Apex Reader vs Helcim
Apex Reader
apexonepayments.comHelcim
helcim.comSide by side
| Figure | Apex Reader | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $0.40/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 6 |
| Spec score · Mobile Payment Processing Software | 7.9 (#6) | 9.3 (#1) |
| Integrations | The page lists QuickBooks Online, invoicing and pay-by-link, SMS receipts, tip prompts, and multi-location reporting as platform features. | Listed integrations include QuickBooks Online, Xero, WooCommerce and Foxy, with additional software connections available. |
| Payment methods | It accepts NFC contactless payments, EMV chip cards, and magstripe swipes, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. | Its in-person tools accept major payment types, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. |
| Reporting | Reader transactions sync to the Apexonepayments dashboard in real time and share a ledger with the counter POS. | Real-time reporting provides sales and transaction data from a centralized dashboard. |
| Security | The product page states that Reader is PCI PTS certified, uses end-to-end encryption, and keeps card data off the phone. | Helcim identifies itself as a PCI Level 1 Service Provider and says it protects cardholder data with AES-256 encryption and TLS 1.2 or higher in transit. |
| Support | The Help Center says support is available 24/7/365 in English and Spanish. | Helcim offers phone support Monday through Friday 7 a.m.–5 p.m. MT and Saturdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. MT, and says contact-form questions receive a reply within one business day. |
| What it does | Apex Reader is a pocket-sized Bluetooth card reader that pairs with an iPhone or Android phone to accept contactless, chip, and swipe payments. | Helcim is a payment-processing platform for small and medium-sized businesses accepting card, debit and ACH/EFT payments online and in person. |
Plans
Helcim
- Helcim payment processingFree
- Helcim platformFree
- Recurring payments$0.40 a month
- 4G wireless data$7 a month
- Helcim Card Reader$199, paid once
- Helcim Smart Terminal$349, paid once
In their own words
Apex Reader
Apex Reader is a pocket-sized Bluetooth card reader for in-person payments away from a counter. It pairs with an iPhone or Android phone and accepts NFC contactless payments, EMV chip cards, and magnetic-stripe swipes, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Bluetooth LE connectivity requires iOS 14 or later or Android 10 or later, and no separate data plan is required. The reader provides up to 12 hours of active use and charges through micro-USB. The Apexonepayments app can start a sale or retrieve one from an invoice, process refunds and voids, and add optional tax and tips. It sends branded receipts by SMS or email, while sales synchronize to the dashboard in real time. Reader transactions share a ledger with Apex Flex and Mini. Account activation takes under two minutes, with no setup fees or monthly minimums. Pricing is on request.
Helcim
Helcim provides businesses with payment processing tools for in-person and online sales, invoices, and virtual-terminal transactions. Its tools include point of sale, online checkout, payment links, recurring payments, invoicing, a customer vault, and an inventory catalog. In-person payments support major payment types such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Eligible merchants can also accept ACH through invoicing, recurring payments, payment requests, and the Virtual Terminal. Helcim lists integrations with QuickBooks Online, Xero, and WooCommerce, as well as its API and HelcimPay.js for custom integrations and website payments. The Card Vault tokenizes stored payment details for future or recurring payments, while Helcim says it protects cardholder data with AES-256 encryption and TLS 1.2 or higher in transit. It identifies itself as a PCI Level 1 Service Provider. The POS app is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, with listed device requirements. The processing plan costs nothing, with no account monthly fees; transaction rates vary by volume and payment method.