Secure Solutions, Seamless Operations: A Helcim POS Review

Helcim at a Glance

Founded in 2006 by Nic Beique in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Helcim has since expanded their presence to Seattle, Washington, United States. Highlighting services for medium and small businesses, they offer flexible payment processing solutions without binding contracts. Their tiered pricing structure is designed to benefit high-volume merchants, while their online and in-person payment processing services cater to diverse business needs.

In terms of security and convenience, Helcim emphasizes transparent pricing, providing incentives for increased volume and offering a complimentary suite of professional business tools. Among these tools is the Customer Manager, which simplifies customer data collection and secure storage in one central location.

Features

Helcim offers a comprehensive suite of features, combining cutting-edge hardware and robust software integration to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences for businesses.

Proprietary POS solutions

Helcim’s POS systems deliver seamless integration across computers, tablets, and phones, supporting intelligent reporting and real-time inventory synchronization. Their hardware lineup now includes an upgraded Smart Terminal, a more intuitive and integrated POS solution that enhances the Helcim experience by simplifying transactions and improving ease of use. Additionally, Helcim provides POS terminals with built-in receipt printing and card reading capabilities.

Tap to Pay on iPhone

For businesses in the U.S., Helcim’s Tap to Pay on iPhone functionality enables payment processing directly through an iPhone, bypassing the need for additional Helcim hardware. This feature offers an added layer of convenience, allowing merchants to accept payments effortlessly with just their device.

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Inventory oversight

Helcim integrates seamlessly with existing inventory management software, providing meticulous stock control, enhanced returns management, and efficient equipment tracking. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses managing a large inventory, as it streamlines operations across multiple locations.

Payment processing

Helcim supports both online and in-person payment processing across various methods, including credit cards, debit cards, ACH, and international payments. Their interchange-plus pricing model offers competitive, transparent rates, making payment processing more affordable for businesses.

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Customer order handling

With the Card Vault feature, Helcim streamlines recurring payments, subscriptions, free trials, and prorated billing plans. This feature is designed for businesses that handle complex billing, making order processing simpler and more efficient.

Employee oversight

Helcim’s POS system includes built-in employee login functionality, enabling businesses to monitor sales activity and manage employee access effectively. This feature ensures operational control and enhances security within the system.

Invoicing solutions

Helcim’s platform also includes a comprehensive invoicing solution, allowing businesses to generate and dispatch invoices effortlessly. This feature simplifies financial transactions, ensuring a hassle-free billing process for clients.

Omnichannel integration

Helcim supports integrated online checkout solutions, enabling businesses to establish a robust e-commerce footprint. This includes compatibility with major platforms like QuickBooks, Magento, and WooCommerce, allowing for efficient online and offline operations.

Analytics and reporting

The POS system includes intelligent reporting features, providing businesses with valuable insights into sales performance and customer data. This feature facilitates informed decision-making and supports strategic planning.

Multistore management

Helcim empowers businesses to oversee multiple store locations from a centralized system. This capability is ideal for expanding businesses and provides scalable operational control across various locations.

New Smart Terminal Demo and Contract Buyout Program

Helcim makes switching simple and cost-effective for new customers by offering up to $500 in free processing credits, which can help offset cancellation or equipment costs when transitioning from a previous provider. In addition, Helcim provides a free demo of their software and hardware, giving potential users a hands-on experience with its features and business benefits. Plus, new customers enjoy no fees on their first $5,000 in processing, adding further savings and flexibility in the initial transition period.

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Helcim Pricing & Plans

Helcim offers interchange-plus rates for their card readers, meaning you pay a markup over the interchange rate. Alternatively, the standalone smart terminal with a built-in thermal printer is available for $329. For businesses needing a card reader that connects to smartphones, tablets, and PCs for in-store transactions, Helcim offers one priced at $99. In terms of interchange-plus rates, transactions made on a physical Helcim terminal incur a rate of 1.94% plus 8 cents above interchange for in-person transactions. The rate is 2.51% plus 25 cents for online or manually keyed transactions.

Additionally, they provide volume discounts based on monthly transaction volume to help businesses save on processing fees. When it comes to chargeback fees, the company handles them efficiently by notifying merchants through their chargeback platform, email, or direct contact from their Risk team. Helcim debits the disputed amount plus a $15 fee from the merchant’s account if a chargeback is confirmed. However, if the dispute favors the merchant, this amount, including the fee, is returned.

Advantages

Helcim’s solutions are designed to revolutionize how you do business, providing tools to lift some of the work from your shoulders.

Extremely secure

Helcim stands out as a Level 1 PCI-DSS-compliant service provider, adhering to the most stringent standards for data security. The company protects data using firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and intrusion detection systems (IDS) on servers, alongside their cutting-edge AES-256 encryption technology for sensitive data and credit card information.

Automatic volume discounts

If you’re a medium or large company, you can benefit from Helcim’s automatic volume discounts based on your monthly processing volume. This dynamic pricing structure allows for flexibility and scalability as your business expands.

Cutting-edge cloud-based POS system

Helcim offers a cutting-edge cloud-based point-of-sale system, empowering you to manage your business from anywhere. Whether on-site or on the go, Helcim’s intuitive system provides essential features such as inventory management and detailed reporting, facilitating seamless operations wherever you are.

Versatile API integrations

Helcim’s Developer API extends far beyond payment processing, allowing seamless integration with your website’s online store. Helcim’s payment gateway API makes it easy for developers to add payment features directly to their website. This means you can accept payments, register customers, create discount codes, generate QR codes, tailor solutions to meet your unique project requirements, and more. Helcim’s API provides a versatile toolkit to streamline your operations, whether you’re integrating with your website, shopping cart, billing system, or application for online transactions.

Mobile app

Helcim’s mobile app allows users to manage phone payments. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android mobile device, you can log in to your Helcim account and use the app to handle Visa and Mastercard payments, even when you’re on the move.

Transparent pricing policy

Helcim stands out with a straightforward pricing model devoid of hidden fees like deposit, PCI, setup, or monthly fees commonly associated with other merchant service providers. By providing transparent pricing on their website, the company ensures clarity and honesty in their dealings with clients, promoting trust and confidence in their services.

Drawbacks

While Helcim’s strengths are evident, it’s important to acknowledge areas where they may not fully meet the needs of every business.

Limited third-party integrations

Helcim’s range of third-party integrations is relatively restricted compared to only five providers across different services. This may pose challenges for businesses requiring extensive integration with specific software or platforms not currently supported by Helcim.

Restricted POS hardware options

Helcim offers limited POS hardware options as they don't provide systems such as electronic cash registers, display screens, barcode scanners, etc. This limitation narrows down the scope of industries the company caters to; for instance, businesses like restaurants heavily depend on these systems to operate at their maximum capacity.

Unsuitable for low-volume merchants

Helcim’s pricing model favors high-volume merchants but may not suit smaller companies with lower processing volumes. Automatic volume discounts don’t offer significant cost savings for them and may even result in extra costs.

Lack of loyalty programs

Helcim does not offer built-in business-to-customer loyalty programs as part of their service offerings. This absence may call for external third-party solutions for businesses looking to implement customer loyalty initiatives.

Customer Reviews

Helcim garners a range of customer feedback across popular review platforms. On G2, they hold a solid 4-star rating, indicating generally positive sentiments among users. However, the company’s rating on BBB drops to 2 stars, reflecting a mix of positive and negative customer experiences. Meanwhile, on Trustpilot, Helcim shines with an impressive 4.4-star rating, showcasing high satisfaction among users.

Despite its positive ratings, Helcim is not without any drawbacks. Many users on the previously mentioned review platforms have expressed frustration over account closures, often due to suspected money laundering. Customers have also faced challenges integrating their business accounts and encountered system bugs. A customer reported facing scalability issues, explaining they could not set up and manage more than ten terminals across various locations, forcing them to compromise their operations. As larger companies grapple with scalability issues, smaller businesses face challenges with Helcim’s high processing fees. Complaints have also been raised regarding inadequate customer support, with some users experiencing long wait times and no assistance.

Despite these challenges, Helcim boasts several strengths that resonate with their user base. Customers have expressed appreciation for the platform’s user-friendly interface and efficient customer service, citing them as standout features. Many medium-to-large business owners find value in Helcim’s volume-based rate discounts, which offer cost savings for higher-volume transactions. Furthermore, Helcim’s implementation of anti-fraud measures garners praise from users, demonstrating a commitment to security and trustworthiness in their services.

How Can I Contact Helcim?

For assistance or inquiries, you can email [email protected] or directly call them at (877) 643 5246. Moreover, you have the option to request a callback or schedule a demo through their website. Additionally, you can connect with Helcim across their social media platforms, on  X (Twitter), YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, Helcim emerges as a dynamic credit card processor and point of sale provider, catering primarily to small and medium-sized businesses across various industries. Founded in 2006, they offer tailored services and flexible payment processing solutions without binding contracts. Their comprehensive features encompass cutting-edge hardware options, robust software integration, and a user-friendly interface, empowering businesses to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. While Helcim receives positive feedback for their security measures, user-friendly interface, and volume-based rate discounts, challenges such as limited third-party integrations, restricted POS hardware options, and scalability issues for larger companies stand in the way for potential customers. Despite these drawbacks, Helcim’s commitment to transparent pricing, efficient customer service, and anti-fraud measures makes them a good option for many businesses.

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