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

Helcim vs. SpotOn

SpotOn built a deep hospitality platform: table maps, kitchen displays, and labor forecasting. Helcim payment processing works for all types of businesses. Also, Helcim's interchange-plus pricing gets cheaper automatically as you grow, no contracts, and hardware you own outright from day one.

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Helcim vs. SpotOn business models

Helcim is a direct payment processor that offers in-person, online, and phone payment software and hardware for all types of businesses. SpotOn creates a point-of-sale system specifically for restaurants.

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

How Helcim's model works

  • Helcim offers a complete POS system and online payment tools for all types of businesses, not just restaurants.
  • Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model that passes the exact bank and payment network fees (wholesale costs) to merchants. As a result, Helcim's payment processing fees are much more affordable than SpotOn's.
  • Helcim's margin drops automatically as your monthly card volume grows, with no negotiation, plan upgrade, or phone call required.
  • There are no monthly, PCI, statement, or setup fees. Merchants only pay for what they process.
  • Merchants can run Helcim POS software on their phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops to set up and accept payments from anywhere.
  • All Helcim tools and POS systems are HIPAA and IOLTA compliant.
SpotOn
SpotOn restaurant POS station with customer-facing payment terminal

How SpotOn's model works

  • SpotOn charges software fees ranging from $0 to $55 per POS station each month, plus unpublished implementation costs for their systems.
  • SpotOn doesn't offer volume discounts. A merchant processing $25,000 a month and one processing $2 million a month are both quoted the same processing rate.
  • Merchants can only run the POS software on SpotOn POS hardware and cannot run it on their own tablets, phones, or desktops.
  • SpotOn's "All-In" plan offers $0 POS hardware. However, the payment processing costs (2.79% + $0.20) are up to 2 times more expensive than Helcim's in-person processing fees. Additionally, merchants have to sign a mandatory two-year minimum processing term so that SpotOn has enough time to recoup the hardware costs.
  • Switching processors while keeping SpotOn's POS software triggers a $995 conversion fee and doubles the ongoing monthly software cost.

Helcim vs. SpotOn pricing and fees

Helcim includes every tool at $0/month with transparent interchange-plus pricing and automatic volume discounts. SpotOn uses flat-rate pricing that stays the same no matter how much you process, and its $0 hardware plan comes with a two-year contract and higher fees.

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) 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
SpotOn
Flat-rate / Pay-as-you-go POS Essentials: $50/station/mo · All-In: $0 (2-yr term, higher rate) Essentials: 2.45% + 15¢ (Amex 3.19% + 15¢) · All-In: 2.79% + 20¢ Essentials: 3.45% + 15¢ · All-In: 3.79% + 20¢ Essentials: 3.45% + 15¢ · All-In: 3.79% + 20¢ Essentials: 2.45% + 15¢ · All-In: 2.79% + 20¢ Not natively available Not natively available Not offered POS Essentials: $50/station/mo · All-In: $0 (2-yr term, higher rate) Included in the monthly plan Included in the monthly plan All-In requires a 2-year minimum; canceling standard hardware within a year can trigger a buyback penalty $995 conversion fee if you keep SpotOn hardware and switch processors, and your monthly software cost doubles Not publicly confirmed $375 Unavailable
See Helcim pricing See SpotOn pricing

The bottom line

Helcim offers free POS software for every business, low processing fees that drop up to 70% as your volume grows, and no monthly, contract, or hidden fees. In contrast, SpotOn's rate stays flat no matter how much you process. SpotOn's free plan offers free hardware and software, but the payment processing fees are up to twice as high as Helcim's. Additionally, SpotOn requires a two-year contract that locks restaurants into their services.

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. SpotOn rates shown are from their publicly posted U.S. pricing pages and may vary; SpotOn does not publish Canadian pricing.

Helcim vs. SpotOn software feature comparison

Helcim includes a full suite of payment tools for free across every industry. SpotOn focuses on deep, restaurant-specific POS features, with online payment tools that are more limited than Helcim's.

Helcim point-of-sale on iPad with purchase

Helcim POS System

A cloud-based POS that turns your phone, tablet, Mac, or Windows computer into a functional register. You can connect the Helcim Card Reader or Helcim Smart Terminal to process payments in person. Both U.S. and Canada merchants can access the Helcim POS system.

  • Syncs all transactions, inventory changes, reporting, and customer data across all sales channels, both online and in person.
  • Process partial or full refunds, split bills for group checkouts, and trigger a connected cash drawer, all from the same device.
  • Helcim POS systems comply with HIPAA compliance and IOLTA compliance.
  • All basic and advanced POS features, such as customer databases, customer portals, secure card vaults, SMS/email messaging, and automations are included at $0 in monthly software fees.

SpotOn POS System

A POS system is built for full-service and counter-service restaurant operations and workflows.

  • Interactive table maps let servers manage sections, split checks, and transfer tables. That's a genuine strength for full-service dining, and one Helcim doesn't build for.
  • A proprietary local-network offline mode (via SpotOn's Pronto router) keeps every station, printer, and kitchen display running during an internet outage, with hard caps you can set on offline transaction size and count.
  • Runs only on SpotOn's own hardware. You can't install the POS software on a tablet, laptop or desktop you already own.

What both offer

Both SpotOn and Helcim POS systems let you ring up items, take tap/chip/wallet payments, apply discounts, capture tips, and print or email a receipt. Both sync in-person sales with online orders and customer data automatically, so your reporting stays current with every transaction.

The bottom line

Choose SpotOn if you run a full-service restaurant that needs table maps and reliable offline performance. Choose Helcim if you want POS software that runs on hardware you already own, without a restaurant-specific workflow you don't need.

Helcim virtual terminal transaction interface

Helcim Virtual Terminal

Accepts keyed card and ACH bank payments from any browser, with both immediate "Purchase" and "Pre-authorization" (hold funds now, capture later) modes.

  • Accepts ACH/bank-transfer payments directly at 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6)—a lower-cost option SpotOn's virtual terminal doesn't offer.
  • You can link Helcim Invoices to the Helcim Virtual Terminal to collect partial payments, as well as outstanding or past-due payments, faster.
  • The Helcim Customer Vault uses AES-256 encryption to securely store all payment details and personal information.
  • Saved payment details can be enrolled in subscription plans, added to invoices, or charged by merchants.

SpotOn Virtual Terminal

Similar to Helcim, you can access the SpotOn Virtual Terminal on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device to collect keyed-in payments.

  • Similar to Helcim, SpotOn Virtual Terminal can use saved payment information to charge repeating transactions, automate recurring cycles, and manage subscription plans.
  • Cannot pre-authorize payment collection (hold funds now, capture later).
  • SpotOn does not offer ACH or direct bank-transfer payments through its Virtual Terminal.

What both offer

Both let you turn a browser, computer, or phone into a payment terminal for phone orders, mail-in payments, and remote billing — no card-swiping hardware required. Both keep a customer directory with saved payment methods and full transaction history.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim if you want to accept ACH payments or need pre-authorizations for variable billing. Choose SpotOn if you are a complex restaurant that only uses the Virtual Terminal as a backup, or if you don't need a HIPAA or IOLTA-compliant system.

Helcim invoicing tool hero

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 "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.
  • Merchants can pass on credit card processing fees to customers using Helcim Fee Saver.
  • Invoicing is HIPAA-compliant and offers eight document types (estimate, quote, order, purchase order, invoice, statement, registration, and credit) for different stages of a sale.

SpotOn Invoicing

SpotOn Invoicing is a feature under the SpotOn Virtual Terminal. Restaurants can customize their invoices and send them to customers.

  • SpotOn does not offer ACH or direct bank-transfer payments through its Virtual Terminal.
  • SpotOn Invoicing doesn't have surcharging options that pass credit card fees to customers. SpotOn only supports surcharging for in-person transactions.
  • SpotOn invoices don't have a "Pay Now" button that lets customers pay without leaving the invoice view. Customers have to click on a link to visit an external page for payments.

What both offer

Both let you create a branded invoice, email it to a customer, and get paid through a secure link, with automated reminders that stop once the invoice is paid so you're not manually chasing down late payments.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim if you want ACH as a payment option on your invoices, want to pass credit card fees to customers, or need a HIPAA-compliant solution. Choose SpotOn if you don't use invoicing much or if you don't need advanced invoicing features that help you save on fees.

Helcim recurring payments options

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. You can also add 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.

SpotOn Recurring Billing

SpotOn Recurring Payments is a feature of the SpotOn Virtual Terminal. It provides basic functionality that lets restaurants set up automated billing cycles for memberships or retainers.

  • SpotOn Recurring Payments cannot accept ACH or bank transfers.
  • SpotOn Recurring Payments cannot add free trial periods, setup fees, or other add-on charges.
  • If a customer's payment fails, SpotOn Recurring Payments cannot automatically retry it.

What both offer

Both let you save a customer's card on file and bill them automatically on a set schedule. This is useful for memberships, retainers, or subscription-style services, with the payments syncing back into your regular reporting.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim if you want ACH as a recurring payment option or need automatic payment retry logic. Choose SpotOn if you only see recurring payments as an optional tool and don't need advanced features that let you maximize your recurring revenue.

Helcim card vault security and compliance

Helcim Customer Manager (with Secure Card Vault)

A dedicated CRM with a self-service Customer Portal customers can log into directly.

  • Customers can view invoice history, update their own payment methods, and pay outstanding balances themselves through the portal, which cuts down on back-and-forth.
  • Store up to 10 tokenized cards per customer, with AES-256 encryption and no full card numbers retained.
  • Flag a customer as "wholesale" and they automatically see wholesale pricing across invoices and the online store.

SpotOn Customer Profiles

Customer records built into the Virtual Terminal, aggregating contact details, saved payment methods, and transaction history.

  • Search, filter, and export customer payment data across all devices from one dashboard.
  • No published self-service portal where SpotOn customers can manage their own saved cards or pay invoices without staff involvement.

What both offer

Both keep a running customer directory tied to payments, invoices, and transaction history, so you're not re-entering the same customer's information every time they buy.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim if you want customers to be able to self-serve: updating cards or paying invoices without calling you. SpotOn's version covers the basics but keeps more of that work on your staff.

Helcim integration ecosystem logos

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), so you can keep your software but pay Helcim's lower rates.

  • Helcim Payment Extension lets merchants 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

SpotOn Integrations

SpotOn integrates with different partners through its marketplace.

  • It offers integrations across ordering, delivery, inventory, accounting, and labor management platforms, such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, MarginEdge, Shogo, DAVO, and 7shifts.
  • Integrations are set up through the in-dashboard Marketplace.
  • SpotOn does not offer an open payment API.

What both offer

Both Helcim and SpotOn allow you to connect your payment or POS system with essential third-party business software to streamline your operations and accounting. Both eliminate manual data entry by syncing your transaction data with the external tools you rely on to run your business.

The bottom line

Choose Helcim if you want to bypass high processing fees on your current billing software using their Chrome extension, or if you need an open API for custom developer integrations. Choose SpotOn if you run a restaurant and need deep, industry-specific integrations for food delivery, labor management, and inventory tracking through a curated marketplace.

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

Helcim Online Checkout

A free, no-code online store comes with every account. It is hosted at yourname.helcim.app and includes a setup wizard, product catalog sync, discount codes, and Google Pay at checkout—no website or developer required.

Helcim Payment Pages

Merchants can create reusable hosted payment pages and share them as links via SMS or email, embed them on a website, or display them as a QR code to easily collect payments from customers.

Helcim Payment Extension

This tool lets merchants connect Helcim to the software they already use, allowing them to process payments at Helcim's transparent rates without leaving their preferred platform.

SpotOn

SpotOn Rapid Fund

Merchants can pay an additional 0.2% deposit fee to receive their processed funds in under 30 minutes, any time, including weekends and holidays. In contrast, Helcim's fastest option is a free next-business-day deposit.

SpotOn DayCheck

This feature lets your staff receive their approved tips on the same day they are earned. Because Helcim is a broad payment processing platform for merchants across many industries, it doesn't offer this specialized feature.

Detailed Helcim vs. SpotOn POS hardware comparison

Helcim and SpotOn offer standalone terminals but for different types of businesses. Here's how each device compares on specs, connectivity, and what's included.

Device Price Display Connectivity Accepts POS Software Receipt Printer Battery APIs Best For
Helcim Smart Terminal — 7-inch HD touchscreen POS with built-in receipt printer Helcim Smart Terminal
$349 (one-time purchase) 7″ HD touchscreen Wi-Fi + built-in 4G (optional $7/month) Tap, chip, swipe, manual entry Full POS app pre-loaded — inventory, tipping, receipts, employee logins Built-in thermal printer Up to 12 hours; USB-C charging Full Smart Terminal APIs for custom integrations Businesses wanting a turnkey countertop POS or accepting payments on the go
SpotOn Handheld — 6.5-inch restaurant handheld POS SpotOn Handheld
$500 listed price ($375 promotional price) 6.5″ touchscreen Wi-Fi only Tap, chip, and swipe Full SpotOn POS app with restaurant features like table maps, order controls, and check splitting Unavailable Not published Unavailable Restaurants wanting a mobile device for tableside ordering, payment, and line-busting during a rush

Head-to-head

The Helcim Smart Terminal is a standalone countertop device with a built-in printer, meaning it works on its own without a paired phone or tablet. Any business can use the Helcim Smart Terminal to accept payments on the go and in person. In contrast, the SpotOn Handheld is built exclusively for restaurants. Additionally, it lacks a built-in printer and only connects over Wi-Fi, offering no cellular backup if the connection drops.

Where each platform shines

Both Helcim and SpotOn are strong payment platforms — but they're built for different types of businesses. Here's an honest look at where each one excels.

Helcim

You want low, transparent pricing

Helcim's interchange-plus model passes the exact wholesale cost charged by the card networks directly to you, plus a transparent markup on top.

You are growing or scaling up

Your processing rate drops automatically as your sales volume rises (saving you up to 70% off Helcim's markup). In contrast, SpotOn's flat rate stays the same regardless of how much volume you process.

You don't want monthly fees stacking up

All payment tools and features are included for free. Your monthly bill won't grow just because your team or business footprint expands. SpotOn, however, charges monthly software fees up to $55 per POS station each month, which quickly adds up for multi-station setups.

You want more than just a restaurant POS

Helcim offers a POS, invoicing, an online store builder, recurring billing, a virtual terminal, CRM, and inventory management right out of the box for almost any industry, no monthly software plans required. SpotOn's system is built highly specifically for the restaurant industry.

You process a high volume of debit transactions

Helcim charges a low flat fee for Canadian Interac debit and offers competitive U.S. debit rates. Because SpotOn uses flat-rate pricing, you pay the same higher percentage on debit cards as you do for premium credit cards, missing out on big savings.

You want to stay within your existing software

Helcim offers the Helcim Payment Extension, allowing you to process payments at lower rates directly inside your existing business management, accounting, and billing software. SpotOn relies on a closed marketplace and lacks a flexible extension or open API to connect with outside billing platforms.

You want to accept low-cost ACH bank payments

Helcim supports ACH across invoices, recurring billing, payment pages, and the virtual terminal; SpotOn's payment tools are cards and Google Pay only.

SpotOn

You need complex restaurant POS features

Table maps, course firing, kitchen display systems, and menu management are highly useful for full-service and counter-service restaurants. These are not features Helcim's general-business platform tries to offer.

You are not in the healthcare or legal industries

SpotOn is not HIPAA- or IOLTA-compliant, so it's not an ideal option for businesses in the healthcare and legal fields.

You don't use online payment tools often

SpotOn offers basic online payment tools like a Virtual Terminal, Invoicing, and Recurring Payments; however, these features have limited functionality compared to Helcim. If your business often needs to accept payments online, Helcim is a better option.

You are willing to pay higher processing fees for free payment hardware

SpotOn's "All-In" plan removes upfront hardware and software costs entirely in exchange for a higher processing rate and a two-year contract term.

You need staff management features

The SpotOn POS system includes team scheduling, labor forecasting, and instant tip access for staff.

When to choose Helcim or SpotOn

Helcim is built for growing businesses that want transparent pricing and every payment tool included at $0/month. SpotOn is built for restaurants.

Helcim

Choose Helcim if you want your processing rate to actually get cheaper as your business grows, want to own your hardware outright without a contract, or run a retail shop, salon, professional-services business, or online business that doesn't need restaurant-specific tools like table maps or kitchen displays.

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SpotOn

Choose SpotOn if you run a full-service or counter-service restaurant and want deep, restaurant-specific tools, such as table maps, course firing, a kitchen display system, and labor forecasting.

Visit SpotOn

Frequently asked questions

Helcim is an interchange-plus payment processor with automatic volume discounts, no contracts, and owned hardware, serving merchants across most industries. SpotOn offers POS systems and payment hardware specifically for restaurants with flat processing rates, deep restaurant-specific tools, and, on some plans, a multi-year contract.

Helcim doesn't require a contract. Most SpotOn offers the $0-upfront "All-In" plan that requires a 2-year minimum processing term, and canceling standard hardware within a year of installation triggers a penalty equal to the difference between the discounted and full hardware price.

Helcim charges $0 for monthly fees, PCI, statement, and setup fees. SpotOn's monthly software fee ranges from $0 (All-In) to $55 (POS Essentials). The free SpotOn plan will charge higher payment processing fees.

Helcim offers the payment processing system for every business so it has more generic features for restaurants. Helcim offers lower processing fees, volume discounts, and deeper online payment processing tools. For a full-service restaurant that wants table maps, kitchen displays, and labor forecasting, SpotOn's restaurant-specific tools are more suitable.

Helcim serves the U.S. and Canada but businesses can still accept payments internationally in USD and CAD. On SpotOn websites, there is only pricing information for the U.S. and SpotOn doesn't give any information about the international payment processing.

Choose SpotOn if you run a full-service restaurant and you're comfortable with SpotOn's contract terms. Choose Helcim if you want a processing rate that falls automatically as you grow, no contract, and the flexibility to connect or build your own integrations.