Helcim vs Paid for Stripe
Helcim
helcim.com
Paid for Stripe
paidforstripe.comSide by side
| Figure | Helcim | Paid for Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.40/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 6 | 1 |
| Spec score · Mobile Payment Processing Software | 9.3 (#1) | 7.5 (#15) |
| Support | 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. | The site provides a contact link, and its help center says Stripe handles payment and merchant-account issues. |
| What it does | Helcim is a payment-processing platform for small and medium-sized businesses accepting card, debit and ACH/EFT payments online and in person. | Paid turns a phone into a card terminal for accepting card payments through a Stripe account. |
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
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.
Paid for Stripe
Paid for Stripe turns an Android or iOS phone into a card terminal for payments that go to a connected Stripe account. Tap to Pay supports contactless cards and digital wallets without a separate reader, and users may also connect a Bluetooth card reader. Checkout can draw from a reusable product catalog, accept tips, add tax, pass processing fees to customers, or collect payment through links and QR codes; recurring payments are also listed. Account owners can add team members, assign roles, and manage permissions. Stripe pays funds to the user's bank on its regular payout schedule, with instant payouts available in supported regions. The app is presented for mobile and service businesses such as beauticians, drivers, musicians, stallholders, food vans, cleaners, and tradespeople. The listed plan is free, with no monthly or setup fees and no hidden fees; the app charges 0.99% per transaction in addition to Stripe's standard fees. The site says card data is encrypted end-to-end and not stored on the device.