Credit Card Processing Solutions
Top Companies in 2024
Helcim vs Stax
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- 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
- Large variety of payment methods
- Allows surcharging
- Month-to-month payments
- Excellent 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and tickets
- Comprehensive third-party integrations
- Specialized solutions for SaaS and large companies
- Not suitable for high-risk merchants
- Higher fixed monthly costs
- Reports of frozen funds
- Prices not listed for larger companies
- Many options come at an added price
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.
Stax is a credit card processing company that markets solutions to small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as large businesses. They enable businesses to accept credit and debit cards by providing membership-based wholesale pricing. The company offers credit card processing services to brick-and-mortar businesses and online merchants and services available for high-risk businesses. They offer two pricing plans, including an interchange fixed plus rate and a zero-cost processing option. Stax is known for their proficiency in working with high-revenue enterprises, and they provide high-volume enterprises with a dedicated account manager. Additionally, the organization provides internal IT support, which makes life easier for business owners when technical difficulties occur as a result of a company's expansion. Stax offers a selection of hardware and point-of-sale (POS) system options in addition to a wide range of no-cost integrations. Along with other capabilities, including the capacity to store card data, sales tracking, and brand personalization for invoices, receipts, and websites, they also provide 24/7 customer support, same-day deposit possibilities, and PCI compliance components. Stax requires a flat-rate monthly subscription of $99 to $199, to which clients may be charged for optional add-on services like ACH processing and digital gift cards.
- Transaction Speed : 2 days
- Customer Experience : Good
- Transparent Pricing : True
- Pricing Model : Interchange-Plus
- Trustpilot Score : 4.2 out of 5
- BBB Rating : A+
- Transaction Speed : 24 hours
- Customer Experience : Good
- Money-Back Guarantee : True
- Gift Cards : Available
- Real-Time Reports : Available
- Transparent Pricing : Available
- Pricing Model : Fixed monthly fee, Surcharging
- Trustpilot Score : 4.1 out of 5
- BBB Rating : A+
- 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
- Robust security with the latest encryption and tokenization technology
- Customized solutions to meet the unique needs of each business
- Comprehensive reporting and detailed analytics to help businesses grow
- Responsive customer support, available 24/7
- Advanced features like recurring billing, invoicing, and mobile payments
- 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
- Free Trial
- Freemium
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License—Undisclosed
- Annual Subscription—Undisclosed
- Free Trial
- Freemium—Undisclosed
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License—Undisclosed
- Processing Services
- Accounting Software
- POS
- Productivity Software
- Processing Services
- Accounting Software
- POS
- Productivity Software—Undisclosed
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature—Undisclosed
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- NFC Payments
- Online Payment Procesing
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- NFC Payments
- Online Payment Procesing
- Demos
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Tickets
- Demos—Undisclosed
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Tickets
Helcim vs. Stax
Looking for a credit card processing company? Helcim and Stax are two major players, each offering unique benefits. This comparison will explore their differences in terms of value-added benefits, usability, data security, and pricing.
Value-added benefits
Stax offers various payment solutions, including convenient options like text-to-pay and mobile payments with digital wallets. This makes Stax an adaptable choice for businesses looking for a wide range of payment methods. In contrast, Helcim takes a more streamlined approach, focusing on debit and credit card transactions. Helcim excels in multi-currency support, allowing customers to make purchases in CAD/USD from any location—a valuable feature for businesses engaged in international transactions.
Both platforms share essential features for booking and reporting, such as online checkout, recurring payments, and eCommerce payment pages. Helcim's interchange-plus pricing structure provides transparent and competitive recurring billing without hidden fees or long-term contracts. The surcharging options from Helcim and Stax allow businesses to choose the most suitable financial partnership. It's important to remember that Helcim's chargeback management incurs a $15 fee, but there's no charge in the event of a successful dispute resolution. Overall, both platforms prioritize real-time transaction monitoring, ensuring payments are processed swiftly and securely.
Usability
The Stax and Helcim platforms share a common strength in platform accessibility. They enable businesses to securely accept transactions across various ERP, CRM, accounting software, and eCommerce solutions, enhancing users' adaptability and ease of use.
Helcim's gateway facilitates payment authorization, batch coordination, and seamless integration with third-party software, while Stax, with its subscription pricing model, presents a variety of capabilities and equipment. In addition to their commitment to efficient payment processes, both platforms prioritize reliable payment times, ensuring that businesses receive their funds promptly.
Level of data security
Helcim prioritizes the security of its payment processing services through a multifaceted approach. Their privacy policy clearly outlines how user data is handled and protected. Helcim equips merchants with a detailed guide to adjusting security settings and evaluating transaction risks based on various factors. The platform's risk management guide encourages businesses to implement robust security measures such as strong passwords, firewalls, and encryption. Utilizing AES-256 encryption for sensitive data, they safeguard vital information, including names, card numbers, expiry dates, and cardholder addresses. The Helcim Defenders feature also allows merchants to assess transaction risks and tailor security settings accordingly.
Stax mirrors a commitment to data security by operating as a Level 1 PCI Service Provider, upholding the highest PCI compliance standards. The platform employs end-to-end encryption and tokenization to secure cardholder data, adding an extra layer of protection. Proactive technologies bolster Stax's fraud prevention measures, which constantly monitor and investigate accounts for potential unauthorized charges. Transaction security has a 2-factor authentication for every transaction, and data protection is reinforced through technical measures against unauthorized access.
Pricing
Helcim employs an interchange-plus pricing model based on transaction volume and type, whether in-person or online/keyed. For in-person transactions, rates range from 0.40% + 8 ¢ to 0.15% + 6 ¢, depending on monthly sales. Online/keyed transactions have rates from 0.50% + 25 ¢ to 0.15% + 15 ¢ for similar sales brackets. Helcim doesn’t charge monthly fees and offers automatic volume discounts, particularly benefiting high-volume merchants.
Stax adopts a subscription-based pricing model. Their plans include the Growth Plan at $99 per month for businesses processing up to $250,000 annually, the Pro Plan at $159 per month with additional features, and the Ultimate Plan at $199 per month encompassing all Pro plan features. Custom pricing is available for businesses processing over $500,000 annually, with Stax Enterprise tailored for those processing over $5 million. Stax's pricing model does not include a markup on interchange rates, enabling businesses to save up to 40% on credit card processing fees through their flat-rate subscription model.
In conclusion, the comparison between Helcim and Stax highlights their unique strength and their role in the credit card processing industry. Helcim is optimal for businesses valuing streamlined and transparent payment processing, particularly excelling in multi-currency support for international transactions. Conversely, Stax’s versatile offerings provide comprehensive payment solutions suitable for companies seeking adaptability. Helcim's strength lies in clarity with an interchange-plus model, while Stax's subscription-based pricing caters to larger enterprises with diverse transaction needs. The choice between Helcim and Stax ultimately hinges on individual business needs and preferences in terms of transaction volume, payment methods, and pricing structures.
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