Blackbaud Merchant Services Virtual Terminal vs Helcim
Blackbaud Merchant Services Virtual Terminal
webfiles-sc1.blackbaud.comHelcim
helcim.comSide by side
| Figure | Blackbaud Merchant Services Virtual Terminal | 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 | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · Virtual Terminal Software | 8.2 (#6) | 9.1 (#2) |
| Founded | 1981 | LinkedIn lists Helcim as founded in 2006. |
| Headquarters | Charleston, South Carolina, United States | Helcim lists its primary headquarters at 440 2 Ave SW, Suite 400, Calgary, Alberta T2P 5E9, Canada. |
| Integrations | The fee page lists Raiser’s Edge NXT, Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud NetCommunity, Blackbaud CRM, Blackbaud eTapestry and Blackbaud Online Express as available with Blackbaud Merchant Services. | Listed integrations include QuickBooks Online, Xero, WooCommerce and Foxy, with additional software connections available. |
| Security | Blackbaud says it encrypts and tokenizes card information, prevents clients from accessing card data, and adheres to PCI DSS and PA DSS. | 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 Virtual Terminal help page directs users with account or application questions to Payment Services Support and advises users who cannot see the Virtual Terminal to contact their system administrator. | 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. |
| Virtual Terminal | The web portal Virtual Terminal processes one-time card payments outside other Blackbaud solutions, for both card-present and card-not-present transactions. | A virtual terminal lets merchants key card payments from a computer or tablet for phone and mail orders. |
Plans
Blackbaud Merchant Services Virtual Terminal
- Blackbaud Merchant Services (USD transaction pricing)Priced on request
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
Blackbaud Merchant Services Virtual Terminal
Blackbaud Merchant Services Virtual Terminal is a web portal for processing one-time card payments outside other Blackbaud solutions. It supports both card-present and card-not-present transactions. To enter a payment, a user selects a category and account configuration, enters the amount and payer details, and supplies payment information. Email acknowledgements are available when acknowledgement settings are configured. Transactions entered in the Virtual Terminal do not appear in other Blackbaud solutions or apps, and users who cannot see the terminal in the portal need to contact their system administrator for access. Merchant Services is available to customers using products including Raiser’s Edge NXT, Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud NetCommunity, Blackbaud CRM, Blackbaud eTapestry, and Blackbaud Online Express. Blackbaud describes the service as designed exclusively for the social good community. It states that it encrypts and tokenizes card information and adheres to PCI DSS and PA DSS requirements. Pricing is based on transaction percentages and fees, is provided upon request, and is included in the contract.
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.