Helcim Review and Pricing

Why We Chose Helcim for Businesses That Want an All-in-One Platform

We chose Helcim as the best credit card processor for businesses seeking an all-in-one platform because of how well the service combines payment processing with POS features and CRM tools. This solution distinguishes itself by offering a powerful suite of business tools integrated in a single setup, eliminating the need for separate platforms. During our testing, Helcim stood out for its:

• Integrated POS software: Free, full-featured POS tools for managing sales, inventory, customers and employees on any device
• Affordable and transparent pricing: Interchange-plus model with no monthly fees, designed to save small businesses money
• Payment versatility: Supports all major payment methods across online, mobile and in-person channels
• Customization and control: Offers developer APIs for tailored integrations and features like customizable invoicing and hosted online stores
• Rate-lock guarantee: Promises to maintain your processing rates, providing cost stability

Helcim combines payment processing with POS functions for a robust, all-in-one platform. Source: Helcim

Ease of Use

During our hands-on demo, we were impressed by Helcim’s intuitive user interface and modern, clean design. Business owners and their teams will likely have no trouble getting up and running with the platform. Here are the aspects we think businesses will find most appealing as they implement Helcim’s software:

• Clearly defined sections, including Payment Tools (e.g., invoicing, payment processing and e-commerce functions) and Merchant Tools (e.g., customer data and reporting functions).
• Well-designed virtual terminal and invoicing functions
• Customizable billing templates
• Easily created QR codes and payment links
• Robust reporting functionality 
• Polished mobile POS app that enables merchants to:
  • Accept payments on the go
  • Store customer information
  • Record transaction history
  • Track inventory
  • Generate POS reports
  • Review sales trends

Helcim’s user interface is well-organized and intuitive. Source: Helcim

Helcim Features and Tools

Helcim provides well-rounded services that enable effective payment processing and customer relationship management. With the all-in-one Helcim platform, businesses can take advantage of omnichannel payment processing, POS tools, CRM features, integrations and more. Below are the functions that impressed us the most.

Payment Processing and Acceptance

• Omnichannel sales: Accept payments online, in-person and via mobile devices
• Virtual terminal: Use for manually keyed-in transactions, secure payment links, refunds, pre-authorizations, ACH support
• Recurring payments: Manage subscriptions with customizable plans, trials and metered billing
• Online invoicing: Send unlimited branded invoices with “pay now” buttons and automated reminders via email or text
• Hosted online store: Free e-commerce storefronts with shopping carts, CMS, SEO tools and SSL
• Hosted payment pages or links: Embed secure checkout pages or share payment links instantly
• QR code payments: Customers can scan a QR code for secure mobile payments

Customers can pay directly through digital invoices with a built-in “pay now” button. Source: Helcim

POS Tools

Helcim’s POS software is free and includes online ordering, a mobile app and a desktop workstation. Here’s what you can expect when you use Helcim as your POS system:

• Hardware: Helcim sells its own payment hardware.
  • Helcim Card Reader: $99, accepts magstripe, EMV and contactless NFC mobile payments; works with the Helcim POS app to sync transactions, track sales and send digital receipts. 
  • Helcim Smart Terminal: $329, wireless, touch-screen POS device with built-in POS software and a receipt printer; supports in-person credit, debit and mobile payments, along with inventory management and emailed receipts.

Helcim’s Smart Terminal has POS software and a receipt printer built in. Source: Helcim

• Mobile app: Helcim Payments works on iOS and Android devices. You can process payments directly through the app using the virtual terminal or pair it with the Helcim Card Reader for secure in-person transactions. We love that the app:
  • Supports unlimited users.
  • Lets you control employee permissions for secure team access.
  • Add compatible accessories like a cash drawer, barcode scanner or receipt printer.
• Desktop POS app: Helcim’s desktop POS app is a unique feature that turns any Windows or Mac computer into a checkout station. It’s included with Helcim at no extra cost and with no per-user fees. During our testing, we liked that we could:
  • Manage inventory, track stock and take payments through a web browser or the app. 
  • Pair it with the Helcim Card Reader or add third-party accessories like a barcode scanner or cash drawer for in-person sales. 
• Online ordering: Helcim provides food and beverage businesses with a solution for online ordering.
  • A restaurant can post a menu, accept payments and offer various delivery and pickup options. 
  • We found this to be an excellent tool to cut out third-party delivery apps and other expensive intermediaries.
• Online checkout: Helcim’s online checkout makes it easy to get paid through a secure, mobile-friendly experience.
  • Embed hosted payment pages or branded checkout buttons on your site or share payment links and QR codes via social media, email or text. 
  • It works with credit cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay and integrates with Helcim’s invoicing tools for both one-time and recurring payments.

CRM Tools

Helcim’s software also includes valuable CRM features via its Customer Manager function, which allows you to: 

• Add contact information and notes to customer profiles.
• View purchase histories.
• Store credit card details in the platform’s secure vault.
• Add your branding to Helcim’s self-service customer portals.
• Let clients update their contact and credit card information, view order histories and pay invoices online.

If you already use a CRM platform, Helcim integrates with some of the best CRM software, including Zoho CRM. You’ll be able to leverage more advanced features like sales automation, marketing campaigns and detailed analytics by linking the two programs. However, you may need some tech help to ensure seamless data flow.

Helcim allows merchants to generate QR payment codes for their customers. Source: Helcim

Integrations

Helcim offers several integrations, including:

• QuickBooks Online
• Xero
• Zoho CRM
• Magent
• WooCommerce
• Foxy
• Ecwid
• BigCommerce

For businesses that need something more custom, developers can use Helcim’s robust API to build tailored integrations for websites, apps or other systems. Some integrations may require third-party automation tools like n8n or Pipedream. If you aren’t tech-savy, we recommend sticking with the native integrations.

Security

Businesses relying on Helcim as their payment processor will appreciate the vendor’s strong security measures, including:

• PCI Level 1 compliance: Highest security standards, end-to-end encryption, tokenization
• Two-factor authentication: Enhanced account security
• Fraud Defender: Scores transactions for risk, allows custom risk thresholds for automatic declines

Helcim’s Fraud Defender assesses risk for online, customer-initiated payments. Source: Helcim

Helcim Pricing

Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model, meaning you’ll pay the standard interchange rate set by the credit card company, plus a small markup and a fixed per-transaction fee. Rates vary based on your monthly sales volume.

Businesses should also keep in mind these additional pricing considerations:

• No monthly fees: No setup, statement or PCI compliance fees
• Chargeback fee: $15 chargeback fee per incident, which is refunded if you win the dispute
• Currency conversion fees: 1% above the daily market rate for multicurrency processing
• Hardware costs: The Helcim Card Reader ($99), Helcim Smart Terminal ($329)
• Tap to pay: 10 cents per transaction (with mobile app)
• ACH transfers: 0.5% + $0.25 (under $25,000); 0.5% (over $25,000)

Implementation and Onboarding

To sign up with Helcim, you’ll provide basic business details, such as your legal name and tax ID number, along with information about your industry, products, and average credit card sales volume and transaction amount. Here’s what you can expect:

• Quick online application: Free and straightforward, typically approved same day or next day
• Required documentation: Business license, utility bill, ID, voided check
• Ease of setup: Step-by-step guides and tutorials for software or hardware
• High-risk exclusion: Doesn’t support business in certain high-risk industries, such as financial institutions, gambling, cannabis, etc.

We love that the Helcim website offers detailed guides for setting up your account, adding inventory, creating an online store and more. If you need help along the way, you can call the technical support team.

If you purchase Helcim hardware, expect your equipment to arrive in 2 to 3 business days.

Customer Service

Helcim maintains in-house customer support specialists and offers phone support, which is on par with rivals we evaluated

• Personal support: The phone helpline is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT. There is also responsive email support, and you can submit support tickets directly through the mobile app.
• Online resources: Helcim’s website includes a robust Learning Center with answers to frequently asked questions, as well as step-by-step guides for using both the software and hardware. Developer documentation for businesses that want to take advantage of Helcim’s integration and API features is also available.

Limitations

Helcim is a great credit card processing choice for many businesses, but there are a few limitations to keep in mind:

• Hardware is not free: Helcim’s equipment is sold separately and is more limited than what we saw from many competitors. You’ll need to purchase a cash drawer, receipt printer or barcode scanner to build a POS station from third-party vendors, depending on your desired setup. See our Clover review for a credit card processor that offers its own high-quality POS equipment.
• Higher rates: Helcim’s processing rates are higher than those of some rivals we reviewed. If you don’t need all its extra tools and services, a different provider may be more cost-effective — especially for online-only businesses. Check out our review of Stripe for a more affordable alternative.
• No same-day deposits: This may be a deal-breaker for merchants concerned about cash flow. Check out our Chase Payment Solutions review if same-day deposits are important to you.
• No high-risk merchants: Helcim doesn’t work with businesses in certain high-risk industries. For a credit card processor that does support high-risk payment processing, see our National Processing review.

Methodology

We researched and analyzed the best credit card processors to find the top services for small businesses. These investigations included demos and free trials, a careful examination of user reviews and interactions with each vendor’s customer service teams. We looked at the usability of each company’s hardware and software offerings, as well as how fair the contract terms are to the merchant. Additionally, we scrutinized the rates and fees charged by each processor. To identify the best all-in-one platform, we paid particular attention to the breadth of features offered, including POS features and CRM functions, in addition to payment options.

Bottom Line

We recommend Helcim for …

• Omnichannel businesses looking for an all-in-one credit card processing platform with various payment options.
• Small businesses that want transparent, interchange-plus pricing without long-term contracts.
• Seasonal businesses that want to avoid monthly processing fees.

We don’t recommend Helcim for …

• Business owners who want free hardware from their credit card processor.
• Businesses that need a more advanced POS solution.
• High-risk companies that may not qualify for Helcim’s services.

Anna Baluch contributed to this review.