Credit Card Processing Solutions
Top Companies in 2024
Dharma Merchant Services vs Helcim
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- Flexible, non-permanent cancelation options
- 24/7 support
- Mobile apps for transactions and insights
- Many payment methods are accepted
- Streamlined, reliable transactions
- Pricing transparency
- Specialized solutions for SaaS and large companies
- Allows surcharging
- Learning and resource availability
- Improved cash flow
- Volume discounts
- A large variety of payment methods for both online and in-person payments
- Comprehensive third-party integrations such as Xero, Quickbooks Online
- Quick sign-up and approval
- Confusing costs & fees
- Complex chargeback & dispute handling policies
- Pricey hardware
- System integration issues
- Cancelation fees imposed
- Not suitable for high-risk merchants
Dharma Merchant Services is a credit card processing company founded in 2007 and based in San Francisco, California. They offer their solutions to various industries, including retail, service, nonprofit, and e-commerce. They provide complete merchant services for online businesses, offering next-day funding and month-to-month agreements without annual contracts or early termination fees. Dharma supports sustainable businesses that follow environmentally friendly initiatives, such as using green energy and recycling products. They also work with women and minority-owned businesses to help build a strong community. They enjoy an excellent reputation among their customers, and have an A+ rating on the BBB.
Helcim is a Canadian credit card processing and merchant services company founded in 2006 and headquartered in Calgary, AB. They are a fast, secure, and reliable credit card processor that provides payment solutions to more than 20 countries and all business types worldwide. They provide various services, including online payments, point-of-sale systems, virtual terminals, and mobile payments. Helcim provides several transaction processing alternatives and accepts worldwide credit card payments, recurring payments, and invoices. They do not require clients to get into lengthy contracts and offer affordable interchange-plus rates, which is their specialty pricing model. That model comes with built-in volume discounts and a suite of free payment processing tools. They are generally well-reviewed, getting a 4.2/5 on Trustpilot, and have an excellent reputation among clients, who praise their support's straightforward and helpful nature and fast service. They are up-front about their no-contract processing fees and hardware costs on their website.
- Transaction Speed : Two days
- Customer Experience : Excellent
- Gift Cards : Undisclosed
- Real-Time Reports : Available
- Transparent Pricing : Available
- Pricing Model : Interchange plus
- Trustpilot Score : 4.7 out of 5
- BBB Rating : A+
- Transaction Speed : 2 days
- Customer Experience : Good
- Transparent Pricing : True
- Pricing Model : Interchange-Plus
- Trustpilot Score : 4.2 out of 5
- BBB Rating : A+
- Environmentally and socially active solutions
- Transparent costs and fees
- Discounted costs for nonprofits
- Protected and secure payments with Helcim Fraud Defender and data encryption
- Multiple payment options include in-person, online, in-app, and over-the-phone payments
- Transparent pricing policy and no hidden fees
- Billing & Invoicing
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware
- Mobile Card Reader
- Multiple Payment Gateways
- Recurring Payments & Billing
- Reporting & Analytics
- Virtual Terminal
- Billing & Invoicing
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware
- Mobile Card Reader
- Multiple Payment Gateways
- Recurring Payments & Billing
- Reporting & Analytics
- Virtual Terminal
- EMV Compliant
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- EMV Compliant
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- Annual Subscription—Undisclosed
- Free Trial
- Freemium—Undisclosed
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License
- Annual Subscription
- Free Trial
- Freemium
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License—Undisclosed
- Processing Services
- Accounting Software
- POS
- Productivity Software
- Processing Services
- Accounting Software
- POS
- Productivity Software
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- NFC Payments
- Online Payment Procesing
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature—Undisclosed
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- NFC Payments
- Online Payment Procesing
- Demos
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Tickets
- Demos
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Tickets
Dharma Merchant Services vs. Helcim
Dharma Merchant Services and Helcim are noteworthy contenders in the credit card processing industry, each offering unique benefits. From versatile advantages to usability, security measures, and pricing structures, these providers cater to diverse businesses. Let's explore their comparative strengths and distinctions.
Value-added benefits
Dharma Merchant Services caters to a diverse range of businesses, including B2B, retail, small businesses, and restaurants. Signing up for a Dharma account unlocks complimentary access to MX Merchant, offering an array of features for streamlined operations. Quick Payments facilitates instant approvals, their customer database organizes transaction details, and MX reporting provides fast and robust insights. Additionally, the platform offers applications for invoicing and managing recurring payments. Dharma further extend their services by selling Clover POS solutions and providing comprehensive business solutions for various industries.
Dharma also supports surcharging for card-present and card-not-present payments, offering businesses flexibility in managing transaction costs.
On the other hand, Helcim goes beyond basic payment processing, offering an array of services to optimize your business operations. With seamless integration into various tools and POS systems, Helcim ensures a smooth workflow. Their international payment support and multi-currency capabilities cater to businesses with a global footprint. Helcim stands out by providing surcharging options for both credit and ACH transactions, giving companies greater control over transaction costs. In addition, the platform's robust chargeback management tools and a user-friendly self-service portal enhance overall efficiency, empowering businesses with valuable insights and convenient control over their payment processes.
Usability
Helcim and Dharma Merchant Services prioritize versatile payment options to cater to diverse business needs. Both providers seamlessly support debit and credit card transactions, ensuring flexibility for customers. Additionally, they facilitate ACH transactions, making it convenient for businesses to handle electronic fund transfers. Helcim also offers international payment support, broadening their usability for companies with a global clientele. Furthermore, Dharma Merchant Services enhances usability with features like online payment links and mobile payments, providing businesses with convenient tools to adapt to the evolving landscape of in-store and online transactions.
Level of data security
Helcim and Dharma Merchant Services prioritize the security of customer data, adhering to PCI standards. Helcim employs a multi-faceted approach, implementing daily backups, robust data storage, and strict authentication and access controls. Their commitment to security is evident in being a Level 1 PCI-DSS compliant provider, ensuring the highest level of compliance with industry standards.
On the other hand, Dharma Merchant Services employs a comprehensive security strategy, encompassing administrative, physical, and technical measures to safeguard customer information and prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, Dharma collaborates with third-party partners to extend PCI compliance services to their merchants, enhancing the overall security framework for businesses under their service. Both providers showcase a solid commitment to data security, providing businesses and customers with the assurance that their sensitive information is handled with the utmost care and in compliance with industry standards.
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, Helcim, and Dharma Merchant Services both follow an interchange-plus pricing structure, but the specifics of their models set them apart. Helcim stands out by eliminating monthly fees. For in-person transactions, if monthly transaction volumes are $50,000 or less, they charge 0.4% and 8 cents, and for online or manually keyed transactions, they charge 0.5% and 25 cents. ACH payments come with a cost of 0.5% plus 25 cents.
In contrast, Dharma Merchant Services introduces a $25 monthly fee and employs a diverse pricing structure based on transaction types and monthly volumes. Rates include 0.15% + $0.08, 0.10% + $0.11, and 0.20% + $0.11 per transaction. It's essential to note that Dharma's pricing doesn't include extra fees for services like ACH check transactions, B2B processing, or account updates.
Concluding thoughts
Choosing between providers depends on aligning each provider’s features and offerings with your business’s goals and needs. Dharma impresses with their comprehensive offerings and free access to MX Merchant, while Helcim excels in providing complete transparency and cost efficiency while providing comprehensive solutions. Dharma may be the best option if you require extensive solutions for an additional price. However, if you value clarity and cost-effectiveness, Helcim is your provider. Essentially, the decision boils down to your business's needs, whether a broad service spectrum or a streamlined, cost-effective approach.
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