The bottom line
Helcim doesn’t charge one flat rate. You pay the card networks’ cost for each card (called interchange), plus Helcim’s markup of 0.40% + 8¢ per in-person sale. There is no monthly fee, no contract and no cancellation fee.
Interac debit is 9¢, or 12¢ for tap. Helcim says most of its merchants end up with a total in-person rate near or below 2%. That’s their claim, not ours, so check it against your own card mix.
Helcim fees at a glance
Visit Helcim- Pricing model
- interchange plus (rates below are the markup on top of interchange)
- Contract
- Month to month, no cancellation fee
- Payouts
- Next business morning
| Payment type | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| In person (card present) | Interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ | helcim.com |
| Online | Interchange + 0.5% + 25¢ | helcim.com |
| Keyed in | Interchange + 0.5% + 25¢ | helcim.com |
| Interac debit | Interchange + 9¢ | helcim.com |
Monthly fees and plans
- Account monthly fee: $0
- 4G wireless data (optional): not published
- Helcim POS / Virtual Terminal / invoicing (included): $0/month
Checked October 19, 2026 on helcim.com. Prices change, so confirm with Helcim before you sign.
The rates in the table above are Helcim’s markup only. Your total rate is that markup plus interchange, so it will always be higher than the number shown.
Who it’s for
- Businesses with steady volume. The markup gets smaller as you grow, and there’s no monthly fee to cover in a slow month.
- Shops where lots of customers pay by debit. Interac is a flat 9¢ (12¢ for tap), whether the sale is $10 or $500.
- Owners who want to leave if it doesn’t work out. Helcim says there are no contracts, leases, termination fees or cancellation fees.
- Anyone who wants their money fast. Helcim says deposits arrive the next business morning for credit and debit.
Who should skip it
- Owners who want the same bill every month. Interchange changes with the cards your customers use, so your cost moves around.
- Businesses that take a lot of American Express. Helcim’s pricing page doesn’t say how Amex is priced. Ask before you sign.
- Anyone who needs a free terminal. Hardware costs extra (see below).
The catch
The headline number isn’t your total. Helcim’s 0.40% + 8¢ is what Helcim keeps. Interchange is added on top, and it changes with each card your customers use.
Hardware prices don’t say which currency. Helcim shows one price list for Canada and the US. The Smart Terminal is listed at $429 per unit plus shipping, or $39 a month for one year, on their site. The Card Reader is listed at $239 plus shipping. Ask Helcim to confirm the price in Canadian dollars.
Amex isn’t spelled out. The pricing page doesn’t say how American Express payments are charged.
Some extras cost more. Recurring payments add 0.4% per payment. Bank payments (EFT and pre-authorized debit) cost 0.5% + 25¢, capped at $6.
Chargebacks cost $15 if you lose. Helcim lists $0 when a dispute is resolved in your favour.
What it costs at your size
We can’t give you a total for Helcim without your statement, because interchange depends on which cards your customers use. What we can show is Helcim’s share, which is published.
Example: $10,000 a month in person, 400 payments.
- Helcim’s markup: 0.40% × $10,000 = $40, plus 400 × 8¢ = $32
- Helcim’s share: $72 a month, plus interchange on top
That $72 is not your bill. Your bill is $72 plus the interchange on all 400 payments. If 200 of those payments were Interac debit, those would be 9¢ each (12¢ for tap) instead.
Helcim’s markup drops as your monthly volume grows:
| Monthly volume | In person | Keyed and online |
|---|---|---|
| $0 to $50K | 0.40% + 8¢ | 0.50% + 25¢ |
| $50K to $100K | 0.35% + 7¢ | 0.45% + 20¢ |
| $100K to $500K | 0.25% + 7¢ | 0.35% + 20¢ |
| $500K to $1M | 0.20% + 6¢ | 0.25% + 15¢ |
| $1M to $5M | 0.15% + 6¢ | 0.15% + 15¢ |
All rates above are Helcim’s markup on top of interchange. Helcim says it bases your tier on the average of your last three months.
The best way to compare: take last month’s statement, work out your real rate in the fee calculator, then ask Helcim for a quote on the same month.
Compared with
- Square: a flat 2.5% in person with no monthly fee. Easier to predict, but debit is 0.75% + 7¢ and foreign cards add 1.5%.
- Clearly Payments: also interchange-plus, with published markups from 0.38% + 8¢ in person once you process $150,000 a year. Terminal rental is extra and not priced publicly.
Beyond the rate
What the rate table doesn't show, taken from Helcim's own terms and help pages.
Can they hold your money?
Helcim can pause or delay your payouts, or make you keep money in a reserve, to cover what you owe it.
Source: legal.helcim.comHardware lock-in
Helcim says its POS app only works with an iPhone, the Helcim Card Reader and the Helcim Smart Terminal, so you can't use other hardware with it.
Source: helcim.comLeaving
Helcim says there are no penalties or cancellation fees, and you close your account by calling its support team during business hours.
Source: legal.helcim.comSupport
Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm MT; Saturday 9am to 5pm MT. phone +1 (877) 643-5246,contact form (reply within one business day)
Source: helcim.com
Common questions
How much does Helcim charge per transaction?
Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing. You pay the card's interchange cost plus Helcim's markup, which starts at 0.40% + 8¢ in person and 0.50% + 25¢ for online and keyed-in payments. The markup drops as your monthly volume grows. Interac debit is 9¢, or 12¢ for tap, in Canada.
Does Helcim have a monthly fee?
No. Helcim says there are no account monthly fees, minimums, software fees or statement fees, and its POS, virtual terminal and invoicing tools are included. You pay for hardware if you need it. Optional 4G wireless data is listed at $9 a month on their site.
Is Helcim cheaper than Square?
It depends on your card mix and size. Square is a flat 2.5% in person. Helcim adds a 0.40% + 8¢ markup to interchange, and Helcim says most merchants end up with a total in-person rate near or below 2% (their claim). Debit is clearer: 9¢ at Helcim versus 0.75% + 7¢ at Square.
What is Helcim's chargeback fee?
Helcim lists $0 for disputes resolved in your favour and $15 if you lose. That is lower than some processors. Moneris, for example, lists $25 per chargeback. Stripe charges CA$15 when a dispute is opened and another CA$15 if you contest it.
How do Helcim's volume discounts work?
Helcim lowers its markup as your monthly card volume grows, from 0.40% + 8¢ in person under $50,000 a month down to 0.15% + 6¢ between $1 million and $5 million. Helcim says the discount applies automatically, based on the average of your last three months of processing.