Payment Processor Comparison
PaymentsPlus vs Helcim
Both use interchange-plus pricing — the fairest model for merchants. But PaymentsPlus offers a lower markup, free equipment, and same-day funding. See which one saves you more.
Helcim: $0/month + 0.30% markup
Helcim markets their $0 monthly fee, but the markup on every transaction is higher:
- 0.30% markup on every dollar processed
- Must purchase hardware ($109-$329)
- Only one terminal option (Helcim Smart Terminal)
PaymentsPlus: $10/month + 0.20% markup
Our $10 monthly fee pays for itself quickly with the lower markup:
- 0.20% markup — 33% less than Helcim
- Free Clover equipment placement
- Full Clover lineup (Go, Flex, Mini, Station)
The Break-Even Point
If you process more than $10,000/month, the lower markup outweighs the $10 fee
Example: $25,000/month business
With Helcim
$487.5/mo
+ $329 terminal
With PaymentsPlus
$472.5/mo
free equipment
Monthly Savings
$15
Year 1 Savings
$509
incl. equipment
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | PaymentsPlus | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Interchange Markup | + 0.20% | + 0.30% |
| Monthly Fee | $10/month | $0/month |
| Contract | Month-to-month | Month-to-month |
| Equipment Cost | Free placement | $109-$329 purchase |
| Funding Speed | Next-day (same-day available) | Next business day |
| Cancellation Fee | $0 | $0 |
| PCI Compliance | Included | Included |
| Canadian Support | Phone & email | Phone & email |
| Volume Discounts | Yes - negotiable | Automatic tiers |
| POS Hardware | Clover (full lineup) | Helcim Smart Terminal only |
Where Helcim Falls Short
Helcim is a solid processor, but there are key differences
Helcim charges interchange + 0.30% vs our 0.20%. On a $25,000/month business, that 0.10% difference adds up to $25/month or $300/year — more than offsetting their $0 monthly fee.
Helcim's Smart Terminal costs $109-$329 to purchase. With PaymentsPlus, you get Clover terminals placed for free — no upfront investment required.
Helcim only offers their own Smart Terminal. PaymentsPlus gives you access to the full Clover lineup: handheld Flex, countertop Mini, and full Station Duo POS systems.
Helcim offers next-business-day funding. PaymentsPlus offers next-day standard with same-day funding available for qualified merchants who need faster cash flow.
Being Honest: When Helcim Might Be Better
We believe in transparency. Helcim might be the right choice if:
- •You process less than $10,000/month (the $0 monthly fee saves more than the markup difference)
- •You're purely online and don't need physical terminals
- •You prefer to own your equipment outright rather than use placement
Processing more than $10,000/month? PaymentsPlus saves you money every month — plus you get free equipment.Check our calculator to see your exact savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both use interchange-plus — what's really different?
The markup rate. Helcim charges interchange + 0.30%, while PaymentsPlus charges interchange + 0.20%. That 0.10% difference means real savings as your volume grows. Plus, we include free equipment while Helcim requires a purchase.
Helcim has $0 monthly fee — isn't that better?
It depends on your volume. If you process $10,000+/month, the 0.10% lower markup saves you more than $10. At $25,000/month, you save $25 on processing minus the $10 fee = $15/month net savings, plus you avoid $329 in equipment costs.
What about Helcim's automatic volume discounts?
Helcim reduces their markup as your volume grows, but even at their best tier, PaymentsPlus typically offers a lower rate. We also offer volume discounts that can be negotiated based on your specific business.
Can I switch from Helcim easily?
Yes! Since neither processor uses contracts, you can switch anytime. We'll have you processing within 3-5 business days and provide free equipment to replace your Helcim terminal.
Why do you charge a monthly fee when Helcim doesn't?
Our $10 monthly fee lets us keep the per-transaction markup lower. For any business processing more than $10,000/month, this model saves more money overall. It's a trade-off that benefits growing businesses.
Lower Markup. Free Equipment. Same Transparency.
If you value interchange-plus pricing, you'll love PaymentsPlus. Same transparent model, lower markup, and free Clover equipment included.
No obligation. See your potential savings in 60 seconds.