Helcim vs Stax: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Helcim and Stax — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Helcim wins on our scorecard (7.7/10 vs 7.6/10).
| Scored on | Helcim | Stax |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 6 | 6 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 7 |
| Customer support | 7 | 7 |
| Features | 8 | 9 |
| Monthly Subscription | $0 | Starting at $99 |
| Annual Fee | $0 | — |
| PCI Compliance Fee | $0 | — |
| In-person Margin (Average) | 0.40% + 8¢ | — |
| Online Margin (Average) | 0.50% + 25¢ | — |
| Interchange Markup | — | 0% |
| ACH Processing | — | Flat fee (varies by plan) |
| PCI Compliance | — | Included in subscription |
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.
Stax in one paragraph
Stax is the premier 'grown-up' choice for high-volume businesses that are tired of losing thousands to percentage-based markups.
Skip it if: You process less than $5,000 per month or need an instant, no-credit-check setup.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Helcim or Stax?
On our five-axis scorecard, Helcim scores higher (7.7/10 vs 7.6/10). Helcim is the most honest payment processor for growing businesses that have outgrown flat-rate 'convenience' pricing.
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 Stax?
You process less than $5,000 per month or need an instant, no-credit-check setup.