGO promotions. Paysafe does not offer a native inventory management system. Instead, merchants must rely on the partnered providers that supply their POS hardware.
Helcim Payment Extension
Helcim Payment Extension lets a merchant connect Helcim to software they already use to process payments at Helcim's transparent rate without leaving that software.
PaysafeCash and multi-currency digital wallets
Paysafe lets underbanked customers pay online with cash at a retail location, plus Skrill and Neteller digital wallets, and settlement in 48 currencies.
Native iGaming and high-risk APIs
Paysafe offers a dedicated API suite for licensed iGaming and sports-betting operators, such as game content aggregation, instant deposit/withdrawal handling, live odds feeds, and KYC/age-verification tooling.
Paysafe partners with Clover for payment hardware
Paysafe does not develop its own payment hardware, it partners with Clover's POS systems and payment terminals to help merchants accept payment in-person. For a deeper look at Clover's pricing, software tools, hardware lineup, and how it compares to Helcim, read our full side-by-side review.
Read our Clover ComparisonWhere each platform shines
Both Helcim and Paysafe 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. Paysafe relies on quote-based pricing, meaning you won't know your rates until you go through a sales process.
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. Paysafe does not offer automated volume discounts, meaning you have to manually renegotiate your contract to get better rates as you grow.
You refuse to pay hidden statement or batch fees
Helcim has $0 monthly fees, $0 PCI fees, and $0 statement charges. Because Paysafe often bundles its processing with third-party hardware partners, your monthly bill can easily accumulate extra compliance, platform, and gateway fees.
You will not sign long-term processing contracts
Helcim is 100% month-to-month with no early termination penalties. Paysafe requires you to buy or lease proprietary hardware (like Clover) to get a POS system, or hire developers to build those features using their APIs.
You want to own your equipment outright
You purchase your smart terminals once and keep them forever, dropping them from your monthly bill. Paysafe's merchant agreements typically lock you into multi-year contracts backed by hefty cancellation fees if you try to leave early.
You want friendly, in-house human support
Helcim offers customer service via email and phone for free. Paysafe charges a $7.95/month customer service fee.
Your business operates outside of the U.S. and Canada
Paysafe serves around 50 countries globally, while Helcim serves only businesses in Canada and the U.S. However, Helcim merchants can still accept payments internationally from outside of North America.
Your business is in a high-risk industry
Paysafe has tools for iGaming, sports betting, and other high-risk categories, such as KYC, age verification, live odds feeds, and chargeback-warranty programs.
You need specialized countertop hardware
Paysafe partners with Clover, SwipeSimple and Valor PayTech, and they sell specialized countertop hardware like register or self-checkout kiosks.
You run a complex restaurant
Paysafe's partner, Clover, offers table maps, course firing, bar tabs, a Kitchen Display System (KDS), and self-serve kiosks which are useful for full-service and high-volume restaurants.
When to choose Helcim vs. Paysafe
Helcim offers transparent interchange-plus pricing, every tool included at $0/month, and a month-to-month relationship with no contract. Paysafe only offers low-cost interchange-plus to specific merchants who meet certain criteria.
You want transparent interchange-plus pricing that drops automatically as you grow, every payment tool included at no monthly cost, POS, invoicing, virtual terminal, online checkout, recurring billing, customer vault — and a month-to-month relationship with no contract, no hidden fees, and direct human support.
Your business genuinely needs Paysafe's scale: you're running (or building) an enterprise platform that needs 48-currency settlement, specialized iGaming risk and payout tooling, or a deep bench of certified hardware partners (Clover, Valor, PAX, Dejavoo) for a large multi-location footprint, and you're comfortable working through an underwriting process to get your final rate.
Frequently asked questions
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Helcim publishes one interchange-plus rate table that drops automatically as your volume grows. There's no monthly fee, and you own your hardware outright. Paysafe publishes a standard markup, 0.50% plus $0.10 per transaction, but your actual rate gets set through underwriting. On top of that, there's a $7.95 monthly customer service fee, a handful of other charges Paysafe simply lists as "not published," and subsidized hardware that can lock you into a 36-month contract.
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Helcim doesn't require a contract. Paysafe's hardware providers, like Clover, can require a long-term one instead, with an early termination fee that starts at $595.
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Helcim charges $0 for monthly, PCI, statement, setup, and cancellation fees. Paysafe charges a $7.95 monthly customer service fee, possibly a monthly minimum fee, and several others (an Enhanced Security Fee, a Monthly Service Fee, a Mastercard Location Fee, a PCI Non-Compliance Fee) that it lists only as "not published."
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If you're a U.S. or Canadian small or medium business that wants published rates, every payment tool included with no monthly fees, and hardware you own instead of lease, yes. If you need to receive payments in 48 different currencies or specialized iGaming risk tooling, Paysafe is probably the better fit.
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Paysafe, if you need to accept currencies beyond USD and CAD, or region-specific wallets like Skrill or Neteller. Helcim serves U.S. and Canadian merchants exclusively, though you can still collect payments from international customers as long as they're paying in USD or CAD.
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Choose Paysafe if you need its global currency reach, its iGaming and high-risk tooling, or its wider hardware lineup, and you don't mind some fees staying undisclosed until later. Choose Helcim if you'd rather see your rate up front, watch it drop automatically as you grow, skip the monthly fees, own your hardware, and get every tool built into one U.S./Canada-focused platform.