How Helcim Payment Processing Works and What It Costs
What Helcim does and who it's for
Helcim is a payment processor that lets businesses accept credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets—both in person and online. The company handles the technical side: it connects your card reader or website to the banking system, deposits money into your account, and sends you reports on every transaction. Helcim is Canadian-owned and operates across Canada and the United States.
Helcim works best for small to mid-sized businesses that process a moderate volume of payments and want transparent pricing. If you run a retail store, service business, restaurant, or online shop, you can use Helcim. The company does not lock you into long-term contracts, which means you can leave if the costs or service no longer fit your needs.
Helcim is not the only payment processor available—Square, Stripe, PayPal, and traditional bank processors all compete in this space. The choice depends on your transaction volume, the type of business you run, and how much you value transparency in fees.
Key Takeaways
- Helcim charges per-transaction fees (a percentage plus a fixed amount) rather than monthly minimums, so you only pay when you process a sale.
- You need a business bank account and a way to accept cards—either a physical reader for in-person sales or a website integration for online payments.
- Helcim deposits money into your account daily or weekly depending on your settings, not monthly like some competitors.
- Setup takes a few days to a week after Helcim approves your business information, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.
- Helcim publishes its rates publicly on its website, so you can calculate your exact cost before signing up.
How Helcim's fees work
Helcim charges a per-transaction fee made up of two parts: a percentage of the sale amount plus a fixed cent amount. For example, a typical rate might be 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. This means on a $100 sale, you would pay $3.20 in processing fees. The exact percentage varies based on the type of card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and whether the card is present or not (online sales often cost more to process than in-person sales).
There is no monthly minimum, no setup fee, and no cancellation penalty. You pay only when you process a transaction. Helcim also charges for optional add-ons: if you want to accept American Express, that costs extra; if you want advanced reporting or custom integrations, those are separate line items. You can see all rates on Helcim's website before you commit.
Unlike some processors, Helcim does not charge a monthly gateway fee or statement fee. However, if you use a physical card reader, you may need to purchase or rent the device itself—Helcim offers readers at different price points, and some come with a monthly lease option.
Setting up Helcim for in-person payments
To accept cards in person, you need a card reader that connects to your phone, tablet, or computer. Helcim sells or leases several models: the Helcim Go is a portable reader for small businesses, and the Helcim Pro is a larger terminal for higher-volume locations. You can buy the reader outright or lease it monthly.
The setup process is straightforward: you provide your business information (legal name, address, tax ID, bank account details), Helcim reviews it, and if approved, you download the Helcim app, connect your reader, and start processing. Approval usually takes two to five business days. Once approved, you can begin accepting payments immediately.
The reader itself is simple to use—the customer inserts, taps, or swipes their card, and the transaction appears in your Helcim dashboard. You can print receipts or email them to the customer. All transactions are recorded and available in your account for reconciliation.
Setting up Helcim for online payments
If you sell online, you can integrate Helcim into your website or use Helcim's hosted payment page. The hosted page is the simpler route: you send customers a link, they enter their card details on a Helcim-hosted form, and the payment is processed. This works for invoices, one-off sales, or subscription billing.
For a custom website, Helcim provides an API and plugins for common platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom builds. A developer can integrate Helcim into your checkout in a few hours to a few days. Helcim's documentation is available online, and their support team can answer technical questions.
Online transactions typically have a higher per-transaction fee than in-person ones because the card is not physically present—the processor assumes more risk. Helcim's rates for online sales are published on their website so you can compare before choosing.
How money gets into your bank account
Helcim deposits funds into your business bank account on a daily or weekly schedule, depending on your settings. Most businesses choose daily deposits, which means the money from today's sales lands in your account tomorrow morning. This is faster than many competitors, which batch deposits weekly or monthly.
Helcim deducts its processing fees from the deposit before it hits your account. So if you process $1,000 in sales and owe $30 in fees, your deposit will be $970. You can see the exact breakdown in your Helcim dashboard—every transaction, every fee, and every deposit is itemized.
If a customer disputes a charge or requests a refund, Helcim handles the chargeback process. You can issue refunds directly from your dashboard, and the money is returned to the customer's card. Helcim may charge a fee if a chargeback is ruled against you, but this is standard across all processors.
Reporting and record-keeping
Your Helcim dashboard shows all transactions in real time. You can filter by date, card type, payment method, or amount. You can download reports in CSV or PDF format for your accounting software or tax records. Helcim also integrates with accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Xero, so transactions can sync automatically.
Every transaction includes the customer's name, card type, amount, fee, and timestamp. This level of detail makes it easy to reconcile with your bank deposits and spot errors. If a customer claims they were charged twice, you can pull the transaction record in seconds.
Helcim keeps transaction records for a set period (typically seven years for tax and legal purposes). You can download your full history anytime, so you are not dependent on Helcim to keep your records safe.
Canceling or switching away from Helcim
Helcim has no long-term contract and no cancellation fee. You can stop using Helcim anytime by deactivating your account in the dashboard. If you switch to another processor, you do not owe Helcim anything beyond the fees for transactions you already processed.
Before you leave, download your transaction history and reconcile your final deposit. If you used a Helcim reader, you can return it or keep it depending on whether you purchased or leased it. If you leased, you stop paying the monthly fee once you cancel.
Switching processors is straightforward: set up your new processor, update your website or point-of-sale system to use the new payment gateway, and let your customers know if there are any changes to how they pay. Most switches take a day or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Helcim work with my existing point-of-sale system?
Helcim integrates with many popular POS systems like Square, Toast, and Clover, but not all. Check Helcim's integration list on their website or contact their support team with your POS system name. If your system is not supported, you can use Helcim's standalone app or hosted payment page instead.
What happens if a customer's card is declined?
Helcim will notify you immediately that the transaction failed. You can ask the customer for a different card or payment method. Helcim does not charge you a fee for declined transactions—you only pay when a sale goes through.
Can I use Helcim if I am a sole proprietor or freelancer?
Yes. You need a business bank account and a tax ID, but Helcim works with sole proprietorships, LLCs, and corporations. If you are just starting out, you may need to provide additional documentation like a business license or proof of address.
How long does it take to get paid after a customer pays?
With daily deposits, money from today's sales typically lands in your account the next business day. Weekends and holidays may delay deposits by one day. You can see the exact deposit schedule in your Helcim settings.
What if I process a high volume of transactions?
Helcim can handle high-volume businesses. As your volume grows, you may be able to negotiate lower per-transaction rates. Contact Helcim's sales team to discuss your volume and ask about custom pricing.