Helcim vs Squirrel Systems
Helcim
helcim.com
Squirrel Systems
squirrelsystems.comSide by side
| Figure | Helcim | Squirrel Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.40/mo | $90/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 4 |
| Spec score · Point-of-Sale Software | 9.0 (#5) | 8.2 (#42) |
| Founded | LinkedIn lists Helcim as founded in 2006. | 1984 |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Headquarters | Helcim lists its primary headquarters at 440 2 Ave SW, Suite 400, Calgary, Alberta T2P 5E9, Canada. | Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada |
| Integrations | Listed integrations include QuickBooks Online, Xero, WooCommerce and Foxy, with additional software connections available. | Squirrel lists integrations across payments, online ordering and delivery, loyalty and gift, reservations, inventory, labor, gaming, reporting, PMS, accounting, and liquor management. |
| Notable limits | The POS app page says Helcim Payments is incompatible with Chromebooks and LG L322DL devices. | The Squirrel Cloud feature table identifies multi-location management, kitchen automation, digital ordering, and gift cards as add-ons in the listed editions. |
| Product | Helcim provides payment processing tools for businesses to accept payments in person, online, by invoice, or through a virtual terminal. | Squirrel provides point-of-sale solutions for restaurants and hospitality operations. |
| Reporting | Real-time reporting provides sales and transaction data from a centralized dashboard. | The platform provides real-time sales reports and analytics, including sales trends, menu mix, and staff performance metrics. |
| Security | 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. | Squirrel Cloud describes its security as including encryption, role-based access, and top-tier protocols to protect business and customer data. |
| 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. | Squirrel EasyCare includes a help center with a knowledge base and documentation, training videos, and phone and email support. |
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
Squirrel Systems
- Limited Service$90 a month
- Full Service$100 a month
- Squirrel Cloud POS — Limited Service$90 a month
- Squirrel Cloud POS — Full Service$100 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.
Squirrel Systems
Squirrel Systems has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.