Helcim vs Square Payments: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Helcim and Square Payments — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Square Payments wins on our scorecard (7.8/10 vs 7.7/10).
| Scored on | Helcim | Square Payments |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Basic) |
| In-person Rate | — | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Online/Keyed Rate | — | 2.9% - 3.5% + 15¢ |
| Instant Transfer Fee | — | 1.75% per transfer |
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.
Square Payments in one paragraph
Square is the gold standard for speed and simplicity, though you pay a premium in transaction fees for the convenience.
Skip it if: Skip it if your business processes more than $20,000 per month, as you'll save thousands elsewhere with interchange-plus pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Helcim or Square Payments?
On our five-axis scorecard, Square Payments scores higher (7.8/10 vs 7.7/10). Square is the gold standard for speed and simplicity, though you pay a premium in transaction fees for the convenience.
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 Square Payments?
Skip it if your business processes more than $20,000 per month, as you'll save thousands elsewhere with interchange-plus pricing.