Helcim vs Shopify
Helcim
helcim.com
Shopify
shopify.comSide by side
| Figure | Helcim | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.40/mo | $29/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 6 | 7 |
| Spec score · Point of Sale POS software | 9.3 (#1) | 8.2 (#9) |
| Spec score · Point-of-Sale Software | 9.0 (#5) | 8.9 (#6) |
| Founded | LinkedIn lists Helcim as founded in 2006. | 2006 |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Headquarters | Helcim lists its primary headquarters at 440 2 Ave SW, Suite 400, Calgary, Alberta T2P 5E9, Canada. | Ottawa, Canada |
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
Shopify
- Basic$29 a month
- BasicPriced on request
- Grow$79 a month
- GrowPriced on request
- Advanced$299 a month
- Plus$2,300 a month
- POS Pro$89 a month
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.
Shopify
Shopify is a hosted commerce platform for businesses selling across online and other sales channels. Businesses can run it from the web or mobile without coding, manage inventory across 10 locations, and use tools for order synchronization, sales reporting, automation, and employee permissions. It supports digital products and abandoned-cart recovery. The Shopify App Store lists more than 21,000 commerce apps.
Plans include secure commerce hosting and unlimited bandwidth, plus a free TLS/SSL certificate for domains added to Shopify. Shopify is certified Level 1 PCI DSS compliant. Support varies by plan and includes 24/7 live chat, enhanced live chat, or priority support. There is no free plan, but the free trial lasts three days and requires no credit card. Paid plans start at ₹1,499 per month when paid yearly; after the trial, most plans start at ₹20 per month for the first three months. Third-party transaction fees may apply, with rates depending on the plan.