Helcim vs PayPal Business: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Helcim and PayPal Business — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: PayPal Business wins on our scorecard (7.8/10 vs 7.7/10).
| Scored on | Helcim | PayPal Business |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 6 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 7 |
| Customer support | 7 | 5 |
| Features | 8 | 9 |
| Monthly Subscription | $0 | — |
| Annual Fee | $0 | — |
| PCI Compliance Fee | $0 | — |
| In-person Margin (Average) | 0.40% + 8¢ | — |
| Online Margin (Average) | 0.50% + 25¢ | — |
| Monthly fee | — | $0 |
| Online transaction fee | — | 2.99% + fixed fee |
| In-person (QR) fee | — | 2.29% + $0.09 |
| Instant transfer fee | — | 1.5% (capped) |
Helcim in one paragraph
Helcim is the most honest payment processor for growing businesses that have outgrown flat-rate 'convenience' pricing.
Skip it if: Skip it if you process less than $2,000 per month or need to start taking payments in the next 10 minutes.
PayPal Business in one paragraph
PayPal Business is the ultimate 'day one' tool for solopreneurs to get paid, though its automated fraud filters can be a headache for rapidly scaling firms.
Skip it if: You should not pick this if you process over $50,000 monthly and need a dedicated account representative to handle disputes.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Helcim or PayPal Business?
On our five-axis scorecard, PayPal Business scores higher (7.8/10 vs 7.7/10). PayPal Business is the ultimate 'day one' tool for solopreneurs to get paid, though its automated fraud filters can be a headache for rapidly scaling firms.
Who should skip Helcim?
Skip it if you process less than $2,000 per month or need to start taking payments in the next 10 minutes.
Who should skip PayPal Business?
You should not pick this if you process over $50,000 monthly and need a dedicated account representative to handle disputes.