Helcim vs Stripe
Helcim and Stripe both offer transparent, interchange-plus style pricing. Helcim is a full POS solution for non-technical businesses. Stripe is payment infrastructure for developers. If you have developers, Stripe is more powerful. If you don't, Helcim is more accessible.
Our Verdict
Helcim for businesses wanting a complete solution without development. Stripe for tech companies, custom applications, or businesses with development resources. Both have fair pricing.
Best for:
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Helcim | Stripe | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Interchange + 0.3-0.5% | 2.7% + 5¢ (or IC+) | Helcim |
| Development required | No | Yes (for most) | Helcim |
| POS software | Included | Basic or build your own | Helcim |
| API power | Good | Best-in-class | Stripe |
| Online payments | Yes | Excellent | Stripe |
| International | US, Canada | 135+ countries | Stripe |
| Volume discounts | Automatic | Negotiated | Helcim |
| Monthly fees | $0 | $0 | Tie |
Helcim
Pros
- ✓True interchange-plus
- ✓No development needed
- ✓Automatic volume discounts
- ✓Full POS included
Cons
- ✗US/Canada only
- ✗Less API flexibility
- ✗Smaller ecosystem
- ✗Less brand recognition
Stripe
Pros
- ✓Best developer tools
- ✓Global coverage
- ✓Massive ecosystem
- ✓Highly customizable
Cons
- ✗Requires development
- ✗In-person is secondary
- ✗IC+ only for high volume
- ✗More complex
In-Depth Analysis
The Development Divide
Stripe Terminal requires integration work—it's not plug-and-play. Helcim gives you a complete POS without touching code. If you're evaluating as a non-technical business owner, Helcim is the practical choice. Stripe's power is wasted without developers to use it.
Pricing Deep Dive
Helcim: interchange + 0.3-0.5% + 8¢, with automatic reductions as volume grows. Stripe: 2.7% + 5¢ in-person flat rate, or interchange-plus for high volume (requires negotiation). For most in-person businesses, Helcim's pricing is more favorable.
The Ecosystem Question
Stripe has an enormous ecosystem—subscriptions, invoicing, issuing, connect, and hundreds of integrations. Helcim is focused on core payment processing and POS. If you need the broader financial platform, Stripe wins. If you need payments, both work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Helcim for online and in-person?
Yes, Helcim handles both with unified reporting and one merchant account. Their online payment tools are simpler than Stripe's but work for most businesses.
Is Stripe's interchange-plus pricing available to everyone?
No, it requires negotiation and typically significant volume. Small businesses get flat-rate pricing. Helcim gives interchange-plus to everyone from day one.