Helcim review

Helcim services

Whether you're looking for straightforward processing or an all-in-one POS solution, Helcim can accommodate:

• Payment processing. With Helcim, you can accept payments through card terminals, virtual terminals and mobile apps.
• Merchant accounts. Helcim merchant accounts come with interchange-plus pricing and are available month-to-month with no cancellation fees.
• POS solutions. Helcim Commerce offers an all-in-one POS system accompanied by payment processing, POS hardware, a virtual terminal and a hosted e-commerce platform.
• Payment gateways. Use Helcim’s payment gateway APIs to accept payments via app or website.

Features

Helcim has a comprehensive range of helpful features:

• Virtual terminal. Helcim offers a mobile app that can turn iPads, iPhones, Android smartphones and tablets into a virtual terminal with a built-in merchant account.
• Terminal exchange program. Once your HelcimPOS hardware arrives, you can return your old hardware to Helcim using the same package your Helcim order came in.
• Software integrations. Helcim’s processing service seamlessly integrates with a variety of third-party software and shopping carts, including Drupal Commerce, Magento, QuickBooks and WooCommerce.
• Developer APIs. The Helcim Commerce Developer API opens the door for direct website, shopping cart and billing system integration.
• International processing. Got customers abroad? Helcim’s processing platform allows you to accept credit card payments from almost anywhere in the world.
• B2B processing. Helcim offers Level 1, 2 and 3 payment processing.

What hardware is available?

Helcim sells a variety of terminals and card readers on its website, including:

Helcim Commerce

Helcim offers a fully hosted e-commerce platform with the following features:

• Payment processing. With the help of a virtual terminal, accept and process payments through your online store or mobile device.
• Online store builder. You don't need developer tools or coding skills to build a website with Helcim Commerce. You can upload your logo, set up a checkout, select from different site themes and adjust colors to customize the user experience.
• Unlimited users. Add an unlimited number of users and stay safe with two-factor authentication.
• Customer management. Keep track of customers by storing their billing, shipping and payment information.
• Invoicing. Create custom invoices and follow up on outstanding payments.
• Inventory. Manage your merchandise by adding items, categories and brands to your product line.

Helcim pricing and fees

Helcim’s processing rates are tiered, so the higher your processing volume, the less you pay in processing fees.

The most expensive rates fall to businesses processing less than $25,000 monthly, while the most competitive rates are given to businesses that process over $5 million monthly.

Additional fees

After monthly fees and processing rates, expect to pay the following service and per-occurrence fees:

Pros and cons

How do I open an account with Helcim?

To get started with Helcim, head to its website and click Get Started:

1. Enter your full name, business name, email address and country of residence.
2. Review Helcim’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
3. Click Create Account.
4. Select the service tier you're interested in applying for.
5. Choose any POS hardware you'd like to add.
6. Enter the name of your business, business type, business tax ID and business email address.
7. Tell Helcim more about the types of products you offer, annual revenue, monthly credit card processing volume and average amount per transaction.
8. Enter your business bank account details as requested.
9. Enter the phone number, residential address, personal details and ownership percentage of all business owners.
10. Enter your business address.
11. Submit your application.

A Helcim representative will review your application and respond within one to two business days.

What other products will I need?

Helcim’s all-in-one Omni service tier offers just about everything you need to start accepting payments — with the exception of an important account:

• Checking account. You'll need to connect your Helcim account to an externally linked business checking account before you can process payments.

What is Helcim?

Helcim is a Canadian processing service founded in 2006 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. It also has a US office is located in Seattle, Washington.

Today, over 6,000 merchants use Helcim’s processing service with over $2.5 billion in annual processing to its name.

Bottom line

Canada-based Helcim has much to offer brick-and-mortar and online merchants alike. With its comprehensive suite of processing services available month-to-month along with transparent rates and fees, there’s plenty to celebrate. But smaller businesses will have to deal with higher processing rates and high-risk merchants may not be accepted.

It's a good idea to review your payment processing options with additional providers to make sure you receive the optimal service for your business.

Frequently asked questions

• Does Helcim check my credit when I apply?

  It might. Helcim performs a hard credit check on all new applicants unless you provide business financial statements.

• What types of cards can I accept?

  Helcim allows you to accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, China UnionPay, American Express OptBlue, JCB and Visa Debit cards.

• Does my business qualify for Helcim’s service?

  The following business types are ineligible for payment processing with Helcim:

  • Collection agencies
  • Consumer bankruptcy lawyers
  • Debt resolution agencies
  • Identity theft/card theft protection services
  • Payment aggregators
  • Money transfer services
  • Bitcoin dealers
  • Shell banks
  • Investment services
  • Payday lenders
  • For-profit adoption agencies
  • Tarot reading/fortune-telling services
  • Game console circumvention devices
  • Remote technical support
  • Adult entertainment

  • Internet gambling
  • Telemarketing
  • Multilevel marketing
  • Counterfeit goods
  • Discount travel clubs
  • Penny auctions
  • Online pharmacies without official certification
  • Online or telephone order tobacco and nicotine sales
  • Telemedicine services
  • Banned supplements
  • Online and telephone firearm, assault weapon and military-grade weapon sales
  • Any illegal activity