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 (7.9/10 vs 7.3/10).
| Scored on | Helcim | Stax |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 7 | 7 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 7 |
| Customer support | 7 | 6 |
| Features | 8 | 8 |
| Monthly Subscription | $0 | From $99 |
| In-person Transaction | Interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ (avg) | — |
| Online Transaction | Interchange + 0.50% + 25¢ (avg) | — |
| ACH Payments | 0.5% + 25¢ | — |
| Markup on Interchange | — | 0% |
| ACH Processing | — | Flat fee (varies) |
| PCI Compliance Fee | — | Included in some plans |
Helcim in one paragraph
Helcim is the best-in-class choice for growing U.S. small businesses that want to escape monthly fees and benefit from transparent, volume-based transaction pricing.
Skip it if: You process less than $2,000 per month or your average ticket size is under $15.
Stax in one paragraph
Stax is the premier 'scale-up' processor for businesses over $10k/month who are tired of their processor taking a raise every time they grow.
Skip it if: Skip it if you process less than $5,000 per month or have highly seasonal revenue where a $99+ monthly fee would hurt during the off-season.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Helcim or Stax?
On our five-axis scorecard, Helcim scores higher (7.9/10 vs 7.3/10). Helcim is the best-in-class choice for growing U.S. small businesses that want to escape monthly fees and benefit from transparent, volume-based transaction pricing.
Who should skip Helcim?
You process less than $2,000 per month or your average ticket size is under $15.
Who should skip Stax?
Skip it if you process less than $5,000 per month or have highly seasonal revenue where a $99+ monthly fee would hurt during the off-season.