Skip to main content

Helcim Review: Pros, Cons, Features and Pricing Explained

Helcim is a payment processing software designed for retail operators who need clear pricing, flexible features, and reliable support. When you’re comparing payment processing software, Helcim offers a straightforward fee structure and tools that help you manage in-person and online transactions without surprises.

In this review, you’ll get a closer look at Helcim’s features, best and worst use cases, pros and cons, and pricing—so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your business.

Helcim Evaluation Summary

Helcim centralizes payments, subscriptions, and billing management tools.
Rating
4.4 /5
Pricing
  • From Interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ (varies by volume)
  • Free demo available

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

Helcim Overview

I think Helcim is a top pick if you want transparent pricing, strong customer support, and a clean interface. Its interchange-plus pricing model means you always know what you’re paying, and the onboarding process is straightforward. Helcim’s all-in-one platform handles in-person and online sales, recurring billing, and invoicing, but its hardware options are more limited than some competitors.

I’d recommend Helcim for small to mid-sized retailers who value clear costs and easy integration with ecommerce and accounting tools. If you’re comparing options, Helcim’s honest approach and responsive support set it apart.

Our Review Methodology

How We Test & Score Tools

We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.

Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.

Core Functionality (25% of final scoring)

The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.

Standout Features (25% of final scoring)

Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.

We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.

Ease of Use (10% of final scoring)

We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.

Onboarding (10% of final scoring)

We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.

Customer Support (10% of final scoring)

We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.

Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)

Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.

Value for Money (10% of final scoring)

Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.

Core Features

Interchange-Plus Pricing

Helcim uses transparent interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fees. You always see the true cost of each transaction.

Virtual Terminal

Accept payments by phone or mail using a secure online terminal. This is ideal for remote billing or service-based businesses.

Invoicing and Recurring Billing

Send digital invoices and set up automatic recurring payments for clients. This helps service providers and subscription businesses get paid on time.

Point-of-Sale (POS) System

Helcim’s POS works on computers, tablets, and smartphones for in-person sales. It supports contactless, chip, and swipe payments.

ACH Payment Processing

Collect payments directly from customer bank accounts. This lowers transaction costs for high-ticket or B2B sales.

Customer Management Tools

Store customer payment info securely and track purchase history. This makes repeat billing and customer service much easier.

Ease of Use

Helcim is refreshingly straightforward, with a clean dashboard and intuitive navigation that make setup and daily tasks simple. Users often mention how easy it is to send invoices, manage payments, and access reports without extra training. The onboarding process is clear, and built-in guides help you get started quickly.

I think Helcim’s focus on transparency and self-service tools makes it especially user-friendly for small teams and business owners handling payments themselves.

Integrations

Helcim integrates with Housecall Pro, Workiz, Jobber, Magento, Zoho Invoice, Wave Accounting, Jane App, DrChrono, Tebra, and WooPOS, among others.

Helcim also offers a developer API and supports custom integrations through HelcimPay.js and third-party tools.

Helcim Specs

  • 2-Factor Authentication
  • Accounts Receivable
  • API
  • Balance Sheet
  • Billing/Invoicing
  • BitCoin
  • Budgeting
  • Calendar Management
  • Contact Management
  • CRM Integration
  • Customer Management
  • Dashboard
  • Data Export
  • Data Import
  • Data Visualization
  • Expense Tracking
  • External Integrations
  • Forecasting
  • Inventory Tracking
  • Multi-Currency
  • Multi-User
  • Notifications
  • P&L
  • Payment Gateway Integration
  • Payment Processor
  • PayPal
  • Payroll
  • SAP Integration
  • Scheduling
  • Stripe
  • Supplier Management
  • Tax Management

Helcim FAQs

Sean Flannigan
By Sean Flannigan

Sean is the Senior Editor for The Retail Exec. He's spent years getting acquainted with the retail space, from warehouse management and international shipping to web development and ecommerce marketing. A writer at heart (and in actuality), he brings a deep passion for great writing and storytelling to retail topics big and small.