vs.
PayPal logo

Helcim vs PayPal

With robust payment tools both for online and in-person payments, scalable pricing, and dedicated support for an effortless switch, Helcim might be your best choice for your payments.

Access switching guide

The Helcim advantage.

All-in-one payments platform

Access powerful tools for in-person and online payments with one free account—no contracts and no hidden fees.

Savings like no other

Get 25% average savings on merchant rates, automatic volume discounts, plus free processing with Fee Saver. No fuss, just savings.

Real human support

No bots here. You’ll actually talk to a human who knows the ins and outs of the platform.

So fair, so clear our pricing is practically your operating budget’s pal.

We know costs matter to small business owners.Here is a breakdown of the fees you’ll pay with Helcim and PayPal.

Online Payments

2.39% + 25¢

2.49% + 25¢

Average

In-person Payments

1.76% + 8¢

1.93% + 8¢

Average

ACH Payments

0.5% + 25¢

0.5% + 25¢

PayPal logo

Online Payments

2.90% + 30¢

2.59% + 30¢

In-person Payments

Not available

2.29% + 9¢

ACH Payments

Not available

Not available

But wait, there’s more.

Beyond the fees, there can be other factors to consider when switching providers. We made it simpler.

PayPal logo
Pricing Model Interchange Plus Flat Rate
Monthly Fees

Payments Advanced

Payments Pro

Website Payments Pro

Virtual Terminal

Recurring Billing

PCI Compliance Fees
Premium Fees on Tools $0 (all inclusive)
International Payment Fees $0 - Converted amount Converted amount + additional 0.80%-1.00% for every transaction
Free Credit Card Processing Not available
ACH Payments
POS Hardware

Card Reader - $129

Smart Terminal - $399

Card Reader - $99

Smart Terminal - $329

US only

Zettle Card Reader

Zettle Terminal

Invoice Management
POS Solution
Recurring Payments
Virtual Terminal
Inventory Management
API Solution
Hosted Payments Pages
Customer Service Phone & Email Phone, email & live chat support
Volume Discounts

Automatic

Upon approval

Deposit Time 1-2 Business days 1-2 business days or Instant deposit at 1% fee

The verdict.

When comparing Helcim to PayPal, in general Helcim has:

  • Cheaper option illustration

    The cheaper option among all payment formats

  • More ways to save illustration

    More ways to save with free credit card processing and level 2/3 data optimization

Ready to switch to Helcim illustration

Make the switch, we'll cover $500 of your cancellation costs.

Complete the form below so you can get up to $500 of processing fees waived and gain access to our PayPal to Helcim guide.

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What customers have to say.

  • Most processors reject us without reason. Helcim went above and beyond to understand our situation and find a way to work with us. I'm confident that Helcim will surpass all competitors in the industry, such as Stripe and PayPal. It's just a matter of time! We're thrilled to start working with Helcim and build a healthy, long-term relationship together! Is it possible to love your credit card processor? With Helcim, YES!!!!!

    EGEE Digital LTD

  • I needed my hand held through the setup process and their Merchant Specialist stayed on the phone as long as I needed. It was a great experience. And the personalized email I just received was AMAZING....what company does that?! Impressive. Goodbye PayPal. I won't miss you. Hello Helcim!! :)

    Maggie Christopher

  •  In the past we’ve used PayPal, square and quick books to process cards. Helcim is by far the easiest to work with because there is always a human element to their service. Overall we are very happy!

    Atlas Roadside

  • We have been a customer of Helcim for around 3 years now and originally processed all transactions through PayPal. [...] We ended up moving our e-commerce business to Helcim as well and that was smooth and painless for the most part and the fees are drastically less then the $3000+ we were paying with PayPal. I would highly recommend Helcim as a payment processor. The industry is filled with crooked sales people and it is hard to trust any company but I have not had any issues with billing from this company and would not hesitate to recommend them to another business.

    Touge Tuning

  • I wish I had switched to Helcim years ago! Their card reader and customer service are absolutely top notch, and their rates are the best. I was with one of the big companies until recently, when they forced me to upgrade to their new horrible reader, which resulted in many calls to their terrible tech service. I dropped them and researched new options online. 

    James Hinch

  • The customer service team is always quick, efficient, and knowledgeable. You never spend more than 5 min waiting on the phone, annoyed by a robotic answering machine that gets you nowhere. They also appreciate your time. For example, I was rushed with a customer on the other line and my customer service rep understood the assignment lol! Literally in less than 30 seconds. My issue was resolved.

    Beatriz Sanchez

FAQ.

  • What do I need to switch from my provider to Helcim?

    Sign up for free to quickly start accepting payments, without the hassle of complex paperwork. For step-by-step guidance, check out our switch tutorial video

  • How long does the switching process take?

    The exact timeline can vary depending on the specifics of your current setup and how quickly you can integrate Helcim's tools into your operations. However, Helcim's streamlined signup process and support mean that you can begin accepting payments relatively quickly after initiating the switch. For deposits, it typically takes about 2 business days for funds to appear in your bank account after transactions are settled​.

  • How can I be assisted from switching from my provider to Helcim?

    Helcim offers switching support for businesses looking to transition their business to Helcim. Our team will be available to provide guidance, honest advice, and answer any questions you might have about switching, getting out of an existing contract, and even help you migrate your data to our system.

  • What should I do with my other provider’s equipment?

    Check your contract for terms regarding equipment return or termination fees and consult your previous provider for the return process.It’s advisable to handle the transition in a manner that minimally disrupts your business operations, ensuring a seamless shift to Helcim’s platform and services.

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