Credit Card Processing Solutions
Top Companies in 2024
Helcim vs Stripe
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- Specialized solutions for SaaS and large companies
- A large variety of payment methods
- Allows surcharging
- Comprehensive third-party integrations
- Learning and resource availability
- Improved cash flow
- Volume discounts
- International credit card processing services
- No monthly fees
- Affordable and portable chip reader
- Cross-border payment options for 50+ countries across 135+ currencies
- Transparent prices and fees
- Unintuitive and slow software
- Reports of frozen funds and deactivated accounts
- Lack of transparency on high-risk cases
- Have to pay for "premium" support
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.
Stripe is a merchant services provider that offers payment processing solutions for businesses of all sizes. They offer both merchant accounts and related services, including payment gateways, online transaction processing, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and credit card readers. Stripe is a payment processor that allows business owners to accept payment from a variety of methods or sources, including mobile wallets and "buy now, pay later" services. The company offers lots of additional services, including billing, invoicing, and sales tax automation. Stripe is renowned for its straightforward pricing model, where a flat rate is charged per transaction. It is a preferred option for businesses that predominantly operate online, as its distinctive features are primarily tailored toward enhancing online sales. Stripe is accredited with the BBB and has an A+ rating with them, but they have an average review score of 3.1/5 on Trustpilot. Their website offers two service options: an integrated "pay-as-you-go" plan that charges 2.9% +30¢ per card charge or a customized plan that involves interchange-plus pricing for businesses with higher volumes. Prospective clients must contact sales to discuss pricing for the latter plan.
- 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
- Gift Cards : Available
- Real-Time Reports : Available
- Transparent Pricing : Available
- Pricing Model : Interchange plus; separate feature rates & charges
- Trustpilot Score : 2.8 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
- International credit card processor (50+ countries)
- Extensive related services & features
- Affordable and portable chip reader
- Targeted solutions for startups & specific industries
- 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—Undisclosed
- 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—Undisclosed
- 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—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
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Tickets
Stripe vs. Helcim
In this article, we'll compare two prominent credit card processing platforms: Stripe and Helcim. The goal is to provide a clear and practical examination by spotlighting essential factors like value-added benefits, security measures, user-friendliness, and pricing strategies. This comparison is designed to assist you in making an informed decision that aligns with the specific needs of your business.
Value added benefits
Stripe and Helcim both provide comprehensive payment solutions with unique value-added benefits. Stripe's system offers dynamic payment processing engineered to minimize startup costs and operational friction. With easy integration through extensive documentation, businesses can seamlessly incorporate Stripe into various third-party platforms. Supporting over 135 currencies with customizable checkout processes, recurring billing, and surcharging options, the company facilitates global expansion and provides a user-friendly experience. Additionally, it offers chargeback management tools and real-time transaction monitoring for effective dispute handling and data analysis.
On the other hand, Helcim distinguishes itself with Interchange Plus Pricing, which is devoid of contracts or hidden fees. It focuses on speeding up transactions and enhancing the overall customer experience. The company also supports multi-currency, recurring billing, surcharging, chargeback management, and real-time transaction monitoring, aligning with businesses seeking cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally conscious payment solutions.
Usability
Regarding usability for credit card processing, both Stripe and Helcim provide online payment processing. Stripe distinguishes itself in platform accessibility by offering a more customized checkout experience through its APIs and SDKs, appealing to businesses aiming to craft tailor-made payment experiences. This enhances the overall user experience and makes Stripe well-suited for companies seeking flexibility and personalized payment solutions.
Conversely, Helcim adopts an interchange-plus pricing model for payment gateway processes, eliminating contracts and monthly fees. This straightforward approach ensures businesses have full access to payment tools without hidden costs. While Stripe focuses on customization, Helcim's strength lies in transparent pricing, providing a clear structure for businesses of all sizes. Despite their differing approaches, both platforms prioritize reliable payment processing, offering consistent services without imposing monthly fees or long-term contracts.
Level of data security
Stripe and Helcim are committed to robust data security in credit card processing, achieving PCI compliance and adhering to the stringent standards set by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). However, Stripe enhances its security offering with additional features such as fraud protection and around-the-clock customer support; meanwhile, Helcim focuses on account stability by providing a dedicated merchant account with a more rigorous application process, ensuring a higher level of scrutiny before approval.
Prices
In terms of usability and payment flexibility, Helcim shines with its low interchange-plus pricing, automatic volume discounts, and ready-to-use solutions, making it an ideal choice for businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness and stability. Conversely, Stripe follows a clear and straightforward pricing structure, charging a flat rate of 2.7% + $0.05 for card-present transactions and 2.9% + $0.30 for online transactions. However, this simplicity comes with additional fees for supplementary services like Stripe Checkout and Stripe Connect, potentially increasing costs for businesses utilizing these features.
Helcim’s interchange-plus pricing model caters to businesses of all sizes with automatic discounts for higher processing volumes. Notably, there are no contracts or monthly fees with Helcim, ensuring cost transparency and flexibility for businesses seeking straightforward pricing structures. Helcim provides complete access to its payment tools without add-on fees or usage limits, providing a direct approach to payment processing.
In a nutshell, choosing between Stripe and Helcim depends on what matters most to your business. Stripe is excellent for customizing payment experiences globally, while Helcim keeps things simple with transparent pricing and a focus on saving costs. If you prefer flexibility and tailored features, Stripe might be your pick. On the other hand, if you like straightforward pricing without surprises, Helcim is a solid choice. Both ensure secure transactions, but Stripe goes further with added features.
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